PHOTO: Cardiff Bay in Cardiff, Wales – From Wasteland to Tourist Mecca

Cardiff Bay in the Welsh capital city is the second most popular tourist area, after the city center

The city center of Cardiff, Wales, with its spectacular castle, may be the number one tourist destination in the Welsh capital, but Cardiff Bay runs a close second. The popular waterfront area owes its existence to abundant coal and iron deposits that were discovered in Wales during the 1700’s. Both commodities were in great demand … Read more

PHOTO: Arch of Peace in Milan, Italy, Ridicules Napoleon Bonaparte’s France

The Arch of Peace in Milan, Italy, was ordered built by Napoleon after he conquered northern Italy in 1805.

On March 17, 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte’s armies conquered northern Italy. Two months later, Napoleon had himself crowned at the Duomo di Milano, taking the title “Emperor of the French and King of Italy.” To commemorate his victory, Napoleon ordered a grand Arco delle Vittorie (Arch of Victory) to be built at the point on the … Read more

Chisinau, Moldova, One of Europe’s Friendliest and Least Touristy Capital Cities

Wine ages in giant barrels inside the subterranean cellars at Cricova Winery

My guide for the day, Valery Brady, began my tour of Chisinau, Moldova, at the Pushkin Museum. Alexander Pushkin, considered to be Russia’s greatest poet and the founder of modern literature, angered Emperor Alexander I with his poem, “Ode to Liberty,” which was critical of the regime. As a result, in May of 1820 he … Read more