9 articles tagged with medieval history
When most travelers hear 'Bran Castle,' their minds immediately conjure images of vampires, dark forests, and Bram Stoker's infamous Count Dracula. Yet, after visiting this Romanian landmark for the third time—this time with my dear friends and their children—I've discovered...
The mist was just lifting off the Danube as our bus rounded the bend, revealing what looked like something straight out of a fairytale. Stone towers perched dramatically atop a verdant hillside, the morning light catching the ancient walls in...
Standing on the arched stone bridge spanning one of Bruges' countless canals, I watched as late afternoon sunlight gilded the step-gabled facades that have remained largely unchanged since medieval merchants walked these same cobblestone streets. The reflection of centuries-old architecture...
Last summer, while guiding my dear friend Claire and her grandchildren through the winding cobblestone paths of Mont-Saint-Michel, I witnessed something remarkable. Ten-year-old Emma, typically glued to her tablet, stood transfixed before the abbey's soaring Gothic arches, peppering me with...
The ancient cobblestone streets of Veliko Tarnovo whispered stories to me as I wandered through Bulgaria's medieval capital last fall, my wallet surprisingly untouched. After my fifth trip to Eastern Europe, I've finally found what might be the continent's most...
The first time I flew into Edinburgh, I was captivated by the castle perched dramatically on volcanic rock, commanding the cityscape from above. That aerial perspective sparked a lifelong fascination with Scotland's historical architecture. While Edinburgh Castle rightfully claims the...
The first time I visited Verona with my college roommates years ago, I made the classic tourist mistake—rushing to Juliet's balcony, snapping the obligatory photo, and considering the city 'done.' How wrong I was! It wasn't until my return visit...
The first time I wandered through Krakow's cobblestone streets, I felt that familiar tingle of discovery – the one that comes when you know you've found somewhere special. While most visitors make a beeline for Wawel Castle and plan day...
Standing beneath the weathered stone archway of Cesis Castle, I felt that familiar flutter in my chest—the one that appears whenever I encounter spaces where design, history, and human stories converge in perfect harmony. Latvia wasn't initially on my design...