Is Liverpool the birthplace of the modern skyscraper? The building in the photo above is the Royal Liver Building, built in 1911, an icon of the English city of Liverpool and one of its most recognisable Liverpool attractions. And yes, indeed, in many ways it is at the heart of Liverpool’s foundations as the home [...]
Have you ever wondered where the ‘quiche Lorraine’ got its name from? It is so named because it originates in the north eastern region of France called Lorraine. The region shares a border with three other European countries, namely Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. Not surprisingly then Lorraine has often been at the centre of Europe’s [...]
Gustave Flaubert famously described the fortified port of St-Malo, on Brittany’s northern coast, as a “stone crown over the waves”. Indeed, the view of St-Malo from the sea is incredibly impressive. It is an extremely pretty and elegant European destination, with its imposing, grey granite walls and charming streets and it is a wonderful place [...]
Marseille may only be the second largest city in France, but it is the oldest. It was the Greeks from an ancient town of Phocaea (Asia Minor) who in about 600 BC founded the city as a base for their maritime trade on the Mediterranean. And ever since, Marseille has played a prominent role in [...]
I visited the town of Elgin in north east Scotland one evening during my Summer 2010 Scotland Blog Tour. Elgin Cathedral is an example of Scottish medieval architecture, dating from the 13th century. It was known as the “Lantern of the North” as it was such a landmark in the surrounding flat terrain. I didn’t [...]
The Greek island of Crete has seen Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman rule but some of the most spectacular traces of Venice have been left in the capital Heraklion. The Venetians ‘conquered’ Crete in 1204, but for once not by way of bloody wars and violence; no, they simply bought it in a complicated deal which [...]
Otranto, the picturesque Adriatic town in Italy’s Salento region, is so beautiful and peaceful, that it seems hard to believe this was once the site of the gruesome “Sack of Otranto”. Luckily for today’s tourists, Ottoman invasions are no longer a threat to this tranquil coastline. Lovely Otranto – my European travel tip this week [...]
The small city of Tivoli to the west of Rome, once an important stop on the “Grand Tour” of Europe, is today a bedroom community of Rome, yet it still maintains its distinct character. It makes a wonderful Rome day trip, either by car or with frequent trains leaving from Rome’s Tiburtina train station. My [...]
For anyone with a even a passing interest in European archaeology, the Greek island of Crete is certainly one of the best places to visit in Europe. The island has some of the iconic archaeological sites that will satisfy any passion for prehistory; the most well known of these is the ancient Palace of Knossos. [...]
I love old churches and cathedrals. More than is normal considering I can probably count on two hands how many times I have attended an actual church service. Suffice to say, I am not religious. I think that might be exactly why the old churches appeal to me though, the idea of faith and religion [...]
