The Key to Quito, Ecuador

What we THOUGHT was going to be a simple stopover on our way to The Galapagos Islands, turned out to be a gem of Colonial American history.

Quito’s Colonial Center is perhaps the largest and best preserved historic center in the Americas, and was the first New World city to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

And don’t get us started on the gigantic, winged Virgin Mary… CONTINUE READING >>

What we THOUGHT was going to be a simple stopover on our way to The Galapagos Islands, turned out to be a gem of Colonial American history.

Quito’s Colonial Center is perhaps the largest and best preserved historic center in the Americas, and was the first New World city to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

And don’t get us started on the gigantic, winged Virgin Mary… CONTINUE READING >>

The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway

The Viking Ship Museum was specially built to house three ships which were put on display after being discovered in the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds by a farmer … CONTINUE READING >> 

The Viking Ship Museum was specially built to house three ships which were put on display after being discovered in the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds by a farmer … CONTINUE READING >> 

Discovering De- Luxembourg, Deluxe-mbourg

As Europe’s richest country, and ranked second in the entire world, it was easy for us to think that the luxe in Luxembourg would stem from the same source as deluxe, or luxury, but it doesn’t. How’s that for a teaser. 😉

Join your GypsyNesters as we simply gawk at the grandeur of Luxembourg, the American Cemetery and the most beautiful balcony in the world… CONTINUE READING >>

As Europe’s richest country, and ranked second in the entire world, it was easy for us to think that the luxe in Luxembourg would stem from the same source as deluxe, or luxury, but it doesn’t. How’s that for a teaser. 😉

Join your GypsyNesters as we simply gawk at the grandeur of Luxembourg, the American Cemetery and the most beautiful balcony in the world… CONTINUE READING >>

Stockholm Syndrome: Captured by Sweden


From now on, when we visit a city and wish we had been able to stay much longer, we shall refer to the situation as Stockholm syndrome.

The Swedish capital was completely captivating.

And we couldn’t help but have fond feelings for our captor… CONTINUE READING >>


From now on, when we visit a city and wish we had been able to stay much longer, we shall refer to the situation as Stockholm syndrome.

The Swedish capital was completely captivating.

And we couldn’t help but have fond feelings for our captor… CONTINUE READING >>

Perfectly Preserved: Colonial Spain in Valladolid, Mexico


Just because a place is off the beaten path doesn’t mean that a path should not be beaten to it.

We’ve discovered this to be true on several occasions — sometimes by accident — other times by design, as with our visit to Valladolid.

We had heard that this impressively preserved colonial settlement hidden away in the heart… CONTINUE READING >>


Just because a place is off the beaten path doesn’t mean that a path should not be beaten to it.

We’ve discovered this to be true on several occasions — sometimes by accident — other times by design, as with our visit to Valladolid.

We had heard that this impressively preserved colonial settlement hidden away in the heart… CONTINUE READING >>

Frankly My Dear, it’s Amsterdam!

Amsterdam has a reputation, but the hedonistic side of this city is just a small part of what attracts so many people.

For us, that aspect was a mere curiosity; the real allure is the entirely distinctive personality of this vibrant, energetic, aqua-centric city.

So did we stay out of trouble? Depends how you define troubleCONTINUE READING >>

Amsterdam has a reputation, but the hedonistic side of this city is just a small part of what attracts so many people.

For us, that aspect was a mere curiosity; the real allure is the entirely distinctive personality of this vibrant, energetic, aqua-centric city.

So did we stay out of trouble? Depends how you define troubleCONTINUE READING >>