Sveti Tomaž is a small settlement located about an hour away from the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana. The name of the village translates to 'Saint Thomas', which refers to the church that sits atop the settlement. The church features Romanesque and Gothic architecture dating back to the 1500s. My journey here was during sunrise and above the clouds, which made for quite the spectacle!

Slovenia is a country that boasts more than 500 castles due to its long and storied history. The best way to see many of them is to take a road trip through the country, orchestrating stop offs to see each one. Some of the castles I managed to see in my travels include Ljubljana Castle, Ptuj Castle, Maribor Castle, Žovnek Castle, Celje Castle, and Branik/Rihemberk Castle.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of the most popular spots in Iceland. It sits near the Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland. It is known for having icebergs of various sizes from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier flowing in and out of the Atlantic Ocean. Fellsfjara is the nearby black sand beach where you will find many of these icebergs beached. This is a must see in Iceland!

The Swedish capital of Stockholm is situated accross a 14-island archipelago. The island of Djurgården, translated to 'Animal Garden', was once where the Royal Family kept their animals. In fact, King John III in the 16th century kept deer, elk and reindeer there. The island is also home to the Gröna Lund amusement park, as well as the ABBA and Vasa Museums that are worth seeing.

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, located along the Mekong river, on the border with Thailand. Laos gained independence in 1953 after Japanese occupation in WWII and previous French rule starting in 1899. Significant monuments such as Pha That Luang and the Buddhist Temple Haw Phra Kaew are excellent places to visit during your time here.

Lake Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and can be found in Cambodia. Its name translates to 'Great Lake' and belongs to the Mekong River Delta. Many of the 1.2 million residents of the lake live in floating villages working as fisherman, most of which are of Vietnamese descent. Day trips to Tonlé Sap can be organized from Penom Penh.

Machu Picchu is a 15th century Incan ruin located in the Sacred Valley, 80 km away from the city of Cusco. It is one of the NEW 7 Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described as the 'Lost City of the Incas', it is one of the most visited sites in South America. The site also features another mountain village nearby referred to as Huayna Picchu.

Seixal is a small town on the Northern Coast of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal. The seaside village is perched on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Home to a population of just 656, its beach, Porto de Abrigo do Seixal beach, is well known. Natural swimming pools can also be found here and kayaks are able to be rented out.

Odense, Denmark is the birthplace of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote the Little Mermaid (among other tales). Odense is the 3rd largest city in Denmark and started off as a settlement 4,000 years ago. The city is small and cozy with plenty of landmarks like Odense Castle, H.C. Andersen House, Munke Mose, Ansgar Kirke, St. Canute's Cathedral, Eventyrhaven, and Møntergården.

Southeast Asia typically refers to the peninsular region in Asia comprising the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and West Malaysia, though it is often known to include many small islands in the region as well. All countries comprise about 8.5% of the world's population and 3% of Earth's total land area. SE Asia is the most culturally diverse region of the world.

Malta is an archipelago in Southern Europe and has been inhabited since 5900 BC. Its location in the Mediterranean has made it a historically significant site of strategic important. It has a population of half a million and is the 10th smallest country by area. Use this guide as a crash course into the cities of Valletta and Mdina, as well as Gozo, Comino, and Malta Islands.

Mdina is a fortified city located in the Northern part of Malta and served as the capital until the medieval period. No cars are allowed in Mdina, giving it the nickname the 'Silent City'. In addition to the city walls, other attractions in Mdina that are worth seeing include Mdina Gate, St. Paul's Cathedral and Catacombs, Palazzo Vilhena and Falson, and St. Agatha's and St. Nicholas' Chapels.

Valletta is the capital city of Malta and the Southernmost European capital. The city was successfully defended in the 16th century from the Ottoman Empire by Jean Parisot de Valette, with whom the city is named after. The city boasts elements of Baroque, Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture. Be sure to check out Fort Manoel, the Grand Harbor, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Japan is quite a large country with many different cities. Each place offers a wide variety of temples, markets, and landmarks to see. Use this guide as a crash course into the more popular cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakone with an overview of Mt. Fuji viewing points. All these areas are easily accessible by the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train with a Japan Rail Pass.

Galway is the 4th largest city in Ireland whose origins date back to 1124. Popularized by the Ed Sheeran song 'Galway Girl', the city is located on the western coast of Ireland and is perfect for a weekend getaway. Notable attractions include Galway Cathedral, Galway River Corrib Quay, the Spanish Arch, Eyre Square, Menlo Castle, the Claddagh, the Long Walk.

My time in Brussels was too short. I tried to see as much as I could. Some of my favorite places were Royal Palace of Brussels and Brussels Park, Atomium, the Castles of Laeken and Karreveld, the Chinese and Japanese Pagodas, Pannenhuis, the Triumphal Arch, and the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. recommend three days in Brussels and also taking day trips to the nearby cities of Bruges and Lille!

The Balkan Peninsula, or the Balkans, are a geographic area in Southern Europe, composed of countries with geographical and historical ties. The countries that make up the Balkans are generally noted to be Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Slovenia.

Albania is located in Southeastern Europe, next to the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and share borders with Greece, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Initially settled by Greek colonies, Albania became independent in 1912. As a developing country, it is an official candidate for European Union membership. My time here took me through Tirana, Shkodër, Theth, Berat, Vlorë, Borsh, and Gjirokaster.

Italy is located in Southern/Western Europe, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and sharing borders with France, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Austria. A country with such a rich history is surely to be at the top of most peoples' travel lists. This is a guide to my trips in Italy that have taken me to Venice, Rome, Florence, Trieste, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, and even to Vatican City.

Pompeii is an ancient Roman city, located near Naples in Italy, at the foot of volcano Mt. Vesuvius dating back to 8th century BC. It is most known for its demise by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was once a city of 11,000 before the eruption. Serious excavations of the city started in the 1920s and work is ongoing for preserving the site.

The island of Capri is located just off the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. It is a part of the Naples municipality and has been known to be a resort town since its founding. Popular spots include the town of Anacapri, the Blue Grotto, the Belvedere of Tragara, and the Marina Piccola.

The island of Procida is located among the Phlegraean Island archipelago, off the coast of Naples, Italy, along with Ischia, Vivara, and Nisida. Created by the eruption of four volcanoes, it was visited by Greek settlers back in 8th century BC. Winner of the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022, it is best known for its colorful building facade on the southeastern side of the island.

Borsh is a small seaside village on the West coast of Southern Albania. Known for its olive oil production, it has become more prominent for tourism due to its pristine beach, the largest in the Ionian sea. The town will only become more prominent as tourist-related businesses start to invest in local infrastructure. The Lab dialect of Albanian is typically spoken by locals in the area.

Gjirokaster is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the South of Albania. It's name in Medieval Greek translates to 'Silver Castle'. The city's record dates it back to 1336, when it was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the former communist leader. Above the city sits Gjirokaster Fortress and its old town has been recognized for its intact Ottoman influences.

Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the South of Albania. Due to its existence across many times and civilizations, the city comprises many unique styles of architecture and influences. Its origins date back to the 7th century BC. it is often called the 'Town of a Thousand Windows' with notable landmarks such as Berat Castle, Gorica Bridge, and St. Michael's Church.

Theth is a small village in Northern Albania, located two hours from the large city of Shkodër. Home to the Theth National Park, Theth itself is classified as a protected historical center. A few of the main attractions of Theth that can't be missed include the Blue Eye of Theth, the Grunas Waterfall, and the Catholic Church of Theth.

Shkodër, regarded as the traditional capital of Northern Albania, is the 5th largest city of the country. It was created as the Capital of the Illyrian kingdom under the name Skodra. The history of Shkodër is storied, with origins in the Bronze Age coupled with Roman, Serbian, and Ottoman influences. Notable sights to see include Rozafa/Shkodër Castle and the Ebu Bekër Mosque.

The Amalfi Coast is located on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for its gorgeous vistas and natural landscapes. Some of the notable towns on the Amalfi coast include Positano, Sorrento, Ravello, Minori, Maiori, Atrani, Praiano, Furore, Capri, as well as the town of Amalfi itself.

The town of Positano is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. Archaeological evidence of the town dates back to the 1st Century BC. Known for its market port in the 15th to 17th centuries, it was a poor fishing village in the mid 1900s, then roared in popularity thereafter. Notable sites to see are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Marina Grande beach.

The beach of Fiordo di Furore is located on the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. The village of Furore is located higher up on the cliffside, but the beach is the most notable attraction of the town. The beach is a ria, or coastal inlet, created by the Schiato torrent. It is a popular destination for swimmers with its aqua water and arched bridge facade.