Blogs from Europe - page 14215

Venice was a blast. We cruised into its beautiful harbor early one morning and were greeted by a strange sight: a large beautiful city busy with foot traffic and boats along its waterfront, but not a vehicle in sight anywhere! Mile after mile of beautiful old buildings seemly perched directly atop the water, interspersed with canals alive with pole-driven gondolas, taxis (motorboats) and buses (larger boats, like a small ferry). The effect was a bit like Catfish Row in Charleston suddenly dragged out into the harbor. After the ship docked in an industrial area, we promptly took a smaller boat directly to the heart of the old city, the Doge’s Palace on the Plaza of St. Mark’s Basilica. The place and the old cathedral, both built hundreds of years ago, stand side by side. Our Venetian ... read more

Nearly everything's gone, our tiny flat is empty and spacious again. Just a few more tasks to do and we're off. Then, hopefully, these entries will get slightly more interesting. The most exciting thing I've done this week is get an international driving permit. Now I can legally drive in Cambodia. Hurrah! Not that I was thinking about it. In fact, I probably won't. We bought an MP3 player this week and now I'm trying to cut down our 300+ albums to a choice of just 30. If I had a Room 101, it would involve this task. I've had to cut out so many indie riffs that I feel heartbroken. But, it's better than lumping around 300 CDs. And, at least I get to leave most of Gem's R&B safely locked away on the PC. ... read more

Cinque Terre was very beautiful just like a postcard, 5 little villages with colourful houses jotting out from the cliffs its difficult for me to explain in words soon i will put some photos on this site so you can see. It was so cosy that it felt like i was walking in someones house, the locals went about their business and the tourists walked around with their rick steves books in hand. I was so lucky on be there during the week and had a few moments wandering around feeling like the only tourist there. It must be crazy during the high season. On the second day i hiked between the 5 villages, a relatively easy hike and i just followed the path. The place is World Heritage protected and tourists have to pay 3 ... read more

The two villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter are two of the most picturesque villages in England. These villages are only just over a mile from Bourton-on-the-Water, they are very secluded and quiet, no shops restaurants or attractions. The name of Slaughter has no connection with blood but is derived from the old English word Slohtre meaning a wet land or 'slough'. Spend 30 minutes there and you will begin to feel like an old-timer. These villages are much as they were 200 years ago, and while they are beautiful places to be, there is very little to do. An alternative is to take your time over these places. Walk along the footpath between the two villages and see the English countryside at its best. There are more kinds of beauty than one can see, but ... read more

A busy market town on the northern edge of the Cotswolds. Moreton-in-Marsh grew up on the route of the Roman Fosse Way which runs through the main street, and the old London to Worcester highway, a prominent coaching route. Moreton in Marsh; the "Marsh" oddly enough comes from "march" meaning boundary. It was where four counties: Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire met. The wide main street is typical of many Cotswold towns. Houses and shops of the 18th and 19th century line the High Street, and in the centre is the Redesdale Hall, dating from 1887, the town’s main public hall. There are a number of antique shops and a scattering of other art shops and restaurants. We had our lunch at Falstaffs restaurant in the mall on Old Market Way and High Street, opposite Redesdale ... read more