There are 30,000 islands that make up the archipelago of Stockholm. These small islands dot the shoreline of Sweden, separating the city of Stockholm from the Baltic Sea. About 150 of these islands are inhabited year round, and several make a great day trip from Stockholm. The most popular islands to visit are Grinda, Vaxholm, Svartso, and Sandhamn. These islands …
It has been said that Copenhagen is the happiest city in the world. Denmark is a country with a high GDP per capita and a national health care system. In Copenhagen fifty percent of people ride a bike to work. These happy, healthy people volunteer regularly and have the highest percentage of voters during elections compared to any other democratic …
Our trip to London and Paris was our kids’ very first experience in Europe. They were only 8 and 9 years old at the time, so we wanted to pick two cities that had recognizable landmarks, good food, and fun things to do with kids. During our four days in Paris we toured most of the major sites, ate lots …
The Grand Bazaar…four thousand shops in the world’s oldest shopping mall…what fun! We fell in love with Istanbul. This is a city that keeps you busy for days and then stays in your heart long after you leave. For us, one of the highlights was shopping in the Grand Bazaar. Normally, shopping can be a drag for kids. But not …
When you visit Selcuk, Turkey, there is more to see than the ancient city of Ephesus. You can also tour a mosque, visit an Ancient Wonder of the World, and see where the Virgin Mary lived after the death of Jesus. Here are our recommendations of things to do in and around Ephesus. Best Things to Do in Selcuk #1 The …
Seeing the unique scenery of Cappadocia from the vantage point of a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. If you have plans to visit Cappadocia and are wondering if the hot air balloon ride is worth the high price tag, I say yes! This was our favorite experience in Turkey and to this day, these photos are some of …
Cappadocia is the perfect place to go hiking and exploring. The scenery is very unique, the trails are just challenging enough to keep it fun for kids, and while we were here in March, there were very few people on the trails. Tyler and Kara could run off all of their extra energy, explore ancient caves, and just have a fabulous …
Tim and I ended our trip to Peru in the Amazon rainforest. This would end up being quite the experience and would take us out of our comfort zone. I was now wearing a giant, hot, plaster cast on my left hand that was already beginning to disintegrate (I broke my hand mountain biking a few days earlier). Tim and …
Tim and I went mountain biking through the sacred valley of Peru in 2012 with a company called “Gravity Peru.” We met up with our guide, Chet, in Ollantaytambo. Tim and I packed up all of our bags, and ourselves, into Chet’s small, banged up car that already had three bikes in the trunk. He had a driver so we …
Tim and I spent the day rock climbing and zip lining with Natura Vive in the Urabamba river valley of Peru. This was one of our favorite activities during our trip to Peru. Jorge and Alfredo picked us up at our hotel in Ollantaytambo and drove us to the site where we would rock climb and zip line. We put …
Following our day hiking the Inca Trail, Tim and I spent one day exploring Machu Picchu. We spent the night in the town of Aguas Calientes, located in the river valley a half an hour away from Machu Picchu. At 5:30 am we were winding our way back up the mountain, excited for the day ahead. Walking into Machu Picchu …
There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu. For people short on time or for those with no desire to hike their way to the Sun Gate there is the option of arriving in Aguas Calientes by train and then taking a bus up to the main gate of Machu Picchu. But for those who desire a little more …
Tim and I spent three days touring the Sacred Valley of Peru. This area is filled with historical Incan sites, stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and colorful, friendly people. Here are some of our favorite photos from these three days. Sacsaywaman Tim is standing in front of the Incan fortress of Sacsaywaman. It was the site of a 10 month battle …
The town of Pisac, Peru is famous for its Sunday market. This is when many Peruvians do their shopping for fruit, veggies, and meat, but it is also a huge draw for tourists. Tim and I wandered through the maze of shops, stopping occasionally to purchase something or pay one sol to have our photo taken with a Peruvian child. …
Cesky Krumlov is a town in the Czech Republic that we love love love! The town is amazing and absolutely should not be missed on a trip to the Czech Republic. Located in Bohemia, Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town escaped the bombings in World War II, which is the reason why the old city is so well preserved. …
Vienna, Austria is a fabulous city that is home to world class museums, the Opera, cafes, pastries, and the famous Sacher Torte. Tim and I loved Vienna, although we were here for only two full days. We raced through the city and saw as much as possible. Of everything we saw and did, here are our ten favorite things to …
Mont Ventoux is one of the most famous mountains in Europe. It is featured in many Tour de France races, appearing every several years as one of the great climbs of the race. The history and the drama that has unfolded on this mountain is legendary. For cyclists, both amateur and professional, Mont Ventoux is a climb that makes the …
Tim and I had less than a day to tour the wine region in Provence. We had spent the first part of the day cycling up Mont Ventoux. After the ride we changed into shorts, T-shirts, and tennis shoes, my hair was up in a pony tail and under a visor, so we weren’t really dressed for fancy wine tastings. But …
Vence, a town that charmed us immediately, was also a town we weren’t planning on visiting during our trip to the French Riviera. Prior to the trip, Tim and I researched the best towns to visit, such as Nice (our home base for three days), Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche su Mer, Eze, Cap Ferrat, and St. Tropez. Tim and I visited …
The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula 1 Race held every year in Monaco. It is one of the most prestigious races in the world, the course winding through the narrow streets of Monaco. In the days leading up to the event, the streets of Monaco are transformed for the race. Barriers are set up, grandstands are erected, and sponsor …