• Odd Magical Objects in the British Museum
    Travel

    Hunting for Treasures & Odd Artifacts in the British Museum

    Considered to be one of the largest museums in the world, the British Museum is truly magnificent. With free admission, it’s a must-see stop on your first trip to London. People cherish a chance to visit the British Museum and dedicate an entire day or two to admire its vast treasures. Be it the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs, Parthenon Marbles, Egyptian Mummies, Hoa Hoakananai’a (The Easter Island statue below), or more obscure ones, like the artifacts we were after. With over 80 MILLION items in its collection, only one percent is currently on display – that’s 800,000 things to look at, and you don’t want to miss a…

  • Stonehenge Panorama
    Travel

    Stonehenge: A Mystery, History, and Magic Day Trip from London

    Stonehenge was the number one destination during our first visit to the United Kingdom. And how could it not? Shrouded in mystery, popularized in literature and movies, it’s like the Holy Grail forged in Stone. However, our friends in the UK proclaimed our visit to Stonehenge to be “the last time they take anybody there again.” Why, might you wonder? Well, let’s start with this tidbit of information on transportation options and what to expect when you visit this 5,000-year-old mystical site. DISCLAIMER: We visited Stonehenge before Covid-19. Check their website for opening times and tours. Transportation We piled into our friends’ car in Twickenham, a charming suburban town southwest of London…

  • View of Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland
    Travel

    Edinburgh: Discover Secrets of Rosslyn Chapel in a Day Trip

    With our love of lore and architecture, we couldn’t resist visiting the fabled Rosslyn Chapel, located in a suburb of Edinburgh… Roslin, Midlothian County. The Chapel is super easy to reach from the center of the city. Hop on Bus 37 towards Penicuik/Deanburn (the sign is in the front window of the bus) and enjoy your 40-minute ride to Roslin. Breakfast in Roslin If you decide to tour Rosslyn Chapel and use a public bus to get there, as we did, there is a small café in town called Dolly’s Tea Room right by the bus stop named “Original Rosslyn Hotel”, just by the Chapel.  With homemade cakes and scones and freshly…

  • image from Camera Obscura exhibit in Edinburgh
    Travel

    Edinburgh: Down The Rabbit Hole (Part 1)

    Staring at the evening sky in Old Town Edinburgh, our eyes followed bright white seagulls navigating through narrow streets, purposefully peeking into windows of the upper-level flats. It made us wonder if these birds were the inspiration for the messenger owls of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books. You’ll most likely catch a literary bug while wandering through the City’s streets. However, for us, exploring the city and writing about our Edinburgh adventure has turned out to be quite a challenge. Edinburgh — down the rabbit hole we go! Visiting Scotland, and Edinburgh, in particular, was a dream come true. Its vast cultural, historical, and mystical heritage is what attracted us…

  • Exterior of the Cobblestone pub
    Travel

    First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this series, I’ll cover all the practicalities of traveling solo in Dublin: where to stay, where to eat, drink, and where to shop. I will also share some tips and tricks for the first time visitors to Dublin, Ireland. And if you’ve missed Part 1, here is a link to it. Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland Being the capital of Ireland, Dublin has a variety of accommodations for every taste and budget. As a solo female traveler, a few things had to be considered. For instance, location of the hotel & neighborhood, short walking distance to the main attractions, safety, comfort of the rooms, and…

  • Christ Church Cathedral View, early morning in Dublin, Ireland
    Travel

    First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 1)

    When we travel to a new city, we love exploring it on foot wherever possible. Wouldn’t you agree that this is the best way to learn a city? This trip was no different, except for the fact that my husband was unable to join, so I was traveling solo, first time in Dublin. In any case, my first day in Dublin started in the morning with a self-guided walking tour. I had one distinct destination in mind, one place that I couldn’t wait to visit. What could it be? The Old Library at Trinity College and the Book of Kells, of course!😊 The River Liffey After a quick breakfast at…