I realized that I've never actually reviewed my all-time, favorite hostel, Palmers Lodge in London, England. Every time I go to London, which is becoming much more frequent these days, I stay at the Swiss Cottage location, a former mansion. On my first visit, for New Years in 2008, I stayed … [Read more...] about Hostel Review: Palmers Lodge Hostel
Europe
Photo Essay: The Tiles of Portugal
Immediately upon arriving in Porto, the beautiful hand-painted tiles on the churches and buildings around town pulled me in. It's not something I would ever see back home, turning the most bland buildings into works of art. I think I stopped for every single color of tile in my week or … [Read more...] about Photo Essay: The Tiles of Portugal
The Night I Spent in a Monastery
After a long day of sightseeing and a bus breakdown, I was relieved to find out accommodation for the night in Guinmares was a beautiful former monastery tucked into the surrounding peaks of the Douro Valley. Pousada de Santa Marinha is not the type of place I would typically stay, but I can't say … [Read more...] about The Night I Spent in a Monastery
Packing for a Trip to Europe
Packing for my upcoming trip to Europe has been a bit of a struggle. I usually travel in extreme seasons, either in the summertime when I know I will be living in my swimsuit, or in winter when I need heavy coats and scarves. But this trip will be from early September to mid October and cover both … [Read more...] about Packing for a Trip to Europe
From Disaster to Surprise in Siena
It started with the words you never want to hear: "I'm sorry but we seem to have overbooked. We don't have a room for you." I was traveling by train through Italy with my parents, sisters, and grandmother in the summer of 2006 for Sammi's Sweet 16 trip. So far we had good luck, in Venice and … [Read more...] about From Disaster to Surprise in Siena