Two stone behemoths have faced off for centuries as countless battles were waged over a very contentious border. Narva Castle towers over the Estonian side, while Ivangorod Fortress sprawls across the Russian bank. Between them runs the Narva River, which connects Lake Peipsi to the Gulf of Finland. Historically, whoever controlled the Narva River also […]
Old Believer Villages of Lake Peipsi, Estonia
Old Believers first settled in Estonia in the mid 1600s. Major reforms were taking place in the Russian Orthodox church at that time, and not everyone was on board. Those strongly opposed to the reforms were dubbed “old believers” and denounced by the church. Many fled the religious persecution and sought refuge across the border […]
A Marvelous Two Days in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne may appear gritty at first glance, but it continually ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities. The profusion of graffiti is mostly confined to a few specific zones where artists are legally able to demonstrate their skills and enhance Melbourne’s creative vibe. Green spaces and cultural attractions abound, and FREE trams in […]
Driving the Great Ocean Road with Go West Tours
No trip to Australia would be complete without cruising the Great Ocean Road. This 250-kilometer highway stretches along the southern tip of the continent and provides jaw-dropping views of the coast. Surf towns dot the shores, koalas slumber in eucalyptus forests, and centuries of erosion are evident on steep sandstone cliffs which culminate in the […]
Blue Mountains: A Self-Drive Sydney Day Trip
Australia’s Blue Mountains are covered with eucalyptus trees which produce a lovely and aromatic blue haze. I wanted to bottle that wonderful air and take it home with me. Since I didn’t have an empty container on hand, I purified my lungs by huffing and puffing along the hiking trails. The Greater Blue Mountains Area […]