Sightseeng

Seaside in Sardinia

admin — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

For a Mediterranean beach paradise this summer look no further than Sardinia's wealth of wide sands and clear waters.It's no surprise the picture postcard sea scenes attracts swathes of tourists and a generous helping of the jet set too, but the island's president Renato Soru has done his best to preserve the pristine landscape with a ban on all new buildings within two kilometres of the coast.This preservation order means Sardinia still boasts some of the most stunningly untouched seascapes, with Spiaggia della Pelosa one of the island's best.An hour's drive from Alghero on the north-west coast, its crescent of white sand and shallow emerald water is guarded by an historic stone watchtower.Don't expect to enjoy the scene by yourself - the beach is a hotspot for Italian holidaymakers - but views across to Piana island and its bigger national park neighbour Asinara make the sharing worthwhile.Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded by Corsica, the Italian Peninsular, Tunisia and the Balearic islands.

Head to the hills in Hungary

admin — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Aim high for the best views of Budapest with a trip to the beautiful Buda Hills.Also a perfect way to escape the crowded capital, catching the 1874 cogwheel railway up to Szechenyi Hill pays off with amazing cityscapes. The train climbs for 3.6 kilometres in just over a quarter of an hour.For an even more exceptional view, the chairlift 226 metres up from Zugliget to Janos Hill is a photographer's dream.Apart from the obvious sight however, visitors may want to check out the Bela Bartok Memorial House, charting the composer/pianist's fascinating life.There is also an interesting children's railway to ease the route down for ramblers. It was built in 1951 and is staffed entirely by schoolchildren with the exception of the engineer.For more day trips from Budapest a cruise on the famous Danube Bend is a must.

Sand castles in Northumberland

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

For a combination of castles and coastline it would be hard to beat England's north-east.Northumberland's Ross Beach is a summer secret - deserted stretches of gorgeous sand sandwiched by the awe-inspiring outlines of Lindisfarne castle to the north and Bamburgh to the south.You'll be hard-pressed to find many other beach bums to talk to but there is company enough in the flocks of birds that inhabit the rocky islets of the Farne islands four miles out to sea.Access to the sands is via a 1.5 mile walk from the nearest parking point, but the stroll is rewarded by passing through a nature reserve before reaching the lonely coastline.When it's time to give the bucket and spade a rest, head to Bamburgh for a sand castle of a different sort.Perched majestically over the dunes on a basalt crag, the 11th-century Norman fortress is one of England's most iconic buildings.

A grand day out at Chatsworth

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Enjoy a huge helping of English heritage with a visit to one of the country's most famous stately homes - Chatsworth House.The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire's Derbyshire estate is an impressive amalgamation of mansion, maze and magnificent gardens in extensive parklands beside the River Derwent.The house itself dates back 450 years and contains one of Europe's finest private art collections including ancient Greek pieces as well works by modern British artists.However, it is the gardens that provide the real highlight of a Chatsworth visit. One of the most popular features is the Cascade, which drops water 200 vertical feet in a fall of 24 steps, and the Emperor Fountain is also a striking feature.Meanwhile kids will be kept entertained in the giant maze or investigating furry locals in the fun farmyard.To enjoy a longer stay at Chatsworth, it is worth investigating the special events being held there this summer, ranging from sewing school to a three-day country fair.

Steam dreams in Britain

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Following the tourist train doesn't have to be stressful this summer if you're sightseeing by steam.Steam Dreams offers tours of the most picturesque cathedral cities in England and it is hard to imagine a better way to explore British heritage than by arriving on a classic locomotive.Tickets range from premier dining passes, featuring a champagne brunch and three-course dinner, to standard class, serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks.Passengers can choose from a string of stunning destinations including Canterbury, Chichester, Bath, Warwick and Salisbury.After exploring the awe-inspiring cathedrals, there's still plenty of time to take in the cities' other attractions or do some souvenir shopping in some of the excellent shops around.For a railway experience of a different kind, check out the new state-of-the-art glass-roofed Eurostar terminal at London's St Pancras and enjoy a super-fast journey to the French capital Paris.

When in Rome? do a Vatican night walk

admin — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

For a totally different sightseeing tour of the Vatican, why not take the trip at night.With fewer crowds (guided tours are limited to a maximum of 20 people) the papal palace comes alive with history and atmosphere as footsteps echo down the gloomy corridors.Visitors can enjoy a full two hours soaking up the silence of the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel with experts on hand for more information when required.Even seasoned Vatican visitors should consider the after-hours treat, which allows a more intimate encounter with the tapestries, maps and Raphael's rooms.Those wishing to splash out further are recommended private tours, which include an extra hour in the buildings as well as the undivided attention of a Vatican expert at your side.Alternative night tours in Rome could involve the services of a limousine and driver to whisk you past the city's sights when they are bathed in romantic moonlight and shadows.

Palatial glory at EnglandÂ’s Hampton Court

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:30:00 +0200

It may be located in London, but Hampton Court Palace seems a world away from the tall buildings and crowded streets of the City or the West End.Set in extensive parkland with manicured lawns and gardens by the Thames in south-west London, Hampton Court was built by Henry VIII and offers interest and fun for all the family.Guided tours are on offer for those who don't wish to miss the finer points of the grand architecture, history and heritage of this site, while the adventurous can try to find their way around the famous maze.The really daring can see if they can spot the ghost of Catherine Howard - one of Henry's wives - that allegedly haunts the palace.Another supposed spectre was caught on CCTV in 2003 throwing a fire door open.Those visiting in the summer will have more than a ghost of a chance of seeing some fine summer blooms in the gardens between July 8th and 13th, when the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is held.

Italian genius on show in Rome

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:30:00 +0200

Although revered artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio fled Rome in the early 17th century after killing a man, many of his most famous works remain in the city.Fans of Caravaggio's work can visit a number of venues around Rome to see some of his stunning religiously-inspired paintings.Six of his works are contained in the Borghese gallery including Giovane con la canestra di frutta and Bacchino malato, as well as Davide con la testa di Golia (David with the head of Goliath), who's head is believed to be a self-portrait.Other locations to spot some of the awe-inspiring artworks include Santa Maria del Popolo, which holds the cruxifixion of St Peter and the Conversion of St Paul, while the church of San Luigi dei Francesci is home to Caravaggio's St Matthew cycle, painted between 1598 and 1601.There are a number of other venues to witness the works of this great artist, including in the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, the Corsini Galleria on Via della Lungara and in Sant'Agostino, which holds the once controversial paiting of Madonna of the Pilgrims.Caravaggio died in suspicious circumstances in 1610, aged just 39.

Remembering the Jewish population of Buchares

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:30:00 +0200

Once home to over 100,000 Jews and 80 synagogues, World War II saw the destruction of the Bucharest's Jewish community. Now there are just 4,000 Jews and two synagogues in the city.However there are a number of places to visit which serve as a reminder of the large Jewish population that once existed here.Most notable for this is the Jewish history museum, housed in a mind-19th-century synagogue, which documents the story of the religious group in Bucharest, with exhibitions detailing how they used to live here.The centrepiece of this exhibition is a sculpture commemorating the 350,000 Romanian Jews that were sent to their deaths in Auschwitz between 1944 and 1945.Two synagogues still function in the Romanian capital - the 1857 Choral Temple and the Yeshoah Torah Temple.And Bucharest is also home to a Jewish cemetery, which contains monuments to those who died during the many pogroms in the country at the turn of the 19th century, as well as those who died in the Holocaust.One of the few surviviors of the deportation of Jews to Auschwitz was Eli Wiesel, who subsequently won a Nobel Prize for her writing.

See democracy in action in London

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:30:00 +0200

One of the most spectacular buildings in London, the neo-gothic Westminster Palace is home to the decision-making heart of the UK.Parliament is open to visitors for most of the year and tours around the fascinating building take place on a regular basis. The home of the famous Big Ben, visitors will hear the bell toll on the hour in person as they look round the areas of the famous palace that are not restricted.Built between 1840 and 1888 and housing the House of Commons and the House of Lords, those who visit the building while parliament in session may have the opportunity to view debates in one of the houses from the public galleries.These have been blocked off by a glass screen since a coloured powder was thrown at the prime minister by activists a few years ago.To gain access to Westminster, visitors should stand in line by the St Stephen's entrance, for an excellent opportunity to see democracy in action - many of those in line here will be waiting to lobby their member of parliament on an issue close to their heart.