Travel

Trevi Fountain in Rome

Completed in 1762 AD, the Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world, and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful.

Trevi Fountain offers a nice location to socialize, take photos, or even eat, as there are quite a few restaurant nearby. If you’re not a fan of crowds, I’d avoid the area.

I personally enjoyed the experience, especially seeing the architecture of the fountain, and would recommend visiting to anyone who’s taking a trip to Rome.

Pantheon in Rome

Completed in 125 AD, the Pantheon was a temple created to celebrate all of the Roman gods, until it was converted into a Catholic church in 609 AD; the structure is still in use to this day.

The Pantheon is a must see, during your visit to Rome. You’ll be blown away by the incredible architecture, and what makes things better is that it has free entry for tourists. Be aware that the lines can get a bit long, especially during the afternoon, however they move quickly.

Here are some of the photos I captured of the structure.

Vatican City

The Vatican City, for those who do not know, is the smallest country in the world, at just 0.02 square miles. It is also the home of the Pope, and was founded in 1929.

Although it’s an independent country, in order to visit, you’ll have to travel to Rome first, as Vatican is surrounded by the Eternal City.

I explored the country this past July, and was amazed by the incredible architecture, especially that of Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square. Here are some of my favorite photos I captured during my trip there.

Roman Forum in Rome

The Roman Forum was essentially the “Heart” of Ancient Rome, as it housed not only the Senate and many of the government buildings, but acted as the city center for the citizens of that time. The area also provided spaces for entertainment, speeches and protests, places to shop, and where elections took place.

Today, the area is an archaeological site and open-air museum, providing tourists the opportunity to explore some of what Ancient Rome had to offer.

During my visit to the Forum, I enjoyed spending time discovering many of the ruins that I’ve read about or have seen depicted in film, and walked up Palatine Hill to see the ruins and Rome from above.

Exploring Ancient Rome’s Forum and Palatine Hill was incredible, and experiencing the area from above was literally breathtaking. If you don’t mind walking a little, I’d recommend you taking the climb to the top to see everything, and be sure to wear your walking shoes!

If you’re planning to explore, you can purchase tickets from their site.

Here are photos that I captured during my time exploring the Roman Forum.

San Antonio Missions National Park

In 2022, I spent a day exploring the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which includes the five missions located in the city: San José, Espada, San Juan, Concepción, and the Alamo. The park, and the missions, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. They’re also a part of the United States National Park service.

Each mission was established along the San Antonio River, and were created to convert the natives in the area to Catholicism and to have them join the Spanish Empire, back in the 18th century.

Much of the properties are still intact, and have been restored, during the 1900s. I’d recommend you checking the missions out, next time you’re in San Antonio. Here are some of the photos I captured during my time exploring the missions.

Little Island in New York City

Opened to the public on May 21, 2021,Little Island is an artificial island park in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

The park offers two-acres of nature, an amphitheater for performances, incredible architecture, and another green meetup space for New Yorkers and tourists.

Next time you’re in the city, be sure to explore Little Island. The park is open daily from 6 A.M. - 11 P.M. each day.

Here are photos I captured of the park during my 2022 trip to New York City.

Louvre in Paris

In 1793 AD, the Louvre had its grand opening as a museum, after being a palace since the late 12th century. The Louvre is not only the world’s most visited museum, but also displays over 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art; including the Mona Lisa.

I’ve been to the Louvre three times now, and still have yet to explore all that the museum has to offer.

From its stunning pyramid, to its lavish architecture, and overwhelming amount of art, this museum is, by far, my favorite.

To avoid some of the lines, purchase your tickets in advance and arrive early. For my last visit, I arrived right before the museum opened in the morning, and still waited in line for about 15 minutes. If you arrive during the afternoon, you will likely wait for over an hour.

Colosseum in Rome

Completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheater, and Rome’s most popular landmark. During its heyday, the structure was used for primarily entertainment purposes, such as gladiatorial fights, theater performances, and more.

Having visited the structure in person this summer, I was blown away by how remarkable it was, and amazed by the fact that it’s still standing after nearly 2000 years.

What makes it even better is that it’s also right next to the popular Roman Forum, which is also worth visiting. You can read about my experience at the Roman Forum here.

For anyone who’s a history buff or someone who just appreciates great architecture, or even for those of you who’d like to see the wonders of the world, visiting the Colosseum is a must see during your visit to Rome.

Here are some of the photos I captured of the wonder.

Sunset Beach in Vancouver

Tucked away next to Vancouver’s lively West End neighborhood, Sunset Beach beckons with its tranquil charm, offering a perfect escape for outdoor enthusiasts and sunset admirers alike.

With its great location, exploring nearby attractions like Granville Island or downtown Vancouver is a breeze—just a short walk or a quick ferry ride from the beach.

During my summer visit to Vancouver, I spent a few peaceful hours at Sunset Beach, basking in the surroundings and stunning views. After a day of exploring the city streets, the beach provided a welcome retreat to unwind and soak in the beauty of nature. Check out some of photos I captured during my time at Sunset Beach below.

If you’re considering a trip to Vancouver, and would like to stop by the beach, you can learn more about it by visiting their website.