After Bob and I completed our walking tour of the Rialto Markets, we thought it high time we hire a gondola. Who could pass on a dreamy gondola ride on Grand Canal? It was such an iconic thing to do when in Venice, Italy. Read more
Category: Historic Buildings and Structures
Agog at the Famed Rialto Fish Market, Venice
After spending considerable time in Piazza San Marco, where floodwaters provided great reflections of the surrounding buildings, it was on to the famed Rialto fish market hall. We were agog at the vast assortment of fresh fish and seafood in this fish market. Read more
Our Tour Of Greenwich And The Royal Observatory
To round out our sightseeing in England, Bob and I had a couple of other locations to check out during our last two days in London. We thoroughly enjoyed our weeks in the countryside and were rested and rejuvenated. To ease ourselves back into the hubbub of the city, Bob, our son and I booked a riverboat to Tower Bridge, Greenwich and the Royal Observatory. Read more
Wowed by the Canals and Catacombs of Camden Town, London
After a hearty breakfast on this, our second-to-last day in London, England, Bob, our son, and I hopped aboard a double-decker bus to catch a ride over to Camden Town, a thriving tourist area made up of markets. What we did not realize was that many are set up in the catacombs around Regent’s Canal. We were soon wowed by the canals and catacombs in Camden Town! Read more
A Foggy Stroll Through Ancient History In Seoul, Korea
On our second day in Seoul, South Korea, we found ourselves with a thick fog hanging over the city. Weather aside, it was time to take a walk and visit a couple of the key historic sites of the city. Read more
Rich Nautical Nostalgia in Bowness-on-Windermere, England
Moving further into England’s Lake District after hiking up Wansfell Pike put Bob and me at the heart of Lake District National Park. Our family savoured a delightful lunch on the patio of our next lodgings with gourmet terrines, fruit, cheese and pastries that we bought from a deli shop in Ambleside. Duly nourished, we walked down to the harbour-side pavilions at Bowness Pier, and what a sight that was to behold. The rich nautical nostalgia in Bowness-on-Windermere really struck a chord with Bob and me. Read more
Murano Glass in the Making In Venice
Unique creations in Murano glass are a common sight in every shop around Venice, Italy. On our first full day in that city, Bob and I were given the opportunity to observe how this handmade glass is made using ancient techniques and recipes. Read more
Chateau de la Bourdaisiere A Magnificent French Castle
One of my hopes on our trip to France was to spend a night in a “real” castle like Chateau de la Bourdaisiere. By happenstance we learned about this castle when we came upon a little tourist information booth along a country road in the Loire Valley. It happened to be staffed by an English-speaking young woman. Read more
Touring The Palace of Versailles Royal Grandeur
After spending a few days exploring the streets and life of downtown Paris, Bob and I were anxious to leave the hubbub of the city behind. The Palace of Versailles was our next destination and is actually located in a suburb of Paris. It is a massive complex…800 hectares of gardens, buildings, water fountains and even a man-made lake called the Grand Canal. For both Bob and me, it was a given that we would visit the Palace of Versailles considering its history and what happened there before and during the French Revolution. Read more
Our Walk Through History In Paris
Bob and I began our second day in Paris, France, with a visit to the Roman Catholic church La Madeleine located at the very top of rue Royale. With its massive Corinthian columns, La Madeleine Church occupies a commanding position at the end of the street, and I remember being awed when I first caught sight of it. This church has a very interesting history. Read more