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When thinking about France I immediately thought of Paris, as would most people. However, when considering what made France such an amazing country it is not just about Paris. The Palace of Versailles is one of the first things that appeared in my search and I knew right away that if I went to France, I would be there for the amazing palaces. Nothing, in my opinion, is more spectacular and breathtaking then spending a few hours wandering around an old palace ground.

Chateau de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord is well recognized by its French Renaissance style architecture. The Chateau features a whopping 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and 84 staircases! It was originally built as a hunting lodge for King Francis I. After switching hands over the years, in 1930 the estate became state property. Inside the palace are a few different collections. One collection is of 17th-century tapestries. Due to the size of the Chateau, the tapestries have plenty of room to be spread throughout the castle and rotated seasonally so guests can enjoy them. The gardens surrounding the castle need much upkeep that they were failing to receive so they were turned into a yard, however, as of 2013, the castle is now working on recreating the old fashioned formal French gardens so visitors can get the full effect.

https://www.chambord.org/en/

Chateau de Versailles

This palace sits on over 2,000 acres of land and is the 16th largest palace in the world. Built in the 17th century and made into a museum in the 19th, there are many secrets and stories behind these walls. One of the most notable aspects of the palace is the Hall of Mirrors. The hall was built to connect the King and Queens living areas but was poorly designed for when bad weather hit. The room contains 357 mirrors on one side and 17 large windows on the other. The estate has over 1,000 fountains and 2,300 rooms. There are numerous gardens also on the estate giving it a light airy feel. This is one of the most visited places in France and I think visitors could get lost in its history for countless hours.

http://www.chateauversailles.fr/

French Royalty When thinking about France I immediately thought of Paris, as would most people. However, when considering what made France such an amazing country it is not just about Paris.

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Italy is one of many places I long to go to. The cities are filled with many notable buildings and pieces of art. There are numerous things to do from site seeing, operas, museums and even gondola rides.

Milan Cathedral

This gothic style cathedral took almost six centuries to complete and is the largest church in Italy. In 1805 Napoleon got the façade of the cathedral started and now has a statue that remains there of himself. The last gate was finished in the cathedral in 1965. Some of the reasoning for the construction taking so long was due to World War II along with it having so many fine details inside and outside of it.

The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is one of the heaviest traveled waterways in Venice. There is public transportation provided by water taxis and gondolas used more by tourists or for date nights. Because most people travel down the canal instead of across it there has only been 1 bridge to get you across but recently two more have been added. Almost 200 buildings line the sides of the canal. Most buildings don’t even have a sidewalk separating them from the canal but instead have their back up against its edge. The buildings mainly date back from the 13th-18th-century architecture.

  Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most iconic in Rome and has been in several movies. It was designed by architect Nicola Salvi and started construction in 1732. It is said that if you throw a coin into the fountain you will return to Italy and have good luck. A euro is supposed to be held in the right hand and thrown over the left shoulder. The Euro’s collected in the fountain are used for a subsidized market for people in need.

Little Italy Italy is one of many places I long to go to. The cities are filled with many notable buildings and pieces of art.

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Check out my latest blog post on Bali, Indonesia! . #bali #indonesia #blogger #travelblogger #travelblog #adventure #tirtagangga #mountagung #purabesakih #tirtaempul #explore #instagram #instagood #followme #followback #placestovisit #thingstodo #international #wordpress #wordpressblogger #wander #wanderlust

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Bali, Indonesia is an amazing place to visit if you’re looking for an outdoor, adventure. With many sacred temples to visit and many remarkable waterfalls, Bali is full of beauty and relaxation for everyone.

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga meaning water from the Ganges is an old palace and one of many popular destinations in Bali. The water palace was erected in 1948 and has been a popular tourist and local destination since. Luxurious pools, fountains, and greenery surround you when you enter. There are also multiple carvings and statues making it even more elaborate and peaceful. Unfortunately, in 1963 Mount Agung erupted and nearly destroyed the entire property. Luckily, the property was restored to its seemingly beautiful state once more.

Mount Agung

Mount Agung is one of 2 active volcanoes in Bali. It is also known as the highest point on the mountain standing at 9,944ft. The volcanoes can be climbed and takes about five hours one way to reach its crater. Those who have taken the initiative to climb it say the top is typically covered in clouds. They recommend going at night and arriving at the top in the early morning hours to be able to best see. Its last major eruption was in 1963 where it killed roughly 1,700 people. Although it is still active, it only lets out smoke and ash occasionally.

Pura Besakih

Pura Besakih is located around 3,200ft up the side of Mount Agung. It is one of the largest and holiest temple complexes in Bali. The complex holds 23 temples that run on parallel ridges of one another. The temples lead up the mountain because it is considered sacred to follow the path upward.

Tirta Empul

This temple is known for its famous bathing pools where you can purify yourself in the holy spring water. The temple at the top is currently being used as a rest house for when important visitors come. The temple contains 2 large baths containing 30 showers.

The Wonders of Bali, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia is an amazing place to visit if you’re looking for an outdoor, adventure. With many sacred temples to visit and many remarkable waterfalls, Bali is full of beauty and relaxation for everyone.

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  About a year and a half ago my family had the opportunity to travel to the island St. Thomas. Years before we had visited St. John so we figured we would go somewhere new but similar this time. We stayed at an exquisite Ritz- Carlton hotel. The hotel was right on the water and has multiple, bars, pools, water sports and other offerings to make it a fantastic trip.

Ocean Festivities

On a few different days when we had the opportunity, we utilized the hotel’s kayaks and catamarans. The part of the island we were on was curved making it seem like its own little inlet. My dad and I decided we were going to kayak from our side of the island to the other side which didn’t look too far away! However, this was a terrible idea! We had to paddle against the waves the entire time and even though they weren’t large they were exhausting if you have no upper body strength! We never did make it to the other side but it was so beautiful and so nice to get out on the ocean we didn’t care. When we were on the catamaran one day we even saw a giant sea turtle swim near us.

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon beach was a day trip we decided to go on and is off the neighboring island St. John. It is a secluded little beach on the island where many couples and families go to relax. They also had a few kayaks people could rent out and a snack and drink hut for convenience. When we still trying to find the beach off a walking trail, we came across 14 donkeys! Yes, I’ve seen a donkey before but not wild donkey’s that are just parading around the island like they own it! It was such a small thing to enjoy but it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Right before we reached the beach there was even a donkey crossing sign! I would highly recommend honeymoon beach to anyone who is staying on either island. It is so beautiful and there weren’t tons of people there with it being secluded.

Mountain Top

Mountain top is exactly what is sounds like it is. My family is big on banana smoothies and daiquiris and were told this was the place to go. After driving up a small road full of hairpin turns with views like you’ve never seen before you spit out at the infamous mountain top. Mountain Top is a huge souvenir shop coupled with a famous banana daiquiri bar and panoramic viewing deck. From the viewing deck, you overlook Maegan’s Bay and can see multiple of the other Virgin and British islands. It’s the best vantage point on the island due to its elevation. Coming back inside we got what was probably the strongest, biggest, banana daiquiris I’ll ever have in my life! It was very good but much sweeter than I was anticipating. If you didn’t leave Mountain Top feeling happy, it’s because you didn’t order one!

  St. Thomas, Virgin Islands About a year and a half ago my family had the opportunity to travel to the island St.

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St. Petersburg, Russia. Check out my latest blog post on things to do there. Links in the bio! . . #fabergemuseum #faberge #catherinepalace #gogol #russia #stpetersburg #international #travel #travelblog #travelblogger #instagood #instagram #followme #followback #thingstodo #placestovisit #adventure #wanderlust #wander #explore #explorerussia #wordpress #wordpressblogger #blog #blogger

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Today I decided to write about Russia. After searching many sites I choose to focus on the charming city, St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg is not only filled with historic landmarks but also lots of exquisite art and architecture.

Things to do:

Faberge Museum

Most people who have been around art or have a small appreciation for it have heard of Carl Faberge. Faberge is famous for his Imperial Easter Eggs. Nine of his famous eggs can be found in the St. Petersburg museum along with other large exhibits depending on the time of year. In 2004 Viktor Vekeselberg purchased the collection along with about 4,000 other items making it one of the best collections in the world. The Easter Eggs were custom made for the last two Russian emperors.

http://fabergemuseum.ru/

Catherine Palace

Originally the Palace was said to be a modest, two-story home of Peter the Great and Catherine I. When their daughter Elizabeth took it over she hired four architects to build it into the amazing structure it is today. The outside of the palace is covered in more than 100kg of gold and the inside is just as exquisite. The Grand Hall measures over 10,000 square feet and opens on both ends to provide as much of a view as humanly possible. One of the most popular rooms, known as the Amber room was covered in decorative canvasses dating back to the 17th and 18th century. When word spread about the German war starting in 1941, the paintings were all shipped to Konigsberg in 36 hours. The works weren’t seen again and the room was recreated in 1982 and finished in 2003. I think this palace would be well worth taking the time to tour when visiting St. Petersburg for not only its history but its elegance and charm.

http://www.saint-petersburg.com/pushkin/catherine-palace/

Dining:

Gogol

This unique restaurant is the flat of writer Nikolai Gogol. He had a passion for literature and for cooking. The restaurant was opened in his honor with a menu catered toward Russian cuisine. Their best dishes are said to be made with venison although they also have fish dishes, chicken, lamb and rabbit too. One dish I would personally try is “Local farmer’s beef cooked a-la stroganoff delicately complemented with mashed potatoes and brined cucumbers”. Once inside the restaurant, you are asked which one of the many rooms suits your mood and that’s the one you will eat in.  I have attached some photos from their website from each of the cozy rooms but you can also click on the link to see more!

http://eng.restaurant-gogol.ru/index.html

    All aboard for St. Petersburg, Russia Today I decided to write about Russia. After searching many sites I choose to focus on the charming city, St.

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The Lotus Temple, Delhi, India. One of many places I talk about in my latest blog post! . Links in the bio. . #blog #blogger #travelblog #travelblogger #wordpress #wordpressblog #internationaltravel #india #thelotustemple #lotustemple #delhi #delhitrip #followme #followback #instagram #instagood #wander #wanderlust #adventure #explore #travelindia #travel #swaminarayan #gurudwarabanglasahib #sikhism #church #temple

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Check out my latest blog post on Delhi, India! . Links in the bio! . #delhi #india #adve #wander #wanderlust #explore #church #takemetochurch #travelblog #travelblogger #followme #followback #internationaltravel #temple #wordpress #wordpressblogger #instagood #blogger #blog

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For today’s blog post I decided to pick Delhi, India. I’ve always had an odd fascination with India and all the vibrant colors, people, and food. However, this post is about none of that! From my own experiences traveling, I’ve grown an appreciation for churches. To be honest I’m not sure if I believe in god or if I just believe there is a higher power watching over. Nonetheless, I am not a religious person but have nothing against it. My appreciation for them has not come from the religion preached inside but the feeling it gives the people within it. Churches and Temples are some of the places you tour the most when you travel to another country. I’m constantly left in awe by their age, intricate details, and pure size. The thought that people came together all those years ago in some cases to create such a magnificent place of worship astonishes me. In this post, I’ll briefly talk about three places of worship I would visit in India.

The Lotus Temple

This temple, also known as the Bahai House of Worship, is shaped like a lotus flower and has 27 petals making up its exterior walls with nine entrance doors. The temple was built in 1986 and can hold 2,500 people. It is a modern marvel in today’s architectural standards and is one of the most visited places in India.

http://www.bahaihouseofworship.in/

 Swaminarayan Akshardham

The Swaminarayan Akshardham was built in 2005 with the help of over 8,000 volunteers. The building is made of finely carved sandstone and marble. Not only does the ground have the temple on it but it also features gardens, bodies of water and a light show. It is said that each element is strengthened by non-violence, devotion, and learning. Many visitors favorite part is a 12-minute boat ride where you emerge into the Indian culture. If the boat ride doesn’t quite do it for you, there is also a light show that tells the story from Kena Upanishad.

http://akshardham.com/

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

This house of worship is predominately of the Sikhism affiliation which is a newer world religion that originated in Punjab, India. Its golden dome can be seen from far away luring in tourists and locals. It was originally a shrine built in 1783 but has been expanded upon in more current times. The building houses a Gurudwara meaning kitchen, a holy pond, a school, and gallery. The kitchen is said to accommodate all people regardless of religion. The only rule is you must take your shoes off and cover your head before eating. Recently the site has been updated to even house travelers in hostel style housing so they have a safe place to stay at night and enjoy a meal.

I hope you enjoyed. Come back next week for a new post about Russia!

Take Me To Church For today’s blog post I decided to pick Delhi, India. I’ve always had an odd fascination with India and all the vibrant colors, people, and food.

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Morocco, North Africa. Another place on my growing list of places to go! . Check out my blog post about what to do there! Links in the bio! . #morocco #moroccan #northafrica #adventure #wander #wanderlust #explore #mosque #hassan2 #hassaniimosque #garden #travelblog #travelblogger #followme #readme #followback #internationaltravel #wordpressblogger #wordpress #moroccanfood #international #instagood #instagram

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While looking into places to travel internationally, Morocco always seems to be somewhere on the list. Today I decided to highlight two destinations, one in Marrakesh and one in Casablanca. Both are the top two most inhabited cities in Morocco!

Things to do:

Jardin Majorelle

The Jardin Majorelle was created by Jacques Majorelle. Majorelle was a French painter who traveled and learned about all sorts of plants and decided to make what started as his workshop into a beautiful, well mapped out garden. The outside of the workshop was painted in a cobalt blue color that is now referred to as a “Majorelle blue”. The garden is filled with palms, willows, agaves, cacti and many other varieties of plants. Today the garden is open for the public to tour and the workshop area houses his works and the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakesh.

http://www.jardinmajorelle.com/

Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle

Hassan II Mosque

Whether you are religious or not, the Hassan II Mosque is worth a visit. It is the largest mosque in Morocco and 13th largest in the world. The mosque can hold 105,000 worshippers at a time. The mosque is filled with granite, marble, mosaics, and many other beautiful details. Parts of the floor are glass so when you worship you can look down and see the ocean breaking on the rocks under you. The roof is also retractable so on nice days they can let the sun in. The details and craftsmanship are part of what make this mosque so unique and beautiful. Over 6000 people helped in the creation of the spectacular mosque.

http://www.mosquee-hassan2.com/

Dining:

Nomad

The Nomad restaurant is near the heart of Marrakech Medina. Nomad provides a modern twist on Moroccan classics. Fresh, local produce and well-seasoned dishes are what put Nomad on the list of top restaurants to go to in Marrakech. They have intimate indoor seating as well as a large terrace to eat on and enjoy the views of the city. The menu has a variety of lamb, fish and chicken dishes to suit any palate.

https://nomadmarrakech.com/

I hope you’ve enjoyed, please feel free to share your personal stories of your travels to Morocco! If you have any ideas of where to write about next week I’m open to suggestions!

This week I choose to write about things I would want to do in Morocco. Hope you enjoy! Feel free to provide input! While looking into places to travel internationally, Morocco always seems to be somewhere on the list. Today I decided to highlight two destinations, one in Marrakesh and one in Casablanca.

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Babylonia Garden Terrace restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey! Learn more about the family run restaurant on my blog! . . . #turkey🇹🇷 #readme #istanbul #instagood #instagram #followme #followback #travelblogger #travelblog #traveltheworld #restaurantweek #exploreistanbul #explore #adventure #wanderlust #wander #fancyrestaurant #wordpressblogger #wordpressblog #turkeytour #placestovisit

https://adventureisoutthere330.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/the-happenings-of-istanbul-turkey/

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Beautiful lanterns, one of the many things sold at The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. . Check out the link in my bio to read about the things I would do while in Istanbul! . #istanbul #turkeytour #thegrandbazaar #grandbazaar #followme #instagram #instagood #followback #travelblog #travelblogger #adventure #wanderlust #explore #educateyourself #lanterns #artsy #wordpressblog #wordpress #readme #travelinspiration #turkey🇹🇷 #internationaltravel #adventureisoutthere

https://adventureisoutthere330.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/the-happenings-of-istanbul-turkey/

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Welcome to my latest blog post on Istanbul, Turkey, feel free to comment and share on my Wordpress page!

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Check out my blog on things to do in Istanbul, Turkey! 

https://adventureisoutthere330.wordpress.com/2017/02/22/the-happenings-of-istanbul-turkey/