South Battery Street

The homes on Charleston's famed Battery — also known as White Point Garden — are spectacular from the ground and a sight many are very familiar with. I sent the drone up for a different perspective on the grand homes. I'm really drawn to the unique rooflines, tile patterns and gardens throughout Charleston's most coveted neighborhood. I'd give just about anything to spend an afternoon lounging by that pool in the middle of the frame. In fact, that back yard has me ready to tear up our entire yard and build a replica in its honor. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone. 

High Country Sunshine

The sun, sky and clouds are simply better in the mountains. It's hard to believe these views are just a couple of hours from Charlotte. The mountains in North Carolina seem a lifetime away from the urban sprawl of the city. The population of this photograph is probably a dozen.

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If you want to come up and experience it for yourself, check out our mountain chalet, Slopeside. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone. 

Morgan Creek Grill View

Morgan Creek Grill sits across the boat launch from the Isle of Palms Marina. It's one of the nicer seafood shacks you'll find on the coast. Not too nice, mind you. In fact, it's just right. The main floor is perfectly air-conditioned and full of the sort of people who enjoy air-conditioning at the beach. The second floor, though, with the roll-up windows and the sun beating down on the tables as it sets over the creek, that's where you want to be. I didn't even have to get out of my seat to take this photograph. Between the fresh seafood and these views, you can't go wrong dining on the second floor of the Morgan Creek Grill. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300. 

Oz-Bound Defender

An Aussie couple called this Land Rover home at Overland Expo. They were on a journey half-way across the globe, taking it to their native Australia. The kids loved visiting with them and their dogs. If you ask the kids, their favorite feature on this tremendous camper was the gearshift knob that held a redback spider, suspended inside a ball of resin. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300. 

Stroll Through Bruxelles

Brussels — or Bruxelles — is highly underrated as a tourist destination. The compact core of the old city is very walkable and it's easy to keep your bearings as the tower on the main square — or Grand Place — is almost always visible, peaking out over nearby buildings. 

On your visit to Brussels, you'll find Trappist beer, chocolate, french fries and waffles around every turn. A lot of good stuff comes from Brussels!

For military buffs, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces is pretty amazing. If you're from America, you'll see a lot of military vehicles that you've likely only seen in the movies, such as a Russian Hind Helicopter or an assortment of MIGs. They even have one of those funny-looking German tanks from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. 

Brussels may not be a destination city on your bucket list but it's a great central starting point for any European vacation. Spend 2-3 nights in Brussels before heading off to France, Holland, Germany or England and you won't be disappointed!

Want to learn more about Brussels?

Pick up the DK Eyewitness Travel book on Amazon for $20. DK Eyewitness makes the best first-time travel books, full of illustrations, maps and stunning photographs.

Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter

Congratulations to the Patriots after a hard-fought Super Bowl battle. This fort, on Sullivan's' Island, is named after a real American Patriot, General William Moultrie. As a 46-year-old colonel in 1776, Moultrie and his men fought off British forces intent on capturing Charleston. The British fled and didn't return to South Carolina until 1780. Moultrie later became Governor of South Carolina.

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Chicago River

I took this photograph of the Chicago River 12 years ago. It's hard to believe how desolate the riverfront looked back then. I need to go back and take this same photo today to compare the two. 

Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor

There are just so many good things about Wild Dunes. Like the Yacht Harbor, lined with condos and modern Charleston row houses. Whenever we visit Wild Dunes, we always make a point to ride our bikes through the Harbor on the way to the Isle of Palms Marina for some ice cream. If your boat is in this photograph and you want to take it out for a spin and some photos the next time we're in town, let me know in the comments below!

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

University of Tampa

Today's photograph is in honor of my friend, Vera, who recently accepted a position at the University of Tampa! 

The Tampa Bay Hotel was built between 1888 and 1891 by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant. A victim of The Great Depression, the hotel closed in 1930. In 1933, a junior college in Tampa moved in, eventually expanding and becoming the University of Tampa. 

The hotel is an architectural jewel, blending "modern-day" concrete construction with Victorian and Moorish designs. Especially unique to most American architecture are the crescent moons adorning the minarets.

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Quoth the Raven

Want the best burger of your life? Take a trip to the original Poe's Tavern on Sullivan's Island and you won't be disappointed. Any burger on the menu will do. For me, it's the Amontillado. Poe's burgers will match any burger you've ever had but when you throw in the atmosphere, mystique and fact that you can have sand between your toes in about two minutes, Poe's is the undisputed burger champion of the world... at least in my book.

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.