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The 9 days in Slovenia remains one of the best holidays and the one I recommend to anyone who will listen to me! So here is my road trip through Slovenia which I drove a couple of years ago and still recommend to this day. Slovenia is wedged between the mountains of Austria, the coastal beauty of Croatia and the food/history of Greece. During this Slovenian road trip, I saw all of those cultures and lots more in this distinctive Balkan country. Go before too many people discover how beautiful it is.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rizxG2xsiDSszuxv5
Day 1: Lively Ljubljana: Ljubljana Airport to City Centre, 27km/30min drive. Highlight: Drinks on the river bank.
Arriving as the sun set, Ljubljana looked warm and welcoming and our hotel was centrally located. We headed to the banks of the river which is lined with bars. The city was both busy and chilled, with locals enjoying the good weather in the quiet streets below the castle. An easy few hours to get used to this new country.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Union, Ljubjana – a dated classic hotel which is centrally located.
Day 2: Away from the Tourists in Bled: Ljubljana to Bled via Vintgar Gorge, 54km/45min drive. Highlight: Vintgar Gorge’s spectacular waterfalls.
On our way to Lake Bled, we walked Vintgar Gorge, which is just a few miles away. The gorge is a canyon set in a forest with waterfalls, dramatic cliff faces and a wooden walkway linking them together. It was an excellent walk, even in the rain!
Vintgar Gorge
Lake Bled
Lake Bled features on many a bucket list but, for me, it was a little underwhelming. It is beautifully set in a valley with a cute church in the centre of the lake but compared to the other scenery around, a night here was sufficient. Bled itself is well set up for the tourist industry but we enjoyed sitting at a local bar overlooking the lake for an hour or two.
Hotel: Hotel Kompas, Bled – a 1980s built hotel with great views over the lake.
Day 3: Undiscovered Bohinj: Bled to Bohinj via Mount Vogel, 23km/30min drive. Highlight: Lake Bohinj in the sunshine.
Today we headed deeper in to the valleys of Slovenia – within an hour’s drive from Bled is the even prettier Lake Bohinj. We spent the day exploring this valley and lake. Firstly, we visited Savica Waterfall which involved walking alongside a rocky river bed which must only be full of water when the snow melts. It’s in a lush forest setting. Next up, we used the cable car to Mount Vogel which (in season) is a busy ski resort. In summer, it’s a good start for some higher level hiking.
Savica Waterfall
Mount Vogel
Lake Bohinj
Once back at the lakeside, we enjoyed sitting on the lakefront near St John the Baptist in Ribcev Laz in the sunshine before heading to our modern apartment to relaz with a beer or two.
Hotel: Apartment near Bohinj (2 nights) – modern build, comfortable and good value.
Day 4: Alone in the Mountains: Bohinj, no driving. Highlights: Reaching the summit of Mount Rudnica.
The weather turned today and was a little wet but that didn’t stop us. We headed out for a hike, climbing Mount Rudnica in the rain. To be honest, Slovenia hiking maps and signage aren’t great so at points it was a little hard to find our route. However, the views were spectacular and you felt like you had the whole mountain to yourself. We reached the top (wet) and the bottom (wet and muddy) but it was good to get up close with the local nature.
Day 5: Natural Wonders: Bohinj to Bovec via Vrisc Pass, Soca Valley & Kobarid, 106km/2hr30min drive drive. Highlights: the clear blue waters of the Soca Valley and the World War 1 trenches.
The next morning we were a little sad as we drove up out of the valley from Bohinj as the autumn colours started to show; it had been such a relaxing few days there. On one of the longer drives of the holiday, we headed towards the mountains which border with Austria and climbed the Vrisc pass. A series of bends wind you slowly to the top through a wooded landscape before you look down in to the Soca Valley. The valley contains the Soca river which was so blue and clean looking we had to stop to inspect it close up. It looks particularly blue due to the local stone.
Vrisc pass
World War 1 Trenches
One of the lesser-known fronts in World War 1 was those in the mountains between Austria-Hungarian Empire and Italy along the Isonzo front which included the Soca Valley. Before you reach Kobarid, you will pass both a war cemetery and a set of trenches which have been preserved. To explain all that happened here, visit the good museum and film at the museum in Kobarid. The memorial church which dominates the town also provides some useful context.
A few miles further on and you reach Bovec which is at the heart of the rafting in the Soca valley. It’s a sleepy town but has enough in it to entertain you for a night.
Hotel: Hotel Sanje OB Soč, Bovec – scandi-inspired new build with friendly owners.
Day 6: Floating down the Soca Valley: Bovec to Vipova, 105km/1hr45min drive. Highlight: Rafting in the Soca Valley.
After a little persuasion, I was convinced to spend the morning rafting down the Soca valley. The river is fast flowing though not a difficult paddle with a guide but it is beautiful. Well worth a few hours of your time.
Soca Valley
We then headed south, leaving the mountains for the farms and vines in the south west of Slovenia. We booked a night in a farm close to Vipova which was beautifully. We stopped briefly in the sleepy, almost French-feeling town of Vipova with its running water and large squares to pick up supplies before a picnic dinner back at the farm.
Hotel: Hotel-Restaurant Majerija, near Vipova, beautiful farm conversion with boutique rooms, just make sure the restaurant is open.
Day 7: Tourism – for good & bad: Vipova to Piran via Postojna, 74km/1hr drive. Highlight: the view of the sea from the bar at Hotel Piran.
After a superb breakfast at Majerija, we headed to the caves at Postojna. The caves are pretty but also pretty over-run by tourists, even in the off season. A few kilometers away is an iconic castle which has also succumbed to mass tourism. In preference, we should have headed to the Škocjan Caves and would recommend you headed there.
Postojna Caves
Postojna
We then drove to the coast which increasingly had the feel of the Cote d’Azur with palm trees and luxury hotels appearing. Piran is a small town with an impressive Italianate main square. You have to get bussed in from a car park on the edge. As we walked in to the hotel, we saw the sea from the terrace and spent the next few hours admiring the view – with a bear or two to hand.
Hotel: Hotel Piran (2 nights) – at the heart of the old town with mid-price, reasonable rooms but great sea views.
Day 8: Rural Croatia: Piran with day trip to Croatia, 75km/1hr30min drive. Highlight: the hill top village of Buje.
Piran
From Piran, we crossed the border in to Croatia for a day trip to the uninspiring seaside town of Umag and the hill top town of Buje. This area is going through a lot of redevelopment and investment and I can imagine in a few years may be quite attractive locations. You can also head down the coast to Rovinj or Pula who have already seen the arrival of tourists.
Day 9: Home: Piran to Ljubljana Airport via Kranj, 160km/2hr drive. Highlights: the quiet centre of Kranj.
Our last day and a good, if easy, drive back to the airport. We broke the journey for coffee in Kranj which is pleasant town with fortifications and a deep river gorge running through its middle. And then to the airport and the start of the journey home.
Final Thoughts: Highlight: Lake Bohinj. 644km/10hr30min driving in total.
Slovenia really is a special country with everything from mountains to coast, natural wonders to modern history. It is largely undiscovered outside Lake Bled but is well worth a slow tour, getting to better know the country before mass tourism descends. The accommodation is of a good standard, the food an odd mix of Austrian and Italian but not wholly remarkable. Each day had its “wow” moments where we had to stop and look at the natural beauty around us. Go and see them for yourself.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rizxG2xsiDSszuxv5
Slovenia Road Trip from the capital Ljubljana to Lake Bled, the mountainous beauty of the Soca Valley to the Italianate coast at Piran, this small country has it all. The 9 days in Slovenia remains one of the best holidays and the one I recommend to anyone who will listen to me!
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Sights: Paris is one of the world’s great cities and needs little introduction but it can be a little overwhelming. I think there are six big sites and they can all be viewed in a rush in about 2 hours: Notre Dame, the Louvre Pyramid, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Coeur. You can find my guided tour of these here.
Sainte Chapelle
Musée de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
As Notre Dame is sadly currently closed, an alternative is the Sainte Chapelle with its beautiful glass windows and gothic architecture. Elsewhere, if you want to see some more gothic architecture then the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine contains the life-size models of cathedral frescoes refurbished by Viollet le Duc, paintings copied from endangered churches and brilliant models of 20th century buildings in France, including a life-size Le Corbusier flat. This is one of my favourite museums in the city.
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay is my favourite art gallery for its combination of brilliant architecture, excellent impressionist paintings and top views from the top floor. Buy a ticket in advance and get there early to avoid the queues.
The Centre Pompidou contains the National Museum of Modern Art, Cinemas and other exhibitions. It is free to go in to the entrance hall and see the architecture which is very flexible and avoids the need for internal pillars as everything is hung on the outside. The Modern Art is very good and worth the entrance fee. And the view from the bar at the top is excellent too, particularly with a glass of fizz.
Chateau de Versailles
If you fancy a day out, the Chateau de Versailles is about 40 minutes by RER. It’s impressive today so must have been even more so when it was first built. The state rooms are very busy but the history of the building on the ground floor is well presented and you can find your own space in the gardens, particularly in the Petit and Grand Trianons. Worth booking a ticket online to avoid the queues as you go in.
Other museums and sights with my personal, brief review:
Louvre – too big, too full, too badly labeled – other museums are available.
Orangerie – great if you like Monet but expensive/uninspiring otherwise.
Musée d’Arts & Metiers – a rather dull science museum.
Petit Palais – free with vast rooms with some interesting pieces & a good coffee shop.
Jardin de Luxembourg – free and great for an afternoon walk and picnic.
Canal St Martin – a cool, somewhat hipster oasis in the city with bars along it but also space for a picnic on its banks.
Galeries Lafayette – good for luxury shopping but mainly worth visiting for the great architecture and the roof top view from its terrace.
Eiffel Tower – increasingly crowded but iconic. However, the problem is that when you’re up the Eiffel Tower you can’t see the Eiffel Tower so I prefer taking in the iconic view from the Trocadéro or Pompidou Centre, particularly when it shimmers at the top of each hour at night.
It is worth checking the Paris Tourist Information Office for details about what exhibitions are free or free on the first Sunday of the month.
Travel: The metro system in Paris is pretty comprehensive, particularly when supported by the fast trains (RER) and the bus network. When flying in to the city you will most likely come in to Charles de Gaulle airport. The easiest way in to the city is to take RER B which you need a special ticket for (€10.30) and takes 30-40 minutes.
If you are arriving by Eutostar train in to Gare du Nord you are instantly into the city centre and on to the central metro zones.
Once in the city, there are a variety of options, all of which can be bought at machines at most of the stations:
The cheapest way is to buy a Carnet – book of 10 tickets each valid for one journey and works out at €1.49 per journey.
If you are doing more than 5 journeys in a single day, then a Mobilis pass is good value at €7.50 for coverage of the central zones.
If you are here for several days and planning on a trip out to the suburb (including Versailles and Charles de Gaulle Airport) then a Forfait Paris Visite can be good value.
A good App to download is the RATP app which covers all the travel options in the city in French and English.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Canal Saint Martin
Accommodation: There are hundreds of accommodation options across Paris but it is worth noting that, compared to other European capitals, rooms can be smaller and a little more expensive. It is often better value to have the breakfast at the local café than at the hotel. There are some bargains out there: for example. when visiting before moving here we stayed largely in the 10e & 11e arrondissements, including:
Generator Hostel: As with all the Generator Hostels, this is more like a 2* hotel with ensuite shower rooms, double beds and modern design. The public areas include a hipster bar and work rooms.
The International Hotel: recently upgraded, small but good quality rooms on a quiet back street close to the action.
Hotel Alhambra: set around a courtyard, the rooms are a good size and well (if cheaply) refurbished.
If you are looking to stay in the 5e Arrondissement – on the Left Bank and nearer where I live now – then I would look at Hotel Observatoire Luxembourg and Hotel Select or for a more budget option Hotel Pierre Nicole.
Food & Drink: There are so many options here I have created two separate posts about Where to Drink in Paris and Where to Eat in Paris.
As mentioned elsewhere, for good value drink it is worth downloading the Mister Good Beer app which tells you where the cheapest pint is near to you.
Further Reading & Listening:
Guide books: The Lonely Planet for Paris is small enough to fit in a pocket but contains enough information for a first visit to Paris.
Online it is worth checking out SortiraParis.com which lists the latest special events in the city and is a good source of up to the minute information.
Podcast/Blog: The Earful Tower has a collection of podcasts, videos and blog posts about Paris which help you see the alternative side of the capital. My favourite posts include the list of bars and free things to do in Paris.
Paris in the spring: some tips for what to see, where to stay & how to save some money. Sights: Paris is one of the world’s great cities and needs little introduction but it can be a little overwhelming.
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The Top 6 Paris Sights in a Rush
The Top 6 Paris Sights in a Rush: an easy step by step guide to seeing Notre Dame, the Louvre, Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower & Sacré Coeur in 2 hours.
The below route takes you around the big six sights of Paris: Notre Dame, the Louvre Pyramid, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Coeur. It can be done in about 2 hours if you rush, 3 hours comfortably but can take most of the day if you want to enter any of the locations mentioned.
The journey starts in front of Notre Dame where the nearest metro stop is St…
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Where to Eat in Paris
Where to Eat in Paris: 20 recommendations from cafés serving Croque Monsieurs to restaurants offering fine dining.
Eating out in Paris is not cheap and so you want to make the most of your money in the capital. Food in France is largely good quality, proving the country’s gastronomic reputation, but be aware that you can have to look a little harder (and pay a few Euros more) for more innovative cuisine.
Here are my top tips, by arrondissement, on where to eat including places serving platters of charcuterie…
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Where to Drink in Paris
Where to Drink in Paris: some of my favourite bars and cafes for a verre or deux.
On the corner of nearly every block in Paris is a bar with loyal customers who will say it’s the best bar. It’s all highly subjective but after 3 months in the French capital, I have made a list of my favourite places for a verre or deux.
It is worth noting that “Happy Hour” is a bit of an institution in Paris, with many bars reducing prices to attract workers on their way home. Each bar has…
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New month, new beginning. With 6 bags, a lot of excitement and a few nerves, our move to Paris is starting. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 335 of #365TravelPics
Made it to the Eurostar and looking forward to a beer in our new home this afternoon. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 336 of #365TravelPics
We’re staying temporarily in the 2nd District of Paris and this was the view from our window this morning! Feels like we’re in the centre of the city. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 337 of #365TravelPics
Arriving at Christmas means we get to admire all the decorations in the city of light. This is the colourful tree under the Dome at Galeries Lafayette. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 338 of #365TravelPics
So this one headed off to work today & I acted as House Husband; real life in Paris! #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 339 of #365TravelPics
Heading back to Manchester for a few days. Charles de Gaulle airport does not have much going for it – particularly at this hour – but I like the lights and their reflections in the departures area. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 340 of #365TravelPics
So whilst settling in to Paris we visited Notre Dame with its elegant if simple decorations. #NewBeginnings #Paris Image 341 of #365TravelPics
Living in Paris means we can visit top sites when they’re quiet. This is the Louvre in the early evening when the tourists have moved away. #NewBeginnings #Paris Image 342 of #365TravelPics
We also manage to find some less known sites: this is the Eglise du Val de Grace in the 5th District and a typical looking side street. #NewBeginnings #Paris Image 343 of #365TravelPics
Just in case you think it’s all pretty lights & fab views, getting used to Parisian neighbours has proved a little tricky. We received this note when moving all our stuff in – hopefully she’s realised we’re not too bad now! #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 344 of #365TravelPics
Like many Parisian apartments, outs is compact with a small kitchen area which will Male cooking Christmas dinner challenging! #NewBeginnings #Paris Image 345 of #365TravelPics
We love the old stone wall in the flat. And also, whilst waiting for our furniture to arrive, we brought a few personal items over so this temporary space feels like home! #NewBeginnings #Paris Image 346 of #365TravelPics
Family also gave us some decorations to get us in the festive spirit – helped by a few bubbles! #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 347 of #365TravelPics
So Friday was my last day in Manchester (for a while) and my fab colleagues gave me a bee to remember them & this great city by. #NewBeginnings #Paris #Manchester Image 348 of #365TravelPics
On my back to Paris now via St Pancras. I love the statue of Sir John Betjeman who saved the station admiring the great roof. #NewBeginnings #Paris #Eurostar Day 349 of #365TravelPics
Travelled in Standard Premier on the Eurostar to Paris. A calm carriage with large seats & a tasty light lunch with wine. Great way to travel. #NewBeginnings #Paris #Eurostar Day 350 of #365TravelPics
Getting used to life in Paris with some festive shopping including a tree from Rue St Denis – here’s my cheerful chap bringing it home. #NewBeginnings #Paris #Eurostar Day 351 of #365TravelPics
And the tree is up making the flat homely & ready for Christmas, a week today. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 352 of #365TravelPics
And the tree is up making the flat homely & ready for Christmas, a week today. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 352 of #365TravelPics
Every arrondissement or district in Paris has a different feel: this is Rue Montorgeuil in the 2nd, near us. Alive, full of shops & bars, it’s a great place to spend Christmas. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 354 of #365TravelPics
Criss-crossing this particular the 2nd arrondissement are covered passages with shops & little restaurants. Adding to the charm of this part of Paris. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 355 of #365TravelPics
Criss-crossing this particular the 2nd arrondissement are covered passages with shops & little restaurants. Adding to the charm of this part of Paris. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 355 of #365TravelPics
Tintin & Captain Haddock as you may not have seen them before – this is around the corner from Rue Montorgeuil. #LGBTParis #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 357 of #365TravelPics
A Christmas drink with one of the most iconic views in the world. There are worse places to be! Cheers / Santé ! #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 358 of #365TravelPics
little late but Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noël! Our festive walk took us among the crowds at Notre Dame before ambling along the quieter banks of the Seine. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 359 of #365TravelPics
Our Christmas lunch had a French feel and started with Oysters: a common festive food here & easier to open/shuck than you might think. #NewBeginnings #Paris Image 360 of #365TravelPics
Next up is a couple of days in Burgundy near the charming town of Beaune with its charming shops & pretty decorations. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 361 of #365TravelPics
The Hospices de Beaune is famous for its colourful roof, typical of Burgundy but was sadly closed when we were there so this is as much as we saw. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 362 of #365TravelPics
A relatively quiet 7th weekend of #GiletsJaunes protests in Paris so far but bumped into this chap & colleague’s keeping an eye on a dozen protestors outside Châtelet Les Halles this morning. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 363 of #365TravelPics
The distinctive sound of our time so far in Paris has been the noise made by bottles emptied into the bins & collected each night at 7pm – even on Christmas Day! Very efficient – if a little noisy. #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 364 of #365TravelPics
So one year & 365 pictures after I started, here is the final #365TravelPics – and it had be me & him, admiring our new home city of Paris from Sacré Cœur as we look to a new year & new adventures together. Bonne Année! #NewBeginnings #Paris Day 365 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: December – New Beginnings
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A new month & turning to #AutumnPics & #WinterPics – first up Amsterdam on #Autumn with its colourful canals. Day 305 of #365TravelPics
A tree lined avenue in Vigeland Park in #Oslo with autumnal colours showing. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 306 of #365TravelPics
Autumn doesn’t have to be cold or grey – this is #Split #Croatia in late October. Warm, sunny & beautiful. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Image 307 of #365TravelPics
Autumn sunshine on All Saints Park in #Manchester. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Image 308 of #365TravelPics
Oranges, yellows & browns: autumnal colours on All Saints Park in #Manchester. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 309 of #365TravelPics
With its waterfront docks #Liverpool offers some great #autumn skyscrapers. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 310 of #365TravelPics
A visit to North Wales and the #autumn colours along the Dee ar Erbistock. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Image 311 of #365TravelPics
An #autumn gateway in Erbistock, rural North Wales. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 312 of #365TravelPics
A walk in #autumn or #winter can be grey & cold but also beautiful as landscapes can be revealed, not hidden by leaves. This is Vale Crucis Abbey on such a walk in North Wales. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 313 of #365TravelPics
2 pictures of #Autumn trees in #Manchester – first up a morning picture. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Image 315 of #365TravelPics
2 pictures of #Autumn trees in #Manchester – secondly an evening picture. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 316 of #365TravelPics
A winter sunset with the last, cold sunshine reflecting in the River Severn. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 314 of #365TravelPics
Some #Winter memories: this is Roehampton Uni #London when I was on my way to a tutorial a couple of years ago – beautiful in the snow. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 317 of #365TravelPics
And this is a snowy Manchester Met Uni from last year – travelling when it snows really changes the way you see a town. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 318 of #365TravelPics
Seeing autumn start in Montenegro in October 2017. Weather a little grey but the trees starting to change colour here on the Bosnian border. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 319 of #365TravelPics
The Black Lake in Montenegro is surrounded by evergreen trees giving the water a green colour. The autumn mist added to the atmosphere. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 320 of #365TravelPics
Autumn mists in Durmitor National Park northern Montenegro. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 321 of #365TravelPics
Winter changes places: this is a large, communist estate in Krakow, Poland. The snow highlighted the brutal lines of the buildings. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 322 of #365TravelPics
I’ve walked past this building many times on the way to the Eurostar but it looks at its best in #autumn when the colours of the trees mirror the red bricks of the St Pancras station buildings. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 323 of #365TravelPics
Autumn colours near Kings Cross #London #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 324 of #365TravelPics
Autumn colours near Kings Cross #London #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 324 of #365TravelPics
Whilst in #Berlin we enjoyed a walk in Charlottenburg Park as a break from the #ChristmasMarkets . #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 326 of #365TravelPics
I think #Brussels has some of the most under-appreciated #ChristmasMarkets – this is Place Ste Catherine from the big wheel in 2015 with the festive lights below. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 327 of #365TravelPics
Away from the #ChristmasMarkets in #Brussels there are some spectacular views & great walks. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 328 of #365TravelPics
In 2016 we visited the #ChristmasMarkets in #Budapest – we lived the city though we found the markets themselves are a little underwhelming. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 329 of #365TravelPics
This time last year we had just arrived in #Vienna with its classy #ChristmasMarkets these are outside the Hofburg Palace. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 330 of #365TravelPics
Throughout #Vienna there are #ChristmasMarkets like these outside the Town Hall making the whole city feel festive. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 331 of #365TravelPics
If visiting #ChristmasMarkets in #Vienna then also pop on the train to the Slovak capital #Bratislava – a pretty city 90 minutes down the Danube. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 332 of #365TravelPics
Not actually some #ChristmasMarkets but Mackie Mayor in an old #Manchester market hall with its delicious food stalls & Christmas decorations feels rather festive! #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 333 of #365TravelPics
And the final November pic is the #ChristmasMarkets in #Manchester with their good humour and large Santa above the town hall. #AutumnPics #WinterPics Day 334 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: November – Autumn & Winter Pictures
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October will feature #ScandiTravel pics starting with tripping through Norway where you see 4 seasons in 1 day. Day 274 of #365TravelPics
Even in the mist, Geiranger Fjord is impressive with its peaks, green rocks and deep waters. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 275 of #365TravelPics
Looking down from the Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) to Geiranger with autumnal colours & the ferry sailing out. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 276 of #365TravelPics
Walking in the snow in #Norway – cold but stunning. We had the valley to ourselves – bar some curious reindeer. #ScandiTravel Day 277 of #365TravelPics
The brightly coloured, former warehouses on the sea front in Trondheim. Designed so goods could be sent around #Norway & the world easily. #ScandiTravel Day 278 of #365TravelPics
Across #Norway are Stave Churches, made completely from wood. This is Ringebu with its distinctive red steeple. #ScandiTravel Day 279 of #365TravelPics (With thanks to the other half for spotting the picture opportunity)
Back to Oslo #Norway and saw the inside of the Town Hall where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place, surrounded by magnificent tableau. #ScandiTravel Day 280 of #365TravelPics
A sunny Sunday afternoon in #Oslo & people were admiring Vigeland’s statues in a park with his work. This was my favourite. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 281 of #365TravelPics
Lillehammer was made famous by the 1994 Olympics & remains a vibrant town with colourful buildings, good bars & lots of mountain activities. This is the Olympic ski jump – the walk up is worth it! #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 282 of #365TravelPics
As part of my #ScandiTravel I’ve been to #Copenhagen #Denmark – this is their parliament building, setting of my fave Danish drama: Borgen. Day 283 of #365TravelPics
Heading north next to Finland (Country 20): its capital Helsinki has nature on its doorstep, some hip culture & a fine cathedral at its heart. Day 51 #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
From the old to the modern in #Helsinki #Finland – Kamppi Chapel is great modern architecture & a peaceful refuge in the city centre. #ScandiTravel Day 285 of #365TravelPics
The harbour in #Helsinki #Finland with cathedral above & fish stalls on the sea front. #ScandiTravel Day 286 of #365TravelPics
The main square – Stortorget – in #Stockholm #Sweden – bright colours & quiet class. #ScandiTravel Day 287 of #365TravelPics
The size of the Vasa Ship in #Stockholm #Sweden is impressive but so is the number of researchers working on its preservation. #ScandiTravel Day 288 of #365TravelPics
Sitting on the water front near Hornstull in #Stockholm #Sweden – bobbing up & down on a temporary peer in the autumn sunshine. #ScandiTravel Day 289 of #365TravelPics
The Viking Ship Museum in #Oslo #Norway is beautiful: centuries of history, a great film & the wonderful ships themselves. #ScandiTravel Day 290 of #365TravelPics
This is the #Oslo Opera House from the frozen Fjord in winter, looking like an iceberg in the water. Impressive modern architecture. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 291 of #365TravelPics
The inside of the #Oslo Opera House is just as striking with its wood, glass & clean lines: very Scandi! #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 292 of #365TravelPics
Enjoyed wandering around the market & eating dinner at the Mathallen Market in #Oslo #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 293 of #365TravelPics
Churches in #Norway combined Nordic & Christian traditions: this is the Stave Church at Lom with dragons & crosses decorating it. #ScandiTravel Image 294 of #365TravelPics
This is the impressive Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and the most northern medieval cathedral. #ScandiTravel Day 295 of #365TravelPics
My favourite statue at Ekeberg Park #Oslo was Dilemma as a boy decides to jump or not. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 296 of #365TravelPics
Lillehammer is a lovely town & we had some fun pretending to be great sports people & relighting the 1994 Olympic flame. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 297 of #365TravelPics
The problem with a road trip in #Norway is knowing when to pull over & stop as there are so many great views. The colour of the water made us pull over here on the road to Lom. #ScandiTravel Day 298 of #365TravelPics
Away from the cities & mountain tops in #Norway I was impressed by how well maintained & beautiful the valleys were. #ScandiTravel Day 299 of #365TravelPics
We did not see the Northern Lights but the moon & clouds produced some spectacular light affects, late at night. #Norway #ScandiTravel Image 300 of #365TravelPics
Away from the towns & when the clouds clear, the stars provide a spectacular night show. #Norway #ScandiTravel Image 301 of #365TravelPics
This was a bit scary: the highest pass in northern Europe was already covered in snow but beautiful as you saw the raw, white beauty of this country. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 302 of #365TravelPics
A snow-covered car park at Spiterstulen from where we hiked in the Jotenheimen. Felt like we had the park to ourselves. #Norway #ScandiTravel Day 303 of #365TravelPics
One of the amazing moments of my recent #Norway trip: seeing Reindeer grazing as I walked in the Jotunheimen. Zoom in & you can spot them. #ScandiTravel Day 304 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: October – Scandi Travel
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Most of my pics are landscapes but in September they will all be of people. First up: my parents who inspired my travels by taking me to France as a child. One of the first pics I took, age 8. #TravelPeople Image 244 of #365TravelPics
Age 14, I stayed with a family in France. They welcomed & left me with importance of getting to know local people to really understand a culture. They’re pictured here. #TravelPeople Image 245 of #365TravelPics
One of my first travel companions was my Brother. And this is our trip to Venice with school age 16. Since then we’ve travelled across Europe together. #TravelPeople Image 246 of #365TravelPics
A typical university travel pic: group of friends from choir on church steps in Lyon, France. This trip made me life-long friends & was a great start to uni travels. #TravelPeople Day 247 of #365TravelPics
Travelling with friends makes you travel to new places: my choir friends took me Prague for the first time. Here is the group outside Prague Castle. #TravelPeople Day 248 of #365TravelPics
Today is the 5th Anniversary with my partner & co-traveller: I’ve loved travelling to 20 countries with him – here’s to many more trips. #TravelPeople Day 249 of #365TravelPics
I lived with M & Mme Gentil in Lyon for a month, age 19. They introduced me to their friends & took me around the local area. Taught me benefits of meeting locals when travelling. #TravelPeople Day 250 of #365TravelPics
As part of my studies I lived in the Alps & saw the benefits of slow travel, like experiencing the season’s first snow with friends. (Yes, that’s me in the red jumper) #TravelPeople Day 251 of #365TravelPics
When living in France I found joining a choir the best way to become included in a community & French society. This was me & my choir at my 18th in Grenoble. #TravelPeople Image 252 of #365TravelPics
A year after leaving France. I returned with my Bro & Friends – here they are in Chambéry having a fun time. #TravelPeople Day 253 of #365TravelPics
This is me at the Calais Eurotunnel Terminal as I left France after my year living, working, studying & exploring the country in my red car with my Brother. I still own the jumper. #TravelPeople Day 254 of #365TravelPics
Following my last exams at university, I travelled to Llandudno (Wales, UK) for a few days to celebrate with friends. Here they are on the pier. We’re still friends 15 years later. #TravelPeople Day 255 of #365TravelPics
I’ve been lucky to travel through work: here are British, Dutch & Czech colleagues at a meeting in Prague as part of an EU project. Working with partners shows another side to a country. #TravelPeople Day 256 of #365TravelPics
In 2012 I travelled to Poland with my Father. Here he is outside the cathedral on Krakow. #TravelPeople Day 257 of #365TravelPics
I’ve been on walking holidays across the north of the UK with friends. The combination of friendship, exercise & beer makes for a great trip. Here we are donne the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. #TravelPeople Image 258 of #365TravelPics
As well as climbing to the top of hills, I’ve scrambled with friends down into caves to discover the beauty below our feet in Yorkshire. #TravelPeople Image 259 of #365TravelPics
Having travelled as teenagers, my Brother & I now travel with our partners. Here are the 4 of us about to leave for France. #TravelPeople Day 260 of #365TravelPics
ravelling to France now means travelling to see my Father & his wife. Here they are showing us some local highlights among the Burgundy vines. #TravelPeople Day 261 of #365TravelPics
’m lucky that some of my traveling involves visiting some of my family in France & feeling part of their local community instantly. Here we are with a glass of wine this summer. #TravelPeople Day 262 of #365TravelPics
Lucky to have a friend in Paris who helped us discover local bars, restaurants & places to visit. Plus a quick selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower. #TravelPeople Day 263 of #365TravelPics
This is a travel companion from choir as we planned our trip to #EdFringe #TravelPeople Day 264 of #365TravelPics
Travelling made me fall in love: during our first trip – to Berlin’s Christmas markets – I realised I rather liked this chap. #TravelPeople Image 265 of #365TravelPics
The other half now has a beard & we enjou finding trendy places for a beer – like here on the water front in Stockholm. #TravelPeople Image 266 of #365TravelPics
Here’s my travel companion above Dubrovnik, Croatia. We seem to be drinking. Again. #TravelPeople Image 267 of #365TravelPics
Final one for now of the pair of us: there’s been 19 trips together with a 20th shortly. Here’s us “preparing” for the flight in Manchester airport last year. #TravelPeople Day 268 of #365TravelPics
Great memories with a travel companion: sun, sand & beer on an isolated Italian beech. #TravelPeople Day 269 of #365TravelPics
People watching is a great part of a holiday & here is an image of the evening walk in Italy – La Passeggiata – where locals catch up in the last sunshine. #TravelPeople Day 270 of #365TravelPics
If there’s no airport / aeroplane selfie are you really going on holiday? Manchester airport, Norway bound. #TravelPeople Day 271 of #365TravelPics
For Martin’s second album “The Oslo Tapes” he contemplates Nordic beauty, life & how travelling with his partner leads to random pics. #TravelPeople Day 272 of #365TravelPics
Last day of #TravelPeople and a final shot of us slowly enjoying a real ale in Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Olympics. Day 273 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: September – Travel People
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Edinburgh 2018: Entertaining, Enterprising & Educating
Edinburgh 2018: Entertaining, Enterprising & Educating
Hello there reader. Welcome. Take a seat. At some point I will start the formal part of this article but first I want to make you feel relaxed & have a chat. A sort of soft transition between the outside world & the world this article creates…
The famed soft start. Each year Edinburgh Fringe has its stylistic trends and this year it saw multiple actors or comedians already on stage as the…
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New month, new theme & I’m looking at #TravelAtHome & the #UK – first up on #YorkshireDay is a picture of a pint ina rural pub as part of a walking holiday in Nidderdale. Day 213 of #365TravelPics
Some times people in the #UK travel to the Alps or Scandinavia for spectacular mountain walks. But this is #Yorkshire with challenging, inspiring hikes & views, proving #TravelAtHome can be excellent. Day 214 of #365TravelPics
Stretching across a #Yorkshire valley, the Ribblehead Viaduct is evidence of the industrialisation of the #UK and looks super at sunset. #TravelAtHome Day 215 of #365TravelPics
More from #Yorkshire and this is the view from Middlesmoor along Nidderdale. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 216 of #365TravelPics
A final picture from #Yorkshire #UK – this is from last spring, a walk past the church at Middlesmoor. #TravelAtHome Day 217 of #365TravelPics
Now to #Wales – I spent my teenage years here so am biased about its beauty! This is the Great Orme, a headland near Llandudno. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 218 of #365TravelPics
A winter walk in the Vale of Llangollen in #Wales – at once a little bleak but also beautiful. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 219 of #365TravelPics
This is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct over the Llangollen valley in #Wales – added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 2009 & a source of local pride. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 220 of #365TravelPics
This is the River Severn near Shrewsbury close to the border between #England and #Wales – an historic & less visited part of the #UK #TravelAtHome Day 221 of #365TravelPics
The North West of #England is both part of the industrial heartlands and full of natural beauty – like here north of Bury. UK #TravelAtHome Day 222 of #365TravelPics
In Bury, North West #England , is the old railway with heritage steam engines and a very fine trackside pub offering real ales. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 223 of #365TravelPics
Above #Edinburgh on a volcanic rock is its castle protecting the city below. #Scotland #UK #TravelAtHome Day 224 of #365TravelPics
Looking over central #Edinburgh and George IV Bridge – even in the damp it’s a pretty city. #Scotland #UK #TravelAtHome Day 225 of #365TravelPics
At every corner in #Edinburgh buildings show its varied history. This is on the road down to Grassmarket. #Scotland #UK #TravelAtHome Day 226 of #365TravelPics
A visit to the parliament made me understand #Edinburgh and #Scotland better. The free tour shared details of the design & democratic process here. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 227 of #365TravelPics
One last shot from #Edinburgh and the reason I visit regularly: the #EdFringe – this is one of the bigger venues, The Pleasance, getting ready for a new day. #Scotland #UK #TravelAtHome Day 228 of #365TravelPics
Next we head to Bath #England – rightly popular with tourists. This is Pulteney Bridge from the 18th Century. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 229 of #365TravelPics
A niche tweet but if passing through the Cotswolds & Cuddesdon then the Bishop Edward King Chapel at the college is a spectacular example of modern church architecture. #England #UK #TravelAtHome Day 230 of #365TravelPics
One of the most powerful sites for me in #England is Coventry Cathedral. Destroyed in World War 2, the ancient cathedral lies a ruin with the new cathedral next door as a symbol of hope, peace & rebirth. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 231 of #365TravelPics
Nottingham is in the East Midlands of #England and has been regenerated in recent years, like its Old Market Square. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 232 of #365TravelPics
Throughout #England are market towns where the church stands over the square, filled with a market on certain days & a collection of shops. Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, East Anglia is typical. #UK #TravelAtHome Day 233 of #365TravelPics
Listen to Ed Sheeran? Well this is the Castle on the Hill he sings about. The Norman castle at Framlingham has become much better known recently! #Suffolk #England #UK #TravelAtHome Day 234 of #365TravelPics
There’s nothing like an afternoon in an English country garden! The Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at Wisley is my favourite. #England #UK #TravelAtHome Day 235 of #365TravelPics
Street food is having a resurgence in the #UK – groups of small food sellers produce great food & entertainment in old shipping containers. There’s several sites in Manchester but this is #Croydon Boxpark. #TravelAtHome Day 236 of #365TravelPics
An iconic view of the #UK is the White Cliffs of Dover – marking the start or end of a journey. #TravelAtHome Image 237 of #365TravelPics
Trains travelling under the chan le often end up here: Kings Cross St Pancras Station in #London. #TravelAtHome – one of the most impressive stations. #UK Image 238 of #365TravelPics
One of my favourite buildings in #London is the National Theatre with its concrete architecture & great theatre. #TravelAtHome #UK Image 239 of #365TravelPics
Staying in #London and a historic site: Westminster Abbey where monarchs are crowned & great national events marked. Here it is decorated in the Lumière light shows. #TravelAtHome #UK Day 240 of #365TravelPics
The centre of #London acts as a backdrop to many national ceremonies: here are the flags up in Whitehall for the Centenary of the RAF. #TravelAtHome #UK Day 241 of #365TravelPics
It’s currently being restored but The Elizabeth Tower – better known as Big Ben – is one of the iconic images of #London as well as the #UK #TravelAtHome Day 242 of #365TravelPics
Last day of August & pics of #UK travel: thinking back to #London2012 when I saw the rehearsal of the Olympics Opening Ceremony & performed in the Paralympics Opening Ceremony. The rings & UK welcomed & came together. #TravelAtHome Day 243 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: August – Travels at Home
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After a few days off, her are some pics from #Manchester – All Saints Square. Image 182 of #365TravelPics
This is near my work in #Manchester – a man contemplating in All Saints Square. Image 183 of #365TravelPics
This is Manchester School of Art, part of Manchester Met Uni on a foggy #Manchester morning. Image 184 of #365TravelPics
All Saints Square #Manchester in snow this autumn. Image 185 of #365TravelPics
This is the old Palace Hotel in #Manchester – a big, old red brick building which used to be an insurance company building and is typical of the city. Image 186 of #365TravelPics
There’s great detail in the brick work in the old Palace Hotel in #Manchester – evidence of the wealth, creativity & civic pride when the building was constructed. Image 187 of #365TravelPics
The first place I stayed in #Manchester was the Midland Hotel. A former railway hotel with its decoration showing the wealth of a different age. Image 188 of #365TravelPics
Throughout #Manchester are these big blocks which served as the trading quarters for businesses across the world & have evolved as technology meant business needs less space. Image 189 of #365TravelPics
At the centre of #Manchester is St Peter’s Square. Site of the Peterloo massacre & now location for many civic buildings. Image 190 of #365TravelPics
Manchester Town Hall is one of the great Nep-gothic buildings in the UK from the late 19th century. #Manchester Image 191 of #365TravelPics
The 1938 extension of #Manchester Town Hall has some lovely shapes & design features. Image 192 of #365TravelPics
A final exterior shot of #Manchester Town Hall with its elegant shapes and design. Image 193 of #365TravelPics
The decoration inside the civic buildings in #Manchester is equally impressive. This is the Town Hall with its colourful tiles. Image 194 of #365TravelPics
This is inside the #Manchester Central Library and reminiscent of many great libraries like those in our great universities. Image 195 of #365TravelPics
And talking of universities, these are the windows at the Whitworth Hall at the University of #Manchester with its fine glass work. Image 196 of #365TravelPics
For me tiles are a distinctly #Manchester part of building interiors. These are my stairs at work, the former Water Board HQ. Image 197 of #365TravelPics
These tiles have created a regional train map at #Manchester Victoria station. Image 198 of #365TravelPics
Some more tiles from #Manchester Victoria station – memories of a golden age of travel. Image 199 of #365TravelPics
As well as heritage buildings, #Manchester has some more modern « classics » like this concrete piece at Manchester Met. Image 200 of #365TravelPics
This is a new building in St Peters Square #Manchester with its decorations reminding me of the tiles of the older buildings. Image 201 of #365TravelPics
And old and new continue to be built side by side in #Manchester – here is the Manchester Art School from the 19th Century with a new wing being built next door. Image 202 of #365TravelPics
Canals cross cross #Manchester bringing goods and money into the region. Image 203 of #365TravelPics
Today some of the bridges over the canals in #Manchester have padlocks on them – adding memories of a new sort. Day 204 of #365TravelPics
Music can be heard throughout #Manchester – from the hits of local bands in past decades to the gigs it welcomes today. This is Ed Sheeran Man City. Day 205 of #365TravelPics
There is some great street art in #Manchester like this in Wakefield Street. Day 206 of #365TravelPics
And some more industrial street art in #Manchester – a city full of creativity. Day 207 of #365TravelPics
At the centre of #Manchester is Albert Square and here’s a pint of local beer with the same name (almost). Day 208 of #365TravelPics
And the people of #Manchester have a sense of humour: where does beer go after it is drunk? Back in the barrel at the Northern Crafhouse in the north of the city. Day 209 of #365TravelPics
This is the demolition of an old cinema in central #Manchester and is like a cut through the city’s history with different layers revealed behind the skin of the building. Day 210 of #365TravelPics
Every construction site in #Manchester reveals something about its history: when installing a new cycle lane on Oxford Road l, the old tram lines were revealed. Day 211 of #365TravelPics
Last day of pictures from #Manchester & now the iconic symbol of the city: the worker bee. From the bins to the town hall, bees can be seen everywhere including these statues installed for the summer. #BeeInTheCity Day 212 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: July – Manchester
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A couple of months of pictures from France – the place I have travelled in most. My love started with family holidays, including to the # Dordogne – this was the gîte we stayed in for 7 years in the 90s. Image 121 of #365travelpics
Across the Dordogne are small fortified towns, Bastides, built by the French & English as they fought over this part of France in the 13th & 14th centuries. This is Monpazier with its typical arcades, market hall & café! Image 122 of #365travelpics
One of the classic views of the Dordogne from another Bastide: Domme, high above the river which gives this area its name. #France Image 123 of #365travelpics
Whilst the English & French fought over the Dordogne in the Hundred Years War, they built castles. This is Beynac, one of five castles built at this point of the river. #France Image 124 of #365travelpics
Sarlat is one of the bigger towns in the Dordogne – it’s manic with tourists in the summer but off season its squares come to life as locals re-emerge. #France Image 125 of #365travelpics
Full of small alleys & sandstone buildings, Sarlat is one of the gems of the Dordogne – renovated by the new ministry of culture in 60s, it’s since become a polished tourist centre. #France Day 126 of #365travelpics
My first school trip to #France was to the World War 1 trenches. This image is at Vimy Ridge where Canadians remember 3598 died trying to take the ridge in April 1917. Image 127 of #365travelpics
My school trip to World War 1 sites in #France went to Thiepval Memorial which names 72000 British & South African troops who died. Image 128 of #365travelpics
Whilst in northern #France it’s worth spending time in the regional capital #Lille – famous for its clock tower and red brick buildings. Day 129 of #365travelpics
Another fun day out in northern #France for Penguin & other sea life fans is the excellent Nausicaa aquarium in Boulogne. Day 130 of #365travelpics
Aged 18, when I finished school & before heading to university, I toured the #Loire in #France with its spectacular chateau. This is the iconic Chenonceau reflected in the river below. Day 131 of #365travelpics
In summer 2001 I spent time in Burgundy. This is the Abbey of Fontenay. Dating from the 12th Century, it is set in a quiet green valley but at its peak would have been a busy religious hub. #France Image 132 of #365TravelPics
The regional capital of Burgundy is #Dijon – this is it’s Hôtel de Ville and new fountains in 2001 in Place de la Liberation. #France Image 133 of #365TravelPics
Burgundy is famed for its decorative roofs with their intricate designs. This is the Hospice de Beaune dating from the 15th century. #France Image 134 of #365TravelPics
I spent a month in 2002 studying in #Lyon – a huge city with its old town, 19th century squares and modern suburbs. #France Image 135 of #365TravelPics
Whilst in Lyon in 2002 I visited Albertville, host of the 1992 Winter Olympics. This is what remains of the Olympic cauldron & ceremonies arena. #France Day 136 of #365TravelPics
Age 20, moved to the French #Alps & #Grenoble for a year. One of the best years of my life & has encouraged me to keep on travelling since. This is Place Grenette with its cafes & mountain views. #France Day 137 of #365TravelPics
One of the top attractions in #Grenoble is the cable car taking you up to the top of the Bastille. Great views of the city & #Alps – romantic at sunset for a date too 😉 #France Day 138 of #365TravelPics
I celebrated my 21st Birthday in #Grenoble surrounded by my twin & friends from my #Eramus year. Friendships through travel & a life changing time in #France Day 139 of #365TravelPics
This is where I lived in #Grenoble during my year in #France – halls of residence on the university campus with great views of the mountains. Image 140 of #365TravelPics
Despite great view of the #Alps the halls I lived in #Grenoble #France the kitchen was really basic: no oven, broken fridges, no cupboards and no furniture. Day 141 of #365TravelPics
Spring 2003 was 35 years since Mai 68 & students had a new reason to protest: reforms to degree structures. This was the main hall at the Université Stendhal in #Grenoble – a reminder of student political engagement in #France in 68, 03 & 18. Day 142 of #365TravelPics
One of the benefits of living in Grenoble, France was easy access to the mountains. This is the view from the top of the aiguille du midi in Chamonix. Unforgettable views. Day 143 of #365TravelPics
This is a pic of Mont Blanc from the Aiguille de Midi. Beautiful in the mid morning sun. Still want to return & get the cable car to Italy past these valleys. #France Day 144 of #365TravelPics
Surrounding #Grenoble are 3 mountain ranges: Chartreuse, Belledonne & Vercors. Loved driving across each of them with their distinct personality. #France Day 145 of #365TravelPics
Near to Grenoble is the Venice of the Alps – Annecy – with canals & a lake with mountains seeking to its edge, it’s a lovely place for walking & relaxng. #France Day 146 of #365TravelPics
From Grenoble #France we crossed the Alps to Turin, stopping in the town of Briançon. Covered in snow, its walls & church felt like an alpine refuge. Image 147 of #365TravelPics
One summer day we took the Route des Grandes Alpes from near #Grenoble to #Nice #France – the winding roads took us over many snow-capped peaks & green valleys. Day 148 of #365TravelPics
So at the end of the Route des Grandes Alpes was #Nice #France – with the Baie des Anges and Promenade des Anglais along its edge. Day 149 of #365TravelPics
Heading to Eastern #France and Strasbourg near Alsace is a mix of France & Germany with some canals thrown in. The town is capped by its cathedral. Day 150 of #365TravelPics
La Petite France in Strasbourg to my mind is misnamed: seems more like Germany than #France – whatever, it is very pretty. Image 151 of #365TravelPics
At a cross road in Europe, Strasbourg is one of the seats of the EU parliament. They visit once a month to pass legislation. I was there in May 2004 when 10 new members joined the EU. #France Day 152 of #365TravelPics
A few kilometres from Strasbourg is the Alsace wine region & this is th lovely village of Ribeauvillé. #France Day 153 of #365TravelPics
It is sometimes forgotten that there were work camps in #France during World War 2: this is in Alsace at Natzweiler-Struthof, a painful but important visit. Day 154 of #365TravelPics
There was experimental use of gas to kill those unable to work at the camp at Natzweiler-Struthof – dreadful history in this mountain location. #France Day 155 of #365TravelPics
Lorraine is the slightly overlooked & under appreciated sister of eastern #France. This is Cours Stanislas in Nancy, evidence of why a visit throws up some hidden gems. Day 156 of #365TravelPics
The history of #France can be traced back to where the first king (Clovis) was baptised & went on to rule the French by St Rémi in modern day Reims. Day 157 of #365TravelPics
Of course modern day Reims is more famous for Champagne and these are the cellars at Taitinger. #France Day 158 of #365TravelPics
Heading to the South West of #France & one of the top tourist sights is Carcassonne – a walled town but remember it was made to look this pretty by a 19th century restoration. Day 159 of #365TravelPics
In the Pyrenees foothills are Cathar castles whose views offered protection to its builders & great photos for today’s tourists. This is Queribus, one of the finer examples. Day 160 of #365TravelPics
For my 30th Birthday I went to Bordeaux #France & spent the mornings writing my thesis in a stone walled vineyard cottage. And the afternoons drinking the local produce! Day 161 of #365TravelPics
Over last 3 years, I’ve been lucky to get to know #Burgundy in #France – this is St Aubin with its distinctive church tower & golden stone buildings. Image 162 of #365TravelPics
Each wall with its marks, holes & shadows reveals a little of the story of the wine village of St Aubin in #Burgundy & #France Image 163 of #365TravelPics
St Aubin in #Burgundy is most famous for the fine wines its produces. Its vines sit in a protective, pleasing valley. #France Image 164 of #365TravelPics
I spent a lot of time recently admiring this view of St Aubin in #Burgundy with lighting showing its church, houses and history at its best. #France Day 165 of #365TravelPics
This is Puligny-Montrachet – producing some of the finest wines in #Burgundy but also a pretty village with its central square & Mairie. #France Day 166 of #365TravelPics
One of the roundabouts in Puligny-Montrachet has a statue of vineyard workers showing their back breaking but specialist work in the #Burgundy fields. #France Image 167 of #365TravelPics
A final picture from Puligny-Montrachet and the beautiful #Burgundy vines which will produce the region’s golden wines. #France Day 168 of #365TravelPics
My tour of #France now turns to #Paris and the entry point for many arriving either by train or from the airports: Gare du Nord. Day 169 of #365TravelPics
For me, #Paris is at its best in its quiet back streets with its 19th Century Buildings which could only be found in the French capital. This is in the 10th Arrondisement. #France Day 170 of #365TravelPics
On so many corners in #Paris you find the local café where people get their fix of coffee, news & gossip. #France Day 171 of #365TravelPics
Over the next few days some iconic locations in #Paris – first the Arc de Triomphe unusually with no cars in front of it. #France Day 172 of #365TravelPics
In the last 20 years the Flamme de la Liberté has become an icon in #Paris. Originally a copy of the Statue of Liberty’s flame, its location remembers the spot near Place de l’Alma where Princess Diana died. #France Day 173 of #365TravelPics
Another icon of #Paris : Notre Dame – inspiring from all sides. #France Image 174 of #365TravelPics
All roads in #France lead to this point in #Paris in front of Notre Dame Cathedral: Point Zero. Image 175 of #365TravelPics
A backstreet on Île de la Cité – metres from Notre Dame and the original heart of #Paris #France Day 176 of #365TravelPics
Over the next 3 days: my favourite #Paris museums: this is the view from the bar at the top of the Centre Pompidou – after some great art, a great sunset view of the French capital awaits. #France Day 177 of #365TravelPics
Another favourite #Paris museum: the Louvre. I find the inside too busy & vast, despite the great works. But the outside, with its mix of old & moden, for me summarises the history of contemporary #France Day 178 of #365TravelPics
My third museum in #Paris is the Musée d’Orsay – a former station & I love it as much for its architecture as its impressionist paintings. #France Day 179 of #365TravelPics
At the heart of #Paris is Place de la République which marks the revolution & it’s values. #France Day 180 of #365TravelPics
A final photo of #Paris and #France – and one of the most iconic images of the beautiful French capital. Day 181 of #365TravelPics
365 Travel Pics: May & June – France
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For Easter Day, a picture of my church, St Mary’s Prestwich, Manchester, UK in #Spring (April’s theme). Image 91 of #365travelpics
For Easter Monday, an early Spring morning at Worth Abbey, UK, the abbey church shining in the frosty sunlight. Day 92 of #365travelpics
A Spring walk in St Aubin, Burgundy, France – waiting for the vines to grow again. Day 93 of #365travelpics
An early Spring day in Oslo, Norway – the ice starting to melt in the fjord but still thick enough to walk on in places. Day 94 of #365travelpics
Examining the #Spring buds on the trees at Morella in Spain – signs that better weather is on the way and an excellent fort to visit, too. Day 95 of #365travelpics
The fresh, cool waters at the Polylimnio Waterfalls on the Peloponnese, Greece. Melted mountain water in #Spring . Day 96 of #365travelpics
Off back to Italy soon & it’s a great place in the #Spring – this is Taormina on Sicily with fresh green leaves on the trees. Day 97 of #365travelpics
More Italy memories and walking in the #Spring sunshine in Syracuse, Sicily. Day 98 of #365travelpics
Another mountain stream in Italy with cool #Spring waters. The spectacular Cavagrande del Cassibile on Sicily . Day 99 of #365travelpics
Last trip to Italy was in the #Spring but the heat & sunshine near Agrigento, Sicily felt closer to a British summer! Day 100 of #365travelpics
A cold #Spring walk up Mount Etna Sicily, Italy – my next trip will involve another active volcano: Vesuvius. Day 101 of #365travelpics
Trees sprouting & blossoming in Ravello: #Spring in full evidence in Italy on the Amalfi Coast. Day 102 of #365travelpics
The Bay of Naples with the Sorrento Peninsular showing signs of green as #Spring arrives. From the top of Vesuvius. Day 103 of #365travelpics
Trees coming to life in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast: #Spring on its way in Italy. Day 104 of #365travelpics
A walk in the Grotte del Bussento in the Cilento National Park. Green moss hanging from trees, ferns & clear water. A beautiful #Spring scene in Italy. Day 105 of #365travelpics
A #Spring scene in Italy as we take part in la passeggiata on Ischia – an evening walk as the sun sets. Day 106 of #365travelpics
The grounds at Giardini Poseidon Terme smell of orange blossom, a #Spring scent all over Ischia in Italy – the natural hot springs have a great coastal backdrop, too. Day 107 of #365travelpics
An image of Vesuvius before AD79 from Pompeii (now in the Archaeological Museum in. Naples). Shows birds & greenery of #Spring – and a “dormant” volcano. Day 108 of #365travelpics
A view of Vesuvius on a hot day – more like Summer than #Spring but the volcano dominates the Naples bay. Day 109 of #365travelpics
A decorated sarcophagus lid at Paestum. The Tomb of the Diver dates from 470BC & shows a man diving to death & a #Spring tree symbolising new life. Day 110 of #365travelpics
A crumbling bridge in the Cilento National Park, framed by fresh green leaves & above fresh water. #Spring Day 111 of #365travelpics
A high #Spring tide on Ischia with fishing boats resting in port below the sunny hills. Day 112 of #365travelpics
Traveling means coming home & here’s some #Spring blossom in Manchester : Day 113 of #365travelpics
Some #Spring blossom in front of the iconic Manchester Town Hall: Image 114 of #365travelpics
It rains in a lot in the #Spring too: blossom reflect in a puddle in Manchester – Day 115 of #365travelpics
Outside the Palace Hotel/ Refuge there are #Spring flowers for sale in this historic Manchester building. Image 116 of #365travelpics
A grey #Spring day with rain threatening as new buildings spring (!) up in Manchester – Image 117 of #365travelpics
New #Spring flowers outside the University of Manchester – Image 118 of #365travelpics
Through the arch under the Whitworth Hall at the University of Manchester – #Spring growth & green appearing. Day 119 of #365travelpics
A cold day in Manchester more like winter but the colourful flowers remind us it is really #Spring Day 120 of #365travelpics
365 Travel Pics: April – Spring
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New month, new theme: Black & White Travel Pics. This pic of the Bobsleigh track in Sarajevo was the inspiration. Day 60 of #365travelpics
The recent snow in the UK lends itself to Black & White pics: this is All Saints Park near Manchester Met Uni after the snow was cleared on Wednesday. Image 61 of #365travelpics
In Paris for the weekend & this is a black & white Eiffel tower – iconic symbol & one of the world’s most recognised buildings. Day 62 of #365travelpics
Coffee in a Paris café to refuel, reflect & relax. Day 63 of #365travelpics
The Eiffel Tower through the framework of the Centre Pompidou. A Black & White shot of the city of lights, Paris Day 64 of #365travelpics
The Arc de Triomphe is at the heart of Paris with roads stretching out from it across the French capital. Day 65 of #365travelpics
A side street in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris – elegant with its tall buildings & a cyclist peddling past. Day 66 of #365travelpics
The elegant town hall in Manchester with its tiles & church-like architecture. Day 67 of #365travelpics
A Black & White memory of Bratislava Slovakia & its UFO bridge which must have seemed futuristic when constructed. Image 68 of #365travelpics
Black & White memories of the Balkans: a concrete war memorial in #Bosnia Image 69 of #365travelpics
Black & White memories of the Balkans: Hotel Igman near Sarajevo in Bosnia – hosted Olympic guests & then sheltered war leaders. Image 70 of #365travelpics
Black & White memories of the Balkans: beautiful northern Montenegro & the atmospheric Black Lake. Image 71 of #365travelpics
Black & White memories of the Balkans: hot Dubrovnik, Croatia – early morning as the walled city awakes. Day 72 of #365travelpics
Evening out in Manchester with beer, conversation & candlelight making things blurred. Day 73 of #365travelpics
More images of Manchester & a misty All Saints Square in the middle of winter. Day 74 of #365travelpics
It’s Friday & time to relax with a glass of wine. Here’s a Black & White memory of a tasting in Burgundy, France. Day 75 of #365travelpics
Staying in St Aubin, Burgundy, France – this is the village on a cold winter’s day, waiting for sunshine to make the golden stone glow again. Image 76 of #365travelpics
Over to Brussels, Belgium & its modern icon the Atomium, well suited to a Black & White photo. Day 77 of #365travelpics
A sunset & sundowners on Sicily in Black & White photo. Day 78 of #365travelpics
Ancient temple near Agrigente on Sicily in Black & White photo. Day 79 of #365travelpics
The north coast of Estonia – remote & atmospheric, in colour as well as Black & White. Day 80 of #365travelpics
The new Opera House is Oslo, Norway from a frozen fjord, all in Black & White. Day 81 of #365travelpics
The frozen Akerselva River & former factories near hipster Grünerløkka in Oslo – cool in both senses of the word. Norway Day 82 of #365travelpics
The lights of a bridge in Budapest, Hungary shown in Black & White. 83 of #365travelpics
The colourful lights of a bar in Athens, Greece becomes less warm but more dramatic in Black & White. Image 84 of #365travelpics
A temple at Epidaurus, Greece near the ancient theatre. Day 85 of #365travelpics
The parliament of Austria in Vienna on a winter’s afternoon. Day 86 of #365travelpics
Back to the Balkans & sunset across the bay at Split, Croatia. Day 87 of #365travelpics
One of my favourite places – and pics – in black and white. Lake Bohinj in wonderful Slovenia. Day 88 of #365travelpics
On Good Friday, memories of time at Worth Abbey, UK with brick, concrete & wood coming together in its church & a cross in its roof. Day 89 of #365travelpics
On Easter Eve my last Black & White photo is of the Bishop Edward King Chapel at Ripon College, Cuddesdon near Oxford, UK. Bright, elegant & peaceful. Day 90 of #365travelpics
365 Travel Pics: March – Black & White
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Day 32 of #365travelpics & a new month. This month #28Days28Countries – a pic from each country I’ve visited. Country 1: the UK & my earliest travel pic. Age 10, I photographed trains on the Severn Valley Railway.
Day 33 of #365travelpics & the 2nd country I visited was France. This is Domme high above the Dordogne valley. Took this shot from the beautiful hilltop village when I was 10. #28Days28Countries
Day 34 of #365travelpics and Country 3 is Belgium – this is a side street in Ypres with its Cloth Hall at the end. At the heart of World War 1 Battle Fields, the city was rebuilt in the decades afterwards.
Country 4 is Italy and a trip aged 16 which included Venice – a floating beauty, a ruin which is captivating. Day 35 of #365travelpics
Country 5 was the Czech Republic in 2003. Prague was beautiful & bohemian then and in my 6 visits since. My first encounter of Central European countries. Day 36 of #365travelpics
During my Erasmus year, I visited Country 6, Switzerland in 2003. Geneva with its lake, historic centre & UN buildings were impressive despite being in lock down for visiting leaders. Day 37 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
In Basel is the Dreiländereck: the point where France, Switzerland & Country 7: Germany meet. It’s a fun place & a reminder of how interlinked these countries are. Day 38 of #365travelpics
Age 23 I got my first job which meant travel to the Netherlands – Country 8. This is Amsterdam with its quiet, atmospheric back canals. Day 39 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Travels for work took me to Copenhagen, Denmark – Country 9. The people are friendly & welcoming, the beer expensive & tasty, the city a beautiful backdrop for series like Borgen. Day 40 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Lucky to be sent to Estonia – Country 10 for a conference in Tallinn The midnight sun confused me but made the city walls & churches glow at sunset. Day 41 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Next up was a project in Sweden – Country 11. This is elegant Stockholm but its little sister Gothenburg is easy & relaxed, Malmo a little edgier but all of them good for a couple of nights. Day 42 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Quick weekend break in Oslo, Norway – Country 12. Walking on the ice, admiring the new Opera House & nursing a coffee: all good things to do here. Day 43 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
My first solo holiday was in 2010 to Zagreb Croatia – Country 13. Great vibe with some brilliant street art. Day 44 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Next up was Krakow Poland – Country 14. The centre was interesting but the area of Nowa Huta with its modern churches sticks in my memory. Day 45 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
My first holiday with my partner was to Spain – Country 15. Had a good day in its third city Valencia with its historic heart & modern City of Arts & Sciences. Day 46 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
My best holiday holiday was to Slovenia – Country 16. Spectacular scenery, tons of stuff to do & welcoming people. Go! Day 47 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Now for 2 micro states: first Vatican City – Country 17. A small but significant place for religious, political & cutural reasons. This is the museum’s double helix staircase. Day 48 #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
2nd micro state: Monaco – Country 18. This is the casino. For the cash-poor, the city’s best viewed from the gardens on the cliffs above. Day 49 #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
I’ve visited Ireland (Country 19) 6 times: this is Trinity College, a calm haven of academia in the middle of the exciting bustle of Dublin. Day 50 #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Heading north next to Finland (Country 20): its capital Helsinki has nature on its doorstep, some hip culture & a fine cathedral at its heart. Day 51 #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Heading south next to Greece (Country 21): Athens is a noisy, atmospheric, ancient city with history everywhere. Loved it. Day 52 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Each year I go to some Christmas markets: in 2016 it was Budapest, Hungary (Country 22) but with its baths & ruin bars, though, there’s much more to this city. Day 53 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
In 2017 I returned to the Balkans & got to fantastic Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina (Country 23). This was the view from our apartment: the famous Latin Bridge. Image 54 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Next we headed to the north of Montenegro (Country 24). Undiscovered, as yet, but full of stunning natural beauty. Go before others do. Image 55 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
Stopped in Istanbul, Turkey (Country 25) which is bustling, diverse & culturally exciting. Day 56 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
In December 2017, I went to the Christmas Markets in Vienna, Austria (Country 26) which was elegant, restrained & a little expensive. Day 57 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
A side trip from Vienna is Bratislava, capital of Slovakia (Country 27). A bijoux capital city but close to fine countryside for walking. Day 58 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
My final country is Luxembourg (Country 28). This is the view from the (excellent) hostel: pic shows combination of traditional town, modern offices & ancient forests. Day 59 of #365travelpics #28Days28Countries
365 Travel Pics: February – #28Days28Countries
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Starting #365travelpics – in January looking at memories. Day 1: First up: Hotel Igman from 1984 Sarajevo Olympics which became was used by Mladic during wars.
Day 2 of #365travelpics & memories of a spring trip in 2017 to spectacular Athens with its ancient monuments & modern night life.
Day 3 #365travelpics & memories of EdFringe 2017 and the elegant, eccentric & exciting Edinburgh – can’t wait to return. This was the view from my room for my visit.
Day 4 #365travelpics & memories of Christmas Markets 2017 in classy Vienna with great architecture, good wine & welcoming locals. — in Vienna, Austria.
Day 5 of #365travelpics & memories of my last trip in 2017: the less discovered Slovakia with its quiet capital Bratislava & its main bridge over the Danube.
Day 6 of #365travelpics & memories of when travelling changed my life. An Erasmus Year in Grenoble, France made me love travel in Europe & started my academic career.
Day 7 of #365travelpics & memories of first snowfall in Grenoble, France in the Alps during my Erasmus year. The beauty & excitement of that day has meant mountains have featured in many of my trips since.
Day 8 of #365travelpics & memories of a time before Brexit when sweets symbolised the EU at Arcachon, France.
Day 9 of #365travelpics & memories of my last visit to Alsace in the east of #France : this is Ribeauville with wooden houses, vines all around & a charming mix of French & German culture.
Day 10 of #365travelpics & more memories of France : sunrise over the Château de Sours near Bordeaux where I celebrated my 30th.
Day 11 of #365travelpics & memories of an early morning drive across northern France : sunrise over the motorway. #NoFilter
Day 12 of #365travelpics & memories of a hot, sunny St Aubin in Burgundy, France : church dates from 10th century & sits atop this beautiful village which produces superb wine.
Day 13 of #365travelpics & memories of a fantastic morning in Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France : got there at opening time, enjoying alone the masterpieces & the view of Sacré Cœur through the old station clock.
Day 14 of #365travelpics & memories of an evening walk across Paris, France ending in front of Notre Dame. Beautifully lit & the square is quieter than the middle of the day.
Day 15 of #365travelpics & memories of standing in front of Notre Dame in Paris France in Point Zero from where all distances to the capital are measured.
Day 16 of #365travelpics & memories of meetings in the inspiring Manchester Town Hall, closed today for 6 years refurbishment. Looking forward to returning to this masterpiece.
Day 17 of #365travelpics & memories of the last Lumiere London when Westminster Abbey was colourfully lit to highlight its ancient features. This festival of light returns tomorrow.
Day 18 of #365travelpics & memories of those who stood for freedom in the Czech Republic: Jan Palach committed suicide here at the end of the Prague Spring in 1968. Political freedoms would only follow 2 decades later.
Day 19 of #365travelpics & memories of those who stood for freedom in Hungary: this striking memorial remembers the Swiss Consul who helped Jews escape Budapest in World War 2.
Day 20 of #365travelpics & looking towards Holocaust Memorial Day. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin is striking & moving, ensuring past events are remembered. Powerful Memories.
Day 21 of #365travelpics & looking towards Holocaust Memorial Day. Important Memories from Berlin and the Memorial to Persecuted Homosexuals.
Day 22 of #365travelpics & looking towards Holocaust Memorial Day. There were camps across Europe: this is the work camp at Struthof, near Strasbourg where some detainees quarried red rock to build Speer’s Berlin. 22,000 died.
Day 23 of #365travelpics & thinking of Holocaust Memorial Day. The first concentration camp in Germany was at Dachau near Munich It led to a network across Europe & its stark memorial remembers the thousand who died.
Day 24 of #365travelpics & remembering Holocaust Memorial Day. This is Plaszow Camp, a forced labour camp, in Krakow which featured in Schindler’s List.
Day 25 of #365travelpics & memories ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Saturday. The gates at Auschwitz “Arbeit macht frei” / “Work sets you free” but here it often actually meant the end.
Day 26 of #365travelpics & memories ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day tomorrow. The buildings in the Auschwitz Camp 1 are brick, functional buildings with an awful purpose. Eventually they were too few for the numbers arriving. Sobering.
Day 27 of #365travelpics & Holocaust Memorial Day. Memories of the shocking scale of Auschwitz Birkenau. A vast camp where over a million died
Day 28 of #365travelpics & the Reichstag in Berlin where memories are built into the building: where Soviet graffiti & Nazi destruction have been left as reminders of the past & fragility of democracy.
Day 29 of #365travelpics & memories of a divided Europe: this week the wall & death strip between East & West in Berlin has now being dismantled longer than it stood as a barrier.
Day 30 of #365travelpics & memories in Sarajevo at the location where a shooting of an Archduke led to World War I.
Day 31 of #365travelpics & memories in Sarajevo of conflicts in the 90s & the destruction of the National Library with a plea not to forget.
365 Travel Pics: January – Memories
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