by Tricia | Mar 17, 2021 | Happy Holidays, History and More, Travel Junkie
Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you! Who was Saint Patrick, and why do we celebrate today? Neither a canonized saint nor Irish, he was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, kidnapped at the age of 16 by pirates, and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but...
by Tricia | Nov 1, 2020 | Travel Junkie
With so many travel restrictions these days, I thought it would be fun to cheer you up by reminding you of what you’re (not) missing. Following are actual complaints from travelers with Thomas Cook Vacations. “On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to...
by Tricia | Feb 11, 2020 | Focus on Culture, Travel Junkie
About an hour’s drive from Riga city center, on a hill in the Lielupe river valley, sits a 19th-century gem. Those of us at WITS who opted for the manor estates excursion had no idea what was in store for us when the bus pulled up outside of the Mazmežotne Manor...
by Tricia | Nov 26, 2019 | Travel Junkie
On a foggy November morning in the Latvian countryside, Rundāle Palace appeared mysterious and brooding. The summer residence of the Duke of Courland, Ernst Johann Biron, construction began in 1736 on the country’s largest palace. Soon we were invited into its...
by Tricia | Nov 19, 2019 | Travel Junkie
An anticipatory hush fell over the crowd as the deep voice boomed through the sound system. The ceremony was about to start. Seconds later, officials strode past scores of saluting military as music–we guessed it was the national anthem–played. Toddlers...
by Tricia | Sep 18, 2019 | Home and Hearth, Travel Junkie
Last week I received a request from an International Living editor to write a blurb about a unique place I’ve spent the night. In the email she included a link about a trulla, a country dwelling characterized by a cone-shaped top. I just so happened to have...
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