Travel - Lili on the Loose

2 01, 2017

Travel Missteps: Running Around the World

By Lili|January 2nd, 2017|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2016, Disney, Disney World, Epcot, fireworks, Florida, Food and Wine Festival, IllumiNations, Magical Weekend, Orlando, Walt Disney World, World Showcase|0 Comments

I thought it would be a brilliant plan. After work, I'd run over to Epcot for their Food and Wine festival and get some dinner. Earlier that day I was able to get a discounted conference ticket ($75) for Epcot, a steep admission just to get dinner. I was also able to snag some last minute fast passes, one for Turtle Talk, another for Mission Space, and lastly one for the premium viewing spot for "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth". It would be the first time going to Epcot (or Disney World for that matter) since I was 4 years old.

30 12, 2016

Auld Lang Syne

By Lili|December 30th, 2016|Categories: Photography, Travel|Tags: 2016, castle, Disney World, fireworks, Florida, Magical Weekend, North America, Orlando, Photo Friday, USA, Walt Disney World|0 Comments

Fireworks at Disney World. Hope you have a Happy New Years Eve tomorrow! Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

29 12, 2016

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

By Lili|December 29th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: Abu Simbel, Africa, Ancient, Antigua, Assisi, Aswan, Austria, Barrier Reef, Basilica of San Francesco, Bath, Belize, Cairo, Caye Caulker, Central America, Champs Elysées, Chichen-Itza, Coiba, Dahshur, Dashur, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Egypt, Eiffel Tower, England, Europe, Florence, France, Germany, Giza, Great Pyramids, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Guatemala, Hadrian's Wall, High Dam, Holy See, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Leanding Tower of Pisa, Loreley, Louvre, Luxor, Mayan, Memphis, Mexico, Middle East, National Park, Necropolis, North America, Notre-Dame, Nubia, Panama, Panama Viejo, Paris, Petra, Philae, Philae Temple, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Pompeii, Pyramids, Ramesses II, Rhine River, Rhine Valley, River Seine, Roman Walls, Rome, Rüdesheim, ruins, Sainte Chapelle, Salzburg, Saqqara, Scotland, Seine, Siena, snorkel, Thebes, Tikal, Travel Thursday, UK, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, United Kingdom, USA, Vatican City, Venice, Venice Lagoon, Verona, Wesminster Abbey, Westminster, World Heritage, Yellowstone National Park|0 Comments

"Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration." - UNESCO There are thousands of world heritage sites. I've been to 30 of them: Salzburg Austria Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg A turtle in Belize Belize Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System Ramses Temple at Abu Simbel Egypt Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis Historic Cairo Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to

26 12, 2016

Museum Monday: Giant Ground Sloth

By Lili|December 26th, 2016|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: 2013, DC, Eremotherium, fossil, Giant Ground Sloth, Museum Madness, National Museum of Natural History, North America, Smithsonian, USA, Washington DC|0 Comments

A Giant Ground Sloth at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. They could reach up to 20 feet in length although this one is *only* 13 feet tall. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

24 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: German Porcelain Candle House

By Lili|December 24th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, candle, ceramic, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, clay, Europe, Frankfurt, German Christmas Market, Germany, Kastel Keramik Haus, Lichthauser, market, porcelain, Tudor|1 Comment

One souvenir that you'll see commonly at German Christmas Markets are these little ceramic, clay, or porcelain houses. (Although now you'll see all types of buildings including churches to castles.) Mine are from Kastel Keramik Haus (or they are also known as Lichthauser) and I purchased it at my first Christmas Market in Frankfurt. It was the last night of their market, and so I got some of these little houses for 50% off. They either have a hole in a the back, or separate into two pieces so you can place a candle within it. You'll see the light flickering

23 12, 2016

Antique Ornaments in Munich, Germany

By Lili|December 23rd, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, German Christmas Market, Germany, mangers, Munich, Ornaments, Photo Friday, Red|0 Comments

The stalls at German Christmas Markets are so beautiful. This one had antique ornaments hanging from the ceiling with mangers in the background. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

19 12, 2016

Travel Missteps: Sinking Venice

By Lili|December 19th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2005, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Europe, flooding, Italy, lagoon, New Years Eve, rain, Trafalger, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice, Venice Lagoon, weather|0 Comments

Visiting Italy in the off season had its benefits. Venice wasn't crowded on that New Years Eve. There weren't annoying pidgins accosting anyone. And since it wasn't hot, the lagoon water didn't smell. But, I did find it odd that these weird tables were stacked all around the city. I wondered if it was for some New Years tradition that I wasn't aware of. But in the off season you have to deal with poor weather. I certainly got my money's worth out of my new rain boots and jacket. Here you can see St. Mark's Square! Except...the rain and

15 12, 2016

Colourful Christmas Doors of Burano, Italy

By Lili|December 15th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2006, All in the family 2005/2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Burano, Christmas, door, Europe, Italy, New Year's Day, New Years Eve, Photo Essay, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice, Venice Lagoon|0 Comments

I love taking photos of doors and windows. Here are some of my favorite from the little island of Burano, near Venice, Italy. I had the chance to wander around the deserted streets of Burano on New Years Day a few years ago and to peek into the windows and see the families celebrating together. I also enjoyed the chance to see the beautifully decorated doors amongst the multi-colored houses. Every other week Travel Thursday brings you travel tips and information on the amazing sights and activities the world has to offer.

12 12, 2016

Museum Monday: What Lies Beneath the Smithsonian

By Lili|December 12th, 2016|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: collection, DC, North America, Smithsonian, USA, Washington DC|0 Comments

When I was little I dreamed of being an archeologist, a paleontologist, a museum curator, or a librarian. I loved learning about old things and collecting them. While I ended up on a different career path, museums still fascinate me. I've been lucky to be a member of my local Natural History museum, and they've had a few behind the scenes nights to see their collection storage area. But check out these photos from the Smithsonian museums in DC! Its amazing as these are just a small portion of the collection! Entomology Collection Anthropological Collection

10 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Christmas Pyramid

By Lili|December 10th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Christmas Pyramid, Egypt, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Guatemala, Lichtergestelle, Mexico, Munich, Pyramid|0 Comments

I've seen ancient pyramids in Egypt, Guatemala, & Mexico. But while traveling in Germany I frequently saw larger than life Christmas Pyramids at the Christmas Markets. A glowing Pyramid in Munich Christmas Pyramids originated in Erzgebirge aka Ore Mountains of Germany (like the Nutcracker) and is rumored to be a predecessor to the Christmas Tree. It is designed more like a tiered carousel which often depicted Christian scenes like angles or mangers, while others might feature forests or everyday life. The spinning motion at the top was often achieved by candles whose rising heat would help spin the propeller.