Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 18th November 2007 at 03:05 AM, Filed in Europe
We all know about the ‘obvious’ list of tourist attractions in this great city, so here is a list of more unusual things to do that you may not have thought of. Most of them won’t break the bank either!
Visit New Covent Garden Market
If you want to see some of the real London and don’t mind getting up a bit early go and visit the New Covent Garden Market. There are two sections to the market – the fruit and vegetable section and the flower market and they both moved to the current locations (Nine Elms Lane SW8 5NX) in 1971. My father was a green-grocer and in the school holidays I use to love occasionally getting up at 3am to go with him. It was fascinating. You don’t have to get up quite so early – the market is open from 3.00am - 11.00am Mon-Friday and 4.00am - 10.00 Saturdays but generally the earlier you can go the better as there will be more produce and more buyers. The flower market is housed in a purpose built structure and for me is the best bit, but the fruit and veg section is more ‘earthy’ with colourful language.
Visit the Old Operating ‘Theatre’ / Museum
No doubt most of you will have heard of the London Dungeons, but how about visiting this tiny museum where 18th century operations took place without the use of anaesthetics and where observed by students and visiting dignitaries seated around three sides of the operating table. Hence the term operating theatre came into play! The museum is situated in the attic of the old St Thomas’s church, St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY, close to London Bridge station. Entrance is £5.25 for adults, £3 for under 16’s and the museum is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm.
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Posted by Jill Bowen on Fri 16th November 2007 at 03:33 AM, Filed in Europe
The journey from Cap D’Agde to the medieval town of St Guilhem-le Desert is about 58 kilometres and passes through some stunning unspoilt countryside, small villages and towns.
St Guilhem-le Desert is one of the most tranquil and beautiful villages in France – not just my opinion, it is accredited with the accolade Plus Beaux Villages and has been classified since 1999 as a National Site. The population of just 250 must feel overwhelmed by the number of tourists who visit each year, but that’s the penalty one pays living in such an idyllic place. Not surprising that parking isn’t easy here, but persevere and you will find a spot, maybe a little outside the town. If you do park outside the town the walk to the village is fairly steep’ish’ but a pleasant one, meandering through twisting streets and you’ll find yourself stopping to admire the fantastic views.
At the top of the village is a shady square with a fountain and the Abbey. It’s a great place to stop a while for a drink under the shade of the huge old tree before exploring the Abbey’s tranquil interior. St Guilhem, a comrade in arms to Charlemagne, founded the Abbey in the ninth century, a Benedictine foundation dedicated to Saint-Saviour. The atmosphere is beautiful, but unfortunately the interior is a little impoverished by the sale and dismantling of some of the cloister’s columns – which have been in New York since the nineteenth century! By the middle of the 11th century the monks were rich enough (having benefited financially from pilgrim visitors) to rebuild their Abbey on a larger scale. The cool interior is Romanesque in style, wander round at leisure, through to the cloisters, soak up the peace and quiet of this centuries old place of worship.
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Posted by Jill Bowen on Mon 5th November 2007 at 03:56 AM, Filed in Europe
The walled medieval city of Carcassonne is now said to be one of the most visited site in France. In fact there are two Carcassonne; the famous walled city, and the adjacent town (with a population of about 45,000). When you first see the medieval Carcassone from either the Canal du Midi, or the road it’s awe inspiring, slightly forbidding, and just waiting to be explored.
Most visitors arrive mid-day or later, so it’s advisable to start early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Parking at this time of day will not present a problem. To get an overview of the place, instead of buying a guide book you could try one of the following:
• Visit the is an excellent web site devoted to Carcassonne, (type in mescladis.free to get all the info you could require).
• Join one of the organised tours - usually leaving at intervals of between 30 and 60 minutes – depending on the season, with ticket sales beginning at 9.30.
• Take the little train for a tour of the medieval turrets and ramparts (which lasts about 20 minutes and departs from the Narbonnaise Gate and has multi-language explanations).
• Or, again from Narbonnaise Gate, enjoy a guided tour in a horse drawn carriage; this is also a 20-minute trip taking you between the two ramparts.
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Posted by Jill Bowen on Fri 2nd November 2007 at 01:18 AM, Filed in Europe, December
The 7th Santa Claus World Championship is being held on 1st December 2007.
Who can enter?
All aspiring ‘pretend’ Santa Claus/Father Christmas’s who want to prove they’re best at their job. (Obviously the ‘real’ one can’t take part, as that would be cheating!)
Actually these ‘pretenders’ take part to give the real Santa Claus a few ideas each year as to how he can speed up his work. Because, if you think about it, his wonderful job can be a bit onerous with all those heavy sacks he has to drag through the skies whatever the weather. So he can use a few tips and hints to make life easier at his busiest time of the year!
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Posted by Jill Bowen on Fri 19th October 2007 at 03:28 AM, Filed in Europe
I have just returned from an all-inclusive Turkey – at the Xanadu Resort Hotel. Having stayed on other all-inclusive holidays, in the Caribbean and Turkey, and experienced the wonderful hospitality and luxury of Thailand I had high expectations; this holiday exceeded them! Incredible value for money, the ultimate in luxury, and the most relaxing and pampered 14 days I have ever had.
What made it so special?
Was it the beautifully appointed bathrooms and fluffy white dressing gowns?
Was it the 5-star service throughout the hotel?
Was it the fantastic quality of the food for each meal?….as opposed to a lot of all inclusive holidays, the maxim of the Xanadu is quality – rather than the usual vast quantities of everything tasting the same for 14 days. The breakfasts and lunches were superb.
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