Europe

Highlights of My Trip to Venice, Italy

I have been dreaming about visiting Venice for years. And our first trip there did not disappoint.

Everyone has heard of Venice because it is one of the most visited cities in the world. The entire city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Something intriguing and mysterious about this city when you just arrive. It feels like you are entering a different world.

This city crossed by the canals instead of roads with colorful palazzos sitting on the water’s edge is truly unique. And the mixture of Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture leaves anyone wondering if this magical city is real at all. The entire city is one work of art. And nothing quite prepares you for its beauty.

Here are the highlights of my first trip to Venice.

A little bit of history:

At the beginning of the 6^th century, people came to live on the marshy islands of the Adriatic Sea blue lagoon to escape the hordes of Huns and other invaders. Later, this settlement built on swamps started to grow.

At the beginning of the 9^th century, the Republic of Venice was formed. It was called “The Most Serene Republic of Venice” to reflect the desire to focus on trade and avoid wars with invaders who were constantly creating chaos.

The city of Venice was built on huge wooden supports that were cut and brought from the mainland. Those wooden legs have stood under the water for many centuries and have been slowly calcified with the minerals from the sea. In the end, the wooden footings worked as the foundations for all buildings in the city of Venice.

St. Mark’s Square

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco in Italian) is one of the busiest squares in the city and the main tourist hub. The whole square looks enormous and usually crowded with tourists and all kinds of vendors during the day.

St. Mark’s Square is home to some of the stunning architectural attractions in Venice including St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile, and Doge’s Palace.

Another great thing about St. Mark’s Square is that there is no traffic. This piazza may be the only large public square in Europe with no noise from cars, buses, and scooters. You can only hear the melodious sounds of the bell rings coming from the St. Mark’s Clocktower.

It is hard to miss this early Renaissance building located on the north side of St. Mark’s Square. The construction of both the tower and the clock dated to the 15^th century. The tower was placed where the clock could be visible from the waters of the lagoon and shows every one the wealth and glory of Venice. You can hear the bell ringing every hour.

We decided to stop for a drink at one of the glitzy cafes surrounding St. Mark’s Square. Even we paid double the normal price for the two Spritz Campari, we really enjoyed the moment of being part of Venetian life.

St. Mark’s Basilica

The St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) is the most famous church in Venice.

The church is considered one of the best surviving examples of Byzantine architecture with the construction completed in 1063.

The St. Mark’s Basilica is a real showpiece of St. Mark’s Square. The main façade is decorated with multicolored marble columns and sculptures of the griffons. These winged lions are a symbol of St. Mark. Over the centuries, the basilica’s opulent design and solid gold mosaics served as a symbol of Venetian wealth.

Touring the interior of the church is free but be prepared to wait in line to enter. The St. Mark’s Basilica opens at 9:30 a.m. and we arrived around 10 a.m. so the line was long and the wait time around 45 minutes.

As with all tourist attractions in Venice, I recommend booking tickets online, so you can skip the line.

St. Mark’s Campanile

The St. Mark’s Campanile towers high above St. Mark’s Square. It stands 323 feet high. It is easy to notice right away that this tower looks new compared to its surroundings. The tower had completely collapsed in 1902 and had to be rebuild.

You can climb on the top of the tower to get the best views of Venice. We skipped the climb even it is in an elevator and no stairs. But I saw many photos taken from the top and the views are really magnificent. From the top, you can have spectacular views of the whole St. Mark’s Square, the St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Venetian Lagoon, and nearby islands.

But I would recommend buying tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.

Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace is one of the most interesting landmarks in the city of Venice. It was built in 1340 in Venetian Gothic style. For centuries the palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice – the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice.

The government was made up of several councils. And the largest committee was created of the male members of every noble family in the city.

While it is a palace you can still buy the tickets and tour the Doge’s apartments.

Bridge of Sighs

We walked between the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Campanile toward the blue waters of the Venetian Lagoon and found ourselves on the Riva degli Schiavoni – the lagoon’s waterfront.

It was a warm sunny day, and the views of the lagoon were absolutely beautiful. We could see the dozens of gondolas bobbing in the water, as well as the San Giorgio Maggiore across the lagoon. Walking along this wide waterfront promenade we reached the Bridge of Sighs on the left. You cannot miss this famous landmark because there are always groups of tourists taking pictures.

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the enclosed bridges in Venice. It was built around 1600 out of white limestone, and you can see that it has windows with stone bars. The bridge was built to connect the new prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.

After it was built, the bridge became a symbol of Venice’s architectural beauty and a reminder of the cruelty of life. According to legend the name of the bridge comes from the sighs of prisoners who crossed this passageway on the way to their prison cells. Many prisoners who made their way across the bridge could have the last glimpse of Venice and its blue lagoon.

Rialto Bridge and Venice’s Grand Canal

Four bridges go across Venice’s Grand Canal. And out of all of them, the Rialto Bridge is the oldest and the most beautiful.

The first bridge was built around the 12th century. It was the only spot to cross the Grand Canal without boarding a boat. The current version of the Rialto Bridge dates to the late 16^th century. There are all kinds of shops lining both sides of this stone bridge. But the best part is to pause at the top of the bridge and enjoy the incredible views of the Grand Canal.

We walked across the Rialto Bridge and found the bustling Rialto Market. Originally it was built as a fish market in the 11^th century. Though parts of the market are filled with touristy stuff, this is still a local place where you can buy fresh produce and fish.

Gondolas and Vaporetto

The best way to explore Venice is from the water. And experiencing Venice’s canals is unforgettable. You can take a private (100 or 80 euro) or a group (60 euro) for 30 minutes gondola ride through the canals. Venice’s canals can be crowded, but we were traveling during the global pandemic times, so we didn’t see huge groups of tourists.

We didn’t book any gondola rides. Instead, we used Venice public transportation which is made up of boats. Taking a vaporetto or water bus is a great way to explore Venice from the water on a budget. We paid only 7.50 euros per person to get a ride along the Grand Canal which provides the same magnificent views of the city’s grand palaces.

Venice’s tiny streets and bridges

We walked towards the Ponte dell’ Accademia – one of the four bridges in Venice. This bridge was my favorite. We spent hours looking at the postcard-perfect view of the Grand Canal.

We liked to wander through many of the tiny pedestrian streets, alleyways, and bridges that make the real Venice. Unfortunately, many of the grand homes are boarded up and empty. Sometimes we noticed that the lower level already sits underwater.

Nevertheless, it is an amazing experience to get lost in Venice. You can find tiny dead-end bridges over the quiet canals that lead to hidden architectural gems. Small gardens grow in overhanging window boxes. And clothes drying lines span across the waterways.

If you want to learn more about Venice, I would recommend taking a 90-minutes walking tour. We have learned so much from our amazing guide about Venice’s history, art, and architecture.

Walking Tour with Get Your Guide

Final Thoughts

Before this trip, I had seen images of Venice in guidebooks, Instagram, and tourist brochures. But nothing had prepared me for its beauty. I fell in love with this city at first sight. Many times I just stopped in awe of its canal views, piazzas, and old palaces. The whole trip was a real treasure I will never forget.

Highlights of My Trip to Florence, Italy

by Maggie 6 Comments

I fell in love with the city of Florence on my first trip to Italy ten years ago. We spent only one day there, and it was not enough. This time I was so excited about spending 4 days in Florence before going to the Tuscany countryside – Castello Le Leccia – for my daughter’s wedding.

In this post, I wanted to share with you the highlights of my trip to the beautiful city of Florence.

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is an amazing city known as the heart of the Italian Renaissance. It is full of history, art, architecture, and delicious food. The city’s rich history is full of big names such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, and Filippo Brunelleschi.

On our first day, we head out to the Piazza Del Duomo (Cathedral Square) which is the focal point of Florence. This is the main tourist hub, and it is also home to some of the most stunning attractions in Florence including the Duomo, the Campanile, the Baptistery.

The Duomo

The best-known structure of this big plaza is the Florence cathedral – the Duomo. The official name is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Flower (the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore) but everybody calls it “Duomo”.

The Duomo is the main church of Florence. The entire structure looks enormous and not only the great dome which was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The construction began in 1296 and lasted for one hundred and forty years. The magnificent brick dome that covers the central space of the Duomo is considered the largest in Europe.

The Campanile

It is hard to miss another symbol of Florence – the Campanile. This magnificent tower is standing next to the Duomo, and it was designed by Giotto.

The three hundred feet high tower is one of the best showpieces of Florentine architecture and is often called ‘the Giotto’s Tower’. The façade was built in colorful green, pink, and white marble panels and it matches the façade of the Duomo.

If you want to go to the top of the tower to get the best panoramic view of the city and surrounding hills you have to be ready to climb 414 steps to reach the very top of the tower. There are no elevators! The climb is a workout. But you can go at a calm pace and make use of various terraces where you can stop, relax, and take pictures.

The Baptistery

Another impressive structure of the plaza is the Baptistery. The octagonal shape building stands across from the Duomo and the Giotto’s Tower.

The Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back to 1059. The exterior is very ornamental and decorated with Renaissance figures who were baptized here, including poet Dante Alighieri.

But the main attraction is the doors of the Baptistery. You can always see a big crowd of tourists trying to take pictures of the doors on all sides of the Baptistery. But I think the bronze doors portraying scenes from the New Testament draw the most attention. You cannot miss them.

The doors were created by Lorenzo Ghiberti. It took him 21 years to complete this project. These magnificent, gilded bronze doors consist of twenty-eight panels framed by ornamental foliage on both sides.

Palazzo Vecchio and statue of David

On our second day, we walked to the Piazza Della Signoria. It is one of the busiest and most popular squares in the city. The Palazzo Vecchio with a statue of David by Michelangelo is one of the main attractions.

The Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is the town hall of Florence. This solid massive building with two rows of Gothic windows and one simple tower has a long history.

The construction started in 1299 and lasted for more than one hundred years. In the beginning, it was built for the magistrates of the city. Then in the 1540s Duke Cosimo de Medici moved to the Palazzo and decided to turn this place into his residence showing the security of Medici family power in Florence.

Italian sculptor Michelangelo Buonarotti was born in Tuscany. He is frequently associated with Florence for his relationship with the Medici family. The work of this great Renaissance artist can be still found in Florence – drawings, sculpture, paintings, and architecture.

One of Michelangelo’s most well-known works is a marble statue of David – a symbol of strength and youthful beauty. In 1504 it was installed next to the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. In the late 19^th century the original statue of David was removed from the piazza and moved indoors to protect it from damage. Later on, the copy of David was placed in the same location.

If you want to see the original David, you need to visit the Museum of the Academia (Galleria dell’Accademia).

The Uffizi Gallery

The city of Florence is covered with fascinated museums, but the Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and famous museums in the world. Its name is associated with the work of great Renaissance artists – Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bellini, and many others.

The Uffizi Gallery has an incredible art and sculpture collection. When I travel, I like to go to the museums, but this time I skipped the Gallery because I visited it on my first trip to Florence. If you want to go, I would recommend to pre-buy your tickets so you can skip the waiting line.

Uffizi Gallery Entrance Tickets

studded door and marble sculptures-highlights of my trip to Florence

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge

You cannot visit Florence and not go and see the Ponte Vecchio bridge built in the 1300s. You have probably heard of it and seen many images. But it is something else when you are there and walk across its span.

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is a unique place with hundreds of shops hanging over the Arno River. This famous old bridge is described as Europe’s oldest arch bridge.

It was a beautiful day and I spent three hours exploring the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. I feel like I am going back in time except that the vendors are no longer the medieval butchers and merchants. Today, the tiny shops are selling souvenirs, jewelry, and art.

Palazzo Pitti

Most people rush through a courtyard in the center of Palazzo Pitti to get to the gorgeous Boboli Gardens. The sandy façade of this grand palace looks rather plain. But when you step inside you will be overwhelmed by the opulence of this monumental structure.

For many centuries, the powerful Medici, Lorraine, and Savoy families served as the Grand Dukes of Florence and used the Palazzo Pitti as their personal residence.

It all started with the wife of Grand Duke Cosimo Medici, who didn’t like living in the narrow Palazzo Vecchio and decided to buy the Palazzo Pitti and turned it into the family residence. The Medici had done many renovations, expanded the palace, and added the large courtyard where many lush celebrations took place.

The Boboli Gardens

We spent a few hours walking around the Boboli Gardens. The most famous gardens in Florence are spread out directly behind the Pitti Palace. Like everything else, it didn’t grow overnight. Its creation started in the 15^th century and span over 400 hundred years.

We enjoyed walking through the beautifully manicured gardens and landscapes. You can spend hours there away from the crowds and traffic. It was very peaceful. The gardens are filled with grottos, trails, pools, arched walkways, and magnificent marble statues.

Another interesting fact is the construction of the Vasari corridor. This long-arched walkway was built to connect the Pitti Palace with the Uffizi, church, and Palazzo Vecchio. It would allow the Medici family members to move around the city without facing the public.

Piazza della Repubblica

The Piazza was originally built as a site of the city forum. But today it is a big plaza lined up with elegant cafes and a merry-go-around. We spent many hours walking around and sampling a lot of gelatos.

St. Lorenzo Market

The Lorenzo market is a huge local market located next to the St. Lorenzo church. I was planning to book a food tour there but never did. Probably next time. But I spent hours exploring a market on my own. Fresh produce, local food and wine, olive oil, and vinegar.

At the end of the day, we walked to Piazza Michelangelo for the spectacular sunset over the city with the hills of Tuscany in the background. We had to climb lots of stairs, but we were not disappointed because the views were definitely worth it.

We did a lot of walking all 4 days. Florence is an incredibly amazing city and I want to go back again. If you are new to this unique city, I recommend booking a 90-Minute Walking Tour.

Florence – Walking Tour with Get Your Guide

roof top terrace with the view of Florence — **We had the best view of the city of Florence from our Airbnb roof terrace**

Have you been to Florence? What were your highlights?

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What to Do and See in Vilnius, Lithuania?

by Maggie Leave a Comment

View over Vilnius' Old Town from the Gediminas Tower — Beautiful panoramic view over the Old Town with its orange rooftops and church towers.

Want to know what to see and things to do in Vilnius? On my recent trip to Lithuania, I got to explore the best this city has to offer and want to share it with you.

Lithuania is a country with a long history. The first Baltic tribes settled here in the 7th-2nd centuries BC. The country is one of the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – and is located just north-east of Poland.

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania with a population of only half a million people. The city has a unique Old Town which considered as one of the largest remaining and best-preserved medieval towns in Northern Europe.

Vilnius’ Old Town was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the most beautiful and having the biggest Baroque style buildings in East and Middle Europe. No wonder it has been called a masterpiece of Baroque style.

When you plan a trip to Vilnius it’s best to stay in the Old Town, so you will be in the heart of everything and within a walking distance to all attractions.

Wander around Old Town

I feel that the Old Town has a perfect size to explore on foot. It’s a center of the tourist hub and there is no need for a touristy hop-on, hop-off bus. The Old Town is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, parks, squares and beautiful pastel tone houses, some of them in a process of renovation.

This part of a city is a mixture of different architectural styles – Baroque, Gothic, Neo-Classical and Renaissance. Some buildings are dated back to the 13th century. It’s so easy to walk around, admire the architecture and pop in and out of trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

Places to see in Old Town

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is Vilnius’ most important gathering place. The Square witnessed mass anti-Soviet Union demonstration in the fight for independence in 1991.

This grand place is home to the country’s main Roman Catholic Cathedral (Sts Stanislav and Vladislav Cathedral). The Cathedral is connected to the Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania which was originally built in the 15th century for the rules of Lithuania and future kings of Poland.

Sts Stanislav and Vladislav Cathedral (mostly called as Vilnius Cathedral) was built in 1251 by Grand Duke on an ancient site of a pagan temple. Rebuilt eleven times, it received its neo-classical facade in late 18th century. If you want to explore inside the cathedral you would find the impressive tombs of the members of Polish-Lithuanian royal dynasty.

Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral is one of the oldest and highest towers in Old Town. It was built as a defensive tower in the 13th century. Later in the 16th century, it was converted into the Cathedral bell tower. You can climb the narrow and steep stairs inside the tower and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the top. Also, you can join the crowds at 5 p.m. and listen to the sound of big bells.

There are plenty of city walking tours offered at Cathedral Square in front of the Bell Tower.

Walking tour with Old Town, Uzupis and Brewery

Town Hall Square (Ratusha Square)

Town Hall Square in Vilnius Old Town — Town Hall Square is surrounded by modern and historic buildings

The Town Hall Square is a traditional center of big events and fairs in Vilnius. The history of this square dates to the 14th century when in 1387 Lithuania became a Christian State.

The neo-classical building of Vilnius’ Old Town Hall is in the center of this square. Walk around to see a mix of old and new buildings surrounded the square, get a taste of local beer or just enjoy the relaxing afternoon at the outdoor cafe.

Pilis Street

People are walking along cobblestone Pilis St. in Vilnius'Old Town — Pilis Street in Vilnius’ Old Town is always busy with locals and tourists.

Pilis Street is one of the oldest streets in Vilnius’ Old Town. Since ancient times, Pilis Street has been the link between the Town Hall Square and Cathedral Square.

Walking along the street you can see the great examples of authentic architecture, and enjoy a great variety of cafes, restaurants, and coffee houses. At the end of the street, it’s easy to see the red brick walls of Gediminas Tower mounted on the top of the hill. It’s the only remaining part of Vilnius Upper castle.

As the legend goes, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas, first built the wooden castle after he had a dream about an iron wolf howling on the top of the hill.

Gediminas Tower

People are walking around Cathedral Square in Vilnius — Vilnius’ Cathedral Square with the Palace of Grand Dukes facade and the Gediminas Tower on the hilltop

The Gediminas Tower is all that remains of the royal castle, named after Grand Duke of Lithuania, and it’s located on the top of a hill behind the Cathedral.

The castle dates back to around 13th century and houses a small museum. The best way to get to the castle is by foot or you can take a funicular. This place is very popular with locals and tourists.

It offers the best panoramic view of the city. You can see the Old Town with its orange rooftops on one side and modern part of the city across Neris River on another side. Don’t miss it. It looks spectacular in any kind of weather.

Churches

Vilnius is often called “the city of 100 churches”

Lithuania was the last country in Europe to convert to Christianity around the 14th century. It managed to stick to their Catholic traditions and beliefs for a long time even though the harsh rules of Soviet Union times.

Most of Vilnius’ churches are a great example of the Baroque style: domes, rich interiors, and richness of decorative details. I always feel overwhelmed by the beauty of them and craftsmanship of people who build these great monuments.

St. Peter and Paul’ Church

St. Peter and Paul’ Church is considered the finest Baroque church interior in Vilnius with more than 2,000 stucco figures and it’s worth visiting.

St. Anne’ Church

St. Anne’ Church is my favorite and deserves its own point. The first church at this site was built out of wood and was destroyed by fire in 1419. Then the church was re-built out of brick. The main facade designed in the Flamboyant Gothic style remains its most striking feature.

According to a well-known legend, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with the church. He was so much under the charm of the building that he wanted to take it home to Paris “on the palm of his hand” There is a special atmosphere when you walk inside this little church and spend some time breathing the air of the old history and legend.

St. Anne' Church in Vilnius'Old Town built in Gothic style and favored by Napoleon Bonaparte — St. Anne’ Church is called a masterpiece of Gothic architecture

Gates of Dawn

Gates of Dawn is the only surviving relic of the city’s original defensive wall, dated to 16th century. At that ancient time, the city was surrounded by a tall defensive wall and the only access to the city was through nine guarded gates. Today only one of the entrances remains – Gates of Dawn.

It attracts pilgrims from all over the worlds who come to visit and seek miracles from an icon of Virgin Mary which lives inside the Gate’s chapel.

The chapel with a sacred Virgin Mary icon once guarded an entrance to the original city. Even you’re not a religious person the Gates of Dawn will impress you. It’s much easier to come closer to the holy icon If you are there in the evening when all the tourist groups are gone.

Gates of Dawn in the Old Town of Vilnius — Gates of Dawn is the only surviving part of the city’s original defensive wall.

St. Casimir’ Church

St. Casimir’ Church is one of the finest Baroque churches in Vilnius. It’s located just a few steps from the Town Hall Square.

The construction of this monumental building started in 1604 and was completed in 1635. Then it was burnt to the ground 20 years later and then restored several times. The latest renovation project shows the beauty of the oldest Baroque-style church in Vilnius.

St. Casimir Church in Vilnius' Old Town — St. Casimir Church is the first and oldest Baroque-style church in Vilnius’ Old Town and next to Town Hall Square

Uzupis district

No trip to Vilnius would be complete without spending a few hours wandering the streets of its most unusual neighborhood – Uzupis and it translates “Beyond the River”.

You can get there by taking a short stroll across a bridge. It will bring to you to the self-declared republic of artists who declared themselves independent on April 1, 1997. Uzupis has its own president, prime minister, ambassadors, flag.

The biggest attraction is the constitution of Uzupis. You can find the whole text, translated into 15 languages, on the wall along Paupio street. One of my favorites: “everyone has the right to be happy and a dog has the right to be a dog”

If you want to explore the area properly, check all the quirky pubs and tiny art galleries, step into courtyards and spot some original street art. I always enjoy the bohemian feel and slow pace of life in this neighborhood.

Trakai Castle

Trakai Island Castle in Lithuania - view from the lake — Trakai Castle is on a picturesque lake Galve

Trakai is the old medieval town located just a half an hour from Vilnius. The main attraction is an impressive red-brick Gothic castle on a picturesque lake Galve. The construction of the castle started in the 14th century by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and completed by his son Vytautas the Great at the beginning of the 15th century.

The trip to Trakai and old castle could be a perfect day trip. You can get there by train, bus or a car.

red-brick walls of medieval Trakai Castle in Lithuania — We spent a few hours walking inside the medieval walls of the Trakai Castle.

Food

Traditional Lithuanian food is heavy and hearty, and it’s all about potato dishes. The most popular one is cepelinai (“Zeppelins”) – large boiled potato dumplings filled with minced meat or cottage cheese.

The most exotic Lithuanian dish is vedarai (potato sausage) – pork intestines stuffed with grated raw potatoes and baked in an oven or better in a wood stove.

Kibinais are traditional Lithuanian pastries filled with minced meat and onion. They are mostly associated with the city of Trakai.

On a hot summer day, locals love to eat saltibarsciai (cold beetroot soup) served with warm boiled potatoes.

photo of traditional Lithuanian cold beetroot soup — Traditional Lithuanian cold beetroot soup – saltibarsciai

There are so many great restaurants in Vilnius, but if you want to try traditional Lithuanian cuisine, I would recommend a few of my favorite choices: Lokys, Mykolo 4, Senoji Trobele or Etno Dvaras.

Beer

Lithuania is known as a beer-loving country. There are more than 80 breweries, large and small, producing all kind of beer, light or dark, weak or strong. There are plenty of pubs or bars off Ausros Vartu or Pillis Streets. I am not big on beer, but my husband does. He loves locally brewed dark ale with the bittersweet taste of it. Try any of these pubs: “Leiciai” or “Beer House & Craft Kitchen”.

Amber belt

window display with amber necklaces in the Old Town of Vilnius — Window shop display of amber necklaces in the Old Town of Vilnius.

The Baltic countries are famous for their amber and Lithuania is very often called “The Land of Amber”. Lithuania’s seashore is full of pieces of amber. Many amber artifacts dating to the 5th-6th century had been found during the excavation in many parts of the country.

In ancient times amber necklaces were used not only as a decoration but also as a currency. You can pick up a stylish take on the stone in the form of a necklace in many shops on Ausros Vartu or Pilis Street.

Places to stay

There is no shortage of all kind of accommodations in Vilnius.

We stayed at Radisson Blu Royal Astorija hotel next to the Town Hall Square. The location was perfect for walking around the Old Town. The hotel stands out with its Baroque-style facade. The beautiful architecture blends well with modern amenities. It has been recently renovated and accommodates guests in 119 comfortable rooms many of them facing the Town Hall Square.

George W. Bush was one of the hotel’s distinguished guest together with the long list of other dignitaries, royal families, and celebrities.

Getting to and around Vilnius

Getting to Vilnius should be relatively easy with the city’ recently modernized airport receiving flights from all over Europe. For this trip, we flew to Vilnius from Boston airport with one connecting stop in Frankfurt, Germany.

A taxi ride from the airport to the city center is short and relatively cheap between 10 to 20 euro. Getting around the city is simple and you can do most of it on foot.

But if you want to explore the city outside of the Old Town you can use an excellent city bus system starting at 5 a.m. and finishes at midnight. The city card like everything else in Vilnius is very affordable and you can buy one, three or ten passes.

Have fun visiting Vilnius!

Related Post: Our Trip to St. Martin

Have you been to Vilnius or any places in Lithuania?

How We Spent 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal – Part 2

by Maggie Leave a Comment

I really wanted to visit Portugal. There is a lot of buzz in the travel community about the old-world charm of Lisbon, the beauty of the Algarve region, and port wineries of Porto. Roman, Ksenia and I agreed that we wanted to see it all and decided to spend the second part of our trip in Portugal visiting Porto, Lagos, and Lisbon.

The fifth day of our trip we spent traveling from Spain to Portugal.

Unfortunately, our early morning flight from Barcelona to Porto was overbooked and we didn’t get on that plane. The airline “Vueling” only offered us the next flight at 8pm, so we would be in Porto by 10pm. There would be no time left for any plans of sightseeing or port tasting in Porto.

We were very disappointed. But things happen when you travel. All you need is to use every opportunity for taking advantage of the unpleasant situation. We checked in our luggage, took the subway to Barceloneta and spend several hours on the beach. Later, we got back to the airport and hopped on our plane which was delayed several times.

Barcelona beach — Our early morning flight from Barcelona to Porto was overbooked. So, we decided to spend extra hours on the beach.

Porto

The sixth day of our trip we were planning to spend in Porto exploring the city and visiting the famous port houses. Unfortunately, the real-life interfered in our plans and we got stuck in Barcelona for one extra day and no chance to see the city of Porto.

When we checked in to Flores Village Hotel and Spa it was already late, dark, and cold. The receptionist was very friendly and offered us a glass of port while we were checking in.

Flores Village Hotel and Spa in Porto

The hotel had a perfect location in the old part of the town in an elegantly renovated 18th-century building with modern amenities. Our 1st floor room was very spacious and lovely decorated. It was facing the narrow street below with people strolling after dinner.

Next morning we had breakfast at the hotel with great selection of local cheeses, meat and sausages, fruits, eggs, bread, pastries, and options of juice, coffee, and tea.

The taxi ride from the hotel to the train station was around 20 minutes. The taxi driver was very nice and pointed at several historical sites and gave us a brief history of Porto. We liked what we saw.

Porto, Portugal - Old Town — Beautiful buildings of Old Town in Porto

The city was small and manageable after the big and bustling Barcelona. The construction cranes and scaffolds were everywhere, because the city was going through the major renovation time. I could see myself exploring the beauty of this place when we come back and stay a little bit longer next time.

Traveling from Porto to Lagos

The seventh day of our trip we spent traveling from Porto to the Algarve region.

You can travel from Porto to Lagos by train or bus. We took a train with two connecting stops in Lisbon and Tunes. The ride is almost 8 hours long. We had a two-hour stop at the main train station in Lisbon “Gare do Oriente”. Then another 4.5 hours from Lisbon to Lagos with a very quick transfer in Tunes.

Lagos

We arrived in Lagos at the end of the day and stayed there for four days.

Why we choose Lagos?

Lagos is a beach town in the South of Portugal region known as Algarve.

The Algarve is well known for its warm and dry climate, beautiful sandy beaches framed by jagged rocks and green hills with orange and lemon orchards.

Lagos, Portugal - white-washed houses — White-washed houses with terracotta tiles – newer part of Lagos

A little bit of history:

Lagos is located along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an ancient town with more than 2000 years of history. In the 6th-century, it was occupied by the Visigoths, later by the Byzantines, then by the Moors in the 8th-century.

The city of Lagos was the capital of the Algarve region in the 13th- and 14th- centuries. The first great Portuguese sea expeditions embarked from here. The first African slave market in Europe was held here.

Lagos old town is defined by 16th-century medieval walls and stretches between Praca Gil Eanes (the main square) and the fort.

The wide pedestrian street along the bank of Bensafrim River is called Lagos Promenade. You can take a pleasant walk with the views of palm trees and busy little boats. We found that most of the tourists spend their evening time in the old town. It’s packed with all kind of restaurants, funky cafes, bars, and nightclubs. The atmosphere is very relaxing and enjoyable.

Beaches:

The beaches around Lagos are famous for their dramatic scenery.

The most popular beaches are Praia da Batata, Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo. The picturesque cliff formations work as a background for secluded sandy beaches with crystal clear waters.

Dona Ana Beach in Lagos, Portugal — Dona Ana Beach

Dona Ana Beach (Praia Dona Ana) is the most popular with stunning views. You need to use wooden stairs to get to the beach. There are a basic restaurant, and a kiosk for rentable chairs with umbrellas.

Camilo Beach (Praia do Camilo) is more secluded. The view from the top is breathtaking. Picturesque cliffs embrace the little sandy beach with blue waters. There are wooden stairs to get down to the beach. Don’t forget to bring your own blankets, umbrellas, but you will not be disappointed.

The beach is a sheltered bay and perfect for swimming and suntanning. There is a seafood restaurant on the cliff above the beach with a spectacular view. You may need to book it in advance. We tried to get there, but it was always fully booked.

Where to stay in Lagos:

We stayed at Villas D. Dinis Charming Residence.

Villas Dinnis Hotel - Villa Rose — We stayed at Villa Rose in Lagos. This complex of small villas is a part of Villas D Dinnis Hotel.

It’s a complex of small villas or option of rooms in the main building. The hotel is for adults only. We stayed at Villa Rose. The Villa Rose is a complex of 5 attached suites and has a little pool to share, the cabana style patio with lounge chairs and another one with beds.

Our corner suite was clean, spacious and had a small roof terrace with a beautiful view of the neighborhood. The best part that it was very close to Dona Ana beach.

Where to eat in Lagos:

Fresh fish served in many Lagos restaurants

There are so many good places to eat in Lagos. Most of them serve fish and seafood caught no more than a few hours earlier.

Most of the restaurants are located along Rua 25 de Abril. We dined a couple of nights there and were a little bit disappointed. The choice of dishes was catered to the tourists with long menus in English.

Then one night we decided to try several places outside of the main drag and liked them more.

Our favorite dishes were deep-fried squid, steamed tiny clams and grilled seabass all served with plenty of vegetables.

Lisbon

After four days in Lagos, we said good-bye to this lovely beach town. The last leg of our trip was Lisbon. Saturday morning, we hopped on the early train to Tunes and one hour later changed to the one going to Lisbon.

Lisbon at glance:

Lisbon is Portugal’s coastal capital. One time it was Old World capital of the huge empire stretching from Europe to Brazil to Africa and to China. The city was built on seven hills and has many spectacular views.

Old Town of Lisbon is an interesting combination of the narrow and steep streets with mosaic sidewalks, tall buildings adorned with multicolored tiles, decorative wrought-iron balconies, trendy cafes and designer boutiques. It is old and modern, trendy and charming all at once.

Lisbon - city view — Our favorite spot with the best city views at Miradouro de Sao pedro de Alcantara

It was our first time in Lisbon, so we decided to walk, explore the city, and enjoy the relaxed café culture of Portugal.

We had booked an Airbnb apartment which was in the old city of Lisbon in the residential neighborhood of Principe Real. The apartment was a short walk to downtown called Baixa.

The Baixa district is the heart of Lisbon. It consists of grand avenues, impressive plazas and shopping boulevards with trendy boutiques.

Places we visited:

Praca do Comercio is Lisbon’s largest open square situated next to RioTejo (River Tagus). You can tell that it’s a focal point for events, festivities, shopping, and dining.

The monumental Arco da Rua Augusta is at the entrance of Praca do Comercio. The arch was built to mark the reconstruction of the city after the 1755 earthquake.

On the other side of the Arco da Rua Augusta is the main shopping street Rua Augusta. This wide pedestrian street has many fashionable boutiques and upscale hotels and restaurants.

The Elevator Santa Justa is one of the major tourist attractions right off Rua Augusta. This giant elevator was designed by an apprentice of Gustav Eiffel and considers as an artistic marvel of the industrial age. The lift takes you 32 meters up inside the ornate metal tower to the platform with spectacular city views.

By the end of our trip, we were tired and didn’t book any city tours in advance. But the basic hop on and hop off tour helped us to go around the city in a more relaxed way.

CitySightseeing in Lisbon

Roman and I bought the bus tour tickets from CitySightseeing company. It was very affordable – 44 euros for two of us and you can spread the tours in two days.

Cathedrals of Old Town of Lisbon — Beautiful cathedrals of Old Town

The first day we went with a red line bus tour. There were two amazing places we wanted to come back and explore more: Torre de Belem (Tower of Belem) and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.

The next day we took a blue line bus tour. The tour started at Praca do Comercio and took us east of the city along the river, old and new docks and warehouses, through modern buildings of Oceanario de Lisboa and Gare do Oriente (train station) and then down south through Jardim Zoologico and very popular Parque Eduardo VII.

Places we want to visit next time:

After staying in Lisbon for four days we already knew that we need to come back and explore this city in full.

Here is our list:

Torre de Belem (Tower of Belem) is the 16th-century fortress placed on the Tagus River. It was built to welcome the returning sailors. It was from Belem that Vasco da Gama set sail for India at the end of the 15th-century and returned a year later.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery) is a large complex including a church, cloisters, and galleries in combined Renaissance and Gothic styles. It was built as a celebration of the discovery of a sea route to the Orient and beginning of Portuguese’s golden age.

Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George castle) is another Lisbon’s famous landmark. The castle was once the heart of a walled city that spread downhill as far as the river. It was built on the original site of the Moorish castle which was defeated in 12th-century by Crusaders. There are spectacular views overlooking the historic center of Lisbon.

Take away from our trip

It was our first visit to Portugal. We liked the places we had visited, we liked the fresh food and very friendly Portuguese people. During our travels, we come across countless construction sites in every city. Portugal is a country with many old and medieval buildings which are being preserved and restored. The process is slow.

Lisbon - narrow and steep streets ofOld Town - — Narrow and steep streets of Old Town in Lisbon

There are tourists everywhere and the streets are narrow and steep. And yet every place we visited had its own distinct charm. There is a lot of history and beautiful architecture around every corner. We are planning to come back and explore this country next time.

How We Spent 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal – Part 1

Related Post: Our Trip to St. Martin

Have you visited Portugal? What places did you visit? Share your comments below.

How We Spent 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal – Part 1

by Maggie 2 Comments

Barcelona is like no other city in the world. It is full of amazing architecture, great art, tasty cuisine, and beautiful beaches. You can spend days exploring this big metropolis and never feel tired of it. It is not a surprise that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe.

For our family vacation, we decided to spend at least four days exploring Barcelona, then move to Portugal and spend eight days visiting Porto, Lagos, and Lisbon.

Our trip started with an overnight flight from Boston International Airport to Barcelona with Iberia Airlines.

First day in Barcelona. The day began with unpacking our suitcases and then walking around to get some groceries and bottled water. We discovered that our new neighborhood – Placa de Tetuan – is a quiet residential area within a short walk to many popular tourist places. As a bonus, our Airbnb apartment had a good size roof terrace with an amazing city view. We could even see famous Sagrada Familia towers from our windows.

Santa Caterina Market

Our first long walk was to Santa Caterina market, located not far from the Barcelona Cathedral. The popular market had a big variety of fruit and vegetable stalls combined with local cheeses and Iberian ham. On a way home, we stopped at the wine store and bought several bottles of local wine. We had our dinner on the roof terrace overlooking Placa de Tetuan park and enjoying the breathtaking view of the city.

Dinner on the roof terrace in Barcelona, Spain — Our first night dinner on the roof terrace overlooking Placa de Tetuan park and the city of Barcelona

After dinner, we headed towards the Arc de Triomf, which was a short walk from our new home. This monumental arch was built in Moorish Revival architectural style. It served as the main gate to Barcelona World Fair in 1888. The arch opens to a wide promenade surrounded by palm trees and obelisks.

Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, Spain — Arc de Triomf

At the end of a promenade there is a big green space of Ciutadella Park. This historical garden has the city zoo, a small lake with a beautiful fountain, and classic building of Palace of the Parliament of Catalonia.

Second day in Barcelona. We were still jet-lagged but decided to follow our plan and visit Park Guell in the morning and then spend the afternoon on the beach.

Park Guell

The Park Guell is one of the main attractions in Barcelona. It was designed and built by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi between 1900 and 1914. Originally the architect got a commission from capitalist E. Guell to create a park around his family summer residence. The only portion of the original project was completed. The land was later sold to the city of Barcelona and turned into a public park.

The park occupies a small area, but it is beautifully designed and full of architectural elements in Gaudi’s signature style. It’s colorful, cheerful and whimsical. There are grottoes, a colonnaded hall, winding stairs and other creative structures decorated in multi-colored tiles.

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain — Park Guell was designed and built by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. It is cheerful and whimsical

We walked around the park for several hours and then climbed on top of the hill located outside of the park. Here we found a small terrace with the best panoramic views of the whole city and blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Walking around the park and climbing up the hill for the city views is a wonderful experience. But you get tired fast going up and down the hills. The best way to relax and feel that you’re still on vacation is to spend some time on the beach.

Barceloneta

The city of Barcelona has many beaches which are stretching over 4.5 km (2.8 miles) of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Barceloneta is one of the most popular ones and is closest to the city center. It is easily accessible on foot, bus or metro.

There is a walkway which runs along the sandy beach and several bars and restaurants. We didn’t find many places with rentable chairs and umbrellas. But there were many local vendors who sold the beach stuff for 10 to 12 euros.

After spending the whole afternoon on the beach, we strolled along crowded with tourists and locals’ promenade and had a relaxing dinner at one of many waterfront restaurants.

On our third day in Barcelona, we decided to explore the old city and then stroll along Las Ramblas all way down to the Harbor Front.

Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter)

The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Old Town of Barcelona. There are remains of ancient Roman buildings dating back 2,000 years. However, most of the buildings and historic monuments are from the Middle Ages.

We wandered around. The streets of the Gothic Quarter were narrow and dark. Old buildings were built very close to each other, so the windows are opened right into your neighbor’s living room or kitchen. The dry clothes rods were hung above the pedestrians together with the geraniums flowers boxes. I could tell that the sun hardly ever reaches the bottom of these streets. It looked old, dark and mysterious. It was full of history.

Dinner at Gothic Quarter's restaurant in Barcelona, Spain — We had dinner at one of the Gothic Quarter’s restaurant before heading down to La Ramblas

After walking the streets of the Gothic Quarter, we took a short walk from the Old Town to the city center – Plaza Catalunya (Placa de Catalunya).

La Rambla

You can call “La Rambla” as Barcelona’s most famous street or a social hub. It’s located just off Plaza Catalunya and leading right down towards the spectacular Harbor Front and the beach. It is often called Las Ramblas because it’s a series of several different streets.

This wide avenue is lined with many shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes, making it one of the most popular hangouts in Barcelona. At night, groups of locals and tourists stroll along La Rambla or sit at the outdoor café with a glass wine. There are many street performers or live music bands.

We spent some time enjoying this lovely street and a bustling hive of activity. But you need to be careful and watch your wallet. With thousands of tourists and locals wandering around there is a chance to get pickpocketed.

On our last day in Barcelona we were planning to visit La Sagrada Familia and then to go and see the light and music show of Magic Fountain of Montjuic at night.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family)

La Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona. The church is in the northern part of the city with tall towers soaring high above all other monuments. It’s a creation of the city most famous architect Antoni Gaudi. He was commissioned to design this basilica as a neo-Gothic church in 1883. But instead of following the plan, Gaudi created one of his famous surrealistic Art Nouveau architecture. He worked on this monumental church until his death in 1926. It was left unfinished.

We bought tickets online for the escorted tour around the church and were happy to skip the long waiting lines. It was my first time to see the interiors of this iconic building after the complete restoration. It was hard not to be entranced by the beauty of this enormous space soaring 90 meters high. I think everyone was admiring the decorative elements of the ceiling and multi-colored stained-glass windows.

La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain — La Sagrada Familia Basilica – interiors

The exteriors looked equally stunning with 18 towers of different heights, each dedicated to a biblical figure.

However, the restoration process is still going on. The cranes and construction equipment not always look pretty on the travel photos. The whole team of architects and construction workers is trying to finish this never-ending project by 2026. By that time, it will be a celebration of 100 years of building a church started by the famous architect in the 20^th century and finished in 21^st by his followers.

Magic Fountain of Montjuic

The light and music show of Montjuic fountain is one of the most amazing spectacles in Barcelona. The show gathers big crowds of tourists and locals who watch the spectacular display of light, water, and music.

Magic Fountain in Barcelona, Spain — The light and music show of Magic Fountain of Montjuic

It’s free of charge, but you need to verify the time and the day of the show. On our first visit to Barcelona, we missed it by arriving too late to the site.

The water fountain was built at the bottom of the Montjuic hill with a grand building of National Palace in Neo-Baroque style on the top. The cascade of large staircases adds another element to a stunning view.

After watching the show for almost one hour, we walked down the hill to Placa d’Espanya. This place is one of Barcelona’s most important and biggest squares. It was built for 1929 International Exhibition and still serves as a popular place for city’s festivities, celebrations, and fireworks shows.

Walk to Placa d"Espanya in Barcelona, Spain — After the show, we walked down the hill to Placa d’Espanya

Places to Eat in Barcelona

There are so many great places to eat in Barcelona. International and local food is super tasty here. For us, foreigners, Spanish food is all about tapas and paella. However, in several places, we had a great experience with simple dishes made from fresh ingredients, like tomatoes, artichokes, peppers, and eggplants. But my favorite food was all kind of sea products fresh from the Mediterranean Sea.

I have a list of places where we liked to eat:

Fiberbug – Brunch -Bar-Bistro. This place has a good selection of salads, sandwiches, tea, coffee, and pastries. We brunched there several times.

Restaurante Arume – a gourmet restaurant with a combination of Galician and Catalonian cuisines. Great octopus, carpaccio and paellas. It’s a small place, but the food is outstanding. We ordered the highly recommended house drink “Blackberry Mojito” and were not disappointed.

Café de L’Academia – this restaurant is in the middle of the Gothic Quarter. It’s very popular with tourists and gets very crowdy. The reservations are essential. Our food was excellent. The grilled octopus and the baby squid were super tender. My favorite was an eggplant terrine with goat cheese. A wonderful combination of fresh ingredients and flavors.

During our four days visit, we saw many beautiful places. I can see why people go back to Barcelona again and again, there’s so much to do and see. I would stay here longer and explore this wonderful city for weeks.

The next morning, we took a taxi and arrived 40 minutes later at Barcelona International airport to continue our journey to Portugal.

This part concludes Part 1 of our family vacation trip.

Related Post: Our Trip to St. Martin

Have you visited Barcelona? What places did you visit? Which attractions in Barcelona do you consider to be the most interesting? Share your comments below.