We truly enjoy getting out of the larger cities and going to some smaller towns, so our trip to Würzburg was a perfect example of that. It has the old-world charm, friendly people, and wonderful food. The Residenz is definitely the largest thing to see when visiting, but just walking the streets of old town is also fascinating. We were there in late November, so the Christmas markets were also going with a wonderful variety of crafts and food on display.
Wurzburg ResidenceHistoric BuildingsEnjoying the Market
One of the reasons that we like going to a smaller town is that it makes you feel even more like a local as there aren’t usually any other tourists around. This was definitely the case during our time Würzburg as we enjoyed listening to a local band playing holiday music and watched the excitement of the local children as the holiday season kicked off. We even entered a raffle that benefited the local school and actually ended up winning a bottle of wine.
Local BandHistoric Church
One of the most interesting facts about Würzburg is that it was the location of the witch trials that occurred in the 1600’s, Germany’s equivalent to Salem, Massachusetts. Unfortunately it was much larger as over 600 accused witches were burnt during the trials. On a happier note, construction began on the Würzburg Residence (Residenz) about a hundred years later, which is now a focal point within the city.
Musician Near the MarketFountain at the ResidenzCandles and Wreaths for SaleOld World Charm
Located almost exactly halfway between Frankfurt and Nuremberg, Würzburg is definitely a wonderful place to spend a couple of days. If you are able to visit during the holiday season, we would recommend it as the town certainly embraces the spirit of the season as the locals come out to celebrate together.
Stalls in the MarketStatue DetailsAnother Angle of the ChurchPeople on the Main Street
The Luxor Temple Complex is certainly a highlight of any trip to Luxor, Egypt. Although, not as large as the Karnak Temple Complex, it is still quite impressive. One can only imagine what it must have been like 3000 years ago when both temples were in use and there was an avenue that connected the two complexes with statues of lions with different heads lining the entire road. Work is currently being done to restore the area between the two temples and it will be another amazing sight to see when visiting Luxor.
Statue within the ComplexTemple EntranceThe Avenue Between the TemplesDifferent Statues Lining the AvenueBroken Statues
Unlike many of the other temples in Egypt, the Luxor Temple Complex is not dedicated to any specific god or specific king. Many of the pharaohs added temples to the complex, as with other temple complexes, including Amenhotep, Alexander, Ramesses II, and Tutankhamun. One interesting feature within the complex is the remains of a statue that was very much in the style of the Greek’s.
Greek Style StatueUnique Painting next to HieroglyphsKing and Queen TogetherDramatic ColumnsEnormous Statues
The entrance to the Luxor Temple Complex is quite dramatic with the sitting statues of Ramses II on either side. In addition to all of the statues, there were also two obelisks in the complex, one of which is still standing. Another interesting aspect to the Luxor Temple is that there is a working mosque on the temple grounds. It is an example of how the modern world and ancient sites can become merged over time.
Walking Towards the EntranceMosque Inside of the Temple ComplexRows of ColumnsBaboonsObelisk and Statues
With so many different sites to see in Luxor such as the Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Colossus of Memnon, and the Temple of Hatshepsut, it definitely takes at least a couple of days to visit. Even with all of these temples, tombs, statues, and historic sites, the Luxor Temple Complex is as important to see as these other sites.
A few years ago, we had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in San Francisco. From Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, to the Golden Gate Bridge, there are plenty of sights to be seen in the city of San Francisco. Clearly two days is not enough time to see everything that this wonderful city has to offer, but we took full advantage of the time that we had. It is a friendly city with a wonderful climate that seems to just make you feel relaxed and at home during your time there.
Sea Lions at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s WharfGrant Avenue, the Main Street in ChinatownSan Francisco Skyline
No visit to San Francisco would be complete without wandering the streets of Chinatown and exploring the shops and eating authentic Chinese food in one of the many restaurants. There are other cities with their own Chinatown districts, like New York and Chicago, but Chinatown in San Francisco is the oldest and largest in the United States. In fact it is the largest anywhere outside of Asia. Chinatown is a city within a city with its own vibrant culture and crowded and colorful streets.
Entrance to ChinatownChinatown MuralStreets of Chinatown
The city is definitely very walkable, but there are a lot of hills, so you need to be in shape if you are considering that approach. A better option, however, is hopping on and off of the trolley cars as they are an excellent way to get around as well. Along with the Golden Gate Bridge, the trolley cars are one of the images that immediately come to mind when people think of San Francisco. They are also a great way to get to Fisherman’s Wharf, which is famous for its restaurants, boating excursions, sea lions, and family activities.
San Francisco TrolleyIrish PubSea Lions Playing at Pier 39
Pier 39, which is the pier with the most attractions in Fisherman’s Wharf, can be a full day’s worth of activities, with plenty to do during the day as well as at night. While we were there, we watched the sea lions play on the pier and had clam chowder and drinks at one of the many restaurants. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to take one of the tours out to Alcatraz Island, but there was no missing its presence out in the bay. We had driven over the Golden Gate Bridge on our way into the city, but it was even more impressive seeing it from the pier. As the day came to an end, the famous fog rolled in and engulfed the bridge. We were there in January, so as the day came to a close, the temperatures dropped quickly.
AlcatrazFisherman’s WharfGolden Gate BridgeFog Rolling in over the Golden Gate Bridge
There is a carousel in the center of the shops at the pier, which is colorful during the day, but even more so at night when the lights are all lit. We couldn’t resist the temptation to release our inner child and take a ride on the carousel. There was also an artist drawing caricatures, so we decided to sit and have one done of the two of us. We’d had them done of the kids in the past, but this was the first time we decided to do that for ourselves. There a many restaurants to choose from in Fisherman’s Wharf and we went to a couple, including Scoma’s Restaurant on Pier 47 for dinner.
Pete and Dona on the CarouselOur CaricatureDessert at Scoma’s Restaurant
San Francisco is definitely a destination that should be visited as it is beautiful and has so many things to see and do. We’ll definitely be back in the future to see more that the city has to offer, but any amount of time is worth spending in this wonderful city. Clearly, our night at Fisherman’s Wharf was the highlight of our stay, but dining and shopping in Chinatown will forever linger in our memories forever.
One of the reasons that we like going to a smaller town is that it makes you feel even more like a local as there aren’t usually any other tourists around. This was definitely the case during our time Würzburg as we enjoyed listening to a local band playing holiday music and watched the excitement of the local children as the holiday season kicked off. We even entered a raffle that benefited the local school and actually ended up winning a bottle of wine.
One of the most interesting facts about Würzburg is that it was the location of the witch trials that occurred in the 1600’s, Germany’s equivalent to Salem, Massachusetts. Unfortunately it was much larger as over 600 accused witches were burnt during the trials. On a happier note, construction began on the Würzburg Residence (Residenz) about a hundred years later, which is now a focal point within the city.
