Arrival in Paddington
April 2, 2025 in England ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F
Just a quick overnight, but walked through a cute area to get to my accommodations -- partly because I exited the train station on the wrong side :P
Arrival in Amsterdam
April 3, 2025 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Tomorrow will include a lot more actual sightseeing (this was yet another long transit day), but the city center is beautiful! So here are a few pics I took on my way to my accommodations. (The hooksRead more
Red Light District
April 4, 2025 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
The church pictured is the oldest in Amsterdam; the Bulldog was allegedly the city's first marijuana "coffee shop"; the red curtained windows are some of the original prostitute-owned/rentedRead more
The Jordaan
April 4, 2025 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
This area is nearest where I'm staying, and is my favorite area so far. (The Anne Frank house is in this area, fyi.) The nave pictured is the church where Rembrandt is buried (although nobody's sureRead more
Damrak and City Center
April 4, 2025 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
The Damrak is main drag along the original central canal leading off the central train station, where ships came and went out to sea back in the day. The kiosks are part of the famous (but touristy)Read more
Vondelpark and Anne Frank House
April 5, 2025 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F
Biggest park in Amsterdam, and extremely picturesque (plus kiosk with great coffee). As far as the Anne Frank house, they don't let you take pics in the actual annex, but I got a couple shots of theRead more
Haarlem
April 5, 2025 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
Had the BEST battered fish pieces here 🥰 Since it's Saturday, I happened to hit the market in the main square as well. The church pictured is one of the Netherlands' most famous landmarks.
Antwerp
April 6, 2025 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
The city is an interesting mix of old historical bits scattered amongst a modern flair (and a lot of shopping lol). This time my door is to a little bar built into the remains of the castle (which isRead more
Bruges (Round 2)
April 7, 2025 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
The first time I visited Bruges I was sick, so trying it again :P Finally got to have a beer in Bruges! (And took a pic of the famous Beer Wall -- or at least part of it lol.) The pic where I'mRead more
More of Bruges!
April 8, 2025 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F
St. Jans-Hospitaal (including its famous Memling collection), a stroll along the canal, and a few other miscellaneous wanderings :) Plus 2 doors!
BONUS
April 8, 2025 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Some views from the top of the brewery (plus some shots from when I was meandering on the way there) 😁
Hyde Park
April 9, 2025 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Arrived back in London, just hanging out in and around Hyde Park (with a side-trip to Harrod's for a pastry).
Westminster, Trafalgar, and the City
April 10, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
Still my favorite areas to wander in. And this time I finally had good timing and got to go inside the Knights Templars' famous Temple Church! (They have notoriously spotty, random opening hours.)
Notting Hill and Kensington Gardens
April 10, 2025 in England ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
Nothing Hill neighborhood, including the famous Portobello Road market (a bit too kitchy and touristy for my taste, but had really good falafel and an authentic Ethiopian coffee (earthy andRead more
South Bank
April 11, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
London Bridge; Southwark Cathedral (where Shakespeare attended); Borough Market (foooood); replica of the Golden Hinde (the replica also completed a global circumnavigation); the Globe Theater; andRead more
Edinburgh Reprise
April 12, 2025 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Last time I was in Edinburgh, I had a migraine, so like Bruges, this is an attempted redo :P Featuring Palace of Holyrood, Arthur's Seat; the Vaults (sometimes called the most haunted place inRead more
The Royal Mile and Castle
April 13, 2025 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
Including Saint Margaret's Chapel (oldest part of the Castle, survived all the sieges); Saint Giles Cathedral; a couple of the oldest surviving houses on the Mile; and Gladstone's Land (fullyRead more
New Town
April 13, 2025 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
Featuring the GORGEOUS flowers and trees of Prince's Street Gardens, George Street, and Castle views.
Greyfriar's Cemetery (+Misc)
April 14, 2025 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Neat and evocative (and allegedly haunted) cemetery (complete with graves that inspired names of Harry Potter characters). Also some miscellaneous shots from wanderings and from the National Museum ofRead more
York
April 15, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
Just a quick overnight here between Edinburgh and Canterbury, but couldn't resist stopping in York and wandering a bit <3 Still one of my favorite cities (and lots of flowers in bloom this time; IRead more
Canterbury
April 17, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Cathedral grounds are beautiful and historic (England's first cathedral and site of Thomas Beckett's murder); St. Martin's Church (even more historic; oldest continuously operating church in all ofRead more
Bath
April 18, 2025 in England ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
Another favorite spot I couldn't resist a quick overnight on the way between destinations 🥰
Chipping Campden
April 19, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
It's always a pleasure to be in the Cotswolds. Almost too much village cuteness to know what to do with lol. Some of these are also Broad Campden (a short walk away; worth it for the lack of otherRead more
Dover's Hill hike
April 20, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F
Really nice views, and lots of sheep (with lambs!) Plenty more beautiful flowers as well 😍
Campden to Moreton hike
April 21, 2025 in England ⋅ 🌧 50 °F
A little more strenuous than the roadside hike I did before (only in reverse), but definitely more scenic, so I think it was worth the trouble. And more sheep 😂🐑
TravelerNice area and a good start to your trip
Enjoy and have a safe trip [Aunt sharon]
And so it begins … [Greg]