When Rabbie’s Tours offered to take us around Scotland for a few days we thought a 1 day tour to Stirling and Loch Lomond would be perfect.

The first stop was Stirling Castle, one of the most important castles in Scottish history. You could actually visit the chamber and dining halls of the Royal family who used to live there.

We also made a quick stop over to check out Doune Castle where “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” was filmed!

To read more about our time in Stirling & Loch Lomond, make sure you check out:

• Scotland – A Day Trip To Stirling & Loch Lomond

We hope you enjoyed our Stirling & Loch Lomond video, next video German Winter Markets & Skiing!

(Our Trip To Stirling & Loch Lomond was in part sponsored by VisitScotland & Rabbies Tours)

History & Nature In Stirling & Loch Lomond, Scotland [VIDEO] - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

We stayed in Fort William, known as the gateway to the Highlands and the adventure capital of UK.

Sitting at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in UK, and at the head of Loch Linnhe, a sea loch, the beauty surrounding this town is unmistakable.

When asking the locals in Edinburgh what their favorite place in Scotland was, they all said with dreamy eyes that nothing beats the highlands.

To read more about our time in Fort William, make sure you check out:

• Fort William – The Adventure Capital Of Uk

We hope you enjoyed our Fort William video, next stop Stirling & Loch Lomond, Scotland!

(Our Trip To Fort William was in part sponsored by VisitScotland, Alpine Bikes & Crannog Cruises)

Adventures In Fort William, Scotland [VIDEO] - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Edinburgh is often referred to as the most haunted city in Europe, perhaps because around every corner there is a story to tell.

I don’t think I have ever learned so much about a city’s history through stories and tales as I have of Edinburgh.

And the fact that the city has preserved so much of its medieval architecture and style made it easy to imagine what it must have been like living back then.

To read more about our time in Edinburgh, make sure you check out:

• Edinburgh, Scotland = History Overload!

We hope you enjoyed our Edinburgh video, next stop Fort William, Scotland!

(Our Trip To Edinburgh was in part sponsored by VisitScotland & Royal Mile Backpackers)

Exploring Edinburgh, Scotland [VIDEO] - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Is there anything more exciting than hearing someone shout the magic words: ‘it’s snowing, come look!’? – once we’ve been on a ski holiday, and the reason we all go back for more, is the allure of a snowfall.

We both love skiing and try to make sure we ski at least every second year, testing out different places every time, from smaller cheaper family resorts to fancy luxury resorts like St Moritz.

Here is a list of luxury ski holidays 2012 that aren’t necessarily on most top lists but stand out from the rest in beauty and are truly unique places to visit.

Geilo, Norway.

With a 100 year old skiing heritage, this picturesque mountain town is the oldest ski resort in the country, blanketed in snow from November to April.

There are hardly ever queues, and there are over 40 alpine slopes for more experienced skiers to explore.

For those who want to practice their ice-climbing, there are stunning vertical waterfalls just waiting to be scaled.

It’s also host to a number of very unique experiences, including the Ice Music Festival, which offers the incredible experience of instruments made of ice being played to a fur-wrapped crowd.

Alyeska Resort, Alaska.

With a staggering 880 feet of snowfall recorded just last season, you can be sure to have a winter with an abundance of powder snow.

There are over 1400 skiable acres on the mountainside, with the option of night skiing to extend the area you choose to explore.

There’s also a handy ‘track your vertical’ system, which tells you how far you’ve come on every run down the trail.

There are terrain parks for snowboarders and skiers to hone their tricks, with an area friendly to beginners, and more challenging obstacles for those who want to test their limits.

Cervinia Resort, Italy.

From the heart of the Astra Valley, Cervinia beckons to those looking for the ultimate upmarket mountain retreat.

Just a stone’s throw away from the equally popular resort of Zermatt in Switzerland, Cervinia shares a view of the Matterhorn with neighbouring Switzerland.

As part of the Breuill-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt area, the resort is linked to a ski area covering 350 km of ski runs..!

For some thumping beats and a 400m run, the snowpark whisks boarders and skiers alike into the mood for showing off some skills, while the cross country area offers up a 3km track through the snowy landscape.

Zermatt, Switzerland.

Cervinia’s neighbouring resort, Zermatt, has just as much to offer. A spider web of black runs clings to every mountainside, making Zermatt alluring for some of the greatest skiers.

There’s a proliferation of family friendly memories to make, including tobogganing, ice-skating and even cheese making.

For a little après-ski fun, rack up and break in Bar 55 for a traditional pint accompanied by a game of pool, or soundtrack the cold winter nights in front of a roaring fire, with a hearty drink in hand and the chime of soothing live piano bar to warm the cockles of your heart.

(photo credit: 1 - 2)

Unique Ski Resort Destinations For 2012 - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris (standing at 324 metres, roughly about the same height as an 81-storey building) and the most-visited paid monument in the world; with millions of visitors year round.

Nicknamed La dame de fer or “the iron lady”, the tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris.

Not only has it become an icon for Paris, but for the whole of France – and a visit to Paris without seeing the Eiffel tower just doesn’t seem right.

From being a structure that was planned to be torn down, to having become one of the most recognizable structures in the world, this historical structure has a fascinating history.

The Eiffel tower scam with Victor Lustig is my favorite story, where he actually managed to “sell” the Eiffel tower for scrap metal – twice!

Some are happy just to see it from underneath, take a photo of it and one with yourself jumping in front of it (you will see everyone doing it when you get there..!), others climb the tower to see the views, and a few go all the way out and dine inside the tower.

Yes, the Eiffel tower actually has two restaurants.

Eiffel Tower Restaurants: At the first floor is the Le 58 tour Eiffel, a restaurant seating as many as 200 people and offers traditional French cuisine – it is not easy to get a table there, so we suggest you book at least two weeks early.

Le Jules Vernes  is the second restaurant and is located on the second floor, with its very own private lift.

The restaurant is run by the world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse who is the only chef to hold 19 Michelin stars throughout his career.

The restaurant has a view of the city to die for, and funny enough it was featured in the movie “A View to a Kill” with Roger Moore.

Eiffel Tower Tickets: With the tower having three levels for visitors, tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift, to the first and second levels – to skip the long lines at the gate, you can buy tickets online from the official web site.

Stairs Entrance Eiffel Tower Tickets: This is the cheapest type of ticket available (4.70 Euro) and will give you the opportunity to explore the Tower on foot.

However, it gives you an access only up to the second floor – you can’t get on the top level with this type of ticket.

Lift Entrance Eiffel Tower Tickets (2nd floor): A bit more expensive than the Stairs Entrance (8.20), this type of ticket will also take you only up to the second floor – however, you are allowed to use the elevator instead of the stairs.

Lift Entrance Eiffel Tower Tickets (to the top): The most expensive of all tickets (13.40), this is the only ticket that gives access to the top of the tower.

A little warning though; since it’s so high up top, landmarks or monuments are hardly seen, but definitely worth it if you like heights.

So now you know everything you need to know about a visit to the Eiffel Tower - have you ever been? if so, what did you think?

(photo credit: 1 - 2)

Visiting The Eiffel Tower In Paris - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

We had never seen so many churches in such a small place, you couldn’t walk 50 meters on the street without seeing a church.

But despite having well over 65 churches to choose from, all the people seemed to gather at one specific church – the smallest one inside a gate…

If you looked up above the Gate of Dawn you would actually see the chapel itself – there are no windows, just a small fence, and in the middle of the small room is a golden image of The Virgin Mary.

To read more about our time in Vilnius, make sure you check out:

• Vilnius, Lithuania – It’s All About Getting Married!

We hope you enjoyed our Vilnius video, next stop Scotland!

Vilnius, Lithuania – Europe #33 [VIDEO] - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

If you ever visit Riga, don’t miss out on trying this so called “bread drink” made from fermented black bread called Kvass!

When it comes to food, Riga topped all the other Baltic countries in quality – it was cheap, there was an abundance, and it was really good.

But when it comes to attractions and beauty, I have to be honest and say that Riga wasn’t as fortunate as its neighboring capitals Vilnius or Tallinn.

To read more about our time in Riga, make sure you check out:

• Riga, Latvia – A Taste Of The Baltics

We hope you enjoyed our Riga video, next stop Vilnius, Lithuania!

Riga, Latvia – Europe #32 [VIDEO] - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Los Angeles has many beaches - in fact, if you have to choose, there are almost too many to choose from – if you are planning to visit and don’t know where to get started - here are five beaches to check out:

Point Dume State Beach

Have you seen Planet of the Apes or The Big Lebowski? Well, both of them were filmed here at Point Dume State Beach.

It is uniquely sheltered between sand dunes and the ocean, and from the top of the sand, you can enjoy some great views.

In fact, the first piece of land directly south of its tip is Antartica. Especially if you like swimming, scuba diving, tide pooling, rock climbing or whale-watching (from December to March), you will find delight at Point Dume State Beach – it’s a good destination for all of them.

The fact that it is further out from the LA metro area also means that it is usually less crowded than many of the other Malibu beaches.

Paradise Cove 

This beach is what its name already says it is: a paradise cove.

A private beach in the 28,000 block of the Pacific Coast Highway, Paradise Cove charges you $25 to park and $5 per person if you walk in.

If you dine at the Paradise Cove Restaurant, you automatically get validated for four hours.

But all this exclusivity doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get crowded; quite the contrary, be sure to arrive before noon on weekends because it fills up fast.

The Strand, Manhattan Beach

If your time is limited, head to The Strand. It’s an easy drive from the city and its strip comes with some serious real estate.

When you stay at one of these impressive homes, you can stare out into the Pacific (while thinking about Keanu Reeves in the surf board-buying scene from Point Break, which was shot nearby).

The paved pathway is also an ideal place to walk, run, jog, rollerblade or bike.

Heavens Beach

Another beach that is what its name entails. It is uniquely situated in Leo Carrillo State Park.

Here, you can grill a relaxing BBQ after a day of surfing, the waves are pretty consistent and great for all levels.

All of this against a stunning backdrop; giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds throughout the park and there’s plenty of tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring, too.

Santa Monica Beach

With 3.5 miles of Southern California beaches and over 300 days of sunshine, the Santa Monica Beach is a prime piece of California coastline and a welcome retreat for vacationers and locals alike.

There are countless activities you can pursue here year-round, including swimming, surfing, fishing, volleyball and biking.

Those who enjoy people-watching, can catch some of the finest views here, too. The beach is considered a natural asset, and the city cleans and rakes the sand every day – lifeguard stations are also staffed 24-hours a day. 

Check out LosAngelesHotels.org for hotels in Santa Monica and other surrounding areas.

(photo credit: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4)

Top Beaches To Visit In Los Angeles - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

As an island country in the Lesser Antilles, Barbados was first visited by the Spanish in the late 1400s to early 1500s. In 1511, it first appeared on a Spanish map and in 1627, the English first began settling here.

Nowadays, it has become a popular tourist destination, full of all inclusive resorts for you to enjoy the beautiful beaches and pleasant climate. On your next visit, consider one of the following four activities:

Take an unforgettable undersea expedition

Throughout the island, there are numerous operators that offer undersea expeditions.

Families can enjoy a submarine day dive, while those traveling with friends may want to see another part of Barbados’ nightlife and take a submarine night dive.

The submarines come with big view ports on all sides, from which you can see curious exotic fish peeking at you. The voyages are fully narrated so that you learn as you dive along.

While the day dive allows you to see the busy reef life, the nighttime dives are usually followed by a short cocktail and have a more romantic focus on the corals and night predators.

Tour a historic plantation

Barbados has more to offer than beaches – given its rich history, it is an ideal place to learn more about plantations.

The Sunbury Plantation House, for example, is over 300 years old and steeped in history.

It features mahogany antiques, old prints and a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages, in fact, it is the only great house with all rooms available for viewing.

Enjoy an extravagant dinner show

If you want some real nightlife, consider attending a dinner show, such as the Beach Extravaganza Dinner Show on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Here, you can dance barefoot in the sand beneath coconut trees.

A local band will determine the rhythm, and you can sip exotic drinks while you rock along to the beat.

Last but not least, amazing performances of stilt men, fire-eaters and acrobatic green monkey will make it an unforgettable experience to say the least.

Get an adrenaline kick

If you’ve had enough of relaxing on the beach, it might be time for some action. Thriller Boats, for example, offers off-shore power boating trips on the specifically designed Seafari Thriller powerboat, which cruises up to 35 people.

Blast across the waves while staying safe – the captain and crew are fully trained and have years of experience at sea.

If you’re with a group of friends and/or family, you can charter a private boat, too.

(photo credit: 1 - 2 - 3)

4 Fun Things To Do in Barbados - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Founded in the 12th century, Tallinn with its ancient city walls, high church spires and red roof tops it was an irresistible sight.

Walking around on the cobble stoned streets and alleyways lined with medieval houses in mixes of German, Russian, Swedish and Danish architecture, you feel as though you have stepped back in time.

To add to the experience, shop keepers and restaurant waiters are all dressed up in medieval outfits. Some people might have found it a bit tacky, but personally I think it enhanced the feeling and made it easy to imagine what life would have been like a few hundred years ago.

To read more about our time in Tallinn, make sure you check out:

• Tallinn, Estonia – Why You Should Go Now!

We hope you enjoyed our Tallinn video, next stop Riga, Latvia!

Tallinn, Estonia – Europe #31 [VIDEO] - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog