Get travel inspo in your inbox every week from storytellers Marilee and Paul. Discover wonderful places, delightful hotels, and meaningful travel experiences in the USA, Europe, and beyond – currently, GREECE. 100% original content by Paul, the photographer, and Marilee, the writer behind Spotlight Sojourns.
✨A purposeful pace
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Across the continent from Empress Sisi’s estate in Greece, to her imperial palaces in Austria, the festive season is officially underway in Europe. Traditional Christmas Markets are open daily in the capital, Vienna. Elegant Christmas lights sparkle in every district. Ethereal classical music and carols resound in every neighborhood. (we can’t help but wonder if Empress Sisi found the formal court ceremonies and opulent palace extravagances more bearable during this magical season) The magical scenes are repeated in countless cities, towns, and villages throughout the continent. Here at home, however, Paul and I are taking life at a slow, purposeful pace in these last few days before our holiday travels begin. Our “quiet countdown” includes sipping an extra cup of coffee together after breakfast. Spending a few more minutes in the gym. Lingering with loved ones over dinner. The goals of this quiet countdown are twofold: ✨ A firm NO-THANK-YOU to over-committed social calendars, over-eating, over-spending, and over-the-top anything. ✨ A whole-hearted YES-PLEASE to simple joys and meaningful moments with family and friends. So, in that spirit, we decided to take a different approach to our usual Christmas Markets trip: Instead of visiting Christmas Markets in Europe, we’ll visit European-inspired Christmas Markets in North America. We’re looking forward to discovering these New World interpretations of Old World traditions. And, of course, sharing the festive fun with you! Until next time, Reader Travel on, sparkle on, meaningfully✨ Marilee + Paul Kostadimas PS: Speaking of Old World traditions, the very first European Christmas Market was held in Vienna by royal decree in December 1296. If you’d like to learn more, click HERE to read our article, “Vienna Christmas Markets: Where Viennese Christmas Dreams Come True.” PPS: Do you know friends or family who’d like a little inspo in their box? Please forward this email. They can subscribe by clicking the button below:
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Slow travel with the Hidden Gemologists
Get travel inspo in your inbox every week from storytellers Marilee and Paul. Discover wonderful places, delightful hotels, and meaningful travel experiences in the USA, Europe, and beyond – currently, GREECE. 100% original content by Paul, the photographer, and Marilee, the writer behind Spotlight Sojourns.
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