“Taking the waters” has long been a popular activity for those living on the Isle of Great Britain. In fact bathing in special springs has been said to have healing benefits even before the Romans arrived on the island. By Queen Victoria’s reign, however, doctors began to suggest that inhabitants of the island venture to…
Category: History
Visiting Auschwitz
“Those who do not remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana I distinctly remember the first time I learned about the holocaust. I was in fourth grade and we were presenting our history projects of the year. I think I did mine on the Donner party that year, but when my friend…
Magnet Fishing on the Canals
Long before there were lorries bringing our goods to market, long, shallow boats transported goods throughout England on man-made canals. Begun in Roman times and expanded during the Industrial Revolution in the 17th and 18th centuries, canals were efficient ways to get heavy loads of goods throughout the island. Long, low boats were initially pulled…
In Their Footsteps: a photo essay on the footprint of the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto
We took a historical walking tour learning about the struggles of those interned in the Jewish Ghetto during the Second World War. Clouds rolled across the morning sky as we walked through Warsaw toward the POLIN museum to meet out guide. While the clouds threatened rain in the crisp morning air, fall leaves played at…
Blogette #5: A night at the symphony and an ode to my father.
Saturday night Tim and I had the opportunity to attend our very first symphony. Now, I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I love classical music for so many reasons. It’s great to listen to while I write, it’s calming, it’s beautiful to dance ballet to and most of all, it fills me…
48 Hours with the Salzburg Card
Tim’s work has brought us back to Germany for the week and last weekend we decided to come to the continent early to spend the holiday weekend in Salzburg. While planning what to do in Salzburg, I discovered the Salzburg Card, a flat-fee card that gets you into over 30 attractions and offers discounts on…
Connecting to the past in Athens’ Ancient Agora
When you think of Athens, an image of the Parthenon perched high above the city on the Acropolis is probably the first thing that comes to mind. But I’m here to tell you about another ancient site that you need to visit when you go to Athens (not if), the Ancient Athenian Agora. From the…
Three Days in Madrid
15 things to do on a long weekend in Spain’s phenomenal capital Day One Morning: The sun gets warm early in Madrid, so take time in the cool of the morning to stroll through the meandering paths of the Parque del Oeste. Before the sun is too hot, wait in line to see the Templo…
Musings of a Classicist on her first trip to Athens
When I was 18, I took a Greek Mythology course for my general ed classes and I fell in love with their stories. It didn’t take me long to determine that I needed more. When it was put to me to choose a minor to supplement my Journalist major, I jumped at the chance to…
Treasure Hunting at the Peterborough Festival of Antiques
“Something can be old, but it can be timeless.” Cee Lo Green Since I was a young girl, I’ve loved history and antiques. In fact, when I was just 18 I wrote “fill my house with antiques” on my bucket list. Early on in our marriage, I learned that Tim loved antiques and the thrill…
Fernweh Findings 