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Tallinn - Medieval Nobility and Hanseatic Merchants
During the Middle Ages the Estonian Vikings were a thorn in the side of Denmark, a great military and mercantile power at the time. In 1219 the Danish fleet sailed into the harbour of Tallinn, and claimed possession of the city ...
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Tallinn and a Medley of Museums
Estonians love their museums and Tallinn reflects this passion with some interesting collections, exhibitions and buildings. Raeapteek in the Town Hall Square is the oldest pharmacy in Europe that has continuously carried on its business in the same building. Although a pharmacy in Lübeck is…
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Tartu, the Cultural Capital of Estonia
Tartu,in Estonia, prides itself on being the town of good or free thinking. Some free thinkers may consider the tradition of walking over the arch of the Kaarsild pedestrian bridge (pictured above) to prove that person is courageous is a good idea. Others may think this is dangerous and worthy of…
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Tartu, the University Town of Estonia
Outside the Town Hall of Tartu in Estonia is a statue of two students kissing. Or maybe they are newlyweds? The Kissing Statue was added to the fountain in Town Hall Square fifty years after it was built. This fountain was considered to bring good luck so newly-weds and their guests would visit…
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Minato, a Tokyo Time Capsule
On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji from the top of the Tokyo Tower. So, I was delighted to discover that the tower was just five minutes walk from my hotel, Shiba Park Hotel. When I arrived and found I was staying in Minato I was disappointed as I missed the fast past of the central suburbs. …
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At Peace in a Park in Hiroshima
Stepping off the tram at the Peace Park in Hiroshima I had no idea what to expect, or even, why I was there. I was immediately struck by the stark reality of the disaster that struck the city on seeing the Atomic Dome (Genbaku Dome) with its shredded dome ...
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Miyajima Island – Molluscs and Momiji Manju
There was an air of anticipation as we crossed the narrow channel of water between Hiroshima port and Miyajima Island. Everyone was craning their necks for the first view of the torii gate of the famous "Itsukushima shrine. A veil of mist draping the island enhanced the moment as we drew closer…
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Matsumoto - A Taste of Traditional Japan
Matsumoto, in Japan, is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern. Strolling down the modern main streets I realised something was missing. The street lighting is not fuelled by an intricate web of overhead power lines as they are in every other city I had visited ...
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Corfu - A Tale of Two Fortresses
It seemed like such a simple plan at the time. Catch the local bus into Corfu town or Kerkyra and make my way to one of the two fortresses I had seen from the ferry when I arrived on the island of Corfu. I knew very little about the island or its main town as my visit was unexpected ...
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Vlora on the Albanian Riviera
Vlora (also spelt Vlorë) resembles a butterfly emerging from the Communist chrysalis that enveloped Albania. Ideally situated on a a stunning coastline Vlora is the second largest port in Albania. Its seafront has already been transformed into an open area surrounded by bars ...
