A Rocky Mountain Road Trip through the Centennial State
In mid-November, I had the pleasure of attending a work-related conference in Aurora, Colorado. After the forum ended, Rebecca and I procured a rental car and embarked on a Rocky Mountain road trip through the majestic Centennial State. Our trip would hold no particular destination point. We embraced a level of spontaneity, stopping along the way to see various points of interest, and simply enjoy each other’s company enveloped in the spirit of adventure. Our only objective was to take in some of God’s beautiful scenery and possibly catch a snowflake or two. We had a wonderful time of it all and brought back these photographic memories to share with all of you.
The skyline of the Mile High City against a majestic backdrop.
Denver, being the gateway to the Rockies, was our first stopping point along the way. As seen in the picture above, (admittingly the only picture that I did not take), the Mile High City offers a panoramic view of the mountains that spans 140 miles long. Denver has the tenth largest downtown in the entire nation and is considered one of the most walkable downtowns in all of America. With all the hype, we put on our comfortable sneakers and set out to paint the town red. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, North America and tagged Centennial State, Colorado, Denver, Rocky Mountains.
Two Days in Venice – Italy’s Famous City of Canals
In the Veneto Region of Italy, partially submerged in the murky waters of the Adriatic sea, rests one of the most romantic and renowned places in all of Europe – Venice. The heart of this Venetian lagoon has no roads above water and, outside of its raised walking paths, its winding canals can be traversed only by boat. The area of Venice is actually a group of intriguing islands, where art and history are said to come alive. Combined with old trades and the beauty of the sea, this priceless treasure is a must-see World Heritage (UNESCO) site.
The hotel Villa Barbarich in Venice
It wasn’t just any old occasion that brought us to Venice, it was the final leg of our fabulous honeymoon. Considering that, I did a lot of research before choosing the hotel for our Venetian getaway. Just 15 minutes from Venice, the Villa Barbarich was an amazing resort . The hotel, featuring all sorts of great amenities, is actually a renovated 16th century villa. For anybody who appreciates history with elegance, this place is certain to please!
The quickest way to get around Venice is always by watercraft.
If you’ve never had the privilege of visiting this lovely floating city, keep on scrolling down. Big John will take you on a tour through my vivid collection of photos. This ride is a whole lot cheaper than one of the pricey gondolas; although, if given the option, I seriously recommend you see it by boat. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged Italy, Venice.
When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do
They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Having never been in Rome before, I wasn’t quite sure what it is that they do. It only took me about 5 minutes after arriving in the city to tell you what it is that Romans don’t do. Romans don’t use turn signals, they don’t yield to oncoming traffic, and they definitely don’t get stuck in a “bus/taxi only” lane while driving aimlessly around the same circle for over an hour – that last one is what I do!
Well, after all of that senseless nonsense, I hope Romans “do” a lot of walking. I threw away my international drivers license, triple-parked the Alfa Romeo I rented, and Rebecca and I explored the entire city on foot. Despite it all, we actually had an amazing time and took plenty of pictures along the way. I hope you like our photographic journey through Rome.
I believe this lady needs a tour guide. Too bad she’s stuck with me! (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe, Historical Journeys and tagged Italy, Rome.
Summer Scenes in the Port City of Ibiza
Of all the Balearic islands, Ibiza is the one that most often comes to mind when considering that go-to-place for some serious fun in the sun. This archipelago of Spain is well known for its lively nightlife, electronic music, and spectacular beaches. The island has become a playground for the rich and famous from around the globe; attracting the likes of Justin Bieber, Orlando Bloom, and more. But if the party scene isn’t exactly your thing, don’t allow Ibiza’s rambunctious reputation to steer you clear from her friendly shores. Ibiza is also home to quiet villages, superb restaurants, great shopping, and an entire fortified city full of fascinating history.
It was a beautiful summer day in June when Rebecca and I took to exploring the streets of this Mediterranean hotspot. With a Spanish sun bearing down on us hard, tanktops and shorts became the order of the day! (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged Ibiza, Spain.
Trailing Beauty along the Cinque Terre
Undoubtedly, one of the most important things about traveling to a new place is knowing exactly how to get there. When Rebecca and I hopped on the La Spezia station train heading for Italy‘s famed Cinque Terre, it wasn’t that I didn’t know which train to take. It was really more of a question as to where I needed to get off. Since men are notorious for never asking directions, my male ego ending up costing us a good two hours and some pretty tired feet. We overshot our stop completely and ended up disembarking a few miles up from our intended target area. With limited time to spare already, our exploration of the Cinque Terre was considerably shorter than we originally planned it to be.
Big John at the La Spezia Central Railway Station
The Cinque Terre, meaning “five lands”, is a rugged stretch of coastline situated along the Italian Riviera. The entire area is comprised of five cities that are close enough that one could walk from one to the other. That is if one didn’t mind taking long walks in one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth. The coastline, hillsides, and five cities are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Of the five cities of Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare was the only city Rebecca and I got to spend any real time in. For that reason alone, this area is definitely on our “Must Return” list. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged Cinque Terre, Italy, Monterosso.