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Spain

Destinations / Spain

Setenil de las Bodegas: An Andalucia Wonder

A Visitor Guide “Setenil de las Bodegas, where the sky is rock….. “ Gerardo Diego Setenil de las…

by Wanderers Compass February 12, 2022

Destinations / Spain

Mercado de San Miguel: Best of Madrid

When it comes to gastronomic markets one of best to be found in Europe is in the heart…

by Joelle August 9, 2021

Ronda Spain

Destinations / Spain

Ronda, Spain – Discovering the Magic

Ronda, Spain, is part of the White Towns of the Andalucía region of Southern Spain. We take you…

by Wanderers Compass March 19, 2021

Joelle and Ryan

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In recent days we have been looking back at past t

In recent days we have been looking back at past travel photos. One trip that was an especially fun to look back on was our 2021 Greece trip. The Covid threat was lessening, but many were still hesitant to travel. Our trip began during peak travel time, but we had the privilege of having many top sites to ourselves or with only small groups of people.

That was the case during our enthralling visit to the Acropolis in Athens. The ancient buildings date back before Christ and have great architectural and historical significance. Due to that, the site is well known for wall-to-wall people and long lines to buy tickets. The day we went was gorgeous with only a couple dozen people at most were at this massive site with zero lines to purchase tickets. To be able to photograph the Acropolis with few people in the shots was a joy!

We never take for granted how lucky we were back then, and returning to huge crowds will be an adjustment. In 2022 we visited 11 countries and in our case, crowds were still pretty thin. As we begin to book our travel for 2023, expecting that it will no longer be our experience, but so thankful when it was. 😌

At the time, we did not share many photos of the Acropolis. Time to revisit this ancient citadel high above Athens. It is a must-do when in Greece and an unforgettable experience.

#acropolis #greece #athens #travelphotographer

Walt Disney World Montage from the Happiest Place

Walt Disney World Montage from the Happiest Place on Earth

We always try to find unique places to visit while

We always try to find unique places to visit while on a budget when traveling abroad. It becomes even more important when traveling back home to find places to visit that won't break the bank. Historically it has been a challenge to find castles in the US that come close to what we have experienced in Europe. Imagine our excitement to discover a whimsical touch of Europe in our own "backyard." Beautiful Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is one of those places, full of that European charm that we love.

This unique structure, built by Henry Chapman Mercer between 1908 and 1912, has seven levels and 55 rooms. The design is an eclectic mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles and is an early example of poured reinforced concrete. Mercer's famed Moravian tilework throughout the castle is magnificent. As a ceramicist, scholar, and antiquarian, Mercer built Fonthill Castle as his home and a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints. Inside, the layout is similar to a maze.

To our surprise, Fonthill Castle is now one of our favorite castles. The craftsmanship, artistry, detail, and originality were extraordinary. If you live in Pennsylvania or plan a trip to the area, check out this affordable and fantastic attraction.

There are 13 castles in Pennsylvania alone......one down, 12 to go.

#fonthillcastlemuseum #pennsylvania #castlesoftheworld #travelphotography
#instacastles #travelblog #doylestownpa

One of the most striking sights when visiting the

One of the most striking sights when visiting the Savannah and Charleston area was the majestic and beautiful Live Oaks. These magnificent trees were especially prominent in the Savannah area. Quercus Virginiana, also known as the southern Live Oak, is an evergreen oak tree endemic to the Southeastern United States. They can be found from Virginia to south Florida and west to eastern Texas. The southern Live Oak is particularly iconic in the Old South and symbolizes strength. During our visit to Wormsloe Historic Site, we drove down a mile-and-a-half road lined with over 400 Live Oaks forming a canopy over the road. It was stunning.

Why is the tree called a Live Oak? The wide-spreading tree gets its name because, unlike other oaks, it doesn't lose its leaves in the autumn. Although Live Oaks retain their leaves nearly year-round, they are not true evergreens though. Live Oaks drop their leaves immediately before new leaves emerge in the spring. A Live Oak tree typically only has one trunk, and as it ages, branches can be upright, droop, and curve, forming a canopy that makes the tree easy to spot. The trees can reach 60-80 feet high with a 60-120 foot spread.

According to the Live Oak Society, the oldest southern live oak is believed to be the Seven Sisters Oak, located in Mandeville, Louisiana, with an estimated age of 500–1,000 years. Near Charleston, Angel Live Oak is believed to be 300-400 years old. The Angel Oak receives approximately 400,000 visitors each year. The tree is 65 feet high with a circumference of 25.5 feet, shading an area of 17,000 square feet.

The pictures don't begin to do justice to how spectacular Live Oaks appear in person. We never tired of seeing these beauties with their long arching and sinuously curving branches and trunks. Additionally, many have silvery Spanish moss hanging off the limbs, giving them a mystical appearance. Maybe a trip back to Louisiana may be in order to visit the oldest known southern Live Oak.

#liveoaks #savannah #Charleston #wormsloehistoricsite

Charleston was last on the agenda and after a rain

Charleston was last on the agenda and after a rainy morning it was the perfect time to wander. Few people out and lots of parking available I had the pleasure of exploring the historic district at leisure admiring the architecture, and the natural beauty of the landscape while learning about the history of the people and events that have shaped this community over the centuries.

Charleston, South Carolina is a port city founded in 1670 and is known for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, City Market, and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park overlook Charleston Harbor. Photographing the grand mansions, lovely alleyways, and city sites were especially fun after the rain.

In the first century of its existence, Charleston was a walled city enclosing 62 acres. The fortifications were built to protect the city from attacks from the French, Spanish, and later British forces. One of the pictures is a piece of that original wall.

Across the water is Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out which redefined American freedom. Sadly I ran out of time to visit Fort Sumter so a return visit is a must!

#charlestonsc #historicdistrictcharleston #travelphotography #civilwarhistory #southcarolina #travelblogger

While traveling abroad, we frequently seek out For

While traveling abroad, we frequently seek out Forts to visit. Arriving in Savannah, it was an easy decision to visit one of the region's many Civil War-era historic forts. Just 25 minutes east of Savannah is the fascinating and fully restored Fort Pulaski National Monument. This fort was a turning point in the United States military history. We found it an intriguing step back in time.

Fort Pulaski was built between 1829 to 1847. It resides on Cockspur Island, where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic Ocean. These Third System Fortifications were constructed to protect US ports from naval attacks from foreign enemies.

Fort Pulaski never came under attack by a foreign enemy. It only saw military action during the American Civil War. In January 1861, Georgia militia seized the fort with little resistance and handed the defense over to the newly formed confederacy. On April 10, 1862, the Union forces bombarded the fort, and within 30 hours, Colonel Olmstead surrendered. The Union attack used the new technology of rifled artillery solid shots and exploding shells. There was a total of 5,275 shots fired during those 30 hours. The bombardment demolished the forts seven and a half foot thick brick walls. There are cannon balls still embedded in the exterior walls that are easily seen. The siege was a landmark experiment in military science and invention. The Union remained in control of the fort for the duration of the Civil War.

There was little use of the fort during the rest of the 1800s. By 1924 the island was abandoned. A decade later, Fort Pulaski was named a National Monument, and restoration began. In 1947 it was opened to the public. It is part of the National Park system .

The area around Fort Pulaski has a plethora of outdoor activities. Whatever your interest-sightseeing, hiking, kayaking, bicycling, exploring, history, nature study, fishing (with a license), or photography, this area will please any outdoor enthusiasts. There is also a lighthouse that you can hike to. The area around the fort is teaming with bird life, and we had a special treat watching a mama bald eagle feeding her two young babies.
#fortpulaski #savannahgeorgia #civilwarhistory

Greetings from Ryan of Wanderers Compass. 2023 sta

Greetings from Ryan of Wanderers Compass. 2023 started with conflicting emotions after being sent home unable to serve on my yearlong Army deployment. I am sad to have left my soldiers but happy I will be staying home with my son. It served as a reminder regardless of stress level or unexpected obstacles, you should make the best out of any situation you face. This is an essential travel skill.

For example, when traveling back home from El Paso, Texas, I chose to make the most of my flight experience.

1. I added my Alaska Airlines membership number to my American Airlines military flights; AA partners with Alaska. I earned 1839 miles for a ticket I did not pay for myself.

2. I requested at check-in and was moved from row 25 on my first flight to row 11 (exit row) for no additional cost. It gave me more legroom and let me deplane faster, giving me more time at my layover to enjoy the airport lounge.

3. I used my Priority Pass access from my AMEX Platinum credit card and went to The Club DFW lounge at no cost during my 1-hour and 45 min layover in Dallas. I had some much-needed food and drinks while relaxing in a bright, spacious, and comfortable setting.

These three actions significantly improved my mood and helped me look at the brighter side of things while returning home to my family. It is the little things when you travel that can make all the difference.
Now that I am home, I look forward to all the new 2023 adventures. Wanderers Compass trips were on hold for 2023, and the planning can now begin.

What's next for Wanderers Compass? Before I left Texas, we booked our first visit to Oktoberfest in Munich Germany this coming September, followed by travels to Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. More trips are in the works; I am excited about the new and incredible adventures we will share with the Wanderers Compass community.

#theclubaiportlounges #dfw #prioritypass #amexplatinum #travel #airportlounges

When the clouds provide unexpected elements to you

When the clouds provide unexpected elements to your photo. Pier near Mitchellville Beach Park, North Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

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