Malaga’s Ancient Roman Theatre

Malaga Roman Theatre / Kimberly Sullivan

It’s always pleasant to travel around and find traces of “my” city of Rome. This happened again on my visit to Malaga, Spain, where I visited the Ancient Roman theatre. The Roman theatre is (dramatically) located below the Alcazaba hill and Moorish fortress. It was originally built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and was…

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European destinations to visit for the Christmas light season

Milan, Christmas/ Kimberly Sullivan

It’s that time of year again … short days made brighter by stunning Christmas lights. Since Christmas celebrations in Europe continue through to 6 January, you’re still in time to enjoy those cheery holiday lights. Here’s a roundup of some European cities and towns to consider visiting to enjoy those holiday lights – and much…

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Loved my stay at Malaga’s Grand Hotel Miramar

Gran Hotel Miramar, Malaga, Spain / Kimberly Sullivan

Enjoyed such a wonderful stay in Malaga’s Grand Hotel Miramar, in Spain’s Andalucia region. I am a huge admirer of historic hotels, and the Grand Hotel Miraramar had it in spades. Construction began on this hotel by architect Fernando Guerrero Strachan in 1921, and it was inaugurated as Hotel Principe de Asturias in 1926, with…

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Malaga – all decked out for the holidays

Malaga, Spain Christmas decorations / Kimberly Sullivan

The first weekend of December, I was for the first time in Malaga, Spain – in the country’s beautiful Andalucia region. It was great to see the city decked out with Christmas decorations on all its streets, palm trees and orange trees, adding a festive spirit to the nightly movida. Although I have traveled a…

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A European Christmas market round-up

‘Tis the season … And for me, that means it’s a good time to reflect on some of my favorite Christmas markets around Europe. Because I live in Rome, people often think the city is decked out for the holidays. Sadly, especially in recent years, this couldn’t be further from the truth. To enjoy the…

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Getting in the Christmas spirit … in Vigo, Spain

The last week of November found me at work in Galicia’s largest city – Vigo. I’ve been several times in this Atlantic coastal city, although always in late summer/early fall, so it was interesting to see it in the colder months. And it was a surprise to see that Vigo now touts itself as the…

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Enjoying the winter sun in Madrid’s Parco del retiro

Last December I was with my family in Madrid. We spent lots of time walking around and exploring, and hours in museums enjoying the collections. But the blue skies beckoned and the warm December sun led us to the Parco del retiro, a place I had been for summer visits to Spain’s capital. It was…

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Turn-of-the-century elegance in San Sebastian, Spain

During our holiday in France’s Pays basque, we also enjoyed crossing into Spain’s Pais vasco. I’ve already written about the regions’s Bilbao and its Guggenheim Museum. We also had an enjoyable tome visiting beautiful San Sebastian – or Donastia, in the Basque language. This elegant city is close to the French border, and was the…

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Luckily no more bulls on Madrid’s Plaza Mayor

On a recent trip to Madrid, we enjoyed clear winter days – perfect walking weather to explore Spain’s capital … and explore the city by foot, we did! Our walks, of course, often led us back to Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. The pedestrianized square is stunning – even more so with a lively Christmas market set…

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