One of the first things you quickly learn about Valletta is that this beautiful little city is not flat. There are hills, stairs, and plenty of walking, so when I discovered the Barrakka Panoramic Lift, I knew I wanted to give my legs a break.
The Barrakka Panoramic Lifts are built into the ditch beneath Valletta’s fortifications. They connect Lascaris Wharf at the Grand Harbour with the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the streets of Valletta above.
Situated along Malta’s Grand Harbour, Birgu—also known as Vittoriosa—is one of those places that I think many visitors overlook. And honestly, I think they are missing out.
Most people visiting Malta naturally gravitate toward Valletta, especially when arriving by cruise ship. Valletta is beautiful and absolutely worth seeing, but it can become crowded with tourists during the day.
Birgu feels different.
The Sagrada Família is one of the most famous landmarks in Barcelona, and seeing it in person is an experience you won't soon forget. Designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, this enormous basilica is unlike anything else you'll see in the city.
Construction began in 1882, with Gaudí becoming involved with the project in 1883. He devoted much of the later part of his life to the project, and the Sagrada Família continued to evolve long after his death. Even today, it remains one of Barcelona's most recognizable landmarks.
Barcelona has a way of pulling me back.
By this trip, I had already been to Barcelona a few times, so this wasn't about seeing the city's biggest sights for the first time. I had already experienced some of the places that usually make the top of every Barcelona itinerary. This visit was different. I wanted to slow down, wander, revisit some of the areas I loved, and simply enjoy being in the city again.
My friends and I were actually on our way to Malta, and we found that flying through Barcelona gave us a much better deal on our flights. Rather than treating Barcelona as nothing more than a stopover, we decided to spend a few days there.
And I knew exactly where I wanted to stay.
Like most major cities, Barcelona does not lack for great food. In fact, one of the easiest things to do in Barcelona is find something delicious around just about every corner.
We were there last October, when protests were taking place, and we were advised to stay inside during the evening hours. So, we decided to make the most of our apartment and ordered both restaurant food and groceries for delivery. It worked surprisingly well and gave us the chance to enjoy some meals without having to go back out in the evenings.
We did eat out during the day, though, and there were a couple of places that really stood out to me and would definitely be worth a repeat visit.
Park Güell was one of those places in Barcelona that I had wanted to see for a long time.
I had already visited Barcelona twice before, but somehow Park Güell never made it onto my itinerary. There always seemed to be something else to see or somewhere else to go. So, on this trip, I decided that I was finally going to visit.
And I am glad I did.
If you love food, colorful markets, and experiencing a city through its everyday sights and flavors, La Boqueria is a stop you won't want to miss while visiting Barcelona.
Officially known as Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, this historic market sits right along La Rambla in the heart of Barcelona. It is one of the city's best-known attractions, but it is more than just a place for tourists to take photographs. Step inside and you'll find a wonderful mix of fresh produce, seafood, meats, sweets, spices, prepared foods, and plenty of tempting things to eat.
And I am so glad we did.
Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, sits along Malta’s Grand Harbour, directly across the water from Senglea. From here, you can also take a traditional water taxi across the harbor to Valletta, making it a wonderful location for exploring Malta.
I have not traveled extensively compared with some people, but for an old girl from a small town in Arkansas, I have managed to make it to 29 countries in the last five years.
And if there is one thing my travels have taught me, it is that it is never too late to get out and see the world.
This was my second trip to Malta and my second visit to Mdina, the beautiful walled city often called the
My first visit was all about exploring. I wanted to walk every street and alleyway, take as many pictures as possible, and simply see where the day took me. I even stopped for lunch at a cute little sandwich shop tucked away inside the city.
This visit was different.Silent City.
One of the things I love most about traveling is discovering how different each country can be. Every place has its own traditions, food, language, customs, and little quirks—and honestly, those differences are part of what makes traveling so much fun.
Malta was no exception.
This was my first visit to Malta, and I came away with a few things that surprised me, along with some practical information that may be helpful if you're planning your first trip. Keep in mind that some of the information below is based on what I experienced during my visit, so it's always a good idea to check current information before your own trip.
When I went to Europe in 2014, I honestly thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
I was completely enchanted by Europe. For the entire 16 days we were there, it felt like I was living in a dream. It was just my daughter and me, traveling together on what felt like the biggest adventure of our lives.
I raised her as a single parent, and in many ways, we lived vicariously through Rory and Lorelai Gilmore. We dreamed about going somewhere exciting and far away, never really imagining that we would actually get the chance to do it.
I should probably say that I never dreamed it would happen for me.
My daughter had always wanted to study abroad and knew that, someday, she would travel. For me, Europe was more of a dream than a realistic possibility.
Then, somehow, we made it happen.
Choosing where to stay in Barcelona can make a big difference in how much you’re able to see and enjoy. For our visit, we chose an apartment near Plaça Catalunya, and we quickly realized it was one of the best decisions we made.
The location was ideal, especially since we arrived from the airport using the Aerobus. The apartment is just a short walk from the bus stop, making it easy to get settled after a long flight without the hassle of arranging transportation.
Located in the heart of Barcelona, this area is perfect for exploring the city. You can easily walk to the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, Boqueria Market, and Passeig de Gràcia. There are also countless restaurants, cafés, shops, and markets nearby, offering everything from quick bites to memorable meals.
The apartment itself was spotless, comfortable, and spacious. After busy days exploring Barcelona, it was wonderful to return to a place where we could relax. The bathroom is large with a great shower, and the living room provides plenty of space to unwind. The apartment also includes a washer and dryer, which is especially convenient for longer stays.
One of our favorite features was the balcony. It was a great place to enjoy a quiet morning coffee or take in the views of Barcelona’s lively streets below.
Our host, Magda, was wonderful. After we arrived, she met us at the apartment, showed us around, and made sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
If you are visiting Barcelona for the first time, we highly recommend staying near Plaça Catalunya. The location makes it easy to experience many of the city’s top attractions, and it’s an excellent home base whether you are spending one day in Barcelona or an entire week.
Check availability and current pricing here:
➡️ [Barcelona Apartment Near Plaça Catalunya]
During this visit to Rome, we had a very limited amount of time, so we planned our sightseeing carefully. After visiting Piazza Navona and Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena, we continued on foot toward two of Rome's most famous landmarks: the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
The historic center of Rome is made up of narrow streets and pedestrian areas, and many of the sights are close enough together that walking is often the easiest way to get around.
We started our walk at Piazza Navona and continued toward the Pantheon. From there, we made our way through the narrow streets to the Trevi Fountain.
If you're planning to visit several of these sights, I recommend mapping out your route ahead of time. It is easy to underestimate how much time you'll spend walking, stopping for photos and simply looking around.
One thing we learned during our visit was not to depend completely on our phones.
We had four phones with us, from different carriers, and none of them could get a signal in this area. I'm not sure if the narrow streets and tall buildings were responsible, but our phones had worked perfectly well during our visits to Barcelona and Malta.
Having a map or your route saved ahead of time is a good idea.
The Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous fountain in Rome, so of course it was on our list of places to see.
One of the things I remember most about visiting the fountain is the way it suddenly appears as you make your way through the narrow streets. You can be walking along what looks like an ordinary Roman street and then turn a corner and suddenly — there it is.
Unlike Piazza Navona, where there is a large open piazza surrounding the fountains, the Trevi Fountain is tucked into a much smaller space surrounded by buildings.
That makes the fountain feel even more dramatic, but it also means the area can feel very crowded.
The day we visited, however, the crowds weren't too bad and there was plenty of room around the fountain.
One of my favorite memories from our visit to the Trevi Fountain actually has nothing to do with the fountain itself.
We stopped at a little restaurant or bakery near the fountain and bought cannoli.
I don't remember the name of the business, and there weren't any obvious signs identifying it, but if you're facing the fountain, I remember it being a few doors down on the left.
Don't they look delicious?
They tasted even better than they looked!
The cost of a bottle of water and the cannoli cost us around €2.50. Of course, prices have changed since then, but at the time we thought it was a great little bargain in such a popular tourist area.
It's memories like this that remind me that travel isn't always about the big attractions. Sometimes it's the little things you discover along the way that you remember most.
The Pantheon is one of the most impressive ancient buildings in Rome, and it is remarkable to think about how long it has stood here.
The building we see today was completed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. It was later converted into a Christian church, which helped preserve the structure through the centuries.
Today, the Pantheon remains both a historic monument and an active church. When we visited, there was no admission charge for visitors. That is no longer the case. The Pantheon now requires an admission ticket for ordinary visitors, although access rules can differ for worship and religious services.
So if you're planning your own visit, be sure to check the current visitor information before you go.
The first thing most people do when they enter the Pantheon is look up.
It's hard not to.
The enormous dome is one of the building's most remarkable features. At the center is the oculus, a circular opening approximately 8.9 meters (29 feet) in diameter.
The oculus is the only major source of natural light in the interior, creating a dramatic effect as sunlight moves across the building throughout the day.
And yes, when it rains, rainwater can come through the oculus.
The floor is slightly sloped and contains drainage openings to allow the water to escape.
[INSERT INTERIOR PHOTO]
Standing inside and looking up at that enormous dome is one of those moments that really makes you stop and think about what you're seeing.
This isn't a modern recreation or a recently restored attraction. You're standing inside a building that has survived for almost 2,000 years.
[INSERT PANTHEON MAP/PHOTO]
Our route through this part of Rome looked something like this:
Piazza Navona → Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena → Pantheon → Trevi Fountain
The distances between these attractions are manageable, but I recommend allowing more time than you think you'll need.
Rome is not a city I would want to rush through.
There are too many beautiful buildings, little streets and unexpected discoveries along the way.
For us, however, time was running out. This was toward the end of our very short visit to Rome, and we still had a plane to catch.
That's why we took a taxi to Piazza Navona rather than spending time figuring out the bus system. Once we arrived, we walked from one attraction to the next.
Even with our limited time, we were able to see several places that had been on my Rome wish list for years.
If you're planning to explore this part of Rome, here are a few things I would keep in mind:
Plan your walking route ahead of time. The attractions are close together, but it helps to know where you're going before you start.
Don't depend entirely on your phone. We had four phones from different carriers and couldn't get a signal in some of the narrow streets. Having your route saved or carrying a backup map is a good idea.
Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing more walking than you may realize.
Allow time for the unexpected. Some of our favorite moments came from things we hadn't planned to see.
And most importantly, look around while you're walking. The famous landmarks are wonderful, but Rome itself is the attraction.
