ioan

Venice is one of those cities you are familiar with before you even go there. You will have seen so much written about it; its significance throughout Italian and European history cannot be over emphasisied. The architecture is stunning, none of the ‘landmarks’ disappoint. It is one of those places that you cannot take enough photographs of.
We arrived by train, from Milan on one occasion, and by train from Trieste several years earlier. One of the most vivid memories I have is stepping out of the train station and seeing the Grand Canal, and all the activity being played out in front of you. It is almost as if this ‘life play’ is being performed in your honour.

If you are in Venice, you have to go on the water a boat ride is not cheap, but well worth it.

St Mark’s square, with the Doges palace, looked like a jigsaw puzzle picture. And the Basilica, if ever there was a testimony to man’s faith… this has got to be it.

Great city Edinburgh. I was Lucky enough to live there for three years in the early 80’s. Have also visited since.

A ship I was serving on also went into Leith, which is the area of Edinburgh near to the docks. Rumour has it, (and if you have heard this already, I apologise)... The old tongue twister that was used by the Police to see if someone was sober enough to be allowed to go on his way, was, ” The Leith Police Dismisseth Us”. If you were a drunken sailor and could not say it 10 times you were taken in. True? I dont know, but I like the story.

The Scots are some of the friendliest people you will meet, and I say that as a Welshman.
If in Edinburgh, you must check out the grass market and the castle (be there before 1 pm) to see the field gun being fired to signal the time to shipping. At the same time a black ball can be seen falling on the mast above the observatory.

The main shopping thoroughfare is Princes street. But, parallel to princes street is Rose street and I have lost count as to how many pubs are on this street. You will not go thirsty in Edinburgh. Try some of the whiskies, there are too many to recommend. I guarantee, there is a whisky for everyones taste.

An oasis of Roman antiquity in a sea of apparent nothingness.
The colliseum is stunning. This ancient Roman leisure centre, is a movie star. It has appeared in Gladiator, and was the setting of the Judian Popular Front scene in The Life of Brian.

The small town that still exists around the base of this monument, caters for the souvenir hunters and the local community. Well worth the trip.

Visited Antwerp ‘square’ on a Sunday morning. Nice to see the flemish side of Belgium. The Brabant Gothic Cathedral is good.
Four paintings by P.P.Rubens are on display.

If you have read The De Vinci code, and examined the painting of the last supper, there is a painting of the last supper by another artist. The guests are sat around a round table, and a character in the painting is more overtly a woman than the one in De Vinci’s classic. Very intersting.

This ancient site is at the end of a very challenging journey. The road is not really suitable for a bus, but cars have no problems. If you like ancient Roman sites, you will love Dougga. Well worth the trip to Tunisia on its own.

Open air theatre, the Senate building, ancient bath house and latrine. The pillars and arches, lots of evidence of Roman building genius. Hypocaust heating system. Mosaic floor you feel sorry for having to walk on. Great place. Dont forget to check out the colleseum at El Djem too. Its about 150km south but a must see.(personally I think it is better than the one in Rome, not as big, but in better condition).

was impressed by this city, very clean. Friendly people. Beautiful buildings old and new. Didn’t see any grafitti at all. I kept away from the commerce and government zones. The parks and open spaces are good too. They give the city an aire of self contained facility.

Over 160 beers to try, probably too many for a weekend! I recommend Kwak, and a tall giraffe of beer brewed on the premises of a micro-brewery on ‘La Grand Place’.

Was surprised the restaurants are not smoke free zones though… it seems the seat of much of our Euro-legislation is lagging behind?

One of the nicest spots in South Wales. It was the first site in the U.K. to be awarded Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (A.O.N.B.)status in 1956. I fly over it all the time and its beauty never fails to move me.
Check out Port Eynon, Rhossili bay, The Mumbles, oh and don’t forget Three Cliffs bay.(see photo).

Dont forget to try some lavabread for breakfast. It’s seaweed, but it’s great with bacon and eggs.