The picturesque city of Worcester in Worcestershire, the West Midlands of England, is a modern city with a fascinating past. From its early beginnings as a Roman fort on the River Severn in the first century and down through the ages, Worcester has been noted as an important centre of British history. The English Civil War began […]
Warwick Castle: The Ultimate Castle Adventure
Who would think that a visit to a castle could be as much fun as a day at Disneyland? Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England is just that, minus the rides. There’s so much to see and do there, it’s worth a full days visit if not more. My cousin and I visited Warwick Castle this […]
Camping Solo on Maragas Beach in Naxos, Greece
I’ve been camping solo in Greece for more than ten years and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. It’s the cheapest and most delightful way to see the country. It’s affordable, comfortable and best of all, it’s safe! One of my most favourite places to camp is on the island of Naxos. I’ve camped there […]
The Diros Caves in Greece: a Prehistoric Treasure
Upon entering the Diros Caves, it’s as though I have entered a vast underground cathedral, perhaps one created by Gaudi, because of the way the vaulted ceilings drip with wax-like stalactites. Everything is diffused with colour, as if light has filtered through stained glass windows. The only sound is the soft dipping of the boatman’s paddle and the […]
St. Fagan’s Museum in Cardiff, Wales: Memories of My Father
Last summer, when I visited the St. Fagan’s National History Museum in Wales, I stepped into a small schoolhouse, circa 1910, much like the school my father would have attended. There on the desk beside the text books and slates was a bamboo switch, reminding me of his stories. When I was a small child, […]
Around and About Historical Parga, Greece
Tucked away beside a small bay on the lush northwest coast of Greece, the little town of Parga clusters in tiers below a Venetian kastro (castle). Parga, located 53 km south of Igoumenitsa, is a popular destination for Greek and Italian tourists, and an ideal stop-over if you plan to visit some of the […]
The Little Byzantine Churches of Athens
Athens is a city that interplays both east and west. From the deluxe hotels and modern office buildings, to the bazaars that hint of the Orient, Athens is a fast moving, modern capital. It’s hard to believe that once it was considered to be an unimportant provincial town. Seeking out the Byzantine churches of Athens is a […]
Climbing to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa in Amorgos, Greece
Clinging high above the turquoise sea on the island of Amorgos, and nestled like an aerie on a sheer bluff is one of Greece’s most extraordinary old Byzantine monasteries and religious gems. The Monastery of Panaghia Hozoviotissa, an architectural masterpiece, was founded by the Emperor Alexius Commenius I in the 11th century and built to house […]
Misadventures on Samos, Greece: How the Best Laid Plans Can Go Astray
Sometimes, no matter how organized you are and how precise you make your plans, things just don’t work out. I went to Samos, Greece specifically to visit the ancient Temple of Hera and explore the famous underground Tunnel of Eupalinos. I took an early bus from Vathi to Pythagorian so there’d be plenty of time to visit […]
The Green Lady of Caerphilly Castle
Under the pale light of a full moon, I stand below the great stone ramparts of Caerphilly Castle. Will I see her tonight; the mysterious, ghostly woman who haunts the castle walls? Legends say she is the spirit of Alice de la Marche of Angouleme, France, niece of Henry II, and the disgraced lover of […]