A Blue Million Books: FEATURED AUTHOR: MARIE LAVENDER

A Blue Million Books: FEATURED AUTHOR: MARIE LAVENDER:   ABOUT THE BOOK  Chased by a group of angry men. Saved by quite a hunk. This is not the résumé Ginger Halloway ever imagined having. But t...

Nine European Cities You Should Visit in 2020 by Rebecca Siggers

9 European Cities You Should Visit in 2020:

a guest post by Rebecca Siggers

People begin every year with all sorts of wish-lists and resolutions. One of the most common tasks that people set out for themselves at the beginning of the year is to travel to their favorite holiday destinations. Amongst the many places that people love to visit, Europe happens to offer the most amazing cities for travelers. If you are one of those people who are always on the lookout for exciting places to visit and have never been to Europe before, then this post is just the right place to start.

Further, in this post, you will read about some of the most amazing European cities where you can travel to in the year 2020. These cities are handpicked, especially for someone who is visiting Europe for the first time. Here is the list of top cities you must check out there.   

1.    Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

Image by Laura Montagnani from Pixabay

 

Amsterdam is among the most beautiful cities out there in the Netherlands. It happens to have some exciting locations to visit. Amsterdam is full of charm and has a royal heritage to boast off. You can take a cruise in the famous canals of the city, explore the beautiful architecture of monuments, and even get to try the ever-delicious beers of the Netherlands.  

People usually consider the Netherlands to be a perfect country to start a tour of Europe. So, if European cities are a part of your traveling plans, then we suggest that you ensure it is Amsterdam from where you begin.

2.    Rome, Italy

 

Image by Nimrod Oren from Pixabay

There is a very common Roman proverb that goes— “when in Rome, do as the Romans do." Rome certainly gives all the reasons for its tourists to embrace its culture. The beautiful city in Italy is known for its heritage and people take pride in carrying their culture for years. Visiting art galleries and museums in Rome is something that every traveler must try.

Italy is one of the first countries that comes to the mind for individuals when one talks about Europe. The people are amazing, their food is delicious, and the overall experience of spending time in the city is worth every second you spend there.            

3.    Istanbul, Turkey

 

Image by Eduart Bejko from Pixabay

Istanbul might not be the first place that might pop up in your mind when it comes to traveling in Europe, but it is undoubtedly a place that you must consider going to. The city of Istanbul offers unique places and scenery for you to appreciate. Taking the Bosphorus Cruise to get a tour of the entire city is something that you must not miss out on. There are endless flea markets in the city that will allow you to get your hands on some fabulous artifacts there.               

4.    Stockholm, Sweden

Image by Giraffew from Pixabay

Stockholm is yet another European city that deserves to be in your dream travel destination list. Amongst the different towns that we mention in this list, Stockholm is one of the richest cities out there. The city has a great history and places to visit. It is the home to UNESCO’s two world heritage sites, which are big attractions to  tourists. Birka and Drottningholm Palace are the oldest tourist destinations where you must go. 

If you are a history buff, then you would love to know more about the past of Stockholm by visiting the Skansen air museum. Stockholm has some of the hottest restaurants to visit in the entire country of Sweden. From the classic Den Gyldene Freden to the amazing Gondolen, there are some trendy restaurants that you may want to try.

5.    Poznan, Poland

Image by Erwin Nowak from Pixabay

Poznan is another historical city on our list of top places to visit in Europe. One of the oldest cities in Poland, Poznan is a beautiful place to explore and learn about the country. It has some unmatchable monuments and old buildings that have very interesting stories which go along with them. The Franciscan Church and many other grand cathedrals are worth a visit in the city.

A tour in Poznan does not cost you much and it happens to be a place that one can visit any time of the year. If the purpose of your trip to Europe is to get a break from work and get away from all the city rush, then Poznan is where you should be heading to. You can get your much-needed silence here and relax easily.           

6.    Geneva, Switzerland

Image by Luis Francisco Pizarro Ruiz from Pixabay

Geneva offers you endless reasons to visit. Different attractive locations, a vibrant environment, delicious food, and the unmissable shopping stores make Geneva a definite place to consider for a visit. If you are someone who loves adventures, then the watersports in Geneva are something that you must try. Scuba diving and rafting are two activities that tourists seek to do in this city.

The French culture highly influences Geneva, and as a tourist, you'll notice it too. The city is home to the UN and many other relevant international organizations in Europe. Lake Geneva and the English Garden are two highly recommended places that we suggest you visit this New Year.

7.    Venice, Italy

Image by Gerhard Gellinger from Pixabay

There is no doubt about the fact that Venice is very popular among tourists from all over the world. The city is full of colors and has a vibrant culture that goes along with it. Being an Italian city, Venice has delicious food to offer that is full of flavors.

If you start your trip to Italy from Venice, then you should also consider a road trip from there to Rome where you can enjoy the scenery while driving there. Traveling by road to Venice is hassle-free. You can manage your luggage by investing in a top-quality roof rack during this road trip while exploring some of the grandest hotels available there.

Venice is well-known as the ‘city of canals,’ and you can take a tour of the whole place by going on a cruise. St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal are some destinations in Venice that you must not miss out on.

8.    London, England

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

London is not just one popular city in Europe, but it happens to be among the most visited cities in the world too. Millions of tourists visit London every day to explore this city of the royal family. There are so many attractions for London visitors that even after spending a week there, you might not be able to explore all of them. Despite how crowded the city is, London is still a lot calmer compared to other big metro cities in the world. Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the magnificent Buckingham Palace are just a few of the many significant places to visit in the capital of England.

9.    Budapest, Hungary

Image by Walkerssk from Pixabay

 

Budapest has everything that one can ask for from a tourist destination. Easy commuting, beautiful spaces, friendly people, and less expensive accommodations make Budapest worth recommending. This unique city of Hungary has an amazing nightlife that every party-lover would enjoy.

If you happen to begin your journey to Europe with Budapest, then we suggest that you take a bike tour of the whole city to know it closely. Sailing in the Danube river is also something that you should do when in Budapest.

  

 

Awesome, now I have the traveling bug, for sure! ;) Thanks, Rebecca.


Guest Blogger Bio

 

Rebecca Siggers is a working Designer and passionate writer. She enjoys writing about the latest fashion tips and lifestyle trends all around the globe. Through her writing, she hopes to influence as many people as possible to help out.    

 

Guest Links    

 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/siggers_rebecca    

Other Articles by Rebecca:  

https://mystoryonline.org/7-style-tips-for-gentlemen-over-thirty/    

https://aloha.com/blogs/nourish/6-organic-and-healthy-road-trip-snacks https://www.teachworkoutlove.com/8-best-vacation-spots-for-military-families/ https://www.confettitravelcafe.com/7-must-visit-new-zealand-attractions/ https://greatlifezone.com/why-traveling-makes-you-a-better-person/ https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/2019/11/08/6-fashion-tips-for-a-mans-first-date-a-guest-post-by-rebecca-siggers/  https://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/top-ten-amazing-gifting-ideas-for-new-year-2020-guest-post-article-by-rebecca-siggers.html

http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/seven-things-to-gift-for-housewarming-guest-post-article-by-rebecca-siggers.html

https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/seven-most-ideal-ways-to-plan-your-honeymoon-guest-post-by-rebecca-siggers/  

https://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/2020/01/ten-surprising-health-benefits-of-wine-guest-post-by-rebecca-siggers.html  
 

Thanks again, Rebecca! We hope to see you back on MLB sometime. 

As always, happy reading, everyone! Have a great rest of your week! :)

The Shock is The Worst

 The Shock is The Worst

 

Abuse can arrive in so many forms, physical and emotional alike. Sometimes I think the worst kind is the one that comes out of nowhere. Anticipating abuse is one type, and I truly feel for anyone who has dealt with such abuse for a long time. I hope those who do have found a way to walk away.

But the type that really gets you is the shocking kind. Perhaps you lived for months or years with this person. You let down your walls. You trusted someone. 

And that’s when it happens. Just out of the blue, seemingly for no reason at all. Somehow you’ve stumbled into a bad situation.

Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay

At this point, we must all make a choice. Stay or go. Observe, and see if the trend continues, or find a way to leave. 

I won’t name any names. But let’s say I got the shock of my life today. A family member struck me. I am 37. I’m hardly a child, and I don’t need to be reprimanded for my words or actions. Hell, why not leave that up to the way we punish ourselves every day, right? And I am not trying to whine here like a spoiled child. This actually happened.

The oddest thing is that this man was supportive my whole life, and only in recent years has his temper drastically changed. So I am left to wonder…was this caused by his health situation, or has he in fact lost it for once? 

Not to mention someone I have always trusted lashed out at me. Me! It is hard not to take that personally, even more difficult not to start crying again. 

Counselling, Pixabay

Things have never been easy in my family. With five people always trying to have their say in the same house, it was…let’s just call it a bit challenging to establish any kind of autonomy from the overall conformity in that tight-knit group. It’s one thing to be playing around and accidentally hurt someone. No big deal. A true accident is one thing. 

But to hit someone, without any hope of apology? That, my friends, is what we call abuse. 

John Hain, Pixabay

I am forced to admit that I have dealt with some form of emotional abuse from this person for several years – being called names, and tearing me down for my life choices. Because let’s face it. I am a writer. We’re an odd breed, for sure. Yes, I will automatically be different from everyone else in my family. But I hardly think I deserve to be abused. 

No one does.

The Libra in me has just had it. October people tend to give up on a certain person at some point. We can only take so much crap before the ‘aloof’ aspect kicks in, and we’re done. We want to back away, keep our distance from that individual for the rest of our lives. 

Except when you truly love someone, it gets complicated. You must think about emotions over self-preservation. And even though I’ve stumbled across tons of advice over the years, claiming we should cut out toxic relationships – and normally I’d agree – I know I can’t exactly erase this person from my life. Plus, he’s getting on in years. With his health, who knows? He may not have much time left. Then again, he’s incredibly stubborn.

I guess I’m just…frozen. Stuck in this cage of doubt and circumstance.

I actually find this infuriating on some level, other than the obvious. Why? Well, I climbed out of a bad romantic relationship – physically and emotionally abusive – in my early twenties, and I guess it’s ironic that now I find myself trapped all over again. But for a different reason.

So, what would you do in this situation? I wouldn’t mind the advice today.

Thanks for listening.