Abandoned Greek City of Varosha, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

by Matthew Allison | Nov 28, 2023 | Europe

November 2023: A few years back, during a trip to Cyprus, I’d attempted to visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) but was turned away at the border due to missing some required COVID-19 documentation. That experience left me all the more intrigued to...

The Lush, Portuguese Speaking Volcanic Azores Islands of the Middle Atlantic

by Matthew Allison | Jan 19, 2023 | Europe

January 2023: As part of a memorable birthday trip for my wife, Paula, the three of us—Paula, her mom, and I—spent three days exploring the Azores Islands before continuing to Cabo Verde, which marked my final African country to visit. The Azores are conveniently...

Walking the Enchanting Barcelona Alleys at Night, and a Drive through the Spanish and French Pyrenees Mountains to the Micro-Nation of Andorra

by Matthew Allison | Oct 10, 2022 | Europe

October, 2022: As part of a larger European trip and in order to complete my last European countries, Andorra, and Monaco, my wife and mother-in-law flew to Barcelona, Spain. This was my second visit to Spain, my first being to Madrid in September 2006. The main...

Exploring Lava caves of Europe’s Largest Active Volcano, Mount Etna in the Beautiful Island of Sicily

by Matthew Allison | Oct 10, 2022 | Europe

October 2022: The island of Sicily has been on my bucket list for a while. I have wanted to see the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna and learn more about the island made famous by the movie Godfather and its mafia history. About Siciliy    ...

Malta-Exploring Catacombs, and Forts Ranging from the Era of the Crusaders to World War II

by Matthew Allison | Oct 10, 2022 | Europe

October 2022: Malta is a small country but one packed with lots and lots of history. Its location in the middle of the Mediterranean just off the shore of Sicily, Italy and Tunisa have made it very strategically important throughout history and almost every empire in...

Road Trip Across the Swiss Alps to My Last Visited Country in Europe-Lichtenstein

by Matthew Allison | Oct 10, 2022 | Europe

October 2022: In order to visit my last country in Europe, Lichtenstein, my wife, I and mother-in-law flew into Zurich, Switzerland, rented a car to make our way across the eastern Swiss Alps to cross into Lichtenstein. It was good to be back in Switzerland, a country...