There isn’t a single wisp of smoke curling out of the top of Mount Vesuvius as we walk up its stony brown slopes.
A few birds are twittering in the bushes, but we leave we them behind as the path rises above fertile ground. It’s silent, except for the scrunch of feet on clinker. It’s too quiet, too calm. Are we about to get taken out in an unexpected rumble of smoke, ash, flames and …
Situated in southwestern Iceland, just 49 km northeast of the capital Reykjavík, Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a place of immense historical, cultural, and geological significance. The park covers 24,000 hectares, with 9,270 hectares constituting a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The powerful geological forces that have shaped this remote site are still at work today.
Central to Þingvellir’s historical importance is its role as the original site of the Alþing (Althing), Iceland’s parliament, which was …
Ireland has managed to keep intact a wealth of prehistoric Neolithic structures providing invaluable insights into early human history. These ancient constructions, megalithic tombs, stone circles, and early settlements, offer insight into the beliefs, social organization, and technological capabilities of the ancients. By studying the architecture, layouts, and artifacts found within these ruins, archaeologists and anthropologists have pieced together narratives about the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. The sheer scale and …
You cannot move ten feet in this country without bumping up against some striking reminder of a long and productive past. Wherever you turn you are confronted with wondrous and interesting things – 20,000 scheduled ancient monuments, 600,000 recorded archaeological sites, 140,000 miles of public footpaths, 280,000 miles of hedgerows, 100,000 war memorials, 6,000 listed bridges, 15 National Parks, 86 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over 4,000 sites of Special Scientific Interest, 20,000 ancient parish …
Castellfollit de la Roca is one of the smallest towns in Catalonia, Spain, but the views it offers is nothing short of dramatic. This remarkable village is precariously perched on the top of a slender basalt crag rising 160 feet above the Fluvià and Toronell rivers flowing below. Stretching nearly a kilometer in length, the basalt cliff that forms the foundation of Castellfollit de la Roca is the result of volcanic activity. The area was …
The autobahn, a German term translating to “automobile road” or “motorway,” is Germany’s vast network of high-speed, limited-access highways. Renowned for its absence of a general speed limits on specific sections, the autobahn emerged in the early 20th century as a vision for advanced infrastructure and efficient transportation. The first autobahn section opened in 1932, and the network expanded significantly during the Nazi regime. After World War II, the autobahn continued to grow, and the …
The Dutch say ‘April doet wat hij wil’ (‘April does what it wants’) to describe the weather in the Netherlands during the early spring. It’s true, the weather in April can be unpredictable, but for flower enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone with an appreciation for nature, Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands is a destination that encourages you to brave the weather, if not ignore it. This horticultural wonder virtually explodes with color during tulip season, a …
Liverpool is by far one of the most original, cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in England. The edgy downtown cobbled area around Seel Street is undergoing massive regeneration and is bursting with people having fun at the hipster bars and trendy restaurants.
Towards the end of Seel Street, in a row of historic terraced warehouse styled buildings, is the Nadler Hotel, which, in recent years, has undergone a £14m renovation. In its former life, this 19th …
Thirteen minutes—that’s all it took to arrive in Barcelona and encounter one of its greatest claims to fame—the slickest pickpockets in Europe. If you’re going to hit, best get hit by a professional, I always say. And they’re at their slickest and quickest on the underground trains at Barcelona Sants railway station. Barcelona treats its notoriety as a pickpocketer’s playground with a zesty inverted snobbery, with the landlord of the apartment I was renting cheerfully …
Despite jokes about accents and what, exactly, a chip is, London remains a popular destination for American travelers, which has no shortage of tourist staples: Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the House of Parliament, but London’s appeal doesn’t lie only in its architectural and cultural treasures. It’s the jaw-dropping views across the city, taking in most of the Big Five landmarks, which are most memorable.
It’s only a credit to the capital …
The coast of Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve, is a chain of old fishing villages that have, over time, transformed into charming resort towns adorned with steep cliffs, secret caverns, and wonderful sandy shores. One such beach town was just named the “best in the world.” The accolade was bestowed upon Praia da Falésia, a name that aptly translates to “cliff beach” in Portuguese. This beach is beautifully positioned between the towns of Albufeira and …
He’s seriously psyched up as he wraps a long stretch of fibrous cord around a 30cm ball of hard cheese. The smoke from the cigar, wedged into the corner of his mouth, necessitated that he close one eye. His other eye accessed the camber of the road ahead. He took a couple of long strides to build up momentum, leaned his ample frame forward, and, with a curved slingshot motion (delivered in an elegant pirouette), …
The medieval market city of Norwich is situated on the River Wensom in the beautiful county of Norfolk in England. Located around 100 miles north-east of London, Norwich is known as ‘The Fine City’, a phrase coined by 19th century local writer, George Borrow.
With over 1,500 medieval buildings and 33 historic churches within its crumbling mid-14th century walls, Norwich has a higher intensity of ancient architecture than elsewhere in Northern Europe. The …
Belgium, though modest in size, stands tall on the European map, boasting an convergence of cultures. This nation, situated among some of Europe’s most influential countries, offers a unique blend of landscapes, architectures, and culinary influence.
Belgium sits in Western Europe, sharing borders with the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France. The country’s landscape is diverse, featuring the sandy beaches of the northwest, the agricultural central plateau, and the forests of the Ardennes. The Meuse and …
