Stockholm, the capital of Sweden has the most populous urban area in Sweden as well as in Scandinavia. Stretched across fourteen islands, it is the cultural, media, political and economic center of Sweden. We ended our Baltic cruise here and stayed on to spend two fun filled days exploring the city and all it had to offer.

In a country with 7,314 km of coastline and 406 islands, Danish way of living is influenced by life at sea, both throughout its history and still today in food, sport, culture, and fortifications.

In travel occasionally there are those surprising twists and curves that lead to discovering unexpected treasures. Alberobello in Puglia Italy is one such enchanting surprise. A fairy tale town right out of a Disney movie except real people live there.

Rome is a winding, spectacular city full of places to discover. A seamless blend of old world wonders and modern delights: the ruins of the Colosseum, iconic fountains, lazy wanders through cobblestone streets with gelato in hand.

“White phantom city, whose untrodden streets are rivers, and whose pavements are the shifting Shadows of the palaces and strips of sky.” -From “Venice,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. These words express all that I feel and share about this city of bridges, palaces and churches.

“If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.” - Alphonse de Lamartine

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” - unknown. Markets appeal to the magpie in us as we look for the one trinket that will be a forever memory of each trip. Some might call this clutter but for others it’s indelible memories of the sights, the smells and sounds of a different country.