Welcome to The Modern Postcard Destinations Page!
On November 5, 2019, I stepped onto Egyptian soil and into a dizzying moment of Wow. I had made it to all seven continents. My younger self who loved imagining life in faraway places on her ocean-blue globe would be very pleased with the way things turned out.
To honor this personal milestone, I created the Destinations page, a place to quickly view and link to the stories I publish on The Modern Postcard. And with all seven continents framing the stories, it seemed to me a perfect way to organize the page.
The continent sections feature links to countries listed alphabetically. Links to stories appear under each country in the order in which they were written. There’s also an eighth “continent” – Notes from Home – which includes practical travel information and thought-filled essays about life as well as travel.
I hope this Destinations page will help you discover intriguing places to explore and provide a bit of inspiration for your future travels across the globe.
Thank you for stopping by!
~Mary
Table of Continents
Africa
Egypt
- Sailing the Suez Canal: Egypt’s Wonder of a Waterway
- Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: A Day at the Beach & A Lesson in Geography
- The Road from Safaga to Luxor: A Photo Essay
- Luxor at Last: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple & A Milestone Celebration
- Luxor’s Valley of the Kings: Magnificent Tombs & A Reunion with King Tut
- Cruising the Red Sea: A Mysterious Light, A Pirate Drill & Life On Board
- A Day in Cairo: The Egyptian Museum & Scenes from the Nile
- A Day in Giza: The Great Pyramid, Ancient Memphis & A Camel Ride
Morocco
- Making Tagine in Tangier: A Memorable Moroccan Cooking Class
- A Day in Marrakech: Morocco’s Captivating “Red City”
- Casablanca, Morocco: Still Humming Along As Time Goes By
- Rabat, Morocco: Elegant Capital City Where River Meets the Sea
Antarctica
- Crossing the Drake Passage: Antarctica Here We Come!
- Antarctica Day 1: Half Moon Island & Chinstrap Penguins
- Antarctica Day 2: Cuverville Island, Gentoo Penguins & Crabeater Seals
- Cruising the Lemaire Channel: Quite Possibly the Most Beautiful Place on the Planet
- Antarctica Day 3: Torgersen Island, Adélie Penguins & The Day the Iceberg Fell
- Antarctica Day 4: Waterboat Point, Gentoo Penguin Chicks & Mailing a Postcard
- Antarctica Days 5 & 6: An Unexpected Ending & Life On Board
Asia
Cambodia
- Angkor Wat: Exploring Cambodia’s Magnificent Ancient Temple
- Angkor Wat Day 2: Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm Temple & A Bonus Tour
China
- Taking A Break: Tea & Coffee Shops Around the World
- Dalian, China: Not Quite Ready for Prime Time Touring
- Shanghai Part I: Overnight to Xi’an & The Terra-Colla Warriors
- Shanghai Part II: Quirky Boats, Quaint Gardens & A Quest for Pearl Earrings
Israel
Japan
- Notes from Home: The Magic of Asking “What If?” & The Next Adventure
- Tokyo Day 1: First Impressions, National Museum, Ginza & Shibuya Crossing
- Tokyo Day 2: Sensō-ji Temple, How to Get Goshuin & A Crisis Averted
- Tokyo Day 3: On Religion, Making Wishes & Moving On
- Mystical Mt. Fuji: Playing Hide & Seek with Japan’s Sacred Mountain
- One Day in Kyoto: A Wonderful Whirlwind Tour & Taking the Bullet Train
- A Day in Kōchi: Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage & Makino Botanical Garden
- Naha, Okinawa: Palm Trees, Pottery & Bukubuku Tea
Jordan
- Walking Into Petra: Jordan’s Radiant Rose-Red City
- Wadi Rum: A Journey Through the Desert & Dancing in the Moonlight
- Cruising the Red Sea: A Mysterious Light, A Pirate Drill & Life On Board
Oman
- Salalah, Oman: Land of Frankincense
- Muscat Oman: An Elegant Oasis on the Arabian Sea
- Notes from Home: Reaching ‘Round the World to CNN Arabic
Taiwan
Thailand
- A Day in Bangkok: Wat Arun, Grand Palace & Chao Phraya River
- Getting Sick While Traveling: Taking A Break in Bangkok
United Arab Emirates
- Dazzling Dubai: Architectural Wonderland of the Middle East
- A Day in Dubai: Looking at Life from Both Sides, Now
Vietnam
- When Travel Disappoints A “Just Okay” Day in Nha Trang, Vietnam
- A Day in Ho Chi Minh City: Ghosts of Grandeur & Ghosts of War
- Touring the Mekong Delta: The “Rice Basket of Vietnam”
Australia & Oceania
Australia
- Australia’s Hunter Valley: Wine, Wallabies & A Koala Named Kamballa
- A Day in Sydney: Harbour Bridge, Opera House & A Wonderful Walk
- Bondi to Coogee Beach: Sydney’s Many-Splendored Coastal Walk
- Australia’s Phillip Island: Rhyll Inlet Walk & Koala Conservation Center
- Hiking Cape Woolamai: Glorious Views, Wallabies All Around & Shearwaters at Sunset
- A Day in Melbourne: Artsy Laneways, Charming Arcades & Oh-So Cool
- Crossing the Tasman Sea: Smooth Sailing, Life On Board & A Galley Tour
New Zealand
- Crossing the Tasman Sea: Smooth Sailing, Life On Board & A Galley Tour
- Cruising Milford Sound: New Zealand’s Magical Land of Fiords
- Ulva Island: Exploring New Zealand’s Remote Bird Sanctuary
- A Day in Christchurch: Garden City of Hope & Resilience
- Cruising New Zealand: On Missing Ports & Silver Linings
- A Day in Wellington: Windy, Wet & Wonderful!
- New Zealand’s Marlborough Region: Two Wineries & A Surprising Garden
- A Day in Rotorua: Geysers, RailCruising & Māori Tales in the Forest
- A Day in Auckland: Walking Through New Zealand’s City of Sails
- Waiheke Island: Auckland’s Little Slice of Paradise
- Notes from Home: On the Kindness of Strangers
- Notes from Home: On Travel, Our Brains & A 350-Pound Penguin
Europe
Austria
- The Train from Prague to Vienna: Serendipity on a Sunday Morning
- Vienna Day 1: City Center Sights, Café Central & A Lovely Walk
- Vienna Day 2: Belvedere Palace, Opera House & That Famous Sacher Torte
- Vienna Day 3: Kunsthistorisches Museum & Schönbrunn Palace
- Cruising the Danube: On Low Waters, Changing Plans & The Wachau Valley
- Dürnstein & Melk: Dreamy Danube River Towns
- A Day in Salzburg: Old Town, Nockrel & All That Do-Re-Mi
Canary Islands
- Canary Islands Day 1: Exploring Vineyards in Volcanoes on Lanzarote
- Canary Islands Day 2: Following Columbus’ Footsteps on La Gamora
- Canary Islands Day 3: Lovely La Palma & An Unexpected Treat
- Canary Islands Day 4: A Cup of Canary, A Glass of Barraquito & The Funniest Guide Ever on Tenerife
Cyprus
Czech Republic
- Prague Day 1: Charles IV Bridge, Castle Hill & Strahov Monastery Library
- Prague Day 2: Old Town, New Town & A Spectacular Sunrise
- The Train from Prague to Vienna: Travel Serendipity on a September Morning
Denmark
- Taking A Break: Tea & Coffee Shops Around the World
- You’ve Got Mail: Post Offices Around the World
- Copenhagen Day 1: Canal Boats, Tivoli Gardens & The Friendliest Place On Earth
- Copenhagen Day 2: Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace & A Sad “Farvel”
- Skagen, Denmark: Shifting Sands, Seaside Splendor & All That Art
- Cozy in Copenhagen: Searching for “Hygge” in Denmark’s Capital City
England
- Special Access Tours: Going Beyond the Velvet Ropes
- Notes from Home: The Extroverted Traveler
- Layover in London: A Sunday Afternoon Serendipity
- Reunion in London: Meeting A Friend I’d Never Met
- England’s Isle of Wight: A Walk in Cowes & A Royal London Yacht Club Tea
Estonia
- Taking A Break: Tea & Coffee Shops Around the World
- You’ve Got Mail: Post Offices Around the World
- Tallinn, Estonia: Fairy-tale Charm on the Baltic Sea
France
- Taking A Break: Tea & Coffee Shops Around the World
- When Accidents Happen: Falling Hard for Aix-en-Provence
- San Sebastián & Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Seaside Dreams of Summer
- Bordeaux Day 1: Wine Among the Ruins in Saint-Émilion
- Bordeaux Day 2: Touring the Médoc With Dewey Markham, Jr.
- Mixing Memories: A Journey to Cognac & Rémy Martin Cellar
- Mont Saint-Michel Le Magnificent: Great Expectations on the Normandy Coast
- Mariage Frères: My Paris Mothership
- When Plans Change: An Unexpected Day in Honfleur
- Notes from Home: The Wonderful World of Farmers’ Markets
- Notes from Home: Returning to Paris & The Next Adventure
- Paris in the Fall: Soaking Up the Spectacular City of Light
- A Wonderful Walk in Montmartre: Artistic Heart of Paris in the Belle Époque
- A Night at the Museum: The Louvre After Hours
- Père-Lachaise Cemetery: Hauntingly Beautiful Resting Place of the Great Souls of Paris
- The Palace of Versailles: Gilded Grandeur & Glorious Gardens
- Cruising the Seine: Views from the Top Deck & Life On Board
- A Day in Rouen: France’s Medieval Treasure in the Heart of Normandy
- Remembering D-Day: The Landing Beaches & Memorials of Normandy
- Les Andelys, France: Cider, Calvados & Château Gaillard
- A Visit to Giverny: Walking Through Monet’s Masterpiece Garden
- Notes from Home: Dear Paris, A Thank-You Note
- Notes from Home: Reflections on Traveling Internationally in 2021
- Notes from Home: A Milestone Birthday & The Next Adventure
- Paris in the Summer: Three Years Later
- Making Macarons at Le Cordon Bleu: Paris’ Iconic Culinary School
- Palais Garnier: A Tour of Paris’ Gloriously Opulent Opera House
- Taking the High-Speed Train From Paris to Lyon: A Ride on the TGV
- The Beautiful Beaujolais: A Wonderful Wine Tasting & A Town Called Oingt
- A Day in Grignan: Serendipity Among Fields of Lavender & Forests of Truffles
- A Day in Arles: Walking in van Gogh’s Footsteps
- A Day in Avignon: The Palais des Papes & That Famous Bridge
- A Rainy Day in Roussillon: France’s Ochre-Colored Town
- Exploring Tain-l’Hermitage: A Tasting, A Tour & A Train Through the Vineyards
- Cruising the Rhône: Scenes Along the Way & A Message from the River
- Lively Lyon: A Modern Ancient City on Two Rivers
Germany
- A Day in Munich: Neue Pinakothek, Marienplatz & Viktualienmarkt
- A Day in Passau: City of Three Rivers & Life on the Danube
- Dear Berlin: We’ve Got to Stop Meeting Like This
- Lovely, Lovely Hamburg: Germany’s Jewel on the Elbe River
- Oldenburg, Germany: A Town by Any Other Name
- Found In Translation: Putting the Pieces Together in Hannover
Greece
- Stranded in Santorini: My Big Fat Greek Lesson
- Returning to Rhodes: Mandraki Harbour & A Walk in Old Town
Guernsey
Hungary
- Budapest Day 1: Castle Hill, Matthias Church & Fisherman’s Bastion
- Budapest Day 2: Great Market Hall, Parliament & Danube Cruise at Sunset
- Budapest Day 3: Heroes’ Square, New York Café & The End of the Journey
Iceland
- Iceland’s Westman Islands: Land of Puffins
- Iceland’s Golden Circle: An Iconic Tour With A Not-So-Iconic Guide
- Vigur Island: Iceland’s Extraordinary Wildlife Sanctuary
Ireland
Italy
- When Plans Change: Turning Lemons into Limoncello in Naples
- Special Access Tours: Going Beyond the Velvet Ropes
- You’ve Got Mail: Post Offices Around the World
Malta
Monaco
Norway
- Notes from Home: Third Time’s the Charm for Traveling to the Top of the World
- Ålesund, Norway: Dreamy Art Nouveau Town on the Norwegian Sea
- Norway’s Lofoten Islands: A Moody Day Above the Arctic Circle
- Tromso, Norway: Gateway to the Arctic
- Nordkapp, Norway: Taking It All In at the Top of the World
- Playing Favorites in Nordfjord: Possibly the Most Beautiful Fjord in Norway
- Skjolden, Norway: Walking With Llamas Down by the River
- Stavanger, Norway: A Walk in Old Town, A Colorful Street & A Cruise to Pulpit Rock
- Lista & Lindesnes: A Tale of Two Lighthouses on Norway’s Southern Coast
Portugal
- Lisbon Day 1: A Tale of Three Neighborhoods & A Tuk-Tuk Ride
- Lisbon Day 2: Beautiful Belém & The Land of the Explorers
- Fun in Funchal: Riding Wicker Toboggans on the Island of Madeira
Russia
- From Russia With Love: The Fast Train to Moscow
- St. Petersburg Day 1: Pastel Palaces, Fabulous Fountains & The River Neva
- St. Petersburg Day 2: The Hermitage, Church on the Spilled Blood & St. Isaac’s Cathedral
Scotland
- Sweet Dreams in Scotland: Spending the Night in a Castle Hotel
- Edinburgh Day Trip: The Scottish Highlands & Loch Ness
- Holy Loch, Scotland: Rest And Be Thankful & The Storybook Town of Luss
- Tobermory, Scotland: Touring Isle of Mull Cheese & Spirit Farm
- Scotland’s Isle of Lewis: Harris Tweed, Viking Chessmen & The Castle Tour That Really Wasn’t
Slovakia
Spain
- When Accidents Happen: Falling Hard for Aix-en-Provence
- Santiago de Compostela: The Rain In Spain & Getting There By Train
- Bilbao, Spain: The Glorious Guggenheim & A Surprise of a City
- San Sebastián & Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Seaside Dreams of Summer
- Notes from Home: Second Chances in Barcelona & The Next Adventure
- Beautiful Barcelona: The Land of Gaudí & A Day at Park Güell
- Barcelona’s Casa Batlló: Gaudí’s Glorious Ode to the Sea
- Madrid Day 1: The Park, The Palace, The Prado & All Those Plazas
- Madrid Day 2: Literary Quarter, A Tapas Tour & Secret Cookies Made by Hidden Nuns
- Enchanting Alhambra Palace: Crown Jewel of Moorish Spain
Sweden
Turkey
- Memories of Kusadasi, Turkey: Ephesus, Mary’s House & The Temple of Artemis
- Memories of Istanbul: Exploring the Old Sultanahmet
North America
Canada
- St. John’s, Newfoundland: A Rainy Day on the Road to Cape Spear
- Captivating Québec City: Canada’s Little Slice of Europe
- Montréal Day 1: Vieux-Port, St. Helen’s Island & Echoes of Expo 67
- Montréal Day 2: Mont-Royal, Le Plateau & All That Street Art
- Montréal’s Habitat 67: An Idea Ahead of Its Time
Greenland
- Cruising Prince Christian Sund: A Photo Essay
- Nanortalik, Greenland: “Place of Polar Bears”
- Qaqortoq, Greenland: Don’t Forget to Pack Your Head Net!
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
U.S.A. – California
- Meeting My Hero: A “Carpe Diem” Day Trip
- The Great Escape Room: San Diego’s House of Hints
- Baseball Behind the Scenes: A Tour of Petco Park
- Notes from Home: Spinning Videotaped Memories into DVDs
- California Day Trip: On Swallows, The Surfliner & San Juan Capistrano
- Aboard Captain Dave’s Manute’a Safari: Sea Lions, Dolphins & Whales…Oh My!
- San Francisco: Getting Around With Uber
- San Diego: Five Favorite Excursions from the Port
- LA’s Stahl House: Mid-century Modern Masterpiece in the Hollywood Hills
- The Magic Castle: An Enchanting Evening in the Heart of Hollywood
- The Hollywood Bowl: Good Times Never Seemed So Good!
- Hiking Torrey Pines Reserve: Tranquil Trails, Pacific Panoramas & That Rare Namesake Tree
- Cabrillo National Monument: On A Clear Day You Can (Almost) See Forever
- Notes from Home: Life at the Edge of the Pacific
- San Diego’s Balboa Park: Soaking Up Spanish Architecture & Climbing California Tower
- Exploring Catalina Island: A Journey to Avalon
- Downtown LA: A Guide to Eight Great Things to Do
- Sunny Jim Cave: La Jolla’s Hidden Staircase to the Pacific
- Notes from Home: Exploring a City With a Clever Smartphone App
- The Getty Center: LA’s Hilltop Oasis of Art, Architecture & Awe-Inspiring Gardens
- The Getty Villa: A Little Slice of Ancient Italy in LA’s Pacific Palisades
- A Guide to Napa Valley: California’s Quintessential Wine Country
- The Laguna Beach Pirate Tower: Curiosity on the California Coast
- La Jolla’s Salk Institute: Science Meets Architecture & Oh, What a View!
- A California Road Trip: Travel in the Time of Covid
- Returning to Gizdich Ranch: Apple Picking in an Orchard of Memories
- Monterey, California: Hanging Out with the Sea Otters on Elkhorn Slough
- A Love Letter to Carmel-by-the-Sea: Enchanting Village on the California Coast
- La Jolla’s Coast Walk: Keeping Traditions on New Year’s Day
- Hiking to the Hollywood Sign: LA’s Iconic Hillside Landmark
- Touring the Salinas Valley: California’s “Salad Bowl of the World”
- Stopping by Pyramid Lake: In Praise of Getting Off the Beaten Path
- Spending the Night in a Lighthouse: Sweet Dreams Over San Francisco Bay
- The Salton Sea: A Ghost of Former Glory in the California Desert
- Exploring LA’s Huntington Gardens: Art Museum, Rare Books & World-Themed Botanical Gardens
- LA’s Griffith Observatory: An Ode to Stars of the Astronomy Kind
- Queen Califia’s Magical Circle: Finding Travel Treasure in Your Own Backyard
- Four Seasons, One Road: A Photo Essay of the San Joaquin Valley
- A Guide to San Diego: For Grandparents, Parents & The Young at Heart
- Notes from Home: A Bridge Between Seasons
- Disneyland: Still Wonder-Filled After All These Years
- UC Berkeley Botanical Garden: A Surprise on the Way to Somewhere Else
- Palm Springs: Mid-century Modern Oasis in the California Desert
- Joshua Tree National Park: Hiking an Other-Worldly Desert Landscape
- Touring a California Date Farm: A Delicious Time With “The Real Sam Cobb”
- Inside Palm Springs Architecture: A Tour With The Mod Squad
- California State Railroad Museum: Glorious Ode to Train Travel
U.S.A. – Connecticut
U.S.A. – Minnesota
U.S.A. – Ohio
South America
Argentina
- Buenos Aires Day 1: La Recoleta Cemetery, La Casa Rosada & A Starry Touch of Russia
- Buenos Aires Day 2: El Ateno Grand Splendid & Teatro Colón
- Ushuaia, Argentina: Land of Fire at the End of the World
- Rounding Cape Horn & Cruising the Beagle Channel: A Tale of Two Waters
Chile
- Rounding Cape Horn & Cruising the Beagle Channel: A Tale of Two Waters
- Punta Arenas, Chile: Magdalena Island & The Magnificent Magellanic Penguins
- Chilean Patagonia: The Great Albatross & Cruising the Strait of Magellan
- Puerto Chacabuco, Chile: Finding Meaning in a Most Unusual Place
- Castro, Chile: Colorful World on Isla Chiloé
- Frutillar, Chile: A Little Slice of Germany in the Chilean Lake District
- Santiago Day 1: La Chascona, Cerro San Cristóbal & Plaza de Armas
- Santiago Day 2: A Day of Wine & Roses in Chile’s Casablanca Valley
Ecuador
- Notes from Home: A Change in Latitude & The Next Adventure
- A Day in Quito: Galápagos Gargoyles, Glittering Gilded-ness & A Tale of Two Equators
- Getting to the Galápagos: The Enchanted Islands of Ecuador
- Galápagos Day 1: Black Sand, Red Sand & Wildlife Everywhere
- Galápagos Day 2: Cruising the Red Mangroves & Hiking to Darwin Lake
- Galápagos Day 3: Hiking to the Top of Bartolomé Island & That Iconic View
- Galápagos Day 4: Fabulous Flamingos, Nesting Boobies & The Great Frigatebirds
- Galápagos Day 5: Kicker Rock at Sunrise & Red-Footed Boobies on San Cristóbal
- Galápagos Day 6: Walking Among Giant Tortoises in the Santa Cruz Highlands
- Notes from Home: Leaving the Galápagos & A Reflective Goodbye
Falkland Islands
Uruguay
Notes from Home
Essays About Travel
- Notes from Home: Beginning
- Notes from Home: On Souvenirs
- Notes from Home: The Extroverted Traveler
- Notes from Home: Those Post-Travel Blues
- Notes from Home: Great Travel & Unexpected Moments
- Notes from Home: On Counting Continents & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: On the Kindness of Strangers
- Notes from Home: Second Chances in Barcelona & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: When Travel Becomes A Medical Destination
- Notes from Home: Reaching ‘Round the World to CNN Arabic
- Notes from Home: That Familiar Feeling Called “Fernweh”
- Notes from Home: Looking Back & Looking Ahead With 2020 Vision
- Notes from Home: The Wonderful World of Farmers’ Markets
- Notes from Home: Returning to Paris & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: Dear Paris, A Thank-You Note
- Notes from Home: Soaking In the Glory of Travel
- Notes from Home: A Change in Latitude & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: Leaving the Galápagos & A Reflective Goodbye
- Notes from Home: On Travel, Our Brains & A 350-Pound Penguin
- Notes from Home: Third Time’s the Charm for Traveling to the Top of the World
- Notes from Home: The Magic of Asking “What If?” & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: A Window to the World
- Notes from Home: A Milestone Birthday & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: A Milestone Anniversary & The Next Adventure
- Notes from Home: A Chance Encounter & The Next Adventure
Stories About Life
- Notes from Home: On Writing
- Notes from Home: On Blogging, Fate & Taking Risks
- Notes from Home: In Praise of Vintage Postcards
- Notes from Home: Life at the Edge of the Pacific
- Notes from Home: On Girlfriends, Gratitude & Growing Up
- Notes from Home: A Dog’s Love & Letting Go
- Notes from Home: Extraordinary People
- Notes from Home: On Finding Inspiration & Breaking Through the Fog
- Notes from Home: On Walking
- Notes from Home: A Shot of Hope…Now What?
- Notes from Home: On Listening to the Winds of Change
- Notes from Home: Postcards from the Future
- Notes from Home: Grounded and Grateful
- Notes from Home: The People Who Pass Through Our Travel Lives
- Notes from Home: A Bridge Between Seasons
- Notes from Home: On Being Thankful for the Little Things
- Notes from Home: For the Love of Cameras
- Notes from Home: Coming Up For Air on San Francisco Bay
Travel Tips, Ideas & Resources
- Notes from Home: On Cruising
- Notes from Home: Spinning Videotaped Memories into DVDs
- Notes from Home: Travel Planning 101
- Notes from Home: Travel Packing 101
- Notes from Home: Travel Planning 101 – Part 2
- Notes from Home: Ideas for Figuring Out Where to Travel Next
- Notes from Home: Travel-Themed Holiday Gift Ideas
- Notes from Home: Introducing…The Travel Resources Page!
- Notes from Home: Exploring a City With a Clever Smartphone App
- Notes from Home: Travel Lessons from a Long-Ago Honeymoon
- Notes from Home: Ideas for Organizing Travel Gear
- Notes from Home: The Destinations Page & Daring to Dream Again
- Notes from Home: Travel Packing 101 – Part 2
- Notes from Home: Reflections on Traveling Internationally in 2021
- Notes from Home: Lessons, Love & Looking Back
- Notes from Home: On Seasons, Weather & Timing Our Travels
- Notes from Home: Tiny Gift Ideas for Big Travels
- Notes from Home: All Aboard! Marvelous Modes of Travel Transportation
- Notes from Home: Keeping up with Travel Changes & How to Apply for an ETA
