-
Continue reading →: Livraria Lello, Porto, PortugalShelves laden with books, a blood-red staircase, and a stained-glass ceiling to let in the light. Livraria Lello is listed as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. I always hoped to go. And after standing in a queue that wrapped around the city block, I finally entered the…
-
Continue reading →: Staircases of Porto: Escadas das Verdades and Escadas do Barredo, PortugalI took a different path towards the river. A gut instinct, a swift decision, and off I went down the staircase near the bishop’s palace. Suddenly I was in a narrow passage with high walls on both sides, topped with a chain-linked fence. Little did I know I had wandered…
-
Continue reading →: Sé do Porto, PortugalI smiled brightly as I headed up the hill towards the 12th century, Sé do Porto, but when I arrived, my bouncy steps faltered and my smile slipped. Was this a church or a medieval fortress? In the courtyard, a towering statue stood where a pillory once was. And nearby,…
-
Continue reading →: Street Art, Old Town, Porto, PortugalTwo steps. Just two steps. Open the door and walk through. Easier said than done. The future I dreamed of was gone but still woven deep into my heart. Beloved, as all the best dreams are, and sorely missed. I didn’t want to dream again. I dare not start. For…
-
Continue reading →: The Catacombs of Igreja de São Francisco, Porto, PortugalAs I descended into the catacombs beneath the Igreja de São Francisco in Porto, Portugal, where the hollowed remains of Franciscan friars reside near holy relics and one-of-a-kind pieces of art, I realized the real treasures were hidden underground. Built in the 14th century, the Church of Sao Francisco has…
-
Continue reading →: Forte de São Francisco Xavier (Castelo do Queijo) Porto, PortugalLess than four miles from the historic center of Porto is the Foz do Douro, where the mouth of the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. From there, several sandy beaches stretch along the northern coast of Portugal, including Praia do Castelo do Queijo and Praia de Matosinhos, where surfers…
-
Continue reading →: Vila Nova de Gaia, PortugalGaia: a Greek goddess known as Mother Earth. She gave birth to the mountains, sky, and sea, three diverse entities united by a common core. Atop the hill, with a panoramic view of the blue sky, the life-giving Duoro River, and the Dom Luis I bridge that links Porto and…
-
Continue reading →: Casa Nobre do Cais Novo and Antiqvvm, Porto, PortugalIt was a friend’s special birthday, so we decided to have dinner at Antqvvm, a 2 Michelin star restaurant. A food lover would write poems about the taste, scent, and texture of the dishes at Antiqvvm. I’m not that girl. Instead, I’ll show you some beautiful dishes. and tell you…
-
Continue reading →: Largo da Oliveira, Guimarães, PortugalHave you ever experienced a sense of resonance with a new place? A gut instinct that you are exactly where you should be? That’s how I felt in the narrow streets of Guimeares, moving forward with sure steps. Hearts hung above me, strung over alleyways, a symbol of love and…
-
Continue reading →: The Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, Guimarães, PortugalUnlike the ruins of Guimarea Castle, the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Braganca was restored in the early 1900’s. Most of the art and furnishings are from a later period, around the 17th century, but they fit perfectly. I fell in love with a wall length tapestry depicting…
Hello,
I’m Dawn
Writer, photographer, and traveler on this road called life. Welcome to my little corner of the internet. You can find me on most social media sites @dawnberkoski.
Let’s connect
Join the fun!
Stay updated with my latest news.
Recent posts
Arizona Art Bran Castle Catacombs caves Chapels Citadels Corvinus Crusades Doors Douro River Dracul Dracula Famous Bookstores Famous Cemeteries Famous Churches fantasy Fortress Ghosts Gorgeous Gardens Graves Haunted Places Haunted Travels History Jules Verne Medieval Medieval Castles Medieval History Mines Palaces Porto Portugal Princess Marie Romania Spooky Places Staircases Statues Street Art Tombs Travel Traveling Transylvania Underground UNESCO Vampires Vlad Tepes
Dawn Berkoski 