Likely the oldest surviving structure in Glasgow, construction of the city’s mighty Cathedral began in the 1100s. The style is ornate and distinctly Gothic, with similarities to other large cathedrals of the day like Notre Dame and The Se in Lisbon...
Scotland is stuffed with castles, with a higher density of them than anywhere else in Europe. Our first visit to Scotland revealed the huge variety in structures, functions, and states of preservation or decay amongst the castles in this gorgeous country....
Out of the many castles we visited in our two-week trip to Scotland, Duone Castle (pronounced “doon”) was one of my favorites and one I highly recommend. ...
The Devil’s Pulpit is a beautiful and unique gorge in picturesque Finnich Glen less than an hour north of Glasgow whose popularity is growing quickly thanks to the location being used as a filming location for several Hollywood movies and big-name TV productions like Outlander. ...
Arran is often described as “Scotland in miniature” featuring highlands and glens in the north and gentler rolling terrain in the south. With so much beauty and variety within a day trip’s reach of Scotland’s most populous city it’s no wonder that Arran is a popular place to visit....
Brodick Castle is well worth a visit. We spent two hours here but we could have easily spent the entire day. In two hours we saw the castle and garden but barely any of the trails....
Of all the hikes I did in Scotland, this was my absolute favorite! Glen Nevis is way beyond scenic - words like idyllic, inspirational, and iconic are more appropriate....
Dunstaffnage Castle is in a state of partial ruin. The castle gatehouse does have a roof and wood floors on the three explorable levels, accessed by the original stone spiral staircase which eventually leads up to the castle wall walk. What a view! The kitchen section of the castle is in a much more advanced state of ruin....
Castle Stalker, set on an islet in Loch Linnhe at the mouth of little Loch Laich near the village of Appin, is one of the more iconic Medieval castles in Scotland. Monty Python fans will surely recognize it as “Castle Aargh!”, the setting for the final scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail....
The Fairy Bridge was an exciting adventure to find and a magical place to discover. Finding a place like this, lost in time and forgotten, makes you wonder how many more little hidden treasures lie out there in the Scottish forests waiting to be found....
Edinburgh Castle is perhaps Scotland’s most iconic landmark as well as its most visited single attraction with around 2.25 million visitors annually. Contained within the imposing stone walls are the country’s most treasured possessions, kept in the place where so much of Scottish history actually happened. ...
Rowena Crest Viewpoint is the star of the eastern Columbia Gorge, rivaling the epic views found at it’s western counterpart Crown Point, but far exceeding it in the wildflower department and in hiking opportunities as well. And everyone knows it....
Upper Rock Creek Falls occurs where a 40-foot tall rock wall runs diagonally across the canyon. The resulting waterfall is a staggering 150-foot wide block, with cataracts dropping over the ledge in clusters. ...
One of many Falls Creeks in the Pacific Northwest, this stunner in the incredible Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one that lives up to it’s name, with a series of three falls in a row totaling 335 feet, plus another 200 feet of steep cascades below the main drops. ...
The star of the show here is Sherrard Point, located on a rocky outcropping to the NE of the main summit which is actually the old 4,055-foot volcanic summit. From this incredible vantage point you’ve got views of five Cascade peaks!...
Here's my top ten viewpoints of Mt Hood where visitors have space to hang out with family and friends as they take in the view and take their snaps. All are fairly easily to reach, some are even handicapped accessible....
Cape Meares is really quite fantastic, with outstanding views, a historic lighthouse, and some very special spruces. Volunteers lead whale watching in December and again during Spring Break as gray whales migrate past....
Tamanawas Falls is grand, both tall and wide with a big undercut behind it. It creates clouds of mist which blow along the amphitheater walls, carpeting all in it’s path with verdant mosses and wildflowers. When flows are high it’s one massive sheet, but at lower flows the falls breaks apart into a few different cataracts, like a smile with a missing tooth. ...
The biggest draw in Puerto Vallarta are it’s glorious beaches and tropical climate. They stretch for miles around the bay and continue northward in the Riviera Nayarit. The ocean temperature is cool and pleasant during the sunny Dec - April season, which is also the busy season. ...
Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s tallest accessible waterfall and perhaps the state’s most iconic landmark. It’s close proximity to Portland and it’s ease of access make it Oregon’s most visited location as well, with over 2 million visitors per year. And simply put, it is truly beautiful....
Dramatic Heceta Head Lighthouse is perfectly set and utterly photogenic, as is the historic lightkeeper’s assistant’s home. And how cool that visitors can stay there! Add on a lovely little beach and one of the most amazing hikes in the state and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic day at the Oregon Coast!...
The coastline in the park is one of the prettiest you will find anywhere on earth. Ecola State Park is definitely one of my top ten favorite Oregon State Parks and includes possibly the best beach in the entire state. ...
Fort Stevens State Parks occupies the extreme northwest corner of Oregon, where the mighty Columbia River finally empties in the Pacific Ocean. This sprawling 4,300-acre park includes miles of beaches, gorgeous coastal forests, a huge river bay, and two lakes. But unlike most Oregon State Parks, the history of humans at this location is the star of the show....
Intentional and harmonious are the two words that best describe Lan Su Chinese Garden. Visitors see and experience exactly what they are supposed to in each space. Every stone, branch, leaf, and blossom are there because they were intended to be there. The attention to detail in this garden is of the highest caliber....
Mosier Plateau Trail provides a hike through an environment unlike most in Northern Oregon. Located in an area of transition between the wet forests found west of Hood River and the desert found east of the The Dalles, visitors will discover a beautiful oak parkland and grassland ecosystem offering two great viewpoints plus a brush with local history....
For me Moulton Falls Regional Park is a top-notch spot. With a huge diversity of offerings and several points of interest, Moulton Falls offers something for everyone. On a summer day it would be easy to bring a lunch and spend the entire day here. In autumn the colors are superb. In spring the waterfalls are gushing and the forest floor is alive with flowers....
The falls in this area are both stunning and varied, with a greater density of waterfalls than the famous Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park. The fire damaged areas also give hikers a chance to see the impacts of variations in fire intensity on the landscape as well as to witness the recovery of the Columbia Gorge....
In my humble (or not so humble) opinion, Guy W. Talbot State Park is a true standout in the Columbia River Gorge area. This beautiful state park features two gorgeous waterfalls set in a lush forest, with stunning Latourell Falls as it’s awe-inspring centerpiece. If you are visiting the Columbia River Gorge, Talbot State Park is an absolute must....
Tamolitch Blue Pool is one of Oregon’s most popular destinations. It’s hard to miss it on Instagram or in travel blogs. Why? Because Tamolitch Blue Pool is insanely beautiful! It’s waters are a sparkling sapphire blue with perfect clarity. The view from above is one of the best you’ll find anywhere...
Silver Falls State Park is widely considered to be the crown jewel of Oregon State Parks. This gigantic, sprawling park offers world-class hiking, biking, camping, and more in a beautiful and diverse area of forest in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near Salem. The highlight of the park is the incredible Trail of Ten Falls, which leads past waterfall after waterfall....
Angel’s Rest is rocky promontory overlooking the Columbia Gorge near Portland, OR. The Ange’s Rest hike is an Oregon classic, featuring a variety of ecosystems and some stunning views at the end of the trail. However, Angel’s Rest hike is fairly long with a big elevation gain, making it not suitable for everyone. ...
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the greatest parts of Oregon. Comprised of three separate units, each with it’s own flavor, visitors have the opportunity to witness the past captured in stone. The beautiful, semi-arid environment is not exactly a desert, but it’s also a far cry from the wet forests and valleys found west of the Cascades. ...
Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor encompasses 12 miles of the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast along Hwy 101. Many consider this to be the single most beautiful and picturesque area of coastline in the continental United States. With over a dozen developed sites, miles of beaches, hidden coves, stunning rock formations, virgin forests, and breathtaking vistas, Boardman is well worth a full day (or more) of exploration. ...
Harris Beach State Park is one of the top five best beaches in Oregon. I returned in summer 2023 after having not visited for a decade, and I was quickly reminded why I love this beach so much! It’s amazing to me how many...
Green Peak Falls is by far the more impressive of the pair of waterfalls found in the Alsea River headwaters. It splashes and slides down a 50-foot chute with a lower 5-foot ledge falls which fills a big pool below. The falls are gentle and approachable in summer and fall, when you can climb up on the lower ledge and explore around the pool. At high winter and spring flows the falls gush down with force...
Later in the fall, Alsea Falls becomes a great spot for fishing and for watching the salmon and steelhead try to jump the falls. In winter the falls rage and roar. In late spring the area is filled with rhododendron blooms. And I must agree that the forest in this whole area was extremely pretty....
The hike to the falls is especially nice on a hot summer day. Little Zigzag River is fed by springs and snowmelt coming off Mt Hood. As such, the water is always extremely cold, which in turn keeps the little forested canyon nice and cool. In addition the hike is quick and feels nearly flat...
If you’re looking for great photographs and Instagram-worthy shots I suggest focusing on these top spots. My top Oregon beach picks alll feature something extra, be it cool rock formations, arches, waterfalls, tidepools, cliffs, or even caves....
Panther Creek Falls is one of my absolute favorite spots for a few reasons. The falls itself are unlike any I’ve seen - powerfully grand yet remarkably delicate and intricate. I’m always amazed how few people there are here even though it’s pretty easy to access. This is especially true in the evening. I’ve been here a few times where I have been the only person at the viewpoint!...
Abiqua Falls is one of the most epic waterfall locations in Oregon. The main falls pour gracefully and cleanly over columnar basalt cliffs into a huge amphitheater where red lichen mixes with mosses and cliff-dwelling plants on the towering stone walls. While the main plunge is a modest 92 feet, the size and depth of the waterfall basin imparts a sense of grandeur....
Curly Creek Falls is a true hidden gem. It’s one of only a dozen or so waterfalls in the world with two rock arches crossing it’s face. With such rarity one would think this waterfall would be crawling with people and parking impossible to find. In fact the opposite is true! On top of that the very short trail to the viewpoint is handicap accessible...
The museum’s website describes the museum as “nationally renowned” and I can see why. Columbia River Maritime Museum takes what could be a boring subject and really creates something fascinating out of it. The displays are beautiful and varied, the museum is well-designed, and the location makes visiting easy....
Amsterdam is lucky to have a world-class museum like this. With several famous paintings and a mind-blowing number of art objects on display, it’s easy to discover aspects of art and history that speak to you within their vast collection....
moco Museum Amsterdam, along with it’s two sibling institutions in London and Barcelona, curate works by modern and contemporary artists. The name of the museum combines the words MOdern and COntemporary to create the name, and is always in lower case letters…how edgy! At moco Amsterdam you will find a relatively small museum with works by Banksy, Basquialt, a piece or two by Warhol, and limited representation by several other artists from around the world....
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is one of the premiere attractions in Amsterdam’s busy old town and is certainly worth the time. We visited in the middle of the day on a Sunday and had a great time. The Madame Tussauds brand produces incredibly realistic wax figures and displays them in fun, sometimes interactive environments in several cities around the world....
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint is a quick stop with a dramatic view along Hwy 197 in Central Oregon....
Smith Rock State Park is a grand feather in the cap of the extensive Oregon State Parks system. With miles of trails to explore and world-class rock climbing set within a gorgeous desert canyon with unique geology harboring loads of wildlife and sublime views, this park has something to offer everyone who loves the great outdoors....
Set in an impressive canyon, Steelhead Falls is an emerald oasis in the Central Oregon desert landscape that’s worth a visit. This wide and powerful 20-foot plunge on the upper Deschutes River pours down a few channels into a frothing bowl with a perfect head-on viewpoint....
