The Vatican museums are home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Western art. Come along with me on a tour before you visit to help you gain perspective and insight.

Of the more than 2,000 fountains in Rome, there is one that stands out above the rest. The Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous landmarks in all of Rome, is especially beautiful at night. Dreamed up by architect Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, with 24 spouts of cascading water, when it was originally finished, it was as functional as it was beautiful. This was the neighborhood’s water supply. Nowadays, it’s more fanciful than functional.

There are plenty of ruins in Rome, from the Colosseum to the Forum - but nowhere else can you see a place like the Pantheon, a place that looks nearly the same now (minus a few gods), as it did in the year 120AD.

The ‘Pan-theon’, literally “all the gods” was built as a place of worship for all ancient pagan gods. But, in the early 7th century, Christians took it over, removed all the pagan gods, and converted it to a church. Even today, the Pantheon is an active, consecrated Catholic Church, which is the main reason this building has survived the centuries intact.

The dome of the Pantheon would go on to inspire the Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence, Michelangelo’s dome at St. Peter’s in the Vatican, and even the dome of the US Capitol.

Everyone knows the Great Pyramid of Giza, but did you know that you can go inside? Come with me to explore the Great Sphinx and find out what it's like inside the Great Pyramid!

The base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu alone covers about 13 acres. It was originally 481 feet tall, but over time has weathered and had its cap removed, and now stands at 455 feet tall. For 3,800 years, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world. The pyramids were once encased entirely in a smooth sided limestone, but over time, it was worn away, or taken away for use in other projects. A few areas still show what that would have looked like. It’s big. Like, really big. And really, really old. Around 2650 BCE it was finished. Which means, you have to add on an additional 2024 years to that!

The pyramids stand out in the distance from nearly everywhere in Cairo. Three mountainous points looming on the horizon, growing from the ground, pointing skyward. But nothing prepares you for how utterly massive they are in person.

Abu Simbel in Egypt is one of the most striking & awe-inspiring monuments in all of Egypt. It stands as a colossal testament to Ancient Egyptian artistry and their precision in architecture and engineering. Although ostensibly dedicated to the ancient gods Amun, Ptah, & Ra-Harakhty; The Great Temple of Ramses II was, in reality, an egotistical show of power commissioned directly by and for the Pharaoh Ramses II. He was the star of the show, with his likeness on four imposing colossi, being worshipped as a god. Would-be invaders from the south would see this bit of towering propaganda, turn tail and run the other way. It was intended to both frighten and stoke admiration.

Abu SImbel Blog Post

Explore the Temple of Isis at Philae, along with the Kiosk of Trajan! This island is actually home to several temples, but the largest is the temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. A large courtyard surrounded by columns marks the entrance. These columns were Roman built, and while the East Colonnade is finished, complete with hieroglyphics, the West Colonnade remains unfinished, with columns devoid of symbols or ornaments. Most of this temple was built relatively recently by Egyptian standards - around 300-250BCE, beginning during the reign of the Ptolemy II. Construction stretched into the early Roman period, which means that you’ll find aspects of both Egyptian and Greco-Roman architecture.

This grand Temple of Isis remained a pilgrimage site and a place of worship for the Cult of Isis long into the beginnings of Christianity. As the Roman Empire embraced Christianity and Constantine outlawed pagan religions, this temple sat just far enough away from the rule of Rome that Isis, goddess of healing, fertility, magic and death, continued to be worshiped here as late as 550 CE. Throughout the following centuries, however, Christians took over the temple and carefully defaced many Egyptian reliefs.

Philae Temple Blog Post

In the heart of Luxor, you’ll find the temples of Karnak, dedicated first and foremost to the god Amun-Re. Karnak is an absolutely massive temple complex that would easily fit St. Peter’s Basilica from Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral from London just in the main hypostyle hall. Dozens of ram headed sphinxes line our path into the temple complex.

To walk through Karnak is to take a stroll through over a thousand years of Egyptian history. As a general rule, the further in you go, the older the buildings.

Karnak Temple Blog Post

The Temple of Luxor in Egypt is stunning. In the front, you’ll find six statues of Ramses II, two seated and four standing. Not long ago, only three of these colossi were here, but due to restoration efforts, statues that fell and broke from an earthquake in antiquity, have painstakingly been restored and placed back in their original spots.

In front, you’ll find only one obelisk of what used to be a pair. If you’re looking for the second one, you’ll have to visit the Place de la Concorde in Paris. It was this second obelisk that, if you recall, was given to King Louis-Philippe of France in exchange for the green clock tower that has never worked, at the Mosque of Muhammed Ali in Cairo. For centuries, this entire temple was buried under sand. A 14th mosque inside the temple shows illustrates where ground level used to be before excavation.

Luxor Temple was constructed primarily by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, a theme you’ll find throughout all of Egypt. But other ancient pharaohs, Alexander the Great, the Ptolemys, and even the Romans all added on their touch to this temple through the centuries. In the middle of the temple, you’ll find the astounding hypostyle hall, with dozens of towering papyrus columns.

Luxor Temple Blog Post

Before the Grand Egyptian Museum opened, the original Egyptian Museum opened in Cairo in 1902. It's housed in a beautiful salmon pink building right in the heart of Tahrir Square. As of now, it still houses some fantastic artifacts, like Narmer's Palette, statues of Djoser, Khufu and Khafre, and so mush more!

Egyptian Museum Cairo Blog Post

The Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, in Cairo is found within the walls of the Citadel. With its massive silver domes and minarets, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali has been a staple on the skyline of Cairo since it was added in the mid 1800s. Built in a classic Ottoman Turkish style, it took 18 years to build under the orders of the reformist ruler, Muhammad Ali, who is often viewed as the creator of modern Egypt.

Built by Salah ad-Din in the 12th century, the Citadel is a massive complex home to four separate museums and three mosques. And though it has drastically changed in the last 800 or so years, it was from this very Citadel that Egypt was ruled for over nearly 700 years.

Join me on a relaxing traditional felucca ride, cruising the Nile in Aswan, Egypt.

The Khan el Khalili Bazaar in Cairo is incredible! When you close your eyes and imagine walking down a street in Cairo, this is it. It is mosaic of brown, tan, and beige. Trinkets hang in shop stalls. Feral cats and dogs roam the streets, unfazed by the walkers by. Part cultural neighborhood, part shopping district, part open-air museum, this area was added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 1979.

The streets here are narrow and winding, with vendors pouring out into the alleyways. There are shops everywhere, some selling legitimate sundries to locals, but most are peddling tacky, touristy crap. Scarfs, magnets, tchotchkes, statues, t-shirts, shot glasses, lamps, ash trays, belly-dancing outfits and miscellaneous bric-a-brac fill every square inch of space.

READ THE FULL KHAN-EL-KHALILI BLOG HERE

Come explore the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. We'll descend into King Tut's Tomb and explore the tombs of other pharaohs as well. Now, if you’re not quite sure what the Valley of the Kings is, this is where a man named Howard Carter, in 1922, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen, better known as King Tut.

So far, 63 tombs have been discovered here, and unfortunately for the Pharaohs, their efforts of hiding their tombs from ancient thieves was done in vain. Nearly every tomb that was discovered was found devoid of any earthly possessions. That is until 1922, when the tomb of Tutankhamun was found completely intact.

READ THE FULL BLOG HERE

Take the next few minutes out of your busy day, drop what you’re doing, and simply enjoy cruising along the Nile in Egypt. Observe scenes that have played out just like this, along the banks of the Nile, unchanged & uninterrupted for thousands of years.

Cairo Tower is a beacon on the Cairo Skyline. It first opened in 1961, and at 614’ tall, for a time, it was the tallest structure in Egypt - 50 feet taller than that Great Pyramid. There is an observation deck and a restaurant at the top that rotates while you eat.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is a bit unique in Egypt because it is dedicated to two gods - The falcon god Haroeris (meaning Horus the Elder - basically Horus depicted as a falcon headed god), and the local crocodile god, Sobek.

Kom Ombo is a stop on many river cruise itineraries, so it’s typically crowded, but worth seeing. The temple split right down the middle, with the two gods mirrored on either side.

Right next to the temple, is a large well, about 50 feet deep, that is connected to several channels where the cult of Sobek likely raised young crocodiles. Which brings us here: the small, but interesting, Crocodile Museum. Here, 40 mummified crocs are on display, the largest of which is nearly 15 feet long.

READ THE FULL BLOG ABOUT KOM OMBO

The M/S Tamr is an elegant river cruise vessel perfect for a leisurely cruise on the Nile. The Motorship Tamr provides all the amenities a modern traveler might expect, in a comfortable and unpretentious setting. The main floor includes the lobby, a small coffee bar, and an adaptable lounge that is used as an evening reception area and bar.

The bottom floor has a small television room, a shop, and the ships main buffet restaurant. Ample sitting areas are found all over the ship, and, for those that need it, it does offer an elevator. A health club & fitness center are available for guests with a treadmill, a few bikes and a resistance machine, and just down the hall, you’ll find the Chef’s Restaurant - an elegant high end eating experience with an open kitchen and fantastic views of the Nile.

Making your way to the top deck, you’ll find the sundeck, pool & bar. A generous amount of seating means that any time of day, you can make your way up here, and relax while you simply watch life on the Nile go by.

The Old Cataract Hotel is one of, if not the most famous hotel in all of Egypt. Opened originally in Aswan in 1899, everything about this place radiates old world travel. From the beautiful lush gardens, to the classic, sophisticated lobby, to the Moorish-style architecture. It makes me want to don a vintage 3-piece linen suit & fan myself with my wide brimmed hat, looking out over the Nile.

The hotel’s location in Aswan, historically an important trading hub since ancient times, means that it’s hosted a who’s who of famous people throughout the years. Winston Churchill, King Farouk, Howard Carter, Jimmy Carter, Margaret Thatcher, Omar Sharif and Princess Diana, just to name a few. But, perhaps most famously, Agatha Christie is said to have penned her book Death on the Nile in this very hotel.

The Old Cataract Hotel is one of, if not the most famous hotel in all of Egypt. Opened originally in Aswan in 1899, everything about this place radiates old world travel. From the beautiful lush gardens, to the classic, sophisticated lobby, to the Moorish-style architecture. It makes me want to don a vintage 3-piece linen suit & fan myself with my wide brimmed hat, looking out over the Nile.

The hotel’s location in Aswan, historically an important trading hub since ancient times, means that it’s hosted a who’s who of famous people throughout the years. Winston Churchill, King Farouk, Howard Carter, Jimmy Carter, Margaret Thatcher, Omar Sharif and Princess Diana, just to name a few. But, perhaps most famously, Agatha Christie is said to have penned her book Death on the Nile in this very hotel.

The Louvre is one of the most incredible museums in the world, full of priceless and beautiful works of art - none of which I’m qualified to talk about. But, I got tons of footage - and so rather than try to tell you any real history about it this art, I think I will simply show you some of the beautiful paintings and sculptures, and I’ll intersperse with some of what I like to call - Dad History.

Get up close the scale of this monument to the indomitable spirit of France! While the arch was initially commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, it wasn’t completed for 30 years, after many stops and starts along the way. Since then, it has stood as an iconic symbol of France.

The Opera Garnier stands as a testament of the opulence and decadence of a bygone era. Built between 1861 and 1875, it was eventually renamed for this man, the architect behind the project, Charles Garnier, Stepping into the Palais Garnier transports one into a refined frame of mind.

Welcome to Florence, Italy! Enter here, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, better known as the Duomo. Climb the 463 stone steps, past Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgement, through the seemingly never ending narrow passageways, and finally emerge at the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome. From here, enjoy one of the best views in all of Italy!

In my humble opinion, no trip to Barcelona would be considered complete without a visit to La Sagrada Familia. La Sagrada Familia has been under construction for over 130 years but there is finally an ending in sight - 2026, on the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s death.

Experience one of the most interesting and unusual attractions in Seattle - Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour! After a brief introduction to the town’s history from our tour guides, we were lead down below street level, to a series of interconnected tunnels that mark the original “ground floor” of the city.

While today the White Pass & Yukon Route operates merely as a tourist attraction, the story of the this railroad is the story of gold. In July 1897, miners arrived in Seattle with tons of it. The news electrified the nation and within weeks, tens of thousands of men & women steamed north towards Skagway. There they would start their harrowing 600 mile journey to the Klondike gold fields. Construction of this 110 mile narrow gauge railroad began in 1898 to make the journey to through White Pass easier. Nowadays, it’s more of a leisure experience than a practical one, and we were simply enjoying the spectacular views.

Without a doubt, the most iconic building in Seattle is the Space Needle. Standing 605 feet tall, for 50 years it has been a defining landmark, identifying the Seattle skyline at a mere glance. A one minute elevator ride takes you to the top of the spire, where the observation deck provides 360 degree views of the city. The Space Needle is in the heart of Seattle Center, an area also home to the Museum of Pop Culture, the Children’s Museum, the Chihuly Garden and the Pacific Science Center. We decided not to venture to the top of the Space Needle this time because we knew we wanted to visit another landmark with commanding views of the city later in the day, the Smith Tower. But that just means we’ll need to come back to Seattle and visit the top next time!

Fun Fact: The Space Needle was built for the 1962 world’s fair. In 2018, a 100 million “Spacelift” on the Space Needle completed. The observation deck now features multi-level floor to ceiling glass panels, and is home to a first of its kind rotating glass floo

The world famous Pike Place Public Market! Of all the major sites in Seattle on our list, this was the one I was most excited to visit! The Pike Place Market dates from 1907, and it’s one of the largest and oldest markets in the US. Hundreds of farmers, artisans, chefs, craftspeople and small businesses are located within the sprawling nine acre historic district.

Although glaciers are abundant in southeast Alaska, only a few are as accessible as Mendenhall Glacier. Mendenhall Glacier is located about 12 miles outside Juneau, and it is one small fraction of the Juneau Icefield, a 1,500 square mile expanse of snow and ice that’s home to about 40 other large glaciers. Standing back and trying to drink it all in, you realize that there are few places as astounding and overwhelming in the world. Guests can almost walk right up to the glacier from the Visitor Center to get up close and personal with this frozen wonder. One marvels at the staggering shades of blue display, while huge chunks of ice calve into the small Mendenhall lake.

The exploration of glaciers in Alaska is one of the greatest travel experiences in North America, and nowhere allows you to do that better than here. This is World Heritage site, an immersive natural lab, a United Nations Biosphere reserve, a national park, and most importantly, a spiritual homeland for Tlingit natives. Here you’ll find countless species of plants and wildlife, placid and serene waters, soaring mountains, and earth shaping rivers of ice. This is Glacier Bay National Park.