Kim McMahill

Portsmouth and the nearby villages are an area steeped in history. The D-Day invasion of Normandy beaches were planned and executed from Southwick just outside of Portsmouth. Along with fascinating history, the area provides a blend of old and new that really works. Beautiful old buildings, thatched-roof cottages, a vibrant waterfront, and the modern Spinnaker observation tower co-exist in perfect harmony.

Vigo is a city located in the Galicia region on Spain’s northwest coast. One of t he highlights of Vigo is Castro fortress which was built in 1665 to protect the city from the continuous attacks coming from the  British navy allies of  Portugal. This imposing fortress is located atop Mt. Castro and offers stunning views of the city and bay.

Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It's known for its medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, including the Alhambra is a sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompassing royal palaces, serene patios, reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, and fountains and orchards. Grenada is also home to magnificent Grenada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel of Grenada which is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were buried.

Cartagena is a delightful port city and naval base located in the Murcia region of southeast Spain. The city was founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., and it boomed during the Roman period. The city boasts many Roman ruins which are easy to visit. One of the most amazing is the ancient Roman theater that was unearthed just 30 years ago in the center of the city. Access to the ruins is through a museum which displays many treasures found during the excavation. Magnificent architecture can be seen nearly everywhere you look, but one of my favorite sites was watching colorful kayaks assemble for an early morning race in the harbor. The scene was serene and I watched until the kayaks sped from view. 

We started out our day in Bar Harbor with a leisurely stroll along s rocky and windswept coastal trail. Despite the gray skies, the scenery was absolutely stunning. Before leaving for Acadia National Park we enjoyed a lunch of whole lobster and steamers – can’t visit Maine without doing that, can you? But the highlight of our visit to this area was Acadia National Park. I have a special place in my heart for our National Parks and Monuments, and Acadia did not disappoint. The scenery, especially the rugged coastal area was breathtaking. Thunder Hole lived up to its billing, but the entire coast was stunning. I would love to return on a dry and sunny day to better explore more of this magnificent park.

I don’t know why this was such a surprise, but it was. There is a significant wine industry outside of Halifax in the Annapolis Valley. They grow their own grapes and produce fine wines. I guess I always assumed Nova Scotia was too far north for such an enterprise, but the moderating effect of the ocean has made it possible. The countryside was a peaceful place of quaint towns, farmers markets, and of course vineyards. As with most places I visit, I only wish I had had more time to explore.

There were an overwhelming number of things to do and see in Boston. After checking out the scene along the waterfront, we opted for a beer and distillery tour. I always enjoy visiting local industries whether they are an integral part of the historic fabric of a city or region or a burgeoning new enterprise. Some of the stops were more interesting than others, but all-in-all, it was an interesting and entertaining look at Boston.

Though I have been to New York City several times, I know little to nothing about the east coast of the United States or New England culture. I just finished up traveling along the east coast of the U.S. and Canada and was amazed at the beauty along the coast, the historic buildings, and charm of the towns and cities. Newport, Rhode Island was a special place. I got the impression it might be a little overrun with visitors during the summer, but we found it slowing down. As we walked through town, classic cars rolled by on their way to a car show out at the fort. We stumbled onto a boat restoration school and were invited in by the only student working that day to check it out. But, best of all was the food. It was exciting to finally enjoy my first lobster roll and I look forward to future visits.

A few hours outside of Belfast is the amazing city of Londonderry, or to many Irish, simply Derry. The walled city tells a story of a tragic struggle for equality that is far from over. Despite its tumultuous history, this city has a lot to offer and many lessons to share with the world.

Sadly, I didn’t see any monsters, but that didn’t diminish the feel of this area. The Urquhart Castle ruins, dating back to the 13 th century, stand majestically on a cliff on the banks of the famous lake offering stunning views and a trip back in time.

St. Peter Port on Guernsey Island is a small seaside village. Although its visitor center and friendly locals made this a tourist-friendly place to visit, it didn’t feel overly touristy. The majority of the businesses where what you would expect in any town, clothing shops, hair salons, restaurants, book stores, and the like. The streets were not dominated by souvenir shops, which made this village all the more interesting to visit.

No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a trip to the city’s famous castle. The imposing fortress stands guard over the rest of the city below. Leading away from the castle is the famous Royal Mile lined with shops and pubs galore. A person could spend an entire day wandering this historic street its hidden closes. 

This small village is located on the south bank of the Clyde River where it expands into the Firth of Clyde. Greenock is small, but its people are friendly and it’s a great place to start discovering the nuances of Scotch.  

Dublin is an amazing city. Aside from a visit to the Guinness Storehouse for a pint of their famous “black stuff,” there is so much to do and see that I’m not sure how much time a person would have to spend to take it all in. From wandering the lively streets to absorbing the ambiance of Trinity College, Dublin has something for everyone.

Kinsale is a picturesque seaside village with a lot of history. Ruins of forts guard the entrance to the bay. On a non-rainy, there are few places more idyllic for a stroll.

Blarney Castle is one of those must-see sites if visiting Cork, Ireland. The castle ruins aren’t much, but the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone has made the castle a pilgrimage site to many. Most Irish we talked to knew where the Blarney Stone came from, but weren’t as confident on where the practice of kissing the stone came from. Aside from the castle and the stone, however, the grounds are amazing and worth a visit.

I usually capture people or recognizable landmarks in my travel photographs, but occasionally I try my hand at a purely artistic composition. This photo was taken from the ladja (local wooden boat) we were on as we explored the wetlands of the Neretva River delta about an hour from Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Maybe I have a thing for wooden boats. A couple posts back I posted a photograph of a ladja (local wooden boat) that I saw while exploring the wetlands of the Neretva River delta about an hour from Dubrovnik, Croatia. So, keeping with the wooden boat theme, here’s a picture I took in Bamberg, Germany.

I've never thought of Mexico as coffee country, so I was surprised to find a darn good brew in San Sebastian del Oeste located at the foot of the Western Sierra Madre in West Jalisco. The best part of travel is discovering something new and interesting. I came for the tequila and left with the coffee.

The road to San  Sebastián del Oeste  is lined with spectacular scenery and wonderful rest stops where you can get fresh baked goods and hot homemade tortillas. San Sebastián del Oeste is an old colonial town and municipality located on the western part of Jalisco state . It is steeped in history and feels caught between the past and the present. Its cobblestone streets provide a thoroughfare for horses and cars alike, and both look equally in place.