Tag: European Travel

Greece: Four Islands, Four Distinct Experiences

November 4, 2023

I have been traveling in Europe for about two months. Most days, I am somewhere between a state of contentment and awe at what I have seen and done.

I started this trip in northern England, followed by Croatia and Slovenia. I’ve seen countless historic sites and several national parks. I have walked my socks off, or at least worn holes in them.

I have just left Greece after nearly a month there, which brings me to the focus of this post.

I started with a much-too-short stay in Athens. Why did I think I wouldn’t like Athens? I love walking through history, and my visit to Rome several years ago remains one of my favorite destinations.

After Athens, I flew to Crete for a week. I had reserved an apartment at a resort and enjoyed a mix of leisurely resort time as well as some sightseeing. It was a perfect. I was able to see my “bare minimum” sights but also slowed down and even took advantage of the on-site spa.

My limited impressions of Crete in October: Go! It’s a fantastic island with so many things to see and do. I barely scratched the surface, really. I did the typical outings to Spinaloga, a small island fortress, and hiked the Samaria Gorge. I took a day trip to the Palace of Knossos and spent a day in Heraklion.

In case you didn’t know, Crete is huge, the largest of the Greek islands. There is a distinct Cretan culture. The food is delicious, and the people are lively and proud of their heritage. It’s on my definite return list.

From Crete, I got on a ferry for Karpathos. I’m still not sure if I love Greek ferries. (They take a long time.) But I did enjoy meeting some fellow travelers from the US, a family of five taking a year out to travel the world. I love that they are giving their kids an unforgettable experience that may open many doors for them.

Karpathos is a relatively small and less touristy island than many; at least, that’s what my guidebook says. The guidebook also told me to chat with the friendly locals, which I certainly did. They were, indeed, quite pleasant for the most part.

Beyond the cute town of Karpathos, there was little going on. According to the locals, the tourist season ends on October 15th, and I had arrived just after that. The only downside was that the local bus company had decided to stop its runs to the historic town of Olympos on the day I had planned to go. The driver I spoke with was rather abrupt: “There are no more trips to Olympos. That is done.”

Funny, the gentleman at the bus office had just told me the day before that there would be a bus if enough passengers showed up. I guess the other guy changed the plan on him.

Anyway, I had a great time wandering the island, getting a little bit lost, and swimming in the bay every afternoon.

My cute little apartment in town had a view of the sea with a lovely veranda on which I ate breakfast and dinner every day. It was glorious!

In fact, one of the best days of this trip was when I walked from Karpathos Town around the western peninsula. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and I encountered no humans, just goats and many tiny churches.

My impressions of Karpathos in October: Go a little earlier than I did. I regret that I wasn’t able to make it to Olympos. (It would have been more than 100 euros by taxi.) I very much enjoyed the island and the neighboring small towns. It, too, is on my revisit list. Next time, I plan to go in the spring.

A few days later, I got on another ferry, this time bound for Rhodes, one of the larger Greek Islands. On the ferry, I met a recently retired couple, she American and he French. They assured me that there would be a lot going on in Rhodes. They also encouraged me to return to Karpathos in the spring, telling me it was the best time to visit.

They were right about Rhodes. Rhodes town was quite a contrast to Karpathos. First, two large cruise ships were in the port when we arrived. The Old Town area was certainly bustling! I walked to my apartment, taking in the scene, thinking it would be a nice change.

Unfortunately, I didn’t fall in love with Rhodes.

When I visited the Old Town the next day, it felt overly packed with people. I did my thing and toured the Archeological Museum (a definite highlight) and the Grand Master’s Palace. Seeing these sights was just fine; the streets of the old town overwhelmed me, though. It felt like a packed series of shops and restaurants. I just wanted to get out!

The next day, I had a tour booked for the Acropolis of Lindos. It wasn’t actually a tour; it was merely a bus ride. The driver dropped us off at 10:20 and said, “See you back here at 3:20.”

No instructions. No, pointing out where to go. Just see you later.

We had to walk down a rather steep hill and through to the town of Lindos to get up to the Acropolis. It felt a lot like the old town of Rhodes and was rather labyrinth-like. Then there were the people in no physical condition to climb up to the Acropolis. One woman was holding up a rather large group before her husband finally got her off to the side to head back down.

I was happy I had made the trip as the Acropolis and surrounding areas were gorgeous.

But five hours was a long time. I had brought my suit in case I wanted to swim. Glad I did.

As I arrived at the beach, I saw a restaurant with gluten-free items marked on the menu. A shrimp salad sounded so much better than the snacks I had packed.

The salad was indeed tasty, and I had a sea view to go along with it. I decided to splurge and get one of those beach loungers. (I am not one to lie on the beach. Tanning is not my thing.)

I made the most of the afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful, warm water.

That evening, I didn’t feel quite right.

By morning, I was pretty ill with food poisoning. I spent the day in bed, thankful I had extra bottled water.

The next day, I got up and took a slow walk to Rhodes’s Acropolis and ancient stadium. The Acropolis wasn’t nearly as impressive as Lindos, but the stadium was fantastic.

My impressions of Rhodes in October: If you’ve never been, it’s worth a visit. The old town is charming, as is the port area. The beaches in town are rocky and unimpressive. I’m glad I went once, but I wouldn’t return.

Santorini was missing from my original itinerary. Everyone goes to Santorini, and I wanted to see some of the smaller, less popular islands. Early November’s lack of ferry service forced me to adjust my itinerary. So, Santorini, it was!

I have to admit, I loved it! I stayed in a studio apartment in a small family-owned resort on Oia’s “not caldera” side. It was actually between the tiny historic town of Finikia and Oia. Perfect for me, because I like to walk. The stay included a generous breakfast every morning, and the buses throughout the island were running on a full schedule.

When I arrived, my host sat down with me and a map and planned out the next few days for me. What a treat to have good old-fashioned personal service in this era of contactless check-ins. She also encouraged me to go to the local taverna in Finikia for dinner. The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was exquisite! The food poisoning incident had killed my appetite, and that meal started to bring me back to life.

I spent the first full day wandering Oia and walking down to the harbor. It is that picture postcard place that most of us think of when someone says Greek Islands. That first glimpse of the town made me gasp.

The next day, I got on the bus and headed to the archeological site in Akrotiri. This Minoan site was buried in ash from the 1316 BC eruption. (Somewhat like Pompeii, but not quite as impressive.)

Afterward, I took a short hike to the red-sand beach. (The tourist boats had stopped running the day before!)

As I walked back toward the bus stop, a waiter/cook lured me into his restaurant for lunch, where I saw the chicken cooking on the spit. He gave me a sample, and I was sold!

The next day, I took the bus to the mountaintop town of Pyrgos. It’s relatively small but worth an hour or so. I walked the narrow winding streets and stairs up to the church, with an adjacent café. It was a rather windy, chilly day, and they had Italian hot chocolate on the menu. I was in heaven!

After catching the bus back to Fira, I walked the trail from Fira to Oia.

My feet were tired, but the adventure was worth it! I highly recommend the hike.

The final day in Santorini was leisurely. I walked around Oia, ate a salad that didn’t make me sick, napped by the pool, and played with the resident kittens.

My impressions of Santorini in October-November: Go! It’s gorgeous, and there is still quite a bit going on. Some restaurants and activities shut down on October 31, so be ready for that.

Sunday Wander on Karpathos

October 22, 2023

This is what got me started today. It’s called Poseidon’s Temple, and it’s about a 25-minute walk from where I’m staying in Pigadia, Karpathos, Greece.

It was Sunday morning, and I was due for a good walk. I was still feeling the pain of my hike in Samaria Gorge on Crete last Thursday; I thought a good walk might ease the pain and stretch me out a bit.

Apparently, Poseidon’s Temple is an ancient burial site. There are two caves behind the gate, and one certainly looks like a burial chamber. There were no signs, and I stumbled upon it accidentally when I was studying Google Maps. Perhaps I will learn more when I visit the archeological museum tomorrow.

I was in the mood for a longer wander. So, I continued down the road. I thought I might go visit one of the beaches on the other side of the island. My swimsuit and towel were in my backpack just in case.

Then, around the corner, I saw this:

The village of Menetes up on the hill (mountain?). I was feeling pretty energetic, the weather was perfect, and it was only a little after 9:00 AM. I could swim back in Pigadia this afternoon.

Then I was reassured a few minutes later when I saw this sign:

I was on a designated walking route. All good.

And there was the carrot on the stick; that cute village kept getting closer and closer.

As I ascended, I could see the bay by Pigadia as well as the other side of the island.

I also snagged a ripe fig from a tree. Delicious!

The views were better and better as I approached the war memorial outside of Menetes.

View of Pigadia

There was also a small chapel (They are everywhere in Greece!) just a hundred feet from the memorial, and the door was open. I stepped in. It was cool and peaceful inside. I was thankful for the resting spot.

The cemetery between the war memorial and town:

As I walked into town, there was a little stand with local goods. I had been seeing similar stands all over Croatia and Slovenia earlier in the trip. Three people were sitting around the table. (I took the photo later.)

The owner struck up a conversation with me.

“We saw you walking up. Where are you from?”

“The United States.”

“But where?”

“Seattle.”

“Oh, Seattle, Washington. I lived in the U.S. in 1977, in Washington DC, the other Washington. Today is the last day. I will give you a good deal.”

He really wanted to sell me some wine or olive oil, but I need to think about volume and bulk. Instead, I bought some dried figs, a lime, a small jar of olives, and some mixed herbs. I would consume all but the herbs before continuing to my next destination.

We continued to chat, and he offered me some fresh grapes.

“They aren’t so good. You know, they are the last of the Mohicans.”

I thought they were pretty tasty.

He advised me to make the chapel up above town my final destination and sent me on my way.

Most of the homes can be reached only by stairs. The townspeople must all have great legs!

View of the town from the big church:

After more and more stairs, I arrived at the chapel above the town. It was also open!

And, of course, the best views of the day at about 1650 feet! This is a view of the south end of Karpathos.

It was nice to be seemingly the only tourist in town today. The walk up was peaceful, and the gentleman at the stand was the first person I had encountered besides a couple of workers on the side of the road.

The funniest things happened later on the way back, though.

As I was walking back on the main road, a taxi started honking at me. He pulled up and asked if I needed a ride.

“No thanks. I’m walking.”

“I’ll give you a ride for free!”

Okay, that was a little creepy.

Then, a few minutes later, two men driving a car with a rental company logo slowed down and asked if I needed a ride. They laughed when I told them, “No Thanks. I’m walking.”

About twenty minutes later, another taxi slowed down and asked if I needed a ride. At least he didn’t seem to mind when I refused.

I wonder if some tourists get hot and tuckered out, so they are used to picking up people on the way down. It was over nine miles round trip, after all.

I arrived back at my apartment just after 1:00 PM and enjoyed a hearty lunch on the balcony, satisfied with the day’s wandering.

And yes, I did go for a swim in the afternoon.

Checking Out Slovenia


October 9, 2023
Sometimes, I can’t believe how many beautiful places I see in a short time while traveling.


Yesterday, I once again visited an incredibly beautiful place, Vintgar Gorge, near Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Slovenia is entirely new to me. This is my first visit. I took a nice long stretch of six days to hang out in Ljubljana, the capital. As capital cities go, it is on the small side and has a chill vibe. The Ljubljanica River that runs through the city was carefully planned to be pedestrian friendly. There are oodles of bars, restaurants, and sitting spots to people-watch.


I visited a museum a day, all fantastic, and enjoyed walks up by the castle and through Tivoli Park.


The “Open Kitchen” food festival lasts from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Fridays, spring through autumn.

Not to mention, there’s the daily market square filled with fresh produce and flowers.


Two days ago, I arrived in Lake Bled. Wow! It is the quintessential European mountain fantasy town with a castle high on a rock cliff and an island in the lake with a church. It has a touristy vibe but doesn’t feel as overrun as Windermere in England’s Lakes District.


Yesterday, I took a shuttle out to nearby Vintgar Gorge. My expectations were low since I had recently visited Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.
It was another of those better-than-expected experiences.
I think the fact that we are now in October helped, too. The trail along the gorge wasn’t especially crowded, even though it was a Sunday.
The fall colors also enhanced the crystal-clear waters.
Enjoy the photos and be sure to add Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge to your Slovenian itinerary!

When Will I Learn About Sundays?

October 9, 2023

When you’re retired and living a nomadic life, it’s easy to forget which day it is.

I arrived in Lake Bled, Slovenia, at lunchtime on Saturday. If you’ve ever been here or seen pictures, you know it is an enchanting place. It’s easy to forget the day of the week when you’ve arrived in a fairy tale.

After getting off the bus, I rolled my suitcase down to the lake and caught the first glimpse of the castle. It was a warm autumn day, around 72 degrees. Check-in was at 3:00, so a nice open-air lunch was the answer.

Not only did I get a healthy and delicious salad, but it was the first place I had encountered in Slovenia with gluten-free beer on the menu. What could be more perfect? Celiac’s delight!

After walking down along the lake for fifteen minutes or so (not a exactly a fantasy with a suitcase in tow), I arrived at the apartment at precisely 2:59.

After getting settled, I walked to the nearby grocery store to pick up some items for dinner and breakfast. It was one of those barely stocked places. No eggs and very little in the way of quality produce. It would be a simple soup night. I figured I’d go out for breakfast.

Then, it was time to walk around the rest of the lake’s perimeter. From the apartment, the views of the little island with the church kept getting better and better. On top of that, church bells were ringing from two directions.

Eventually, I ascended to the castle and, to continue the fantasy, there was a wedding! (Sorry. I didn’t take pictures of the wedding.)

Forgetting that night was coming earlier and earlier, I stayed up at the castle grounds to watch the beginning of sunset. Ah…

When I woke up the next day, I thought I could get breakfast at one of the two restaurants nearby. Nope.

I went to the first place, and all that was offered were beverages. At least I could enjoy a nice cup of tea. Strange that a restaurant with a hotel attached did not serve breakfast. These things happen while traveling in the off season, though.

I checked over at the other restaurant. The owner and a friend were sitting down having a smoke and coffee. No, they weren’t serving breakfast, either. She suggested I walk into town for a nice breakfast at the bakery. That wouldn’t work for this gluten-free girl.

And all of the grocery stores were closed because it was Sunday.

Later, I ended up having a nice lunch of sausage and bean soup, and I splurged on a steak dinner that night.

Maybe forgetting about Sundays wasn’t such a bad thing.

Next Sunday, I will try to plan ahead. More likely, I will forget which day it is.

20K in a Day


September 24, 2023
I love to walk and hike. I’d say it is my primary form of recreation and transportation, especially while traveling.
I try to keep my daily limit to ten miles. You know, moderation and all. I don’t want to be too wiped out to enjoy the next day’s wanderings.
My friend Nancy likes to take it up a notch, though. She took up trail running in her fifties. Let’s say she’s my only friend my age who can kick my butt on a hiking trail. (Don’t be fooled by the sweet smile in the photo.)


We had two full days to explore Miljet National Park in Croatia. So, we decided to take a long hike the first day and take it easy the second.


The nice part about traveling with my friends Kirk and Nancy is that I don’t have to plan much at all. They are avid map readers, and Nancy loves to set up the day’s itinerary.


Besides covering much of the park, the hike also included an ascent to a viewing tower. The views of the island were stunning!


The side trip to the neighboring town of Polace for groceries added a couple of kilometers, too. But we got to see the ruins of a Roman place, too.


That’s how we ended up hiking 20K in a day, or 2.42 miles over my usual limit.


Don’t get me wrong; I’m just being cheeky. It was one of the most memorable days of our trip to Croatia. My feet survived, and I was only a little sore the next day.


And I would do the 20K all over again.

Splitting From Split

September 26, 2023

We arrived in Split, Croatia, yesterday afternoon.

After settling in our apartment, we took a ten-minute walk to the old town. As old towns go, it’s a good one. In fact, most of the old town is the site of Diocletian’s Palace.

This morning, we were ready for something different, though. We would have two more full days in Split. Why not go see something a little off the beaten path?

The priority was the Green Market, or farmers’ market. I had been hankering for some quality produce, and the tiny grocery stores on the Croatian islands we just visited lacked selection and freshness.

Visiting the markets is one of my favorite things to do in Europe. I love seeing the local produce and agricultural products. In addition to fruits and vegetables, we picked up some honey, dried fruit, sausage, and olive oil.

Speaking of olive oil…my friend Nancy and I had wanted to learn more about olive oil production. We had been looking for a tour but weren’t finding anything.

Then I found the Olive Museum in an online search. It’s located just a few miles outside Split, in Stella Croatica Experience Center. That sounded like something we needed to explore!

After a bus ride 30 minutes or so out of town, we arrived. Stella Croatica was a combination of gardens, a restaurant, a factory, a museum, and a gift shop.

It was one of those better-than-expected experiences. The whole premise of the place was to promote local agriculture. The first part of the tour was a walk through the factory where they make candied oranges, lemons, and fig cakes. This included some samples.

We were then advised to go up to the village and tavern where we could have a drink and bite to eat before the rest of the tour. I’m still not sure if the village was all or part re-creation, but it was charming and inviting. We sampled local wine, cake, and ice cream. Yum!

The tour took us past an old olive press and into the Olive Museum, where we learned some history and statistics regarding Croatian olive oil production.

The tour ended at the delightful gift shop where I could have bought one of everything. But fortunately, I’m a nomad, which makes it easy to pass.

Afterward, we wandered around the gardens until closing time.

Then we walked over to Klis Fortress, which was more extensive and interesting than expected.

Perched high on a rocky plateau, it has been a strategic location since about 3600 BC. The buildings and gates were in various phases of repair and renovation, which made for some fun exploration.

One of the most intriguing buildings was the round Church of Saint Vitus. Not to be missed!

The fortress offered stunning views of Split and the surrounding areas. It could be a fabulous spot to watch the sunset.

Be sure to add both locations to your Split itinerary!

Sleeping in a Castle


September 2, 2023

One of the joys of a nomadic lifestyle is checking off the bucket list.
Okay, so sleeping in a castle wasn’t exactly on my bucket list. Still, I have always wanted to stay in a historic building. And this was yet another experience that was better than expected.

The not-so-secret entrance to the castle dorm rooms!


You can reserve a room in Durham Castle in northeastern England during the summer when the university students are on break. You see, part of the castle has been converted into dorm rooms while other sections are open for tours during limited hours.


The rooms are nothing special, but you can get one with a private bath. Mine was on the tiny side, but that was fine with me. I also had to climb four and a half flights of stairs to get to the room, but that was okay, too.


Besides staying in a castle, overnight guests enjoy breakfast in the Grand Hall. This could also fulfill a bucket list item if you are a Harry Potter fan, as the hall has that feel. Just imagine the grand events that have been hosted here! The offerings are extensive, with everything you could want for breakfast, and a kind staff member ordered gluten-free croissants for me every morning. (If you are gluten-free, ask!)


Beyond the Castle, you will find that you are ideally situated in Durham’s quaint, historic city. Across the Palace Green is the Cathedral.

Down the hill are the historic town and market plaza.


The River Wear snakes its way around the city.

You can walk less than a mile to Crook Hall Gardens.


I highly recommend at least a couple of nights in Durham if you are planning a visit to northeastern England!

There Are No Busses on Sundays


September 24, 2023
Sometimes, the best days happen when things don’t go according to plan.
I have been traveling in Croatia with old friends, a married couple, for the past nine days. We are a compatible trio, all three active, outdoorsy types. In fact, it was during a cross-country ski and snowshoe trip last winter that we decided to plan an adventure together.
I was ecstatic when Nancy offered to help with the planning because, in my nomad life, I am constantly working on my itinerary.
We met up at the Dubrovnik airport just over a week ago, and the trip has gone exceptionally well until…


Yesterday afternoon, before we left Mljet Island, the rain came in with a vengeance. We had been enduring some feisty winds, but rain can really put a damper on the fun.
After trying to remain dry, we boarded the ferry for a 30-minute ride to Korcula. Our host generously offered to pick us up, and the rain had momentarily stopped when we arrived.
Then the thunder and lightning returned yesterday evening. So much for our plans to paddle board tomorrow.
Our power went out around 3:00 AM and didn’t come on until about 10:00 AM.
Our host felt terrible about the weather and the power outage. This morning, he brought us some candy and a bottle of wine as a consolation. (As if he could control the weather.) He also realized that a close lightning strike had blown out our modem and had a new one ready for us when we returned this evening. Such a nice man!


After a brief break early this morning, the thunder, lightning, and rain continued until about 11:00 AM.

Then the skies started to look hopeful.

We did have a couple of other issues, though.
Last night, we discovered that no public buses were running on Sundays.
Today, no Uber drivers responded to our request.
No problem. We are walkers. We could easily cover the three miles into town.


The weather was much more promising by noon, and we walked out the door.
Along the way, we stopped to inspect local plant life, saw a monument to World War I soldiers from the island, and visited a Marian shrine.


We ended up having a fabulous time exploring the old city of Korcula. It is a picture-perfect medieval town located on the beautiful Adriatic waters. The rain had cleared the air, making for an exceptional day.
After searching for the right restaurant to cater to my gluten-free diet, we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch by the old city gate. I had eggs benedict for the first time in many years, and we all enjoyed chocolate mousse cake with pistachios for dessert.


After lunch, we wandered through town and climbed the church tower for the best views of the day.


Then we walked along the waterfront, checking out the different buildings, sections of the old city walls, and the luxurious modern yachts in the harbor.


After stopping for groceries, we took the backroads home and saw things most tourists miss.


The 101 stone steps up to the Votive Chapel of Saint Anthony.


The cypress trees were planted in 1708 after the chapel was renovated (originally built in the 15th century).
The last leg of the journey back to our apartment took us through rural areas bound by stone walls with abundant olive trees.


What looked like a potential disaster of a day ended up being one of my best travel days yet!

Getting There, Exhaustion, and the Kindness of Strangers

August 30, 2023

I arrived in Durham, England, last night after a grueling day of travel from Seattle.
But first, let’s get something straight—my travel went remarkably smoothly, especially given my international flight history. My son says I’m about 50-50 for getting an on-time, smooth flight out of Seattle.
About a year ago, my flight to Spain was delayed 24 hours. A couple of other times, my luggage didn’t arrive with me. And there was that time when my sister and I spent seven hours at SeaTac Airport shopping, drinking wine, and getting pedicures.
On the day of my departure, there had been traffic control issues at Heathrow. I happened to be listening to BBC radio as I was driving around that day. I thought for sure my flight would be delayed for the second year in a row.
Miraculously, we departed on time. The plane was about 70% full, so the flight attendant switched my seat to one with extra legroom and an empty seat next to me. My window seat companion was amiable and slept most of the way. Couldn’t ask for better.
We arrived on time but had to wait for a spot to deplane. We were only minutes late, and I high-tailed it through the security checkpoint to baggage claim. I needed to get to King’s Cross Station on the tube to catch my 6:30 train to Durham. I’m sure I walked at least a mile through Heathrow, but I easily found the subway station and was on my way with time to spare.
When I arrived at King’s Cross at 6:00, I had to wait for the platform announcement. Phew! I had time to spare.
Once I boarded the train, I could relax and enjoy the three-hour journey. I watched the sunset from the window and fought to stay awake while munching on some local junk food.


Durham Train Station was quiet at 9:30 p.m., as no one was there. It was also well after dark.
I called the phone number posted for taxis and received a text back. In their reply, I was informed that a taxi would be available at 11:00 p.m.
As I was texting, a woman appeared. I shared my taxi woes with her, and she asked where I was going.
“I’ll share my Uber with you. The castle is on the way to my house.”
She lives in Durham and didn’t know that one could rent a dorm room in the converted castle during the summer months. She appreciated the information, and I was oh-so-grateful for the ride.
The driver dropped me off at Palace Green. Straight ahead was the beautifully lit Cathedral. But where was the Porters Lodge where I was to check in?


I spotted a young couple on a romantic stroll, and they offered to help. In fact, they said they would stay with me until we found it. I felt fortunate to experience the kindness of strangers in my exhausted state.
It was relatively easy to find, and I successfully checked in.
The porter then showed me where to enter the building and gave me the security code. He said I would need to “go up a few” and I would find my room.
You know how you feel when you are sleep-deprived, and you can’t quite think straight? There’s also a physical ache that comes with that exhaustion.
Well, I had to go up a “few” flights of stairs to get to my room. I left the suitcase at the bottom of the stairs to assess the situation. I’ve checked into a few unclean (and one occupied) rooms, and I didn’t want to lug up that suitcase twice.


I’m happy to report that all was well. Who wouldn’t want to sleep in an ancient castle with modern amenities?
I got to sleep before midnight and woke up around 7:30. Breakfast is served in the Great Hall from 8:00-10:00 and is included in the price of the stay. It’s an all-you-can-imagine-to-eat affair, and the Great Hall, built in the 13th century, has been the social hub of the castle for centuries. I love to walk through historic sites but rarely get to eat or sleep in them.


Looks like this adventure is off to a pretty good start!

Obsessed with Minimalism


July 3, 2023


My recent obsession with minimalism has become excessive.


Last year, I took an epic, life-changing trip to Europe, my first as a nomad. In fact, it was during that trip that I decided to live a nomadic life.


But my suitcase was too heavy. It was also too cheap, and I replaced it halfway through the journey. (The boots were an unnecessary purchase, but they’re pretty cute!) Lots of lessons learned.


I’m currently in my home state, Washington, enjoying the best house-sitting gig ever. My duties include watering plans and…well, that’s it. No pets. My friend is off on his own European adventure for a while, and I get to enjoy his beautiful home as a zero-cost Airbnb.


It’s good to have some time to unpack and assess my travel wardrobe. I am determined to take at least seven pounds out of my suitcase.


In eight weeks, I’ll embark on my longest nomad adventure yet. I’ll start in England and then head to Croatia, Greece, and the Canary Islands. The journey will end in mainland Spain in December, my favorite place to be at Christmastime. In total, I will be living out of my suitcase and daypack for 105 days. I expect to experience primarily warm weather and plan to use layers and my treasured down coat to cover the cooler days.


Thanks to the open closet design of my friend’s modern, eco-friendly house, I have been staring at this space a little too much.


The good news is that I have a couple of shorter trips, one this month and another next, where I can try out the wardrobe before committing to the long journey.


As far as toiletries and accessories go, I’m losing some weight there, too. I’m testing out laundry sheets and have decided that shampoo and conditioner bars will work for backup when staying at places where they are not provided.

Leave a comment if you have a great packing tip to share! I’ll let you know how it goes.

UPDATE: I’ve been back for a few weeks, so I guess I’d better confess that I am still no packing expert.

I intentionally decided to bring a few pieces of clothing that were getting a bit worn with the intention of discarding them as I traveled to lighten my load. That part did work out. I even discarded a pair of boots to make room for Christmas gifts.

I’ve decided on some favorite items and will replace them as needed before my next overseas journey.

And, as you would guess, my load got lighter as I used up certain items like disposable contact lenses and lotions.

The laundry sheets were adequate. I’m not a big fan of the shampoo and conditioner bars, though.