This morning, December 8th, 2024, we heard that Bashar al-Assad’s unspeakable government in Syria had fallen. This was a piece I posted in 2010, just before the country entered its age of agony, when it was still open to tourists. ___________________________________ We stood on the high, haughty ramparts of Crac des Chevaliers. The rest of… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel Features
The Singular Case of the Portsmouth Doctor – or Sherlock takes the train
Feb 23rd, 2021. Another in my series of easy, post-lockdown trips to take in the UK. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle set his Sherlock Holmes stories all over England, but you can follow the trail of both Doyle and Holmes, without leaving London. If you want to make one trip out of the capital, it has… Continue reading →
Feather in Portugal’s cap as barrel bird takes off
“If you want a lemon for your G and T, just go into the garden a pick one,” said Jenny. “But watch out for the nazgul!” Actually she didn’t mention the nazgul as I set out in search of the pure citrus experience, but maybe she should have. Rare birds soar and flap and flit… Continue reading →
Down the King’s Highway into ancient Jordan
The King’s Highway was a busy thoroughfare down the spine of Jordan when the road outside my house was still part of the floor of the Wild Wood in pre-Roman Britain. It’s so old it has a write-up in the Old Testament (Numbers 20:17), when Moses and the Israelites try to pass through without being harassed by the people of Edom. It links Crusader castles, Roman fortresses, early Islamic towns, and the fabulous rocks city of Petra.
Continue reading →Why unkempt and glorious old Naples is a Euopean city apart
A visit I made to Naples in 2012. Since then fast trains have been introduced throughout Italy, making a direct train trip from the UK a sensible proposition. Details below. Naples has fabulous churches, palaces, galleries and ancient squares. It is set on the world’s greatest bay, and against one of its most exciting… Continue reading →
Hidden treasure Olomouc and its connection to greatness
This small Moravian city boasts high elegance, deep history and architectural treasures to match Prague’s (two hours by road and rail), but without the crowds. It has palaces, fine old churches and townhouses. There is a pungent local cheese and a very political clock. This week I came across Olomouc, unexpectedly. The Czech Republic city,… Continue reading →