Vienna steals the show for televised glamour on the first day of the year with the New Year’s Day Concert, and it’s hard to see how it can be matched by any other world city, at least in terms of classic grandeur in magnificent old buildings, through the rest of the year. I was in the Austrian capital… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel
Clean, green city – with monster cinnamon buns
This clean, green city on Sweden’s western shore (Goteborg in Swedish) is a comfortable introduction to Scandinavia. I took a short break. There are canals not so unlike Amsterdam’s, monster cinnamon buns, another of the world’s most exciting young orchestra conductors (the last was Dudamel), bags of Swedish style, and taxi drivers who… Continue reading →
Beating the Transcaucasian Trail, an epic trek through distant lands
Jan, 2020 update. The Transcaucasian Trail project is working towards transforming the ancient connecting routes of traveller and shepherds in Georgia and Armenia into world-class hiking and biking trails. As of January 2020, several hundred kilometres of trail exist. There are spectacular treks through the regions of Svaneti, Racha, Mtianeti, Khevsureti, Tusheti, Lagodekhi National Park,… Continue reading →
Feather in Portugal’s cap as barrel bird takes off
“If you want a lemon for your G and T, just go into the garden a pick one,” said Jenny. “But watch out for the nazgul!” Actually she didn’t mention the nazgul as I set out in search of the pure citrus experience, but maybe she should have. Rare birds soar and flap and flit… Continue reading →
Down the King’s Highway into ancient Jordan
The King’s Highway was a busy thoroughfare down the spine of Jordan when the road outside my house was still part of the floor of the Wild Wood in pre-Roman Britain. It’s so old it has a write-up in the Old Testament (Numbers 20:17), when Moses and the Israelites try to pass through without being harassed by the people of Edom. It links Crusader castles, Roman fortresses, early Islamic towns, and the fabulous rocks city of Petra.
Continue reading →Why unkempt and glorious old Naples is a Euopean city apart
A visit I made to Naples in 2012. Since then fast trains have been introduced throughout Italy, making a direct train trip from the UK a sensible proposition. Details below. Naples has fabulous churches, palaces, galleries and ancient squares. It is set on the world’s greatest bay, and against one of its most exciting… Continue reading →