by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jul 5, 2016 | Destinations
Day 49
Santorini Sunset
The Greek island of Santorini is known for its fantastic views at sunset. The town of Oia is the best location because of its unobstructed views to the west. I was fortunate to have two beautiful days on the island to experience these brilliant sunsets. Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 50
Santorini Sunset Cruise
The island of Santorini is on everyone’s list of must-see sights when visiting Greece. The island and the surrounding sea is truly beautiful, but the tourist towns of Fira and Oia can get really crowded, especially when a cruise ship arrives in port. The perfect solution is to charter a private sailing tour in the caldera (the blown out part of the volcano that has filled with water). Seven of us hired a boat, captain and 1st mate for a 5-hour cruise “vacation” away from the crowded towns. It was fantastic! Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 51
Rome, the Roman Forum
I’ve flown a few hundred miles back west and have arrived in the Eternal City! Rome is one of my favorite big cities because it really is compact… not sprawling like London. Visiting the ancient Roman Forum is a great way to begin our adventures in Rome. Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 52
The Colosseum
When I was a kid I saw the film “Dr. Dolittle” and I remember the doctor singing “I’ve seen the Colosseum in Rome and the Acropolis… but I’ve never seen anything quite like this (referring to talking to the animals). In the course of one week I’ve seen both landmarks too. Bella! Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 53
The Vatican Museum
This place is huge and always crowded. There over nine miles of artwork in the chapels, rooms, and passageways of this former Vatican Palace, which has been the home to many Popes. Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 54
The Sistine Chapel
Did you know that in 1508 when Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to begin work on the ceiling, Michelangelo wanted nothing to do with it because he was a sculptor and had never even dabbled in the art of fresco. Over the course of 4 years he learned! Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 55
Saint Peter’s Basilica
Saint Peter’s Basilica is the largest Catholic church in the world. The Holy Door has been unsealed and opened by the Pope to begin a “year of mercy”. Typically, the door is opened only every 50 years. The last time it was opened was in 2000. Have you ever seen the Holy Door opened at the Vatican? Click the picture to watch the video.
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Your Adventure Starts Here!
by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jun 28, 2016 | Destinations
Day 42
Delphi
About 2500 years ago, kings and other important people traveled to this remote area to have their “fortune” told by an oracle who was induced into a trance by the locale. Delphi is a great way to begin a trip to Greece… off-the-beaten-path, historic and no tourist hubbub. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 43
Epidavrous Greek Theatre
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Day 44
Mycenae
The Mycenaeans ruled much of present-day Greece from 1700-1100 B.C., then they mysteriously disappeared. This is the site of their capital city and royal palace where up to 30,000 people resided. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 45
Politics in Greece
Greeks are in an uproar again about their county’s poor financial standing with the EU. Most Greeks are fed up with the financial cuts the government has place on their lifestyles. I filmed this peaceful demonstration in Syntagma Square from the rooftop of my hotel.
Often the news media spins this sort of gathering as “riots in the streets” and civil unrest. Not so here, 4 or 5 blocks away, no one was aware the demonstration was happening. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 46
A Stroll around Santorini
The village of Oia is located at the northern tip of the volcanic island. For me, it is the best choice for a hotel or guesthouse here rather than other locations on the island. I hope you enjoy the pics from my stroll around Oia. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 47
Annie Adare, local guide in Volterra, Italy
I recently visited with Annie Adare, my friend and local guide in Volterra, Italy. After many walking tours with Annie, I finally got around to writing a proper review on Annie’s Trip Advisor page. If you know Annie, take a minute and write a review or leave a comment.
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Day 48
Donkeys in Oia
There are 336+ steps down from the village to the harbor and beach here in Oia. On my trek down, I encounter 20 or so donkeys standing near the bottom, ready and waiting to bring weary tourist back up the stairs. They were bored and hot and had nothing better to do than take a “dump.” For me, it was a “fragrant” and dirty walk. You can bet I dove in the water the first chance I got! Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Your Adventure Starts Here!
by Dawnielle Jacobson | Jun 9, 2016 | Destinations
Day 33
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge stretches across to a small island on the very northern tip of Ireland. It was used in years past by salmon fishermen to reach this strategic location where the fish rounded this point on their migrations.
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Day 34
The Ulster Way
The Ulster Way is a coastal footpath along the north coast of Ireland. I walked a section near the Giant’s Causeway. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 35
The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge video. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 36
The Great Hedges
This beautiful country lane is considered one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. This highly acclaimed stand of beech trees ranks among the top five “tree tunnels” in the world.
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Day 37
Kylemore Victorian Walled Gardens
Kylemore Castle was built in 1867 by Mitchell Henry as a new home for him and his wife. The Victorian Walled Garden was placed nearby and contains plants and flowers introduced to Ireland before 1901. It is a quiet and beautiful respite from the tour buses in the parking lot! Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 38
Doolin, Co Clare
Doolin is a little village on the west coast of Ireland. All my tours stop by here for a night of good music and craic.
On my jog this morning, I ran across this view looking toward the Cliffs of Moher.
Life is slow in Doolin, everything slows down and takes a rest.
McDermott’s Pub is my favorite place for music and craic.
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Day 39
The American Cemetery-Florence
MEMORIAL DAY IN THE USA- Remembering the young American men and women who sacrificed their lives in battle so that we can live a life of freedom. God Bless America! Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 40
Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Castle was built in 1867 by Mitchell Henry as a new home for him and his wife. Later, the property was sold to a group of Benedictine nuns who consecrated the chapel and opened a boarding school for girls. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 41
Taking a break and heading home for a few days.
Click the picture below to watch the video.
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by Dawnielle Jacobson | May 24, 2016 | Destinations
Day 26
The Duomo of Milan
This massive church is the fourth largest in Europe (after St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Paul’s in London and the Cathedral of Sevilla). Construction began in 1386 and the final stones were laid in 1805… almost 5 centuries later!
Sun setting on the western façade
The interior is not really rounded, but this is the only way I could capture it all from top to bottom
It is beautiful at night too
For an extra fee, you can climb to the roof and take a walk
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Day 27
The Grand Canal
I treated my group to a Grand Canal-side dinner in Venice. I’ve come to this spot year after year and it is always a winning location. Tonight we began with aperitivi, lots of conversation, an appetizer plate and finished it off with pizza.
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Day 28
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel looms majestically over the plains of County Tipperary, Ireland. It is the historical site where the Celtic high king Aengus was baptized by Saint Patrick. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 29
The Guinness Experience
In 1759, Arthur Guinness took out a 9,000 year lease on this property at a cost of 45 pounds sterling per year. Almost 250 years later, they are still producing some of the best stout in the world.
A skyscraper view across Dublin from the Gravity Bar atop the Guinness Storehouse
Lots of Guinness!
This is a huge carved wooden piece of art designed to represent the perfect pint
Guinness “University” – learning to pour the perfect pint
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Day 30
Kylemore Castle/Abbey
Posting from the world’s slowest wifi connection.
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Day 31
Stone Ring Forts
Ireland is littered with ancient stone ring forts dating from 1500 BC to the 1100s AD. One well-preserved fort is known as CAHERGAL STONE FORT on the “Ring of Kerry” driving route. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 32
The Giant’s Causeway
This makes one appreciate the Creator!
Until next week!
by Dawnielle Jacobson | May 17, 2016 | Destinations
Day 19
The Duomo of Siena
It was an enlightening experience to visit the interior of Siena’s Cathedral. Colorful mosaic floors, frescoes, stained glass and world-class sculptures abound.
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Day 20
Florence
I’ve been to Florence dozens of times, so sometimes the sights become routine. Today, I followed along with my group as Paola, a local guide, gave us a walking tour on and off the beaten path.
The Ponte Vecchio and River Arno
The Palazzo Vecchio or Medici Fortress dominates the Piazza della Signoria. The door here is framed by a copy of “David” by Michelangelo and Hercules and Cacus.
The Medici Fortress and bell tower
Carousel in the Piazza dell’Indipendenza
The Duomo and Giotto’s Bell Tower
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Day 21
Saying Goodbye
We’ve had a HOHO (hop-on-hop-off) tour in Italy the last few weeks. Eight people hopped off the tour yesterday in Venice and they are definitely missed today in Lake Como. Thanks David, Maureen, Mike, Jill, Shane-Patti Turcotte, Jack and Nancy for trusting Charlotte and me to show you our favorite places in Italy.
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Day 22
Cruising Lake Como, Italy
It was a cold and rainy day but we made the best of it cruising from Bellagio to Lenno on Lake Como. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 23
Villa Balbianello
This beautiful villa is located near Lenno on Lake Como in Italy. It was most recently used as a setting for Star Wars II and 007 Casino Royal. Click the picture below to watch the video.
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Day 24
Teatro Alla Scala
This is probably the most famous opera house in the world. In 1977, on my first trip to Europe, my choir director made us sit through an opera here… and I don’t even remember what it was! I visited the museum here today.
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Day 25
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This was one of the first indoor shopping malls in Europe. It is four stories of Neo-Classical elegance and was completed in 1877. Today, it houses some very chic shops such as Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani and about ten others.
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This huge indoor mall has recently undergone a complete cleaning and it is all bright and shiny. The mall is shaped like a plus sign with massive open archways at all exits. You can see one here at the very end.
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The Aperol Spritz bar.
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Aperol Spritz is a well-known “aperitivo” before dinner drink in Italy. Here, an entire cafe is dedicated to serving this drink.
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I am grinding my heel (three times) on the testicles of this mosaic bull. This local custom is known as the “ritual of the bull.”
by Dawnielle Jacobson | May 10, 2016 | Destinations
Day 13
Church of Santa Maria del Popolo
Most tourists miss this church. Next time you are around, pop in to see some fantastic sculptures and paintings. You’ll find works here by Raphael, Bernini and Caravaggio (all “in situ”). The Cerasi Chapel displays Caravaggio’s “Crucifixion of St. Peter” done in his characteristic style of darkness and light.
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Day 14
The Trevi Fountain
This fountain is perhaps one of the most widely recognized landmarks in Rome. It has freshly emerged from a 2.2 million euro cleaning sponsored by Fendi, an Italian fashion company. I snapped this photo, early on a Sunday morning, just before the tourist onslaught.
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Day 15
An early morning trek through Rome
Charlotte and I got out for a little exercise and found these spots delightful without the traffic and tourists.
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Day 16
Siena’s Duomo and the “secret” panoramic view point and some silly David bloopers. Click the image below to see the video.
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Day 17
Hiking in the Cinque Terre
Hiking the trails in Liguria offers the perfect mix of sun, sea and the outdoors. Click the image below to see the video.
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Day 18
Ristorante Al Castillo
My friends Monica and Massimo have struggled to keep their restaurant open since the massive flood in September 2011. I was happy to be one of their first diners on opening day of the grand re-opening last week. Super-tasty food- Seafood salad and lasagna al pesto.
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