Author Profile: Valery Collins

One of the purest voices I have ever heard was singing a haunting melody as we entered Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. Ahead of us the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh glowed...   view more

There are many good reasons to visit the vibrant UNESCO city of Hoi An a town that lights up every night as dusk falls on its ancient...   view more

What do you do with twelve exhausted travellers who have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at six in the morning – too early to check into their hotel? Take them to Trung Nguyen Legend coffee shop to drink Vietnamese...   view more

Mauritius in the Indian Ocean is an entrancing mixture of old and new, lagoons and mountains and Africa and Asian. As we journeyed from our base at the Tamassa Resort in the southern part of the island we had glimpses through the tree-lined road of sandy coves penetrating a rocky...   view more

My recent visit to Siem Reap in Cambodia was my second visit there and I intended to profit from lessons learnt from that first experience. I had learnt that Angkor Wat is only one of many temples in the ancient city of Angkor...   view more

Florence is truly a treasure trove of sights to see and things to do and I always leave this beautiful city with a list of things I still have not done. On my last visit I had five new...   view more

Before I visited Sanremo (also spelt San Remo) I was unaware that Italy had a Riviera and that, like the French Riviera, it became popular during the nineteenth because of the benefits to health it...   view more

I have visited Florence many times and followed the usual tourist trail but as soon as the official tour is over and I am free to wander I always make my way to the same place, a snapshot of this famous town and an oasis from the throng – Palazzo...   view more

The Palio is essential to the life of the Contrade. The Contrade in turn are essential to the life of Siena. The Palio, the Contrade, and Siena thus constitute a virtually interdependent trinity – a quote from the historian Judith...   view more

The Palio may be the jewel in the crown of Siena but this town has other gems worthy of consideration and in particular the old hospital of Santa Maria della...   view more

Lucca in Tuscany is one of my favourite cities because it has so much to offer. I can visit the many interesting attractions dispersed around the town, browse a wide range of shops, enjoy a leisurely coffee in one of its many piazze or walk around its...   view more

Where to start? There was so much to see. We decided that while we still had the energy we would climb the Guinigi Tower one of the few remaining tower houses in...   view more

I gazed into a familiar green face way above me framed by an azure blue sky – I was in Piazza Sant’Oronzo in Lecce and it was Sant’Oronzo (Saint Horace) who I had already met in Ostuni and who is also the patron saint of this...   view more

It was an astonishing introduction to Matera , the town that was built in the rocks tumbling down the side of the ravine La Gravina, through which the river of the same name...   view more

The boat was full and the only space we could find was a row of seats outside and right at the front. Soon after we set off the wind started to seriously batter us and everyone moved...   view more

The amazing temples of Bagan crept up on us out of the dense vegetation that lined the route from the Nyaung Oo Airport to our...   view more

Despite a constant ebb and flow of visitors Shwedagon Paya in Yangon (also known as Rangoon) was a place of peace and serenity. Clusters of individuals worshipped in silence around the many small shrines offering up beautiful fresh flowers and fabulous foil...   view more

Ecuador Highway 35 between Quito and Otavalo passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in Ecuador. On one side the land drops away into the valley and on the other side peaks of the Andes tower...   view more

“Go ahead, stroke it”. I looked suspiciously at the brick wall beside me and wondered why I would want to touch it. Abbie encouraged me again so I peeled off my glove and ran a tentative finger-tip across the rough...   view more

As the clouds drifted around the peaks beyond the restaurant window so the debate rolled around our circular table – should we or shouldn’t...   view more

The narrow passages ways of the medina in Fes were deserted. I had expected to be pushing my way through crowds and resisting attempts to be drawn into the small shops that lined the narrow thoroughfares but they were securely bolted behind doors of a variety of hues and...   view more

I was lingering uncertainly on the edge of the crowd as mesmerised as the snakes by the music when one of them suddenly lunged towards us and then slithered across the paving stones at great...   view more

I spotted the beautiful mural on the side of a house as we drove through Matanzas. on our way to Memories resort at Jibacoa. This image remained in my head and drew me back to the town a few days...   view more

When I got up and threw open the heavy wooden shutters I was very surprised to find that my room overlooked the Tuscan countryside surrounding San Gimignano, It was sp beautiful and ethereal with a wreath of mist hanging over the regimented squares striped with rows of...   view more

When the sea fret rolled in across Poole Quay I thought that was the end of my day out in Poole but then I began to enjoy this ethereal experience and the sound of shipping hooting in the harbour close...   view more

I will remember Salerno as the place with one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen and where I ate one of the best pizzas I have ever tasted. I only stayed there for one night and I had to for a walk around the town and I set off from my lodgings on the beach early the next...   view more

I felt light-hearted as soon as I got out of the minibus in Piazza Mazzini in Trani, a coastal town in the Italian region of Puglia. The sun was shining and little white clouds scudded past the vacant windows of the gleaming white facade of the Church of San...   view more

I had heard a whisper that Pistoia was worth a visit so on a free day in Tuscany I set off to find out if this was true. On arrival it seemed the town was sleeping and I asked the one passer-by I encountered between the centre and the station if I was going in the right direction for the old...   view more

One day, from our windows, we watched a small lorry, only six inches narrower than the street, take thirty minutes to reverse down it, accompanied by a lot of sighing and shaking of heads and some well meant but hardly practical...   view more

The view of Ostuni from the railway station was stunning, white buildings crouched on top of a hill. But – it was five kilometres away. I had walked past the local bus that meets every train because it was so small I thought it was a private...   view more

The trulli in Puglia could be the earliest recorded tax evasion scheme. It involved the use of drystone walling which was imposed on the builders of new settlements in the area from the fourteenth century as they could easily be dismantled and re-built after the tax inspector had...   view more

Polignano a Mare in Puglia certainly lives up to its name ‘at sea’ as it is perched on the white cliffs of a rugged coastline. Its origins date back to the fourth century when Greek settlers founded the city of...   view more

My intention had been to pop into St Albans to do some shopping in the weekly market and started with the stalls at the far end of St Peters Street. The variety of stalls was amazing from home made bread to amusing signs. I ear marked a few things I thought I might go back to buy...   view more

When we drove into the city of Guayaquil my first thought was thank goodness we are only staying here for one night. Three hours later I felt very differently about the largest city in...   view more

A line of mist shrouded figures marched across the horizon above me towards a round stone structure that dominated the surrounding countryside. Were they ghosts of the Cañari or the Incas both of whom had lived and worshipped...   view more

Like many towns in Puglia, Otranto, a pretty coastal town, has a mixed and colourful past. It was established as an important port by the Greeks which was later used by the Romans. It has been ruled by the Byzantines, the Normans and the...   view more

Bari may be a large commercial port and the capital of Puglia in Southern Italy but I had no sense of this when I arrived there. I was immediately drawn towards its attractive sea front which I made my starting...   view more

Captivated by this fascinating town I was back in Pistoia the following week and this time there was no doubt regarding the whereabouts of the...   view more

Trento, the regional capital of Trentino in Northern Italy and famous as the host for the Council of Trent nearly 500 hundred years ago is now achieving fame as the home of a unique museum...   view more

It was a splendid English afternoon tea. Miniature smoked salmon blinis, tiny quiches and bite-sized sandwiches graced the bottom plate of our three-tier cake stand. Plump scones, pots of jam, a small dish of fresh cream and fluffy Bakewell slices crowded together on the second...   view more

I was browsing through my photos when I came across this image and it reminded me of a very special walk on the island of Brownsea in Dorset to watch the red squirrels gathering nuts for the...   view more

I started my journey to the village on the open top deck of the number 50 Purbeck Breezer that runs from Bournemouth to Swanage via the chain ferry that links the Sandbanks sand spit to the Studland...   view more

Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria is surrounded by the Ester Mountains also known as the Bavarian Alps, a spur of the...   view more

I stepped through the archway Portoni della Bra that leads into Piazza Bra from Corsa Porto Nuova and it felt as though I had gone back in time. A Roman amphitheatre, the Arena, filled my...   view more

I craned my neck and squinted into the sun in order to see the statue of Cangrande I on top of its column. We were in the private cemetery of the della Scala family which contains the tombs of the three most important members of the that ruled Verona for 100 years during the Middle...   view more

Montecatini Terme is the ideal base from which to explore its more famous neighbours in the Italian region of Tuscany. Early every morning cavalcades of touring buses roll down the wide, tree-lined avenues to collect their...   view more

Montecatini Alto is spread across two hills both originally built for defensive purposes. It is hard to believe, as you stroll through its narrow cobbled streets, that due to its strategic position this little town had a very turbulent...   view more

When we arrived at our hotel, Sol Umag, in Umag on the peninsula of Istria in Croatia we were too early to check in. We were directed to the Pool Bar where we could get drinks and...   view more

You may wonder, as you enter Pinzolo, http://www.pinzolo.com why the first thing you see is a statue of a knife grinder with his barrow. A bit strange you might think and something more likely to be seen on the streets of...   view more

Riva del Garda occupies pole position at the Northern end of Lake Garda in Italy. As you approach through the Valley of the Lakes colourful oleander bushes and silvery olive trees line the...   view more

I love to visit Malcesine on Lake Garda because it is home to one of my favourite restaurants – La Pace. As soon as I get off the ferry I push through the crowds lingering on the quay wondering what to do and where to...   view more

Monaco is the second smallest principality in the world (the Vatican is the first). Covering only 1.5 square miles it is more like a large city than a small...   view more

Verona, in Italy is a World Heritage UNESCO site and deservedly so. It is the only place I know where you can peel away its history layer by layer. I have already explored Roman Verona and Medieval Verona today I was exploring the Venetian...   view more

Austrian Verona could also be described as the Hidden Verona. The period when Verona was part of the Austro-Hapsburg Empire, 1815 to 1866, was not a happy time for the...   view more

We arrived at Gjirokaster (also spelt Gjirokastra) in Albania mid-afternoon. The perfect time to explore this UNESCO world heritage site – in the cool of the day when golden rays from the sun enhanced the silvery grey stone of the buildings above and below...   view more

Vlora (also spelt Vlorë) resembles a butterfly emerging from the Communist chrysalis that enveloped Albania until 1991. Ideally situated on a stunning coastline Vlora is the second largest port in Albania. Its seafront has already been transformed into an open area surrounded by...   view more

It seemed like such a simple plan at the time. Catch the local bus into Corfu town or Kerkyra and make my way to one of the two fortresses I had seen from the ferry when I arrived on the island of Corfu...   view more

Matsumoto, in Japan, is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern. Strolling down the modern main streets I realised something was missing. The street lighting is not fuelled by an intricate web of overhead power lines as they are in every other city I had...   view more

There was an air of anticipation as we crossed the narrow channel of water between Hiroshima port and Miyajima Island. Everyone was craning their necks for the first view of the torii gate of the famous Itsukushima...   view more

Stepping off the tram at the “Peace Park”: in Hiroshima I had no idea what to expect, or even, why I was there. I was immediately struck by the stark reality of the disaster that struck the city on seeing the Atomic Dome (Genbaku Dome) with its shredded...   view more

On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji from the top of the Tokyo Tower . So, I was delighted to discover that this tower was just five minutes’ walk from my hotel, Shiba Park Hotel. When I had arrived in Minato, I was disappointed as I missed the fast pace and crowds of the central...   view more

Outside the Town Hall of Tartu, in Estonia is a statue of two students kissing. Or maybe they are newlyweds? The Kissing Statue was added to the fountain in Town Hall Square fifty years after it was...   view more

Tartu, in Estonia prides itself on being the town of good or free thinking. Somehow this town avoids extremes and produces interesting and harmonious...   view more

Estonians love their museums and Tallinn reflects this passion with some interesting collections, exhibitions and...   view more

During the Middle Ages the Estonian Vikings were a thorn in the side of Denmark, a great military and mercantile power at the time. In 1219 the Danish fleet sailed into the harbour of Tallinn, and claimed possession of Tallinn and Northern...   view more

As I had already explored the old town of Tallinn, capital of Estonia I was delighted when Katrin, our city guide, offered to show us a different area of Tallinn. The Rotermann Quarter was established by the Rotermann dynasty during the nineteenth...   view more

I was blown away by the food; fresh, thinly crusted brown bread with slightly salted butter; exquisite gourmet dishes; hand-crafted fruity beers; sparkling sophisticated cider; mouth-watering desserts and pastries … Where was I? I was in Tallinn, capital of...   view more

When I arrived in Piazza Martiri d’Ungheria in the Italian city of Viterbo the sun was shining. It illuminated the splendid old buildings marching along the ridge above me. All around me the landscape was spiked with domes and spires. Which way to...   view more

Approaching Limone from Lake Garda the visitor is immediately struck by an abundance of lemon groves and olive trees. The buildings along the shore-line are festooned with the brilliant blooms of bougainvillea and its long promenade is lined with oleander...   view more

Initially I was overwhelmed by the ultra-modern city of Nagoya. Complicated steel structures and impersonal sky scrapers everywhere. The only high-rise block that did not advertise its name in giant letters on the top was our hotel. I kept getting...   view more

Kyoto has so much to offer it is a must for anyone visiting Japan. It was once the home of the Emperor. It is the site of over two thousand Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines of which seventeen are UNESCO World Heritage...   view more

My first visit to Sirmione was on a lovely sunny, December day. This little town is situated on a promontory in the middle of the southern end of Lake...   view more

As I meandered through crowds of holidaymakers dodging swinging buckets and whirling spades I found it hard to believe that Swanage had once been a simple fishing village on the Dorset...   view more

Rome is the densely populated and intensely popular capital city of Italy. But, right in the middle of its extensive urbanisation is the large and extraordinary public park, Villa...   view more

Shinjuku, a suburb of Tokyo, is home to both the busiest railway station in the world and one of Japan’s prettiest parks, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. I loved the contrast between the two – once I had worked out which exit I needed from the huge station...   view more

Green tea may have originated from China but it is the Japanese who have embraced it wholeheartedly. And where better to take part in a tea ceremony than Uji, the place where it all...   view more

Arashiyama is a district of Kyoto and has been a popular destination since the nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185) would go there. Sprawling along the foot of the Arashiyama Mountains or Storm Mountains it enjoys a natural...   view more

Shopping is a favourite pastime in South Korea which soon became evident when I first walked down the street where my hotel, Summit Hotel, was based when I visit Seoul. This hotel is on Jangchungdan-ro right in the middle of the Dongdaemun Shopping...   view more

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea. it sprawls from the foothills of the Taebaek Mountains to off-shore islands the largest of which is Yeongdu and a district of the town. I wanted to see as much as possible during the one day I was...   view more

South Korea has emerged from the tragic Korean War like a butterfly from a chrysalis – colourful and beautiful. And Seoul is its flagship, bursting with history and traditions. I was lucky to have a Korean guide who gave me a good insight into the Korean way of...   view more

The Royal Harbour of Ramsgate in Thanet, Kent is a picturesque jumble of boats, buildings and arches. After enjoying the panorama from Military Road above the harbour I walked down Jacobs Ladder to the water’s...   view more

It is many years since I last visited the Bardo Museum on the outskirts of Tunis capital of Tunisia. I was thrilled to be back. Since my last visit the building that houses the museum, a fifteenth century Beylic palace has undergone extensive...   view more

“On Margate Sands. I can connect Nothing with nothing. The broken fingernails of dirty hands. My people humble people who expect ...   view more

Split is the second largest city in Croatia An unusual characteristic, the wide promenade known as Riva stretches along the sea front reminiscent of some elegant French resorts. The original Riva was established two centuries earlier when this area was ruled by the French under...   view more

Standing outside the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence in Trogir I was disappointed to see that no-one appeared to have climbed up to the top of its fourteenth century bell tower. Did that mean it was not open to the...   view more

The enchanting town of Dubrovnik in Croatia attracts tourists like bees to a honeypot. As I watched them swarming through the Pile Gate into the old town I decided to start my own tour by walking the city...   view more

Architecture is the most striking aspect of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago. Simple whitewashed buildings striped with black basalt stand out against a backdrop of green vegetation beyond the...   view more

Anyone sailing into Horta who does not feel a thrill must be either sleeping or throwing up. Colourful yachts bob within the walls of the busiest marina in the Azores. Pastel painted buildings creep up the hill towards majestic churches that dominate the...   view more

In an extraordinary turn around the hardships of the islanders on Pico in the Azores during the last century have now been turned into tourist attractions. Visitors to the island arrive at Madalena, the main town and...   view more

On arrival in the Dorset town of Christchurch I was intrigued by a sign directing me to the Ducking Stool. I set off down a narrow lane beside Ye Olde George Inn, the oldest pub in the...   view more

The welcoming town centre of Wimborne is a large open space filled with the chairs and tables of cafés and restaurants that surround it. When I arrived it was summer and the sun was shining, brightening the blooms that decorated the...   view more

Situated between the Rivers Frome and Piddle in idyllic Dorset countryside Wareham is well-placed for walks to suit all ages and standards. The Two Rivers Walks are short, circular trails following footpaths and quiet roads alongside the rivers Frome and Piddle that flow through the...   view more

After King George III visited Weymouth on the Dorset coast in 1789 and declared “I never enjoyed a sight so pleasing.” this seaside town has been a popular place for...   view more

Strolling by the Kiso River that runs through Inuyama a small town in Japan I paused to watch some cormorants drying their wings in the sun. Safe in the knowledge they would not be working that night as the cormorant fishing season was over they looked relaxed and...   view more

I was perplexed. The signs I had been following had petered out for a third time. As I stood on the hill above the Porta Sottana inside the old town of Bordighera two distinguished gentleman entered the old...   view more

Stepping through Porta di Santo Stefano is like following Alice down the rabbit hole. The visitor is immediately immersed in the tangle of narrow, enclosed alleyways that is La Pigna the old town of Sanremo on the Italian...   view more

Leaving the harbour-side I was soon immersed in cool shade tangy with the scent of pine. Wild cyclamen carpeted the ground around me. They resembled lilac coloured jewels studding a rich brown...   view more

I could feel goose bumps on my arms as the huge wooden axles began to turn and the large wooden wheels began to revolve. The Tide Mill in Woodbridge, Suffolk was milling flour as it has done for...   view more

It was a glorious autumnal afternoon when I arrived in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Not wishing to waste a moment of the sunny weather I set off to walk along its extensive pebble beach. It was not long before the aroma of fish and chips began to drift towards...   view more

I arrived in Omis in the Dalmatia region of Croatia by boat. The Cetina River has played a vital part in the history of the town. The famous pirates or corsairs of Omis would seek shelter in the river’s estuary after plundering the surrounding...   view more

Everyone needs a hero. For the inhabitants of Šibenik in the Dalmatia region of Croatia it is the Croatian King Petar Krešimir Hailed as the founder of the city there is some doubt about this...   view more

Strung along a large bay studded with small marinas and fringed with pretty beaches at first sight Vodice is just a popular seaside resort in the Dalmatia region of Croatia. But I was delighted to discover there are hidden depths to this pretty...   view more

I travelled to Puerto del Rosario on the public bus. When I arrived at the bus station I appeared to be in the middle of nowhere. Leaving the bus station, I was looking for clues regarding the whereabouts of the town centre. All I could see was a huge sculpture in the middle of a...   view more

The small town of Jeonju in South Korea is inextricably linked with the history of Korea. One of its most important historical monuments is the Omokdae...   view more

Despite the persistent drizzle I could feel the magic of the forest outside pulling me outside and away from my cosy hotel room. I was staying at the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst, a village in England’s famous New...   view more

Lymington, in the New Forest, of England has an unusually wide High Street. It was built like this to accommodate the large Charter Market that has been held here since...   view more

Lyndhurst has been the throbbing heart of England’s New Forest since William the Conqueror made it his base when he established his hunting grounds here over nine hundred years ago. Today Lyndhurst is still central to the activities in the New...   view more

Victoria was Queen of England and Albert was her Prince Consort when they decided they needed a home for their large family away from public eye. Their search took them to the Isle of Wight a place that Victoria already knew and...   view more

Winchester in Hampshire, England is a very popular tourist destination. Every day coach loads of visitors arrived and depart on Broadway in the city centre. These comings and goings are watched over by an imposing figure – the Anglo-Saxon...   view more

The City of Wells in Somerset, England is named for its wells that bubble up from an underground river fed by the rain water that seeps through the rocks of the nearby Mendip...   view more

Wednesday is market day in the City of Wells in Somerset, England. When I arrived in Market Place it was overflowing with stalls as it has done every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays for past 800...   view more

St David’s on the ruggedly splendid Pembrokeshire coast in Wales is utterly charming. When I checked into the excellent Twr y Felin Hotel I had no sense at all of being in a city, albeit the smallest city in the...   view more

On arrival in Torshavn the capital of the Faroe Islands I caught a tantalising glance of the red and white tower of a lighthouse on a promontory at the far end of the...   view more

Sandoy, one of the Faroe Islands is relatively flat and very green. It was named after its large beach and sandy soil. It is the only island with dunes – black basalt sand...   view more

Birstonas, a pretty spa town in Lithuania, nestles in a loop of the River Nemunas. It is a town within a park of trees, grass and flowers, the Nemunas Loop Regional Park, and owes its prosperity to the mineral waters that flow beneath...   view more

Newport in Pembrokeshire, Wales stretches along the estuary of the Nevern River that goes down to the Irish Sea in Newport Bay. I started my walk around the town at the Iron Bridge and followed a very easy stretch of the "Pembrokeshire Coast Path”: that runs alongside the Nevern...   view more

The inhabitants of the small region of Abruzzo in Italy share a passion for their region and their home town and none more so than my guides in Giulianova in the province of...   view more

Pescasseroli in Abruzzo is the heart of the “National Park of Abruzzo”: but more than that it is also the capital of this amazing park. It was here that Erminio Sipari, an inhabitant of the town, developed the idea of the national park to protect the landscape and the...   view more

Barrea, a unique historic settlement, straddles a rocky ledge above Lake Barrea in Abruzzo, a region of Southern Italy. This region encompasses the beautiful beaches that fringe the Adriatic Coast, the mighty Apennine mountains and the fertile plains between the...   view more

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an international centre for modern and contemporary art featuring some of the world’s finest artists. Their work is displayed in displayed in the open-air and its four...   view more

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has many interesting monuments to the famous and infamous who have been associated with the city. The most striking is the Scott Monument, the tallest monument to a literary giant and dedicated to Sir Walter...   view more

In 1731 a great fire swept through the small market town of Blandford Forum in Dorset. It destroyed ninety per cent of the town. Thanks to some unusual circumstances it was quickly rebuilt and today it is the best example of a small Georgian town in the...   view more

Galloping through the Furlong Shopping Centre in Ringwood, Hampshire are bronze statues of a mare and foal created by Priscilla Hann. They are a beautiful reminder that Ringwood is in the New Forest and an ideal base for exploring the forest on foot, horseback, bus or...   view more

I was like a child in a sweet shop, running from one glorious bloom to another, camera snapping frantically. Exbury Gardens in the New Forest was welcoming the spring with a fantastic display of magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Magnolias are my...   view more

A Memorable Day in Boulogne sur Mer Boulogne sur Mer, known as the capital of the Opal Coast, is an extraordinary French town in the department of Pas de Calais. It is unusual because the clear divide between its fishing port, the most important in...   view more

My first impression of the Lithuanian town of Klaipėda in was one of space, light and lovely buildings. This thriving port, the fourth largest, on the Baltic Sea has emerged from two major disasters, a great fire in 1854 and the devastation of the Second World...   view more

Renowned as a cathedral city, the Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds was built on the Medieval pattern with two distinct squares, God’s Square and the People’s...   view more

Palanga on the west coast of Lithuania was founded by a Polish-Lithuanian Count, a member of the Tiškevičiai dynasty. The family had land in both Poland and Lithuania including most of the land that surrounded what was then a small fishing village named...   view more

In Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk the Abbey is separated from the town. Although the Abbey itself was destroyed during the sixteenth century its grounds...   view more

I had arrived in Tenby on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales the previous day to discover that April was slightly too early in the season to guarantee everything would be open but it seemed that today I was going to be...   view more

Nida is a charming Lithuanian resort in the municipality of Neringa. It is spread across the narrow peninsula known as the Curonian Spit with the Curonian Lagoon on one side of the town and the Baltic Sea on the...   view more

Recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO this area has some very unique attractions. Some of these can be found in Juodkrante, in the middle of...   view more

The Bournemouth X Factor is not a reference to the television talent show but some characteristics of Bournemouth that make it a very special place to visit. As I was walking towards the crowded sea front that I could see in front of me I noticed a garden below me and decided to visit that...   view more

During the nineteenth century, when the Victorians decided that bathing in the sea was good for your health, there was a surge of developments on the English...   view more

The Cumbrian towns of Windermere and Bowness in the Lake District, have merged together to form one conurbation. I stayed in Windermere. I soon discovered that next to the parish church of St Mary was the start of an easy path to a viewpoint known as Queen Adelaide’s...   view more

Winchester College in Winchester in Hampshire, England was founded by William of Wykeham in 1382. Wykeham came from a humble background but thanks to a good education he served as the bishop of Winchester and also Lord Chancellor of...   view more

Wimereux, is the oldest and most traditional seaside resort on the Opal Coast. Little has changed since it was established at the end of the nineteenth/beginning of the twentieth century and it has a good selection of the stylish villas built as holiday homes during this...   view more

As the name suggests Old Amersham, in Buckinghamshire, was the original settlement and for hundreds of years it was under the sway of the Drake family family, a dynasty of Lords of the Manor of...   view more

Charleston is a living architectural exhibition that fascinates and excites its visitors as they stroll through its lovely tree-lines streets or gaze up in admiration at its many church...   view more

For centuries Arundel Castle guarded the River Arun below it. Today, resplendent on the hill above the town of Arundel its moat is empty, the portcullis is up and it welcomes all...   view more

Jane Austen never lived in the small Hampshire town of Alton but she did visit the town regularly to shop, post letters, do her banking and catch the stage coach to London from its High...   view more

Deal on the coast of Kent has one of the prettiest, unspoilt sea-fronts and a history as colourful as the buildings that stretch along...   view more

Visitors to the town still cross the old toll bridge and drive through the Barbican Gate before threading their way along the narrow streets still lined with half-timbered...   view more

Dover, in Kent, consists of three very different areas. Its historic town centre, a long seafront and harbour in front of the town and a castle and cliff tops above the town. Its Museum in the historic Market Square is a good place to start a visit...   view more

When I visited Maidstone I was very impressed by the way its many graceful historic buildings have been adapted to complement the needs of today by housing museums, cafes, shops and...   view more

Mullion is the best place to stay for those wishing to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the Lizard Peninsula which boasts lovely, sandy beaches in sheltered coves and a huge variety of wild flowers including some that are unique to the...   view more

One day is not enough to absorb the history, culture and beauty of the fascinating town of Sherborne in Dorset. Where else can you wander through the gardens of the castle that Sir Walter Raleigh built followed by lunch in a former...   view more

It was the crystal waters of the Scire-burne (clear stream) that led Aldhelm, then abbot of Malmesbury, to choose Sherborne as the site for his bishop’s seat, or cathedra. Over the centuries the original church building has been extended and surrounded by a complex of related...   view more

Renowned as a highly desirable residential area with exclusive Danish design stores and trendy restaurants along Osterbrogade, its main street, Osterbro also features some delightful and often historical open...   view more

Montreuil sur Mer in Pas de Calais, Northern France, is not on the coast, as it name suggests, but it is surrounded by a verdant green sea of lush countryside. Enclosed in historic city walls its narrow, cobbled streets ooze history, charm and gastronomic...   view more

Lighthouses are generally found in isolated places warning of treacherous seas. Le Touquet has a lighthouse in the middle of town. Just one of the many eccentricities to delight and entertain its...   view more

During the seventh century when Saint Omer (also known as Audomar) was bishop of nearby Thérouanne he was sent to a place called Sithiu to bring Christianity to that area. He was assisted in this task and the local language by Saint...   view more

Whoever you are, an individual, a couple, a family, or a group Leeds Castle near Maidstone in Kent offers the perfect day out. At the beginning of the twelfth century Leeds Castle was created on the site of a medieval wooden...   view more

Originally a German Dukedom and later a Soviet state Kuldīga is now blossoming as it builds its own unique identity through the sensitive restoration of its beautiful old...   view more

It is said that every road in Pāvilosta in the Kurzeme region of Latvia leads to the beach. This may be true but they pass by some interesting places on the...   view more

If you are a lover of Art Nouveau wooden architecture and natural landscapes you can enjoy the abundance of both in the seaside town of Jūrmala in...   view more

It is believed the historic town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire was founded in 1279 by Henry II to provide housing for his retinue of servants during his frequent visits to his royal hunting lodge at Woodstock...   view more

Tewkesbury is a captivating town with its abundance of beautiful historic buildings on the confluence of two important rivers, the Avon and the Severn. Both brought prosperity to the town during the twelfth century when it was important for trade and...   view more

Viareggio is a resort in Versilia on the Tuscan Riviera. It stretches for three kilometres along a beautiful, natural sandy beach. Precise rows of coloured umbrellas, each shading two sunbeds on either side of a small table surge towards the gently lapping waves of the Tyrrhenian...   view more

Budva is a town divided by history. Its beauty is enhanced by the small bays indenting the blue Adriatic Sea in front of it and the dramatic, grey, limestone mountains behind...   view more

Fortified by the foothills of Mount Lovćen and protected by Lake Skadar it is no wonder King Nikola chose Cetinje as his Royal Capital in the Kingdom of...   view more

Trebinje is a city located in Republika Srpska (Serb Republic), a small region of Bosnia and Herzegovina and predominantly Serbian. It has a lovely little old town. One of few I have not had to battle through crowds to appreciate the...   view more

I visited Southampton because I was curious about its latest attraction, Gods House Tower. Not only did I find an innovative mixture of art and culture at this tower but enjoyed some other very pleasant...   view more

Albania is fast emerging from its austere and secret past and becoming an alluring destination. Shkodër is situated in northern Albania and it is one of the oldest cities in this...   view more

My visit to Crediton coincided with the twice-monthly Farmers Market, a delightfully local affair featuring fresh produce and artisan bread. Entertainment was provided by a small band of local...   view more

Hard hat on head I followed our guide, Helen, into the underground passages that stretched for over four hundred metres under the historic city of...   view more

The majority of visitors to Mostar go straight to the area around its famous bridge, Stari Most. Preferring to avoid the crowds amassed in the old town centre I decided to leave that area until...   view more

On first impression Landstrasse is simply a suburb on the main roads leading directly into the historic core of Vienna. But look closely and steeples, domes and huge, but beautiful residential blocks will draw you into side streets dotted with extraordinary...   view more

I have long admired the opulent architecture of the Orthodox Church but had failed to appreciate the symbolism of the domes that dominate its religious buildings until I spent some time in Kiev, famous for its historic places of...   view more

On arrival in Abervagenny I was tempted to head for the hills, namely the Brecon Beacons, that surround it but decided to explore the town first starting at the ruined castle, a silhouette on the mound above me as I made my way along the High...   view more

Le Marais is one of the oldest districts of Paris, capital of France. It was once, as its name suggests an area of marshland. Religious communities were the first to settle here a heritage reflected in some of the magnificent churches and a temple that still grace the...   view more

Our tour started in Parliament Square. It was led by Robin Spencer who works with Free London Walking Tours. After leaving Parliament Square we walked down Birdcage Walk alongside St James’s...   view more

Riga is one of my favourite cities. This vibrant, busy metropolis is a mecca for lovers of architecture and in particular Art Nouveau buildings and...   view more

Bembridge has the reputation of being both the biggest village in England and the best village on the Isle of Wight. I was excited at the prospect of finding out more about...   view more

On a recent visit to Latgale in northern Latvia I arrived with no idea what to expect. What I found was a wealth of culture, history, and traditions. Especially in the regional capital,...   view more

Shenley Village is just 16 miles from the centre of London. This traditional Hertfordshire village, deep in the English countryside, has an old orchard, a walled garden and a famous cricket...   view more

Riga, the capital of Latvia has a rich aviation heritage that began in Spilve Meadow when Latvia was a state in the Russian Empire. It was during this period, in 1915 that the Russian military began flight operations in a field five kilometres from the centre of...   view more

In the past the clear waters of the River Colne in Watford drew the printing and brewing industries to the town. Today the river has been incorporated in some interesting...   view more

Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, England, has a year-round fascination for all its visitors. Throughout the magnificent palace, its gardens and park permanent exhibitions mingle with temporary...   view more

Curious, quaint and fascinating the Isle of Man, lies between the North West Coast of England and Ireland, surrounded by the Irish Sea. In spring and summer steam trains chug along its eastern coast to the southern tip and electric trams rattle northwards. The white buildings of little villages and small settlements dot the green pastures of undulating agricultural...   view more

This former port of La Orotava is famous for its jagged coastline of black volcanic rocks surrounding the famous swimming pools of Lago Martiánez created by the famous Spanish artist and architect César Manrique in 1977. I started my exploration of Puerto de la Cruz on its sea front but turned away from the artificial lagoons preferring to walk along the stunning natural...   view more

The historic market town of Romsey lies along the River Test, a chalk stream that enjoys worldwide fame for its trout fishing. Picturesque bridges cross the Test as it flows through the town of Romsey. One of its tributaries, Fishlake Stream, trickles down some of its streets so the residents have to cross it to reach their houses. Some of these houses, in particular those along Bell Street have been here since the fifteenth century. At the very heart of Romsey is its market...   view more

Once a smugglers paradise and now a holiday haven, Falmouth in Cornwall is home to a miscellany of attractions including Pendennis Castle and the National Maritime Museum. Situated on the third deepest natural harbour in the world Falmouth has always had a strong connection to the sea. It started as a fishing village and blossomed into one of the most important ports in the British...   view more

Tromsø is reputed to be one of the best places to view the Northern Lights and every evening fleets of vehicles head out into the surrounding countryside in the hope of seeing them. During the day ships sail off to view the rich wildlife in the sea around it. The city, one of the largest in Norway, is on the rugged coastline of Northern Norway inside the Arctic Circle. It has a rich history as a result of its Pomor Trade with its neighbour Russia and its popularity as a starting point for polar...   view more

Bergen has been an important trading centre since it was founded in the eleventh century and was chosen as a base for the Hanseatic League. It was the capital of Norway in the thirteenth century and its largest city until the beginning of the nineteenth century. This beautiful city on the southwestern coast has been called the “city of seven mountains” and “the gateway to the fjords” – descriptive titles that reflect its stunning...   view more

Puerto de Mogán is a picturesque resort on the beautiful southern coastline of Gran Canaria. But it did not evolve naturally from a fishing village into a tourist destination. It is the manifestation of the vision of one man, Rafael Neville. Originally the inhabitants of Puerto de Mogán relied on fishing and agriculture to eke out a living. But, when the coastal road network reached the village it suddenly became a tourist...   view more

Wadebridge has placed in almost every best places to live guide since 2018 and in 2023 it was listed as one of the ten most expensive seaside towns in Britain. Why does this Cornish town attract these...   view more

Writer John Fowles was a long-time resident here, and Jane Austen, who stayed in Lyme Regis, found inspiration there. It was used as the setting for the film The French Lieutenant’s Women and film adaptions of Persuasion by Jane Austen. Mary Anning, a famous palaeontologist lived in the town and became renowned for her work with fossils. She is commemorated by a bronze statue at the eastern end of the Long Entry. Also on Long Entry is a plaque recording and attempt by the famous novelist and...   view more

Brædstrup, a small town in the Kystlandet region of Denmark has been cleverly transformed from a railway station to a haven for outdoor...   view more

The islands of Malta and Gozo provide two very different experiences. Gozo was the first of these two islands to be settled and therefore the most historic. These earliest settlers came from Sicily and would have reached Gozo first. Today regular ferries make their way across the Mediterranean Sea from two ports on Malta, the vehicle ferry from Ċirkewwa and Valletta. Arriving in Gozo visitors have several choices regarding travel around the island including public transport, taxi and hire...   view more

The population of Juelsminde started to grow when the railway line was brought here from Horsens in 1884.. A few years after that the harbor was added and became the focal point for the development of the town. By the time the trains stopped running in … Juelsminde was connected to Horsens by road and regular buses run between the two...   view more

Horsens has emerged as a bright and colourful centre of excellence for art and culture after throwing off its cloak of industrialisation. Central to this transition is the Horsens’ pedestrianised main street, Søndergade. Pods of tables and chairs are scattered outside alluring cafés and bars. The majestic buildings of hotels and apartments blocks mingles with historic buildings occupied by independent shops. Horsens also features several art galleries including Art’M, the largest art...   view more

Stay in a Manor House, wander through the Castle Park that surrounds it and take a ride on a narrow gauge railway. All these delights awaited me on a visit to Gulbene in the Latvian region of Vidzeme. This region is considered to be the cultural heart of Latvia. Its name translates as Middle Earth which conjures up visions of fairy tale castles surrounded by enchanted...   view more

Alūksne in Latvia, has inherited some beautiful buildings and stunning parkland from its manorial Barons. Amid the forests of Vidzeme, a region of Latvia, the fascinating town of Alūksne stretches along the shores of one of the largest lakes in the country, Lake Alūksne. This lovely town features historic buildings linked to the ancient Livonian Order and, more recently, the Baltic German aristocratic von Vietinghoff family. An additional delight is the opportunity to approach the town in the...   view more

Valmiera is not a large town, but it is the largest settlement in Vidzeme, a region of Latvia. The town is divided in two by the River Gauja. This river has served the town as both a defence and a trading route. Its port was so important during the Medieval period it became a member of the Hanseatic...   view more

A medieval castle was central to the development of the town of Cēsis in Vidzeme, a region of Latvia. Vital to its defence in the past this castle is now a focal point of the town that grew up around it. This pretty town has two distinct areas, the castle complex and the old town that surrounds its majestic church of St John. The approach to Cēsis Medieval Castle is through a large courtyard that features several important buildings, the New Castle, Cēsis Exhibition Hall and the Nordic Museum...   view more

Kolding is a port situated at the mouth of the Kolding fjord. During the Middle Ages it was favoured by Danish royalty and prospered through their financial support. Yet it is often overlooked despite being home to one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Denmark, Koldinghus, its castle. I started my exploration of the town from my hotel, the Comwell Kolding, which was within walking distance of the town. I approached the town centre through Byparken West, one of Kolding’s City...   view more

St Moritz in the Swiss Alps may be considered a glitzy, glamorous place to stay but its special quality is its unique accessibility to all. St Moritz achieved worldwide fame as a haven for winter sports during the latter part of the nineteenth...   view more

The Ramparts of Fredericia are among Northern Europe's oldest and most well-preserved fortifications and a delight to explore. When the town of Fredericia was established by King Frederick VI during the seventeenth century to defend the Jutland peninsula it was protected by a rampart on three...   view more

Vejle is proud of its museums and especially Kunst Museum, its Art Museum which offers a different look at the world around us and showcases Danish excellence in design. Art in Vejle is not confined within the walls of a museum, it is on the streets and adorns its building many of which are architecturally...   view more

Tampere, Finland’s third largest city, lies between two beautiful lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. These lakes are linked by the Tammerkoski, a channel of rapids, that flows through the city centre. Due to the hydro-power harnessed from these thundering waters Tampere became the centre of the industrial revolution in Finland and large red-brick factories were built around the Tammerkoski...   view more

Changsha, an ancient city and capital of Hunan province, evolved from a first century settlement along the east bank of the Xiangjiang River. Expansion along the east bank of the river was inhibited by flooding. During the twentieth century a rapidly expanding population necessitated expansion along the west bank of the river which is now a modern commercial centre and home to large, modern cultural buildings which house ancient artefacts that illustrate the fascinating history of the...   view more

Morondava is situated on the coast of western Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. It is the administrative capital of Menabe, a relatively prosperous rice-growing area. Madagascar itself is one of the poorest countries in the world. But it has a lot to offer tourists prepared to venture that far and cope with an inadequate infra-structure and unmade...   view more

The old fishing village of Los Cristianos in the Arona region has undergone a tasteful transformation into one of Tenerife’s most popular seaside resorts. Its white buildings are in stark contrast to the muddy grey peaks of Montaña Guaza and Montaña Chayofita that rise above it. The latter is worth the climb for panoramic views of the surrounding area (get clear instructions before setting...   view more

It is rare to find one street in a city that encapsulates the spirit of a town. Piotrkowska Street in Łódź does exactly that along a distance of 4.2 kilometres. The semi-pedestrianised northern section of this street is the most...   view more

Red-brick factory buildings tower above the roads leading into the Polish city of Łódź (Łódź). Huge workers’ tenement houses line the streets. An early introduction to the history of a town where 600 spinning mills operated at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 2015 Industrial Łódź was listed as an Historical Monument by the Polish President. A year later Łódź was added to the UNESCO network of Creative Cities when it was designated a UNESCO City of...   view more

Visitors to the Sri Lankan town of Galle are surprised at the contrast between this coastal town and the other towns on the island. Open spaces cooled by a gentle sea breeze create a completely different atmosphere here thanks to the large, historic fort that has survived here for over 400...   view more

Bishop Auckland is a town in County Durham which is rich in history relating to railways, coal mining and Prince Bishops. When the Durham Coalfield closed in 1968 Bishop Auckland sank into a long period of decline. It seemed its past would be forgotten. But then, in 2012, the Auckland Project, a regeneration charity founded by Jonathan Ruffer, a Christian entrepreneur brought a dramatic reversal to the fortunes of the...   view more

Norwegians love wood. They love to walk amongst trees and they love to build with wood. But wood is very susceptible to fire and in 1904 the Murtvangsloven Act was introduced prohibiting the construction of wooden houses within the town limits of all Norwegian towns. However, there are still pockets of original wood buildings and Levanger is one of the few that have not been burnt down or been destroyed during World War...   view more

Abingdon-on-Thames, more commonly known simply as Abingdon is a lovely destination for an interesting day out or a city break. Several accolades are associated with this ancient town on the banks of the River Thames in Oxfordshire. There is archaeological evidence to support its claim to be the oldest, continuously inhabited market town in England. It has the grandest town hall and Abingdon Lock on the River Thames is the oldest surviving lock chamber in the United Kingdon and possibly Europe....   view more