Travel, life, loves and laughs.
Atop a hill overlooking the small town of Fier in Albania, lies the Monastery of Ardenica, also known as the Monastery of the Nativity of Theotokos in Ardenica.
It has topped this hill in one form or another since 1282 when it was first founded by the Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos after his victory against Angevins in the siege of Berat.… Read the rest
We arrive mid morning at the Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) Monastery. Already the car park is busy with a number of tourist buses arriving and departing. I gaze up and the sun drenched northwest facade and entrance belfry and know that I am about to experience something special.… Read the rest
I have escaped the resort today and find myself in Kolymvari, a small seaside town west of Chania. As inviting as the sea looks, however, I am in search of Gonia Monastery, just outside of town.
After a fortifying morning coffee, I take the short walk from the tiny harbour up a cicada lined road.… Read the rest
A short way up into the hills we arrive at the traditional village of Marathokefala where time seems to stand still. Here, the pace of life takes the slow road, with many daily rituals continuing as they have done for centuries.… Read the rest
Atop Melnik’s picturesque cliff tops, the St. Virgin Mary Spileotisa Monastery is perched. Known locally as the Holy Place, this tiny monastery, referred to a a cave (speleon) was built between 1209 – 1211. Its name is also associated with the Virgin Mary of the Holy Place at the Mount Athos monastery Vatopedi.… Read the rest
Nestled in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, Bachkovo Monastery stands as a beacon of Bulgarian spiritual heritage and historical significance.
We arrive on a sparkling Spring morning after the night in Plovdiv and a quick stop on the way at Asen’s Fortress.… Read the rest
Castelo de São Jorge steals my breath away the moment I glimpse it. This ancient crown of Lisbon is visible from our ship across the bay but seems to command more and more attention the closer we get.… Read the rest
This stunning tower, the Torre de Belém, stands on the banks of the Targus river in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is a landmark dating from the 16th Century. It is a ceremonial gateway to the city and officially a fortification that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers.… Read the rest
The hop on, hop off tourist bus operators practically mob us as we emerge into Lisbon from the cruise terminal along Av. Infante Don Henrique. However, we have our day more or less mapped out and we grab a taxi and head straight for the Tower of Belém.… Read the rest
Francoise, my tour guide, along with Patrick, our driver, pick me up from my hotel for a visit to the Kadisha Valley. We have agreed on an 8am start and I am taken by surprise a little after 7:30am.… Read the rest