During the decade after I left my heart in New York City (back in 2007), I continued to dream many different variations of a dream of my inevitable return. Flash forward to last January, when a steal of a flight deal from YVR to NYC finally led me to start spreading the news that I …
Continue reading Live from New York, the Greatest City in the World
American cities like Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, and Detroit are revered for their music scenes, but one city that deserves a lot more noise is Seattle. The cool metropolis within Washington State was the breeding ground of legendary musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. Starting with its booming days as the birthplace …
The wizarding world of Harry Potter is significantly informed by Edinburgh. The Scottish capital was where British author J.K. Rowling wrote the novels in her iconic series. When speaking of her special connection to the city, Rowling has said, "Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven …
Continue reading Discovering Harry Potter Magic in J.K. Rowling’s Edinburgh
The city of Barcelona is characterized by the unusual, unique, and undeniably radical creations of Antoni Gaudi. The Catalonian architect was the best known practitioner of Modernisme, Catalan's Art Nouveau movement. Some of the hallmark qualities of Gaudi's highly imaginative and one-of-a-kind style include the use of stone and iron materials, ceramic and stained glass …
Continue reading Gazing at Gaudi’s Masterpieces in Barcelona
There is no place in the world like Iceland. The Nordic island is a showcase for all of Earth's most stunning and surreal natural wonders, from volcanoes and glaciers, to hot springs and black sand beaches. In fact, it's almost like setting foot on a whole new planet, but likely for us all, Iceland is immensely …
We explored Iceland, Barcelona, Edinburgh, and London over the duration of two weeks. Here are some of the highlights from our European adventures.
One of the surefire signs that spring has sprung is the new life that blossoms in the garden. As early as the month of April, flowers of all varieties start to bloom, providing a good excuse for spending your afternoons frolicking in floral fields of vibrant colors and sweet fragrances. North America’s abundance of flower …
Continue reading 7 of the Most Beautiful Flower Festivals in North America
The way to discover Venice is to go without any agenda and get completely lost. As you try to navigate your way to the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square, you will traverse across bridges and canals and spontaneously find quaint restaurants, quirky shops, holy churches, and hoards of visitors and Venetians alike. While walking …
Under the Tuscan sun is where one can discover the birthplace of the Renaissance — Florence. The capital of the Italy's region of Tuscany is rife with the legacies of renowned Renaissance figures such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Botticelli, Titian, and Giambologna, all of whom projected the ideals of the flourishing period of cultural …
Earlier this April, I wandered the cobblestone streets of Rome, Italy in search of ancient artifacts and baroque beauty. What I discovered was that Roman design is best embodied in a specific architectural piece — the water fountain. From the oldest fountain in Rome in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere (dating back to the 8th century) to the most famous …
Elizabeth Rosalyn 