Mark

It’s not pretty, it’s not large, but it is a must-visit site in Amsterdam. The feel of the place is something unique.

We drove to Andorra from the Costa Brava. Arriving via Spain, and leaving through France.

France was much faster, even though we were going back into Spain.

Andorra is essentially where the Spanish and French do their duty free shopping, there can be long queues….

We entered. Looked at the nice views. Got stuck in a jam with the wild horses. Had a meal. Left.

L’Escala is essentially a tourist town, but it’s frequented mostly by the French, Germans and Spanish – very few brits.

It’s just down the coast from a nice example of greek architecture (I think it was greek and not roman, it’s been a while…).

A good base for Catalonia.

Pisa is worth the trip just for the Piazza Miracoli, it’s one of the best public spaces I’ve ever seen.

Shame about the rest of the public…...!

There are some nice (and little trafficked) spots a few minutes away, but I will keep these to myself.

Parking in Pisa is horrendous.

Siena is a great place, though it can be ‘steep’ and wheelchair users may find it difficult.

It’s twisty, turny and interesting – full of fascinating little alleys, and without the traffic problem of Florence.

Great place.

Firenze is a over-rated in my opinion. It is a nice place to go, but it doesn’t live up to the hype. Siena is much better

The high spots are climbing the various towers and cathedrals, also Michelangelo’s David.

There are some good views from the hill overlooking the river, and the Vecchio is well trafficked with tourists.

Oh, and driving in Florence is ‘Interesting’.

Paris is one of the great European cities.

It’s a planned city, with wide boulevards and laid out monuments – you can stand at La Grande Arche in la Defense and see in a straight line down to the Arc de Triomphe and through to the end of the Champs Elysees (at least, in principle).

Great place to walk.

Brussels. Wonderful architecture, great food – lovely place to be.

... and yet the national monument is a pissing statue of the kind that I wouldn’t look at twice in the local garden centre.

There are several other such statues around the place. It probably says something deep about the Belgian psyche.

Brugges (or Bruges) is a fantastic place for a few days. Great architecture, great food, fantastic beer…

... more than a few days and it’s not great.

Must visit: De Halve Maan (brewery trip, good views from roof) and
‘t Brugs Beertje.

There is also a Michelangelo in the brick cathedral.

Kolkata doesn’t have the Taj Mahal, or any other big bits of architecture – but it’s well worth a visit.

It’s off the conventional tourist trail, so less hassles. It’s got lots of nice things to see as well.

... and friendly people. I was there for about 10 days and I had people recognising me in the street from earlier in the week!