We’ve been big fans of the show Salvage Dawgs for years. It ran from 2012 for eight years on HGTV and as we planned a trip up the Blue Ridge Mountains a year ago we had to make Roanoke a stop for an afternoon at their store Black Dog Salvage.
For all those years the Salvage Dawgs were dedicated to removing and saving architectural elements from homes, historical properties, old hospitals, factories and mills. every show is a fast-paced and fun treasure hunt. Black Dog Salvage is the retail outlet in Roanoke where the team reclaim, reuse, and repurpose all that architectural salvage.
If you find yourself on a mountain drive in Virginia, be sure you add a stop at Black Dog Salvage but plan on a few hours as it’s hard to leave. Catch “Salvage Dawgs” on Magnolia Network, Discovery +, Amazon, iTunes, and YouTube TV!
The Iconic Sydney Opera House – This performing arts center in Sydney doesn’t just represent this remarkable city but all of Australia. Located on the shore of Sydney Harbor, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. Designed to represent sailboats on the waters of the harbor it is one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
These giclée prints are available in several sizes custom printed for each order on archival paper using fade resistant inks.
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We can’t say enough about Budapest. It’s a beautiful place and it’s easy to get around in with an efficient and extensive public transportation system. The heart of the city is the Danube River with its banks adorned with magnificent buildings from the Parliament building to Buda Castle, Cathedrals and churches. We can’t imagine a more enchanted sight than strolling along the river after Sunset in Budapest.
While finding locals who can speak English isn’t difficult, the problem is finding signage in anything but Hungarian. Hungarian is one of the worlds more complex written languages and difficult to decipher if you weren’t raised to it. Fortunately Hungarians are very friendly people and seem eager to help visitors.
The city is famous for its cuisine and fine restaurants with a couple of must visit locations while there. Oddly one is the McDonalds at the central train station which is accurately described as the most beautiful McDonalds in the world. Another favorite is The New York Kávézó (that’s Hungarian for café), particularly for coffee and pastries – gorgeous surroundings with a small group playing chamber music. Also don’t leave town without trying Hungarian goulash soup and the Kürtőskalács (a local pastry).
Another unique part of the Budapest scene are the Ruin Bars. Started in abandoned buildings these nightclubs thrived in the city and became a focus of the younger generation. While many have crude surroundings that’s part of the culture and they have become a staple of Budapest nightlife. Two of the more famous are the Red Ruin Bar which has grown into almost a block of bars and restaurants and Hyp-R.ZONE – Sim & VR Bar which is famous for its video games.
The Major Must-See Sights:
Buda Castle and surrounds. The castle sits high up on the palisades above the Danube with spectacular views.
St. Stephens Basilica which often has scheduled concerts.
Hero’s Square an area that includes museums, a major park with the Budapest Zoo, Vajdahunyad Castle and a paddle boat lagoon.
Market Hall is a major attraction for shopping for everything from food to t-shirts and chess sets.
Market Hall
Budapest is also famous for its thermal springs and baths with the most famous and expansive being the Rudis Baths.
If you’re considering a visit be sure and download our customized visitors map that includes the major attractions with tram and subway lines and stations.
Click map to download a pdf copy to save and print
The famous New York Cafe
Highlights of Hungarian History
In the 5th century the Hungarian tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin a European region with Hungary sited near its center. In 997-1038 AD King Stephen of the Árpád dynasty rules the country. In 1000 AD Stephen converted to Christianity, and after his death, was made a Saint.
In 1241 AD the Mongolian Tatars invade the country. They devastated the country in a war that lasted a year and while it would take many decades for the nation to recover the Hungarians halted the Tatars continued westward advance.
1458-1490 AD under the rule of King Matthias from castles inBuda and Visegrád the region became the cultural center of Europe.
After 1526 the Turks defeat the Hungarian army and the Turks occupied Buda with Hungary split into three parts. The Habsburgs governed the western part of the country, the central area was ruled by the Turks, and only the southeast Transylvanian principality remained Hungarian. In 1686 Buda was recaptured from the Turks.
1873 Pest, Buda and Obuda were unified, Budapest became a European metropolis. Monuments like the Opera House, the National Gallery, the Parliament were built. In 1918 Germany and the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, lost the First World War and the monarchy disintegrated. After the Second World War in 1945 the Soviet Army occupied Hungary and in 1947 the last free elections were held followed by Communist control with a Stalinist dictatorship imposed. In 1956 a revolution against Stalinism started, but the uprising was defeated by invading Soviet troops.
1990 the Communist party voluntarily gave up its autocracy and a multi-party parliamentary democracy came into being in the country as the Soviet army left Hungary.
Visiting this major European capital. Getting around and major attractions with things to do. Baths, ruin bars, historic sights…
Australias Surfing Capital. The beaches around Bondi are famous around the world. Featuring a long sloping bottom leading towards beaches that face directly out to sea the condition is perfect for inviting in swells that provide long rides. Bondi Beach is a typical ocean front resort with the added advantage of being only a short metro ride from downtown Sydney.
These giclée prints are available in several sizes custom printed for each order on archival paper using fade resistant inks.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
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While Civitavecchia is a major Mediterranean cruise port it is also a port of call for cruise ships with itineraries visiting Rome. The main attraction for this port is Rome itself and there are a number of ways to get to the Eternal City. While the most convenient is of course booking ships excursions, going off on your own can not only save you a lot of money but can also leave you with more time to explore. The trains and metro will get you into Rome in a little over half the time it takes a tour bus.
The first option to consider is the new Civitavecchia Express service. It’s a train operated specifically for cruise passengers that has two departures every morning for people from the ships and returns to Civitavecchia later in the day . This train costs €15 for a roundtrip ticket. The first train departs from Civitavecchia at 09.00 am with service only to Roma San Pietro and Roma Ostiense arriving at about 10.00 am. The last return train departs from Roma Ostiense at 4.30 pm and arrives in the harbor city at 5.20. To purchase tickets ahead of your cruise click HERE for the trains website and instructions.
There is also additional excellent train service connecting Civitavecchia to Rome. Trains run about twice an hour throughout the day. Trains from Civitavecchia travel into the Termini in Rome (the main train station) with stops at Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, and San Pietro. Many are double-deck regional commuters with room to set luggage if you’re going to spend some time in Rome. Fares are about €7 to €9 per person one way. There are a few faster InterCity trains between Civitavecchia and Roma Termini costing under €12 each but usually they do not stop at Tuscolana, Trastevere, or San Pietro.
Wether you are disembarking from a cruise or just visiting for the day there is usually a free shuttle bus to the train station in Civitavecchia from the port shuttle bus stop. You can catch a designated bus from your ship at the pier to the port shuttle bus station and transfer to the train station shuttle.
The Civitavecchia station
If you feel like walking from the port shuttle bus stop the station in Civitavecchia is a pleasant walk of a dozen or so blocks. Exit the port and turn right at the first intersection. Follow the street to where it ends, turn right, walk down the McDonalds go left, cross the street and walk along the main waterfront street to the train station.
Train schedules that are easy to understand are posted in the station and tickets can be purchased at automated vending machines in the station. There is also a maned ticket window but it’s unlikely they will speak English. After purchasing tickets remember the ticket MUST be validated for use before boarding the train, punch the ticket in one of the little green and white machines around the platform area. There can be serious fines for being on a train and not having validating a ticket.
Civitavecchia To Rome
Saint Peters
Most tour buses into Rome, both “Rome On Your Own” or a guided tour will make the first stop at Saint Peters. If you are taking a train the recommendation is to get off at the San Pietro station (Saint Peters). From there you can visit Saint Peters, the Vatican Museum, switch onto the Rome Metro or head off to explore the city on your own. Check out our “Rome In Eight Hours” guide HERE.
On returning to Civitavecchia the entrance to the port is only a dozen or so block walk. (Exit the train station and go right.) When you get to the McDonalds turn right and go uphill following the street around to the left. A few blocks further along is the ports free shuttle bus area on your left. The free shuttle buses to each ship are clearly marked for your ship.
Taxis in Civitavecchia should be used with caution as they are notorious for being expensive. Make sure you understand the fare before heading out.
The Sultanate Of Brunei On The Island Of Borneo. Located on the islands Northeast coast Brunei is an oil rich kingdom ruled over by a beneficent Sultan. Pictured in this poster is the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Commissioned, built and named by the father of the present Sultan, the 28th Sultan of Brunei. His vision of a grand mosque took four years to build and cost $10 Million in USD. The building stands 170 feet tall and was constructed using materials imported from all over the world including marble from Italy, granite from Shanghai, crystal chandeliers from England, and carpets from Saudi Arabia.
These giclée prints are available in several sizes custom printed for each order on archival paper using fade resistant inks.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
Haven’t Joined Us Yet? We Promise To Make It Worth Your While.
The Intentional Travelers 