Tag Archives: museum

Explore History in County Kerry, Ireland

Destinations, Ireland, Museums, Travel, , , , , , ,

Culture Travel Tuesday

Destination: Ireland

Museum: Derrynane House

By Jessica Voigts

Exploring History at Derrynane House, County Kerry, Ireland

Derrynane Garden hydrangea
Derrynane Garden hydrangea, Photo by Jessie Voigts

Imagine Ireland in a time of great change, both political and religious. There was great social inequality as well as religious persecution. In times like these, great men arise. And indeed, the story of Daniel O’Connell is an example of the times and a personality coming together to create great social change. Continue reading Explore History in County Kerry, Ireland →

Travel Photo Thursday: The Louvre

Destinations, France, Paris, Photos, Travel, , , , , , , ,
Mona Lisa paparazzi
Mona Lisa paparazzi

When we were at the Louvre, I almost skipped going to the room with the Mona Lisa. I had read about how small the painting is and god knows we have seen reproductions aplenty.  But at the last minute, I dashed up the stairs and into the room, while Ken waited outside.  I’m so glad I did.  I laughed out loud at the desperate snapping of digital cameras and cell phones.  Now I know the meaning of that smile–she’s amused by the paparazzi.

Since this picture shows only about 1/4 of the crowd, here’s a wider shot.

Mona Lisa crowd
Mona Lisa crowd

These photos are the property of Vera Marie Badertscher, all rights reserved.

These photos are my entry into the weekly Travel Photo Thursday sponsored by Budget Traveler’s Sandbox.  Visit that site to see many more travel photos from around the world.

Have you had travel experiences where the crowd reactions were more interesting than the object or site you went to see? Tell us about it.

Living History at Culloden, Scotland

Destinations, Museums, Scotland, Travel, , , , , , , ,

Cultural Travel Tuesday

Boggy field, Culloden, Scotland
Boggy field, Culloden, Scotland

Destination: Scotland

Inspiration: Museum at Culloden Visitor’s Center

By Jessica Voigts

Imagine the moors of the Scottish Highlands – it’s a rainy, misty day, with a bit of a chill in the air. The sunken bogs are wreathed in fog, and human noise is eerily absent – just a raven’s caw in the air. You almost feel as if you’ve stepped back in time – maybe you have?

You’re at Culloden, the site of the battle that changed the course of Scottish, British – well, truly, world history. On April 16, 1746, the Jacobite army fought the British army, to reclaim the throne of Britain for Bonnie Prince Charlie. It was an incredibly uneven battle – the Jacobites weren’t fully prepared, were starving and cold. A surprise night attack plan failed, and in the day, the exhausted Jacobite soldiers surged to their death. Continue reading Living History at Culloden, Scotland →