Cities such as London, Bristol, and Berlin definitely lead the way with their long established scenes. What’s amazing to see is the growth of street art in cities not typically associated with the art form. Street art is exploding across Europe now, and more and more people appreciating the way it transforms their hometowns. It all means good news for us, the traveller.

Street art tourism is alive and well. Factoring in a day of exploring a well worn route or simply getting lost in a street art neighbourhood, is now becoming a must on any city break itinerary. What city will you see next?

The 30 Best Cities to see Street Art in Europe

Waterford, Ireland

Waterford might not be the first city name on everyone’s lips where street art in Europe is concerned, but I suggest it’s time to sit up and pay attention. The Waterford Walls festival is an annual event in August inviting the best of Ireland and the world to come and paint the cities walls.

The committee from Waterford Walls, led by Edel have done a tremendous job attracting so much talent. As it’s a small city, the result is there’s never a colourful wall far from you. Which means it’s great for wandering and seeing what you can find. Of course, you can follow my street by street guided tour.

The art starts from grassroots level thanks to local workshops, to Waterford’s own Coilfhionn Hanton who paints annually. Some of the most vibrant murals are as the result of Dan Leo, Curtis Hylton, Monkey Bird and Dan Kitchner who all brought their very distinctive work to the city. All artists are encouraged to paint as they wish, but many chose to draw from the history and fauna of Waterford.

One mural caught my eye prior to my visit and upon seeing first hand thoroughly lived up to expectations. Entitled Sonny, by the South African artist of the same name. The artist blends fantasy with the natural world in his work. The full wall features a girl in feather headdress with a white tiger. It’s wonderful.

Waterford is 2 hours from Dublin by both road and train and a must visit for street art fans.

Derry

By Tom from Travel Past 50

All along Rossville Street, in Bogside, Derry, Northern Ireland, are murals painted by a trio of artists collectively known as The Bogside Artists.

Tom Kelly, his brother William Kelly, and Kevin Hasson started painting the murals in 1993 to illustrate the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland, particularly those in Derry, which culminated on “Bloody Sunday” when, on January 30, 1972, British paratroopers killed 13 unarmed demonstrators.

The images are sometimes taken from photos taken on Bloody Sunday and during the “Battle of the Bogside.” Others are pure commemorations of hope, such as a dove on an oak leaf, symbolizing, at last, peace in Derry.

With supplies donated from local residents, the Bogside Artists painted the murals on the walls of Rossville Street buildings. From 1994 to 2008, they painted a total of twelve murals on this street in the Bogside, which they named The People’s Gallery.

The People’s Gallery spans the entire length of Rossville Street, which runs through the center of the Bogside, an entire street devoted to the history in art form of over three decades of political conflict.

Christiania Freetown in Copenhagen

by Anda from Travel for a While 

Christiania Freetown is a self-proclaimed independent area on Danish territory, within Copenhagen to be exact. It is home to less than 1000 people. Most of them are creative characters in search of a different life. They have a flag, a currency, and a voting system where every citizen takes part in the commune’s decisions.

One of the main reasons to visit Christiania is some amazing street art. You don’t need a map, it is literally all over the place. The abandoned military buildings of the area needed some color indeed. Also, the locals are blessed with a vivid, happy imagination. The skatepark inside Christiania Freetown is called Wonderland, and you couldn’t find a more suitable name for the place.

One of the most representative murals was done in 2016 by 5 artists. It represents the never-ending forest of purple Cats and 3D graffiti. Danish artist Rasmus Balstroem got together with Welin, Tonek, and 5.7 Crew.

Rasmus Balstroem is an incredible artist from Copenhagen who likes using freestyle drawing techniques. The two French artists from Montepellier, Sebastien (Sweo) and Marlene (Nikita) form the 5.7 Crew. Nikita likes to paint women in a warrior or fantasy style, while Sweo masters 3D letter-paintings.

Tonek is also a Danish artist. Tattoo art is his main thing, but he also enjoys graffiti and painting murals.

Andreas Welin is another Copenhagen-based artist. He worked extensively on murals spread from Melbourne, Australia to New York.

When these artists came together, they created an amazing mural that features all of their styles. Moreover, it captures the true Wonderland spirit of Christania.

Dundalk, Ireland

By John from CarpeDiemEire

Dundalk is the new pretender to Ireland’s street art throne. Following the same plan to attract talent, Dundalk runs an annual festival knows as Seek Dundalk. It only began in 2019, as a result of a collaboration between Dundalk Graffiti Artist and Graphic Designer Barry Finnegan (Omin) and Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Manager Martin McElligott. It’s aim of course was to make Dundalk, an outdoor art gallery.

They succeeded. Considering two of those years were hit by Covid restrictions, it’s quite amazing the amount of new works that have appeared. Dundalk is by no means a large city, and all of the art is within a stones throw of its main avenues.

Some of the legendary artists who have come to Dundalk and left their mark are Omin himself, Aches, James Earley, Fris, Claire Provost and Basik. This week, Ireland’s tallest mural was added by Smug, the world famous Australian artist,m. Standing 40 metres high on the Crowne Plaza hotel it depicts Lu, the god of light from Irish mythology. It promised to be another spectacular draw to Dundalk.

Our favourite piece was on Edward Bruce the disputed last High King of Ireland. He died at the Hill of Faughart not far from Dundalk. Using Aches special techniques of blending colour in a 3-d effect, the mural is astounding.

Keep an eye on Dundalk, it is destined to be among the best street art cities in Europe.

Street Art in Europe – Warsaw

By Or from My Path in the World 

Warsaw might not come to mind when thinking about European street art cities, but the Polish capital will not disappoint you. As a city of which 80% got destroyed during WWII, Warsaw makes a huge effort to preserve its history and heritage while also becoming more modern.

While you’ll find a mix of the traditional and modern on both sides of the Vistula River, it is on the eastern side of it, in the unique district of Praga, where most of the street art is found. Surprisingly, only 20% of this area was destroyed during WWII, so you can admire pre-war buildings alongside colorful murals and 21st-century townhouses.

Many of the murals in the city were created by different artists (both Polish and non-Polish), so each piece has its own style. Some of them are not to be missed, including ‘Eastern Warsaw’ by Sebas Velasco, ‘Playground’ by Ernest Zacharevic, ‘Warsaw Fight Club’ by Conor Harrington, and my favorite – ‘Ania.’

When you first look at ‘Ania,’ it looks so colorful and romantic that it immediately wins you over. But then you hear that it was created as a part of an advertisement produced for McDonald’s, which can be slightly disappointing, though it doesn’t take away from the piece’s beauty.

To fully enjoy and learn more about the local street art scene, one of the best things to do in Warsaw is to take a free walking tour in Praga, though you’ll also find some more murals in the neighborhood of Muranów.

Budapest

By John from CarpeDiemEire

Budapest’s offering as a street art city comes in the form of large murals, perhaps a recognition that it doesn’t have the history of some of the more famous city in that respect.

To visit most of the best murals pay a visit to the Jewish Quarter. You will anyway, it’s where the ruin bars are as well as the Dohany Street Synagogue. You can’t leave Budapest without having seen them, or in the case of the former, falling out of them. The Jewish district is as trendy as it gets in Budapest, so no surprise the street art is at its best there.

Wandering the streets of what was once the Hungarian Ghetto, you’ll find works by artists Dan Ferrer, Okuda San Miguel, the group Neopaint, Breakeone, and Cekas. Since 2008 the Colourful City Organisation have been responsible for bringing excellent artists here to ply their trade.

A particular standout is Alice by Spanish artist Dan Ferrer. In a car park on Kertesz Ut, we find Alice trapped in a small house in a bleak landscape, bruised and frightened. Carrying a message that children are our future and need to be nurtured, it’s brutally effective.

Just one of many murals to be found on a Budapest itinerary.

Lennon Wall in Prague

By Nina of Nina Out and About

One of the best street art cities in Europe is Prague.

The city is home to exceptional culture, having endured decades of communism and now a thriving democracy. You’ll find evidence of ancient kings at the Prague Castle, communist rule in demolished statues, and the flourishing free speech in its newer street art pieces. Within the city, there is a spinning head exhibit that is every shifting, just like human thoughts. But outside the city is a unique piece of art: the Kutna Hora Bone Church. The church was literally constructed from human remains, down to a chandelier with every bone from the human body.

The best spot for street art in Prague is undoubtedly at the Lennon Wall.

The wall began as an illegal graffiti wall during the communist reign. People began to paint on it to express themselves.

It started with small murals and doodles.

But the day that John Lennon died, it all changed.

The next morning, a giant mural dedicated to John Lennon went up on the wall. It featured the singer’s face and the addition of lyrics.

As the communist regime continued on, the wall became a way for the locals to express their frustration with the government and to express their desire for freedom.

While the original John Lennon portrait is long lost – especially since the government would repaint the wall frequently during the communist era – the wall continues to be a sign of hope.

Every time you visit, the wall will be different. Literally from one day to the next, the small signs for peace and pretty images will morph into something new thanks to a new addition.

You’ll easily stand there examining the wall for hours. Many buskers take advantage and play Beatles music in front of the mural. So bring a coffee and a few spare coins to tip the buskers as you soak in this gorgeous street art.

Manchester

By Helen from Helen on her Holidays

Manchester, in north west England, is a fantastic place to visit if you’re interested in street art. The city, in particular the Northern Quarter and Ancoats areas, has a history in recent decades of attracting some of the world’s best art talent to decorate its streets with murals, sculpture and mosaics.

The Northern Quarter part of Manchester used to be an area full of abandoned Victorian mills and warehouses until the 1990s, when it gradually became the most fashionable part of town, full of bars, loft apartments and alternative shops. It’s always been an area with its own character, and even its own font, which appears on street names and on the slabs in the pavement of Tib Street, where you can read the poem Flags by Lemn Sissay.

Manchester took part in the Cities of Hope street art festival in 2016, attracting nine street artists from around the world, including Nomad Clan (Cbloxxx and AYLO). Nomad Clan recently returned to Manchester to replace their Cities of Hope piece with a new work, Make Do Mend, which celebrates the city’s textile heritage.

In contrast to the large pieces which last for years, the Out House in Stevenson Square has a higher turnover of works that often appear spontaneously in response to news events, such as the death of David Bowie, the killing of George Floyd (both pieces by Akse) and the Manchester Arena bombing (by Qubek).

On a lighter note, a Manchester favourite is the giant blue tit on Newton Street, which was created by Faunagraphic in 2011 in a partnership with Converse.

Ljubljana

By Nicole from GoFarGrowClose.com

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. Ljubljana Old Town is a large historical district with pedestrian-only walking zones along cobblestone streets. You can find small boutique hotels along these paths that offer elegant rooms and old world charm. In addition, there are beautiful medieval churches scattered throughout and the imposing 12th Century Ljubljana Castle perched over top. If you are looking for the perfect old-world European experience, this is the place for you.

In striking contrast, after a short walk over The Ljubljana River, you find yourself in run down areas filled with squatters and spectacular street art. First, there is Rog Factory, a former bicycle manufacturing plant, where artists squat and produce fabulous paintings and sculptures making political or cultural statements.

A little farther along, you come across Metelkova, an independent social and cultural centre. It was formerly the military headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then the Slovenian headquarters of the Yugoslav National Army. After Slovenia became independent, it was supposed to become a government sanctioned alternative art scene.

When that didn’t happen, the squatters moved in and became a vibrant artistic and cultural spot. To learn all about the history of Slovenia, specifically post independence, the evolution of the street art scene, and about the amazing murals and artists, consider taking a walking tour called Ljubljana Alternative Tour offered by Ljubljana Urban Tours. It is one of the best things to do in Ljubljana.

Berlin

By Ali from Berlin Travel Tips

Berlin is one of the best cities in the world for street art. The city is known for art and creativity, and street art has become an important part of the landscape. Some pieces commissioned works while others are illegally done.

Although you can find street art all over the city, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are two of the best neighborhoods to explore for impressive art. Of course there’s the East Side Gallery, a long stretch of the Berlin Wall that is now covered in art. This is one of the best free things to do in Berlin, especially if you’re interested in street art. 

Not far from there is the RAW-Gelände. This former train repair station now has restaurants, clubs, beer gardens, a flea market, and lots of street art. Here you’ll find pieces by Felix and Matthias, Marina Zumi, Ostap, Shepard Fairey, and more. The Urban Spree Art Gallery, which focuses entirely on street art, is also located here.

Across the river in Kreuzberg, you can follow the U1/U3 Ubahn tracks and detour a little here and there to see more famous pieces. There are several from Blu, ROA, Os Gemeos, Victor Ash, and more. 

One of the more interesting pieces here is a mural of dead or dying animals, a statement on how nature is dying as a result of over-urbanization around the world. Another famous piece worth checking out here is the Astronaut by Victor Ash. 

In western Kreuzberg, you can also visit the Urban National Museum. This fairly new addition to the Berlin art scene is dedicated to street art and has new artwork painted on the outside on a regular basis. 

Street art is easy to explore on your own. But a street art tour can give you loads of interesting information about the art and help you enjoy it more.

Stockholm

Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles

If you are a fan of public art, you will love Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, which is home to what is considered the longest art gallery in the world. 

Stockholm’s subway art is famous, not only for its color and scale, but also for the underlying themes of diversity, inclusion, and other social causes. Many of the city’s more than 100 subway stations feature stunning art, with entire tunnels covered in color. 

One of the most beautiful stations you can visit is Kungstradgarden, where the ceilings feature colorful art. At Fridhemsplan, you can view cool and quirky robot art. At Hallonbergen, child art with stick figures and childhood themes will captivate you. 

While Stockholm’s subway art is internationally renowned, it also features traditional street art in its various districts. 

Snosatra, Stockholm’s graffiti park, is the largest in Europe and a great place to visit if you are interested in street art but have limited time in the city. Here you can see the works of some of the city’s most well-known street artists such as Mogul and Huge.

If you enjoy the work of Os Gemeos, the Brazilian twins that have created gigantic murals in various cities across the world, you will find one in Stockholm to view! The mural, located in Fiskargatan, depicts persons created in their typical style, with beautiful colors.

Best Street Art Cities in Europe — Kyiv

Contributed by Inessa Rezanova, image by Natalie Rezanova, Through a Travel Lens Blog

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is eastern Europe’s heart of street art. First murals appeared in the city fairly recently — after the revolution of 2014, and initially, the locals were not all that thrilled.

But the outrage over what was perceived as vandalism of public property turned into admiration as soon as the first murals — among them, the iconic girl in traditional Ukrainian clothes — turned a few bleak buildings of the capital into colorful impressions of what today’s Ukraine is.

A mix of modern architecture and historic buildings of the 19th century, Kyiv has its fair share of Soviet apartment buildings. These are not exactly what most of the Ukrainians are fond of and much to the pleasure of the locals, it is these houses that became the canvases and main inspiration for the local artists as well as for the artists around the world. 

The capital’s arguably most popular mural — “The Girl in Vyshyvanka” — was created by the Australian artist, Guido van Helten. A dedication to Ukrainian women, this 53-meter long depiction of a young girl in traditional Ukrainian clothes almost made it to the Guinness World Records as the biggest European mural. Drawn on a wall of a building at Lesya Ukraininka street, it is now one of the area’s highlights.

As the artists continue to flock to Kyiv to paint the walls of the capital’s buildings, there are now plenty of beautiful murals in the historic center — the old town of Podil, as well as in the busy business area in Pechersk. Great street art can be spotted not only downtown but also in remote areas of the city. Fans of murals should also include areas like Obolon and Left Bank to the list of places to visit in Kyiv to enjoy the vibrant street art.

Rotterdam

By Zoe from Together in Transit

One cool place to find street art in Europe is the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Unlike the rest of the Netherlands, Rotterdam is a unique city to visit due to its modern architecture. However, it still has many quirky locations with hidden gems and industrial street art locations. 

You may think there is one specific location for a city, but Rotterdam actually has many spots that you can explore and view the street art across the city. Some popular locations include street art at the Witte de Wit street, the Centraal station area and near an old factory called Maassilo in Rotterdam South. 

The best way to enjoy all these locations as well as find the hidden gems is to use the Rewriters010 street art or take a tour with them, where they provide interesting walks about each piece of art work during a walk. Many of the artists are Dutch, but there are also some international artists that have special pieces in the city too. Some artists to name are: Bier en Brood, Dan Botlek, I Am Eelco, TelmoMiel and Mark Goss.

For the last few years, the PowWow street art festival has also held an event here. During the weekend there are live graffiti artists completing their new artwork in the city as well as on cars and vans. There are tours available to walk along many of the street art routes to learn more as well as activities at the event location.

My favourite personal photo is a piece by I Am Eelco in gorgeous purples, yellows and greens. His style has always been one of my favourites from Rotterdam due to the overlapping style and animals pictured in the artwork.

Reykjavik

By Darlene from Thirsty Journeys

Reykjavík, Iceland has a wealth of colourful and thought-provoking street art. The majority of its murals are located in Reykjavík’s downtown (or “Old Town”), making a self-guided walking tour of many of the murals very easy to do in an afternoon.

Some of the murals were commissioned by local businesses, while others are the result of a bigger project called Wall Poetry. This project was a collaborative effort between Urban Nation, a contemporary art collective based in Berlin, and Iceland Airwaves, Iceland’s largest music festival. Ten musicians performing at the 2015 Iceland Airwaves festival provided song titles, lyrics, quotes, stories, or poetry that influenced their music to ten artists working on the murals. The initiative was a way of connecting music and art – an initiative that was so well-received, that the project was implemented again the next year.

For example, this particular piece, painted by Canadian tattoo artist and illustrator Heather McLean, is inspired by a song called “A Hundred Ropes” by Minor Victories. Notice how the locks of the woman’s hair become the waves on a stormy sea.

One of the challenges for street art in Reykjavík is the rapid speed at which the city is growing. Everywhere you look there are construction cranes, as old buildings are demolished to make way for new shops, hotels and businesses. Some of the street art painted on the sides of buildings are disappearing as empty lots are filled in. And while the very nature of street art is that it is not meant to be permanent, it’s a shame to see some of the art disappear. Luckily, the spirit of street art in Reykjavík is going strong, with no signs of slowing down even as the city expands.

Plovdiv

By Anda from Travel for a While

The first thing you find out about Plovdiv is that it is the oldest inhabited city in Europe. Being such an ancient place, you wouldn’t really imagine the real young vibe it has.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Plovdiv. Among them, well-preserved Roman ruins and traditional painted houses in the Old Town. Besides them, you will also find coffee shops, craft beer places, and great food. Another reason to visit is the street art in Plovdiv. Street art is virtually everywhere in Plovdiv. From underway passages to garbage bins and school walls, you will find graffiti and murals in many places.

The best places to find some great street art pieces are the trendy Kapana neighborhood and the area behind the drama theater. The street behind the theater was transformed in just one week, during the Street Art Fest of 2013. Climb the stairs behind Milo the Crazy’s statue to find this hidden gem of Plovdiv.

Kapana is a much larger area where artists are frequently commissioned to bring new life to the old walls. Start exploring with the heart of Kapana and admire the three large murals. Then, walk on the small streets to find smaller pieces in the most unexpected places.

One of my favorite pieces in Plovdiv is ‘МИР’ (Peace) by Nasimo. A Bulgarian artist, by his real name Stanislav Trifonov, Nasimo has been painting walls since 1995. He is one of the most active and popular Bulgarian artists. 

Peace is a mural composition, the biggest in Bulgaria. Nasimo started working on it in 2015 and has added pieces a few times since. He aims to inspire love and peace, the food our souls need.

Best street art cities in Europe – Łódź

By Ania from The Travelling Twins

I’m going to tell you how great street art in Łódź has become over the years. What started as an act by Polish artists against communism became something so much more than that. It was an act of defiance against all odds and now it’s an integral part of what makes Łódź so special.

Today, nearly forty years after the first street art appeared in Łódź, street art here not only symbolizes freedom of speech but has become one of the main attractions for visitors to the city. The local authorities support street artists and Łódź is proud of its legendary murals.

Murals in Łódź which has been started by local artists now attracted big names like Aryz and Os Gemeos brothers (ul. Roosevelt 5), Aryz or Eduardo Kobra with a mural of famous Polish Pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who was born in Łódź.

Besides painted murals, you can find in Lodz as well cool installations on the wall where using negative space effect and half a tonne of nails artist Łukasz Berger created the word “CISZA” (Silence)

Unfortunately, some of the cool ones like big surrealistic graffiti done by French artist Remed was reprinted with boring medical advertisements. But still, many empty building faces are waiting for new murals.

When you plan to visit Łódź its one of the great things to do is to discover the town by searching for interesting murals.

Bucharest

By Vanessa from Traveling Ness

Romania might not be the first country you think of for street art in Europe but the capital of Bucharest is bursting with art murals and cool graffiti around every corner! Bucharest has a European charm without the crowds often referred to as “Little Paris”.

Since the end of communism, Romanians used street art and graffiti as a way to express themselves in the new wake of independence. By exploring the various street art, you are walking through a visual story tied with bits of Bucharest’s history.

Some of Bucharest’s street art is very hidden and in other areas, you can’t help but notice it. The main areas to spot the best street art in Bucharest is around Old Town, in the Piata Romana neighborhood off of Strada Pictor Arthur Verona and the North Railroad Station area.

Top artists that have painted the walls of Bucharest with some really cool street art are Pisica Patrata (Alexandru Ciubotariu), Vhils, Sweet Damage Crew, Obie Platon, and Benr.

My favorite murals in Bucharest are done by Sweet Damage Crew that consists of a group of artists. The first mural is hidden in a courtyard of an outdoor movie screen, known as Creart. 

It is of a man sitting on a TV looking up at the moon with rich shades of blue and purple that is a few stories tall! As it is on private property, ask if you can go in or attend one of the movie viewings held there.

The other top mural by Sweet Damage Crew is Make a Point, depicting a woman drawing on a piece of glass she is holding. You can find Point on Strada General Eremia Grigorescu 10. No matter what area of Bucharest you explore, you are bound to find plenty of epic urban art during your stay!

Kaunas, Lithuania

By Tal from Bright Nomad Travel Blog

Kaunas, Lithuania, is a lesser known destination with a great street art scene waiting to be discovered.

One of the most famous pieces of street art in the city is called The Wise Old Man. It’s a huge mural in a very central location, close to Kaunas Castle, on the wall of an old shoe factory.

It’s a painting of a well known local artist called Jurgis Maciunas, a historic figure who was the father of the Fluxus art movement. The city embraced this mural and it has become one of its symbols.

Another great spot for street art is called The Yard Gallery. Located inside a residential yard and initiated by one of the residents, this gallery has a wonderful collection of murals and installations by local street artists. It’s a place that’s fun to explore.

Not far from the yard, you’ll find another famous piece of art, an eye-catching mural of a massive pink elephant. 

You can see many more pieces of street art, including some very impressive murals, scattered around the city. Many of them are legal and commissioned by the city, which appreciated both the art and the artists. To discover them easily, you can pick up a beautiful illustrated street art map from the tourist information centre in the city hall.

Barcelona

By Ignacio from Tango and Rakija

The city which gave birth to art characters such as Miro, Dali, Gaudi and Picasso is obviously a good city for hunting street art.

You will quickly realize that even without a map and just strolling around the city you will step into a world of graffiti and many forms of street-art.

Luckily, this time you won’t have to think much but just enjoy it. These are, according to us, the MUST SEE places for a deep-dive in street-art culture of Barcelona.

You should start visiting one of the oldest pieces of art in the walls of the city – Keith Haring’s mural. It was painted in 1989 on a very old building in the Raval neighbourhood which nowadays is the MACBA museum. Painted in red, the colour of blood, this mural contains all Haring’s  classic  iconography: children, life, sex, death and his fight against AIDS.

Since you are already in the Raval area you can visit one of our favorite ones in the city. A mysterious couple of artists which IG is @me_lata. Just walk around El Raval and you will find their art mostly everywhere.They do art with empty cans and write quotes and thoughts on them. 

Not far from the Raval, in the area of Poble Sec you can go to The Three Chimneys urban park and sit to enjoy art creation in real time. This is one of the favourite playgrounds of Barcelona’s street artists (both professional and amateur) owing to the fact that it is one of the city’s only purpose-built graffiti parks.The walls on the park are part of the initiative called Murs Lliures in catalan (‘free walls’), urban areas distributed around the city that the artists can reserve for a specific date and do their magic. The good thing is that the art on the walls changes mostly every week. 

If you love Barcelona, you love Miro, if you love Miro you will love this huge graffiti. In the corner of C/Sant Pau and C/ de la Riereta you can see perhaps one of Barcelona’s most iconic pieces of street art, the large mural on the corner is a tribute to the famous Catalan artist Joan Miró. 

To wrap-up your visit to this area of Barcelona we suggest you to go to the street Carrer Selva de Mar between Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and Av. Diagonal. Here you will see many graffitis from different artists in all possible colors and shapes. It’s a 20 min walk or less full of vibrant street-art.  

For our next proposal you need to think big because this is a huge mural. Just on the front wall of an old building called  La Carbonería which stands the title of the oldest building in the area of Eixample, it’s so old that it is protected by the council. Meaning it can’t be destroyed or altered in any significant way. Formerly a coal company that was abandoned and after some years it was squatted for many others before its residents were finally evicted in 2014. To find this fantastic and historical piece of street-art you need to go to the intersection of Urgell and Floridablanca. 

In order to stay in tune with murals you cannot miss a visit to the huge collage called 

The Shark. It’s a three-metre-long shark made of paintings of €100 notes at the top of El Carmel. In 2008, Blu, artist from Bologna, did. ‘El Tiburón’ as a reminder of Spain’s political corruption. The controversy behind this art expression was enormous, nevertheless, The Shark is standing there after many years.

Our last suggestion of the day is that you take a walk till Turó del Carmel, a park full of walls with graffiti from many different artists. You have a graffiti wall that runs the length of Camí de Can Móra to enjoy. It’s around 500m long.

And, the best part about street art in Barcelona is that, this is not all. If you just walk around the streets of the city, you will find true pieces of art in almost every corner.

Athens

Chrysoula from Athens and Beyond

Athens is a city known for its rich history with the many archaeological sites scattered in every corner, the tasty cuisine, and the vibrant nightlife. In the last years, the city has seen an increase in the number of murals from creative street art artists, many of which are students in the Athens School of Fine Art.

There are many neighborhoods one can admire street art, but the most popular ones include Monastiraki, Exarchia, Psiri, and Keramikos. All these areas are located in the city center and are easily accessible to tourists on foot.

An alternative way to admire the most famous murals is to take a guided tour offered by various companies.

One of the most famous Greek street art artists with many works around Athens and various cities around the world is INO with his large-scale black and white murals. Some of his well-known works include “Access control”, “Clock Work”, and “Wake Up”. 

One of my favorite murals in Athens is the one of Loukanikos, a stray dog that got famous during the protest marches against anti-austerity measures in downtown Athens. After his death, the street art artists Martinez, N. Gramms, and Smart created a big mural in his honor in the Psiri neighborhood. The mural depicts the dog in a scene of riots and flames and there is also an epigraph that says: “We were struck by tear-gas together” and also “All Dogs go to Heaven”.

While exploring Athens, keep your eyes open for some amazing street art.

Rome

By Claudia Tavani from Strictly Rome

Rome is a fantastic city for street art, and you can easily admire many interesting pieces in several areas of the city. Street art in Rome helped convert neighborhoods that were once burdened by petty crime into much better places with live (and free) art galleries that anybody can visit.

There are several neighborhoods in Rome where visitors can admire street art. One of them is Quadraro, a bit outside of the center of Rome but easy to reach by metro. Others are Testaccio and neighboring Ostiense, a 30 minutes walk from the Colosseum; or Pigneto and San Basilio.

Rome’s latest street art project, however, is in the area of Tor Marancia, further south of the Colosseum (about one hour walk). It was only in 2015 that the walls of Viale Tor Marancia were completely turned into an art gallery, with 20 international artists working for 70 days in a row to change the face of many buildings within the “Big City Life” project. More than 20 murals were painted.

The most notable mural in Tor Marancia is “The Weight of History” by Argentine-Italian artist Jaz. It portrays an Argentine wrestler holding an Italian wrestler on his shoulder and it represents the tight connection between Italy and Argentina.
The best way to enjoy street art in Rome is via a guided walking tour. Several companies run good ones around the city.

Glasgow, Scotland

By Rachel from Average Lives

Undeniably, Glasgow is one of the best street art cities in Europe.  The city is a former fishing village and will welcome you with green spaces, museums, architectural wonders and a fantastic food scene.  

If that was not enough, over the past 14 years, Glasgow’s once tired and empty buildings have transformed thanks to some gifted street artists. There is now a famous ‘Mural Trail’, which should be on a Glasgow itinerary. The trail was named one of the most exciting things to do in the world on Time Out’s DO List for 2020 and is the perfect way to brighten up any day. 

The Mural Trail showcases the diverse art from primarily local artists and can be reached on foot from the city centre. The unique works help to bring colour to the city. They are often described as murals for everyone, from radical, to conservative, to unusual or narrative-based. 

You can see the murals on a self-guided tour with the help of the Mural Trail website, or you can go on a tour with a local artist to learn more about each one and its significance. The trail is 5-miles in total and would take around 3-hours to complete, but many people complete sections at a time over a couple of days. 

One of the most famous and exciting murals is named Saint Mungo and was created by the artist Smug (Sam Bates), who is originally Australian but lives in Glasgow. It is a photo-realistic mural finished in 2016 and is on the gable end of High Street. It was crafted freehand and depicted the patron Saint of Glasgow with a small robin – an indication of the story of the Bird That Never Flew.

Naples

By Danila from Travelling Dani.

Naples is a lovely city in Southern Italy, which lies next to the sea.

While most of the world identifies Napoli with the delicious Neapolitan pizza, cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, us locals know that our city hides a pretty colorful treasure.

Street art is well hidden and it always represents our feelings or the important people who have had a great impact on the whole region. Among the best things to do in Naples (Italy), hunting for murals is one of the top 3. You can do it for free: it’s cheap, fun and it will let you discover the hidden side of Naples.

The most popular mural in Naples is dedicated to the one football player that has forever changed our city: Diego Armando Maradona.

The local stadium has been named after the Argentinian player when he died by the end of 2020.

The Maradona murale dates back to 1990, when the Naples Soccer Team won the Italian “Scudetto” thanks to Diego. It was restored in 2016.

You can visit it for free: find it at Piazzetta Diego Armando Maradona, in Naples.

The popular Maradona murale was painted by a local artist who was just 23 at the time, Mario Filardi. He wasn’t a street artist, but he so felt inspired by the player who had managed to bring glory to Naples, that he decided to try his hand at painting.

This has soon become the most popular street art in Italy.

Another very famous and huge mural was created by the artist Jorit Agoch, who is pretty active in Naples.

It represents San Gennaro, the patron saint that every Neapolitan loves. He is believed to have stopped the lava when Mount Vesuvius erupted, thus “saving” Naples from destruction.

The “Gennaro” mural covers the entire side of an historical building in Piazza Crocelle ai Mannesi, in Forcella, next to the Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore.

Lyon

By Leyla from Offbeat France

While French cities have their share of informal street art, Lyon’s monumental murals are famous not only throughout the country but around the world.

While each is unique and meaningful, perhaps the one that best encapsulates the mural story and the history of Lyon is the “Mur des Canuts”, or the Wall of Silk Workers. This massive fresco sits above Lyon on Croix-Rousse Hill, which was once home to the many weavers who turned Lyon into Europe’s capital of silk for five centuries from the Renaissance onwards.

This particular mural depicts everyday life in Lyon in a naïve art style that might make you look twice to see if this is actually a mural – or real life. Many others follow the same pattern, highlighting a moment in history, or the faces of famous Lyonnais. 

Other murals have little to do with reality, picturing scenes from entertainment or even science fiction.

It matters little: all were born from a desire to bring art to poorer neighborhoods of the city and were the brainchild of a small group of rebellious art students who created a cooperative, CitéCréation, in the 1980s after being inspired by murals during a school trip to Mexico. The Mur des Canuts was their first creation and involved the local community in its design.

Today, the cooperative is so well known it receives commercial offers to undertake murals around the world, which its artists do, but they never forget their origins and continue to populate Lyon with delightful scenes. They have even opened a school for muralists-in-waiting, paving the way for the future generation.

Bristol

By Claire from Go South West England

Whether you’re spending a weekend in Bristol or are here for a longer time, one of the best things to do is see its beautiful street art!

Bristol is the home of Banksy who is possibly the world’s most famous street artist – so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best places in Europe for street art!

Banksy is an anonymous street artist – he leaves his work with his signature style on walls, but nobody actually knows who he is! You’ll find his art all over Bristol. Often, it’ll have a meaningful message, as he addresses topics like war and inequality. 

Other times, he’ll mention current issues in his art but have a comic twist, such as his famous “mild, mild west” artwork in Stokes Croft which features a teddy bear throwing a cocktail at riot police and alludes to the illegal parties that were held in the city in the 1990s. 

Bristol street art certainly isn’t just Banksy though. The entire city is covered in a mishmash of murals and poignant art pieces – it’s like walking around an outdoor art gallery. While Banksy’s work is usually black and white, many other pieces are full of colour and vibrance. 

Stokes Croft is one of the best areas to walk around for street art. From expansive colourful murals to smaller pieces reminding you that “hate is foolish” and to “think local, boycott Tesco”, there’s loads to look at here!

Another awesome spot is North Street in Southville. This is the location for the street art festival Upfest, and nearly all of the road’s buildings have beautiful murals! Most poignant is perhaps outside Aldi, where Greta Thunberg’s face, half-covered in water from rising sea levels, looks down on shoppers – reminding you to make sustainable choices with your shopping.

Belfast

By Faith from XYU and Beyond

Northern Ireland and particularly artists in Belfast have a long history of representing and reflecting their troubled history in street art. 

Street art and political activism have always gone hand in hand but in 1998 when the Peace Accord was signed a new kind of street art began appearing on the walls of Belfast.  

You can still find many of the murals that depict “The Troubles” in neighbourhoods separated into Catholic and Protestant areas. From murals of Bobby Sands who died while on hunger strike, to a mural of the Women’s Quilt with words relating to women and the roles they play in communities. 

These days artists have taken to the streets of Belfast to bring new life into areas of the city that were run down and abandoned and have now been transformed turning Belfast into a street art mecca like London, New York and Berlin. 

The new street artists include Joe Caslin whose piece of two women kissing drew attention to the LGBTQIA community with the hashtag #lovewins.

In stark contrast to the political murals some of the best street art is found in the Cathedral District. Exhibiting work by world-renowned artists this area is stunningly colourful with work by Kev Largey (aka KVLR), Pang, Christina Angelina’s (aka StarFighteraA) and James Earley.

My favourite piece though is the one called Lobster Pot by the Australian street artist Sam Bates, also known as Smug. Smug is recognized around the world as one of the masters of Photorealism.

You can take a walking tour of Belfast’s street art that was created and led by local artists who have driven the street art scene in Belfast. This two hour walking tour will take you through the ever changing street art scene in the City.

Lisbon

By Berkeley Square Barbarian

Lisbon is a fun weekend destination. You can easily spend a few days exploring the different neighbourhoods sprawling across the hills and valleys. Street art here started with political murals after the revolution of 25 April 1974.

Few cities offer more exciting street art than Lisbon. This is even more impressive considering its relatively small size compared with many of its competitors. The city actively encourages and supports street art (within boundaries). You will find graffiti and murals everywhere around town.

Alfama, the cobble-stoned ancient neighbourhood between the river and the castle, with its steep, crooked alleyways, sports many of the best-known works of street art.

Glória Funicular leading up to Bairro Alto features the fabulous Street Art Gallery. Every once in a while a jury established by the City Council invites dozens of street artists to paint the hundreds of metres of wall for a limited period of time. Graça, Chiado, and Belém have no lack of amazing murals.But no place is more exciting than Mouraria. Among others, a multi-level car park was decorated by various street artists.
Famous local artists include Nuno Saraiva, Vhils, Odeith, Tamara Alves, and Bordalo II. That said, artists from all over the world have visited Lisbon and left some of their works on the walls. Shepard Fairey, Os Gemeos, Utopia63, Blu, SAM3, Andrea Tarli, and Kobra are a few of the more prominent names.

My favourite mural has to be the one on the Escadinhas de São Cristóvão in Mouraria, which was created by a number of different artists. It celebrates the musical tradition of Fado. True, it is not particularly aesthetic. However, you can see that it was a work of love and it gets enthusiastic reactions by almost everyone who passes by it.

London

By Rose at Where Goes Rose?

London is a world-class city whatever you’re into. The street art is no exception and arty travellers to London will be spoilt for choice by the number of alternative neighbourhoods covered in colourful murals.

To find the best street art in London, you’ll want to escape the city centre which is better known for mainstream tourist attractions and shopping districts. Two of the best street art districts in London are Camden and Shoreditch.

In Shoreditch, make a beeline for the Brick Lane street art. Wentworth Street, Fashion Street and Heneage street are known for their colourful murals by artists including ARTiSTA, Benslow and SHOK-1.

Don’t miss the secret unnamed alleyway beside Saffron Restaurant. Here you’ll find a host of socially-conscious art with messages such as ‘more love, less theft’.

Another mural not to miss in Shoreditch is the enormous crane (bird) on Hanbury Street. This is one of the largest and most detailed pieces of street art in the area.

Over in Camden (North London), you can find street art dotted along Kentish Town Road, Bayham Street, Buck Street and Castlehaven Road to name but a few. 

Hawley Mews is an enclave off Hawley Street, completely covered in vibrant street art. Artists regularly change the art here so you never know what you might find.

There are numerous murals dedicated to the late Amy Winehous who called Camden home. In the Stables Market, you’ll also find an arty, lifelike statue dedicated to her.

Birmingham

By Richard from RJ on Tour

Digbeth in Birmingham is also known as the creative quarter and is a lovely place to hang out. Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK and there are lots of things going on, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games. They adorned the Digbeth area with lots of nice street art throughout, including any spare walls and in most of the bars. The area is a great place for nightlife, dining out or just for a walk to admire the art on the buildings.

The best area of Digbeth to see is the streets near the Custard Factory, specifically Floodgate Street and Gibb Street. To see the more up-and-coming artists, take a stroll along the canal. There are some fantastic examples on boards and walls as you stroll along.

Two of the most prominent artists in the city are Gent 48, who does some very intriguing work. The other that pops us all over the place is Annatomix, whose art usually includes theor distinctive fox. My favourite Annatomix piece is along the canal path, the art really enhances the dark drab warehouses. There are many other artists in the area, and the standard is pretty high.

Bars like Zumhof Biergarten and Nortons have some outstanding pieces in their beer gardens. They are both great places for a night out or an afternoon drink. Although Digbeth is by far the best area for street art, the nearby China Town has some great political pieces too.

Which of these street art in Europe cities is next on your agenda? Save a pin for future reference.

The Best European Road Trips

Europe Road Trips – The Causeway Coastal Route

Ireland has more than its fair share of excellent road trips. One that deserves its place on any list is the Causeway Coastal Route, a 212 km route that traces its way from Belfast to Derry, past some truly sensational scenery.

The coastal road trip itinerary can be completed in a day for those in a rush, but in honesty, it’s not a place to rush. At a minimum, two days should be spent exploring its many facets, while you could easily spend four or five here. At each end, Belfast and Derry are two very different cities, with both having played a significant part in the Troubles that afflicted Northern Ireland for several decades.

Beginning your trip by leaving Belfast, the attractions don’t really kick in until the coast beckons at Carrickfergus, and its foreboding castle. From there they come thick and fast, as you can see why Game of Thrones picked this area for much of its sets. Fans of the show will have to see the Dark Hedges, Cushenden caves and especially Dunluce Castle. It has one of the most haunting settings on the whole of the island.

The road itself is as much as an attraction following a route that opens up fantastic views of headlands and beaches. With a never-ending list of castles, national parks and attractions, those days on the road can be spent busy.

The north coast is where you’ll be looking to spend most of your time. Unmissable is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and the opportunity to test your fear of heights. All roads do ultimately lead to the Giants Causeway, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, that hardly needs an introduction. Every epic road trip needs its centerpiece and this geological phenomenon will not disappoint.

If you are planning on driving in Ireland, then my driving guide includes travel tips on driving on the left, car rentals, meeting random animals in the road, and a host of other unique Irish problems.

Road Trips Europe – The Ring of Kerry

At the other end of Ireland, in a county known as the kingdom by its locals, is another similar road trip. The Ring of Kerry is an 179 km loop through what is certainly the most beautiful part of Ireland. It’s a route that by rights needs four days to truly appreciate, but you can do the Ring of Kerry in as little as a two day road trip.

This epic European road begins in Killarney, and providing you haven’t enjoyed the town a little too much (it has a roaring nightlife), you should set out early. You will spend the first day just exploring around here, its lakes are the setting of the Killarney National Park, Muckross Abbey and House, and Ross Castle. No visit to Killarney is complete without a trip on a jaunting car with their talkative Jarveys.

On Day two we hit the road properly, as our road trip route climbs above the lakes. Take a walk to Torc Waterfall one of Ireland’s best hiking trails, before marvelling at the views from Ladies View and Molls Gap. The coastal town of Kenmare makes a good base for those looking to spend plenty of time on the Ring.

The next stage of this Ireland road trip travels through an area of coastal views and ancient ruins. For those that the weather plays fair with a visit to Skellig Michael is a must. Luke Skywalker retired here, so it has to be good.

There’s more still to the Ring of Kerry, as its wild side takes a back seat, and the return part of the loop passes through beautiful towns such as Waterville, Cahirciveen and Killorglin. There’s plenty of opportunity to stop and appreciate the Atlantic too, as Derrynane and Rossbeigh are some of the country’s best beaches.

The Ring of Kerry can be driven as part of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is a 2500 km route up the entire west of Ireland.

Iceland Ring Road

Contributed by Gary from changeofplan.co.uk

If you are looking for a circular road trip with an epic difference then look no further than Iceland. Most travellers arrive in Iceland through the international airport at Keflavik, just west of the island’s capital city, Reykjavik.

Assuming a clockwise navigation, you could divert west traversing a peninsula leading to the magnificent Snæfellsjökull, or slightly further north, head into the Western Fjörds.  Avoiding these options to save time could make your first stop the town of Akureyi. With all amenities and plentiful accommodation, it is an excellent base to explore some of the highlights in Northern Iceland.  Similarly, the Eastern fjörds are serviced by Egilsstaðir, the largest town in the region.  On the southern section, there are many options for accommodation compared to the rest of Iceland, from Höfn in the east across to Vik toward the west.

The whole Route 1 road trip takes you on a very special journey, passing lava fields, snow-capped mountains, geysers, thermal rivers, and glaciers to name but a few of the amazing sights.  Single carriageway roads dominate and you can travel long distances observing just a handful of other travellers.

Many of the attractions you can enjoy on the Route 1 circuit are natural wonders.  To the north,  Husavik and whale watching trips contrast against the traditional attractions like Goðafoss waterfall and the geothermal mud pools at Hverir.  You can enjoy hiking the East fjörds taking in the delightfully picturesque port town of Seydisfjordur or seal spotting on a coastal hike near Husey where you could meet their famous horses.  

Many highlights can be found on the southern section of Route 1.  For photographers, there is the spectacular headland at Stokksnes and the further west you enter ‘glacier’ country with Hoffellsjökull offering a less crowded experience than popular glacial tours.  The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon offers boat trips among the icebergs, with the delights of Diamond Beach a short walk away.  

As you head back toward Reykjavik, you have some amazing attractions, with Seljalandsfoss waterfall offering the opportunity to walk behind the wall of falling water.  Before arriving back in the capital, which is a destination in its own right, you can take a short hike to the Reykjadalur Thermal hot springs and bathe in the glorious heat of the thermal pools.  Whilst similar to the Blue Lagoon, it offers you a less ‘touristy’ experience.

A complete circuit of the island using Iceland’s Route 1 is approximately 1320km (820 miles), and dependent on your pace and itinerary, you could expect it to take between 7-10 days.

Southwest France Road Trip

Contributor:  Hannah from https://nouvelleaquitainetravel.com/

A road trip through the Southwest of France will take you from ancient pilgrimage sites to wine country, along the wild Atlantic Coast, and into the Basque Country on the border of Spain.  Unlike the saturated Mediterranean coast, the Southwest is a veritable feast of lesser-known sites and gorgeous road trip stops.

Start your journey in Bordeaux.  With a decent-sized international airport, Bordeaux benefits from good transport links and all the major hire-car companies.  Stop awhile in Bordeaux and St Emilion to partake in some wine education.  There is even a wine museum in Bordeaux, with a rooftop tasting room.

From Bordeaux, head inland along the Dordogne River valley.  The villages along this lush valley are steeped in religious history.  Some even form part of an old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  Stop at Brantôme and Périgueux to see ancient cathedrals and stunning architecture.  In the city of Périgueux there is a church designed by the same architect responsible for Sacre Cœur in Montmartre, Paris.

Spend some time exploring the Valley of the Five Châteaux in the Dordogne.  There are 5 castles within a few square miles, a remarkably concentrated area of medieval history.  Set aside 2-3 days to explore this part of the Dordogne.

Head south towards the Pyrenees mountains.  If history is your preference, then I suggest you visit Lourdes.  This pilgrimage town is said to have healing waters, and The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a spectacular cathedral.  If you want to see more of the Pyrenees, take a ride on the Train of Artouste, the highest narrow-gauge train in Europe.

After all this history and castle-hunting, you’ll be needing some sea air and nature.  Indulge in the glitz of Biarritz, chocolate in Bayonne, and the wild beaches of the Atlantic coast.  Finish your road trip of the Southwest of France by climbing the massive sand dune, the Dune of Pilat.

This route is approximately 2000 km and should take around 2-weeks.  If you have longer, you can add La Rochelle, Royan, and Ile de Ré to your itinerary.  While many flock to the glamourous Mediterranean coast; the Southwest has just as many quaint towns, beautiful ports and dynamic landscapes to explore.

The North Coast 500 of Scotland

By Clazz from An Orcadian Abroad

There are a lot of fantastic road trips in Scotland, but the one everybody’s talking about is just as good as everyone says it is: the North Coast 500. As the name implies, it takes in a 500-mile loop of the north coast of Scotland, exploring rugged landscapes and beautiful beaches that you can have all to yourself. Part of the attraction is the remote location, and there is something magical about the truly wild nature that the route takes you to.

Most people start and end in Inverness, or incorporate it into a larger Scotland road trip, and being a loop it’s easy to tackle it either clockwise or anti-clockwise. The North Coast 500 sure packs in a lot too, and I’d recommend around a week to complete it (though people have been known to do it in two or three days, I definitely wouldn’t recommend this!).

Some of the best stops on the North Coast 500 road trip include the now infamous Bealach Na Ba (translated to “pass of the cattle” – a steep, winding single track road), Ullapool, Achmelvich Beach, Smoo Cave, John O’ Groats with the nearby Duncansby Stacks, and Dunrobin Castle. In truth, there are endless viewpoints, castles, beaches, waterfalls, and even islands to visit on the route, along with world-class seafood and excellent wildlife from deer to dolphins. In the summer, you might spot puffins and even whales!

Assynt offers some of the best hiking in the country, while the very northwest coast of Sutherland rustles up some of the best beaches like Sandwood Bay and Ceannabeinne Beach. Wester Ross is full of even more great scenery around Torridon and Loch Maree, and the Black Isle is often overlooked but may just be your best chance to spot dolphins at Chanonry Point! Caithness puts you into neolithic territory, exploring cairns dating back thousands of years, and this can be continued with a trip to Orkney, a popular addition to the NC500 route.

The North Coast 500 covers some of Scotland’s most remote places, which means that many of the roads are single track which can be a challenge for drivers who haven’t driven on them before, and journeys are regularly delayed by road obstructions such as sheep and Highland cows. As with many road trips, this makes the NC500 as much about the journey as the destinations, which is just part of what makes it so great.

Outlandish Scotland Tour

Contributed by Sabine who can be found on Twitter @ararewoman

For fans of the series Outlander following the books by Diana Gabeldon you may want to explore Scotland on a fan tour to see the filming locations of the series.

Most of the locations are concentrated around the area of Glasgow and Edinburgh and usually within a days reach so you can start your journey either from Edinburgh or from Glasgow changing hotels only once. The cities are well connected by train or bus which is approximately 1hr 20 min drive.

In Glasgow visit John Street near George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, the cloisters at Glasgow University, Dowanhill Street, and Kelvingrove Park that served as Boston. Don’t forget St Andrew’s in the Square that on top of being used for Outlander filming was used by Bonnie Prince Charly as camp in 1745. You can find a lot of Outlander filming references in the locations by now that explain the sets. Or ask the friendly staff who are usually really excited about telling you the details.

Your first day tour takes you to Cumbernaud film studios, Ivy Cottage, Doune Castle and Drummond Castle and back to Glasgow. The second day tour will take you 2 hrs drive further north to see Kinloch Rannoch or Craigh na Dun, then return via Glencoe and Finnich Glen.

Day 3 will bring you to your next hotel in Edinburgh via Fannyside Mill, Calendar House, Bo’ness and Linlithgow Palace. (16)

Enjoy day 4 in Edinburgh strolling along the Royal Mile discovering Holyrood Palace, Bakehouse Close, Signet Library, Tweeddale Court and The World’s End pub.

Your next day tour will take you to Hopetown House and Midhope Castle that is Lallybroich. Continue to Blackness Castle before crossing the Firth of Forth to get to Culross to see the palace, the market and West Kirk.

Day 6 start very early for the 3 hr drive to Culloden battlefield monument. Visit the museum and return via Dysart Harbour and Aberdour Castle.

The next day start early to see the Highland Folk Museum 2 hr drive from Edinburgh and return via Tibbermore Church near Perth to Falkland. Stroll the streets and visit Falkland Palace before returning to Edinburgh.

A trip south on day 8 takes you to Glencourse House where you can see the wedding chapel. On the way back stop at Roslin Glen Country Park and Craigmillar Castle.

As some of the sites aren’t regularly open to the public you best contact them in advance for your planning. Coordinates and contact details can be found on one of the Outlander filming location sites.

You can add in usual tourist attractions and extend your journey. If you don’t want to drive yourself there are also tour companies offering guided trips for your convenience. Any queries contact @ararewoman via Twitter.

European Road Trip – Dolomites

Contributed by Patrick Kenny, who tweets at Beyond The Last Blue Mountain (@beyond_last) / Twitter, and is soon to publish his book about travelling in Central Asia, including a focus on orientalism and prejudice in historic travel writing of the region.

It’s a sonata, the atmosphere among the limestone crags of the Dolomites: the air is crisp, the scent of wildflowers flirts around the hills, and the world around you expands out in mighty high-definition.

Tectonic plates carved the cliffs and valleys – considered a World Heritage site – but humans have left their mark too; most importantly, they’ve marked out ribbons of tarmac that make this area of northern Italy a perfect road-trip destination for a five-to-ten day trip that will take you about 600km.

Assuming you’re heading north from Venice or Verona (where car rental is normally cheaper than in the mountains), you can wind your way up into the Alps. The town of Trento is worth a visit for its historic centre, equipped with cathedral, castle, and piazzas dripping with espressos and Aperol.

Further into the mountains, you’ll reach Bolzano, the provincial capital of South Tyrol. It’s not small, but the winding streets, pastel-painted houses, and looming hills give it a charming, provincial atmosphere. There is plenty to see here: the dramatic Castel Roncolo, Ötzi, the regions oldest resident, preserved in ice for over 5,000 years, or the serene churches and monasteries. Plenty of places to stay too – Hotel Figl and Hotel Greif are particularly comfortable.

After a night or two, drive east, stopping at the stunning Lago di Carezza before reaching the dramatic hairpin bends at Passo Pordoi. You can also take the cable car from here for even more spectacular views of the cliff-faces that hem the Italian peninsula.

Double-back slightly and head north-west. Ortisei is the next charming town and an excellent base for some of the world-class hiking in the area and the via ferratas: exhilarating rock climbs that wind their way up the mountain faces. There is plenty of lovely chalet-style accommodation; Hotel Dolomiti Madonna is an affordable and well-located option.

Continue north and then cut eastward to visit some of the smaller villages and hamlets of the area including Ranui, with the famous church of San Giovanni, set in the rolling meadows. Any of the towns along the SS49 are good options to stay in; drive along until you find one that takes your fancy. San Lorenzo di Sebato is a convenient spot and the Gasthof Traube a pleasant hotel.

Begin to turn south and, on your way, a must-do is the hike around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three vast and trunkless legs of stone that have become an enduring image of the Dolomites. A little further and you reach Cortina D’Ampezzo, yet another beautiful town wedged between the folding landscape. As ever, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation, but Hotel Villa Gaia is particularly nice.

Finally, follow the roads back towards Venice, probably the most well-connected airport in the region, turning your back on some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.

The Amalfi Coast Road Trip

By Kasia from amongstromans.com

Considered one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world, the Amalfi Coast is a road tripper’s paradise. This iconic drive takes visitors through a winding, narrow road that snakes between terraced cliffs filled with lemon groves and wedding cake-like towns that seem to be carved out of the hills.

The Amalfi Drive, officially known as SS163, offers 38 km (24 miles) of stunning coastline views. Nestled between the port city of Salerno and the jagged coast of Sorrento, the drive is an experience for the senses. Neither town is officially part of the Amalfi Coast, but both are great starting points for accessing this stunning drive.

There are 13 small villages and towns that make up the Amalfi Coast. They are nestled along the cliffs and a rugged shoreline that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea. While most visitors visit the well-known towns of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, there is also plenty of charm in the lesser-known towns.

The Amalfi Coast is a culinary, cultural and visual feast for the senses. Lemon groves, vineyards, and fishing are staples here. Visitors can indulge in local specialties ranging from Limoncello, wine, and great pasta and fish dishes. The area is famous for local ceramics and fabrics, which can be bought all over the coast.

The Amalfi Coast is also a great place for hiking. Its famous “Sentiero degli Dei” (The Path of the Gods) offers unapparelled views of the area and the nearby island of Capri. If you need some water therapy, there are many beaches along the way where you can relax under cheerful umbrellas and soak up some sun.

The Amalfi Coast can be done as a continuous drive (one way or return), but you’ll get more out of the experience by stopping along the way. There are occasional viewpoints where you can pull over, but the road is very narrow and can get very busy. There is one lane in each direction and endless steep curves that disappear around every corner. Caution should always be exercised while driving and when pulling over.

Parking is available, but it is also limited. There is a large parking garage in Amalfi, which is a great spot for a break. From Amalfi, you can access ferries to the nearby islands and hop between the other towns. Parking is about €5/hr in the parking garage, less on the streets if available.

Málaga to Lisbon: Exploring the very best of Southern Spain and Portugal

Controbuted by Ryan from asinglestep.co.uk

With a busy international airport that offers consistently reasonable fares from across the UK, Málaga is the perfect gateway to explore Southern Spain and Portugal. A 14-day road trip between Málaga and Lisbon takes in outstanding natural beauty, stunning Moorish architecture, and incredibly historic cities dating back over 3,500 years. 

Your road trip starts in Málaga, where for the first couple of days of your trip you can explore the home of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas. A short stay in the city has everything to offer, from a 1st Century AD Roman theatre, an 11th Century Moorish Alcazaba, and a series of excellent beaches. Before moving on from the city make sure to visit some of the museums, including the dedicated Picasso Museum, as well as some of the impressive architecture and local churches. 

On your way to Ronda, less than 2 hours from Málaga, the more adventurous travellers should stop off at the vertigo-inducing Caminito del Rey. Rising over 300ft above the El Chorro gorge, El Caminito has been dubbed the ‘world’s most dangerous walkway’ but has been reopened to the daring public since 2015. For the ultimate luxury once you arrive in Ronda, stay in the local Parador, located just on the famous Puente Nuevo, a bridge boasting an incredible feat of architecture that spans the 120-metre gorge splitting the city in two. Ronda also offers a range of Moorish architecture, from some of the best-preserved Arab baths to the Mondragón Palace, home of Abbel Mallek, who ruled briefly over what was Moorish Ronda’s golden age.

Your next week is split between the equally dreamy cities of Cádiz and Seville. The drive to and from Ronda is full of plenty of charm, climbing up and down the mountainous region that surrounds the city. Top picks in Cádiz include the hugely dominating and impressive Cathedral, offering panoramic views of the city from the Bell Tower; castles, towers, and theatres; a central market typically thriving with Spanish life; and El Populo, considered the oldest neighbourhood in Europe. 

In the searingly hot Seville (seriously, avoid visiting in August!) you can immerse yourself in the history, heritage, and culture of my favourite Spanish city. Don’t miss the iconic semi-circular Plaza de España, where you could be lucky enough to catch some free, authentic flamenco. Nearby, you also have the neighbouring Alcazar and the Cathedral that houses La Giralda, a 340ft bell tower incorporating the minaret of the original mosque that stood on the site. Food is certainly your friend in Seville, so make sure to wander around the Northern neighbourhoods of La Macarena and Alameda to find great tapas and drinks, before heading to the Metropol Parasol as the sun sets for enviously beautiful golden views across the city

On your way to Lisbon, your final destination, you have a number of choices for your penultimate stay. Plenty of options lie in Portugal’s Algarve, including favourites Faro, Portimão, and Lagos, as well as the sleepy former fishing village of Burgau. As you make the way down the Portuguese coast, make sure to stop off at Benagil Caves, one of the Algarve’s hottest and most spectacular attractions. 

You will finish your road trip in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. Spend your last few days exploring the famous old neighbourhood of Alfama; photographing the iconic yellow trams; gorging on the amazing food at the TimeOut Market; appreciating the grandeur of the town square; and even climbing up to one of the breathtaking viewpoints high above the city. And be sure to bring your walking shoes for Lisbon, it sure is hilly!

Unlocking the mysteries of Transylvania on a road trip

Contributed by Anda from TravelforaWhile.com

One of the best road trips to take in Eastern Europe is the one through Transylvania in Romania. It has it all, vibrant cities, beautiful nature, citadels, and Medieval towns. The ideal is to spend 5 to 7 days on the road to see as much as possible of this spectacular country.

If you’re flying in, the easiest is to start in Cluj-Napoca. The small airport here has connections to most of Europe and is 3 hours away from London.

Anyway, you can rent a car at the airport, or get a taxi and spend the first night or two in Cluj. This is the unofficial capital of Transylvania province and I’m sure you’ll love it. For such an old city, Cluj-Napoca has a very young and vibrant atmosphere. It hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, and it has a great food scene too.

Make sure to visit at least the beautiful cathedrals in the main piazzas, the Botanic Gardens, Cetatuia Park and to relax with a cocktail in Museum Square.

From Cluj, head south to Sighisoara, with a stop in Turda. Plan about 2,5 hours for the road and reserve a couple more hours to visit the salt mine in Turda. The mine will be a pleasant surprise, just remember to bring something warm even if you visit during the summer.

Sighisoara is a picturesque medieval citadel, still inhabited. Book your accommodation inside the citadel on the hill and explore the towers, the covered staircase, and also the church and the Evangelical Cemetery in the upper citadel. You will need to leave your car in the parking area just below the citadel.

The area around Sighisoara has a few fortified churches worth seeing. On the next day, on your 120 km way to Brasov, you can stray a few kilometers away to Viscri to see one of these fortified churches. This is the traditional Saxon village that the Prince of Wales fell in love with, and where he also bought a house. 

The next stop, Brasov is a medieval city at the gate to Transylvania. Visit the Council Square, the breathtaking Black Church, and the surviving towers here. 

On the next day, head to Sibiu, another Transylvanian jewel less than 150km away from Brasov. The roofs of the Old Town here have “eyes” that make the city quite unique. One other place you should visit in Sibiu is the open-air Astra Museum.

From Sibiu, you can head back to Cluj-Napoca, and visit Alba Iulia Citadel on your way. Alternatively, if you are heading to Bucharest, I suggest taking the highest and most spectacular way available, Transalpina road.

Living a fantasy on the German Fairytale Road

Contributed by Carina of BucketList2Life.com

If you are looking for a less touristy alternative for the German Romantic Road, try the Fairytale Road – especially if you are a lover of Grimms’ Fairy Tales. And who doesn’t love Snow White, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood? The German Fairytale Route leads through central and northern Germany for about 600 kilometres (370 mi). There are more than 60 Brothers Grimm and fairytale-themed stops along the way – you can explore as many of them as you like, but also venture off into your own adventures.

The airport city Frankfurt am Main is the perfect vantage point. Explore its famous skyline before you head off to your first stop, Hanau, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. You’ll find a statue of the Grimms on the market square and once a year a Brothers Grimm Festival takes place in this town.

Drive further north to Steinau, where you can find the childhood home of the Brothers Grimm as well as a beautiful castle. Further along the way in Marburg, the student city of the Brothers Grimm, you can walk along the “Grimm-dich-Pfad” a fun trail of fairytale symbols that leads you through the whole city and to the castle, which you can reach by a free elevator.

The student city of Göttingen is the perfect place for a break along the way. Back in the day, the Brothers Grimm were university professors here. There are many hotels, restaurants, and bars. Explore the charming city center with its half-timbered houses and the famous statue of the Gänseliesel (Goose Girl). It’s the perfect vantage point for day trips – check out Sleeping Beauty‘s castle in Sababurg. The charming towns along the Weser river, like Witzenhausen (don’t miss the cherry blossom in spring), Hann. Münden with its over 700 half-timbered houses, and the baroque planned town Bad Karlshafen can be combined in a bike trip if you want to get out of the car for a bit. Additionally, you can retrace the life of another German storyteller, Wilhelm Busch, in this area. Visit the Wilhelm Busch Mill in Ebergötzen also called Max and Moritz Mill after his famous protagonists.

Drive further north through Hameln, the town and the Pied Piper of Hamelin, and Bremen, the town of the Town Musicians of Bremen. The German Fairytale Road ends in the northern German town of Buxtehude – the town of The Hare and the Hedgehog. End your road trip in the nearby airport city Hamburg, where you can enjoy German city life – don’t forget to check out the urban Gängeviertel full of street art.

This is the German road trip for you if you want to see off-the-beaten-path places in Germany, beautiful historic half-timbered old towns, castles, mills, and the countryside with its rivers and rolling hills, but also two of Germany’s most vibrant cities.

European road trip through Spain’s Costa Brava:

Contributed by Ignacio of tangoandrakija.com

Sitges –- Barcelona – Badalona – Blanes – Lloret de Mar – Tossa de Mar – Girona – Cadaques

Total distance 250km

Costa Brava is a beautiful coastal region in Catalonia, Spain characteristic by stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and charming little towns.

If you are around Barcelona any time between spring and autumn there is no excuse to not make this scenic and relaxing road trip.

Assuming you are starting your road trip from Barcelona, you can rent a car there and start your trip going a little bit backwards in order to visit one of the most beautiful coastal towns near Barcelona – Sitges.

Sitges is located some 25 km southwest of Barcelona so, you can reach it in less than half and hour.

Sitges is characteristic by its beautiful sandy beaches but also by its vivid nightlife all year round. It is worldwide known for its Film Festival dedicated to fantasy and horror films that is happening every year in early October. Also, it is known by its Carnival (happening in March) which includes public street parties and costume parades.

If you decide to sleepover in Sitges you can enjoy a night out and continue your road trip the next day.

From Sitges you will drive back towards Barcelona and continue your trip towards north.

Badalona is your next stop and it will take you some 40 minutes to reach it from Sitges.

Badalona is located just outside Barcelona and it has beautiful and not very crowded beach since it is popular mainly among locals. You can have a swim and some delicious tapas at some of the restaurants by the waterfront. Make sure to try some of the local seafood specialties such as fried calamari, marinated seashells or some delicious croquets.

Your next stop is Blanes and it will take you around 50 minutes to get there. Blanes is one of the most popular family summer destinations and it has some incredible beaches.

If you are up for some easy trekking you can walk up the San Juan hill to the castle from where you will have the most amazing panoramic views over Blanes and the coastline.

Blanes is one option for the next sleepover or you can move just around 6 km north to your next stop – Lloret de Mar and make a sleepover there.

Lloret de Mar is one of the most famous summer locations mostly for foreigners even though locals also like to spend their summer vacations there. It’s a typical Spanish coastal town with lots of bars and restaurants, plenty of amazing beaches (both with facilities and wild ones) and a variety of nightlife.

Some 20km further you will reach Tossa de Mar – an ancient fishermen’s village where you can visit the Old Town with ancient houses and medieval alleys and, of course, some of its incredible beaches.

If you had enough of the beaches (if that is even possible) you can visit on of the most beautiful Catalan cities – Girona. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, in Girona you can see some of the filming locations of the popular serial. Stroll down the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, kiss the lioness ass statue for good luck and cross some of the famous Girona bridges.

Sleeping over in Girona is a good idea if you want to get to know the city a little bit better.

Some 75 km from Girona is your next and final destination of this road trip – Cadaques which is said to be “a pearl of Costa Brava”. Here you can visit Salvador Dali’s museum and house where he lived and created his works. Besides that, you have a nice beach and plenty of amazing restaurants to try all the delicious local food.

The Tunnel of Love in Ukraine

Contributed by Francesco from Strayidler.com.

Bonuses are always welcome. Am I wrong? Even if you travel by public transport, you can sometimes find yourself in front of pleasant surprises.

Ever heard of the “Tunnel of Love”, in Klevan, Ukraine? It is an apparent vegetal tunnel, developed on a short railway segment, almost entirely straight. The tunnel was created by the passage of trains and has become a tourist attraction, on which it is possible to walk. But beware: the route is still active, even if few trains pass through it and they travel rather slowly.

Excuse me, Stray: “On a road trip post, you talk about trains!?” Yes. Because, to get there, I took two buses and walked for 20-30 minutes.

But let’s go in order: the first stop was from Kyiv to Rivne, a city of almost two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. 

Crossing the road in front of Rivne station, you can take a minibus (I think they are called marshrutka), to get to Klevan. And from there, as already mentioned, you can walk to the Tunnel of Love.

Which is definitely a remarkable destination, great as an intermediate stop between Kyiv and the city of Lviv. But I’d be lying if I concealed how interesting it was to get there.

For example, trying to communicate, when taking a marshrutka and then sharing the journey with the locals, observing their interaction, obviously without understanding half a word. But you can try to learn reading Cyrillic, if you like.

And then walking through Klevan, a little in the countryside, a little in the city. Children are now used to seeing tourists. But nevertheless remain curious, with their splendid ability to read infinite universes from your clumsy movements.

And then I went back to Rivne to spend the evening. Waiting for the next leg of my itinerary. Boring stop? Far from it. I loved walking the streets of the center, from the square with the theater in Soviet architecture to its churches, to the park decorated with sculptures and people, honoring their well-deserved summer. Lively restaurants, long summer light, minibuses with different numbers overlapping at the main stop. It’s a party, it’s a party on the stage of my memories.

So, I know you expected it! I won’t leave a photo of the Tunnel of Love (they can be found at will); it is of Rivne that I want to leave a fleeting impression.

I miss Ukraine: that is where my last day of summer has remained since 2019.

Exploring Austria – Salzburg to Innsbruck via Hallstatt

Contributed by Elena from the TravelByExample.com

Western regions of Austria are famous for mountainous landscapes, ski resorts and rich historical heritage. Road trip from Salzburg to Innsbruck via Hallstatt is a perfect road trip for those who appreciate a mix of nature and scenery with cities sightseeing.

Start your trip at Salzburg – the city known for its historical heritage and for being the birthplace of Mozart. Spend at least one day exploring Salzburg as there are many sights to see. Read One day in Salzburg for the detailed itinerary and top attractions of the city.

From Salzburg drive to the iconic Austrian village of Hallstatt. It’s an easy 1-hour drive and you can make a stop at either Attersee, Fuschlsee or Wolfgangsee lake along the route. The lakes have clear turquoise water and you can stop for a swim if you’re travelling in summer or for a hike during colder months.

Hallstatt is a picturesque Austrian village located on the shore of a lake and surrounded by mountains. The village is a very popular tourist destination. You will find it less crowded in the evenings and early mornings. So, stay a night there and leave it the following morning before most tourists will arrive.

Short drive from Hallstatt is 5 Fingers Lookout. It has breathtaking views of Hallstatt Lake and the surrounding Alps. Nearby you can also visit the Mammut cave or take a guided tour of Dachstein Giant Ice Cave.

From Hallstatt drive to Innsbruck. It’s about a 3.5 hour drive (if driving within Austria, without going through Germany) and there are few stops you can make on the route. Eisriesenwelt – a natural limestone and ice cave. Krimml Waterfalls – the highest waterfall in Austria. Achen Lake – picturesque alpine lake with turquoise waters. Zillertal – with its beautiful mountain scenery and many hiking trails.

Spend a night in Innsbruck – the capital of Tyrol region – and explore its top attractions the following day. Innsbruck’s old town center – Altstadt – has many historical landmarks and beautiful architecture. Make sure to ride Hungerburgbahn funicular to enjoy the sweeping views of Innsbruck city from the top. Don’t forget to visit the famous Bergisel Ski Jump that is opened for visitors all year round.

Total distance of the road from Salzburg to Innsbruck via Hallstatt (with several stopovers on the way) is 350-400km.

Total duration is 4 days (3 nights at Salzburg, Hallstatt and Innsbruck). Perfect for a long weekend road trip!

From Agrigento to Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Contributed by Lisa from FollowingtheRiviera.com

The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, road trips, and day trips in Sicily are vast and varied. The drive from Agrigento to Palermo can be interesting, or monotonous, depending on the route. According to Google Maps, the quickest time is approximately 2 hours, which will most likely include the highways (autostrada). Choose this route, but don’t be surprised if there’s not much to write home about. However, take a longer, yet more scenic route, and there’ll be memories, and photos, to look back on for years.

Starting at Agrigento, most visitors come here for one thing: to visit the Valley of the Kings (Valle dei Templi). The archaeological site’s fascinating, but gets busy quickly and can be difficult to enjoy beneath the blazing Sicilian sun. Saying that, arrive early to beat the crowds and the heat.

Around 25 minutes from the Valley of the Kings are the striking Scala dei Turchi. Translated as ‘Turkish stairs’, this white sedimentary rocky cliff is popular with locals and visitors. If there’s time to spare, head to the beach and enjoy the views and warm waters.

Another interesting city to pass by is Mazara del Vallo. It’s one of the southernmost cities in Italy, with the tip of Tunisia just across the Mediterranean Sea. Once ruled by Arab, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, its unique influences are reflected in the architecture and food. While here, book a table at La Bettola and be sure to try the traditional fish couscous.

Torre Bonera Green Resort is a great choice for staying near Mazara del Vallo. It’s around a 20-minute drive, but the boutique-style hotel makes a relaxing getaway in the Sicilian countryside.

To see a surreal site with a tragic backstory on this side of Sicily, consider stopping by Gibellina. A devastating earthquake in 1968 completely destroyed the entire town, and most of its residents. Today, the former town of Gibellina is an open-air museum. Completely covered in concrete, aside from the streets that were once there, it’s a place like no other in Sicily. It goes without saying that being respectful in Gibellina is a given. Don’t follow the lead of some visitors, who climbed on top of the concrete and began taking selfies.  

Two-day road trip from Agrigento to Palermo: Distance in total: 299km / 4hrs 

Chasing the Midnight Sun

Where: Northern Norway, Finland

Start / Finish: Tromsø, Norway

Distance: 2,276km / 1,414 miles

Duration: Between 5 and 8 days

The Norwegian city of Tromsø is the gateway to the Arctic. 350km north of the Arctic Circle, and the departure point for many polar expeditions, it’s a modern city with a vibrant arts and culture scene, and the surrounding mountains and islands draw outdoor lovers.

The drive to Kautokeino weaves past stunning coastal mountains, before turning inland and crossing the border into Finnish Lapland, before crossing back to Norway. Look for reindeer herding structures, including wooden corrals used in the seasonal round-up, and animals grazing by the roadside.

Kautokeino and Karasjok are the cultural centres of northern Sápmi, the region traditionally inhabited by the Sámi, and give an insight into the life of reindeer herders. The route continues northeast, tracing the Finnish border for a while, to Tana Bru, then eastward onto the Varanger peninsula.

Vardø is the easternmost town in Norway, located further east than Istanbul. It’s also notable for street art on many of the old buildings. Varanger is a birdwatcher’s paradise, and there’s a chance of spotting Arctic foxes and hares.

Returning westward, the route winds across the tundra of the Finmarksvidda, before going north to Honningsvåg, the northernmost town in Norway. The ideal base to visit Nordkapp, it can be busy with cruise passengers, but go at midnight, especially in May and August, to be treated to incredible sunset skies, and have the place mostly to yourself.

Next stop is Hammerfest, a historic town with a great museum, with the grand name of The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society. Join as a member for exclusive stickers and pins only available to the select few that have made the journey north.

From Hammerfest turn south, over the Finmarksvidda to Alta, where more than 6,000 petroglyphs, or rock carvings, dating between 4200BCE and 500 BCE, are protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. The route heads back towards Tromsø along the coast, with sensational views across the fjord to the striking Lyngen Alps.

The route starts in Tromsø, however Alta, Hammerfest, and Vadsø are all served by the Hurtigruten coastal ferry and have airports, so could be alternative departure points.

Midnight sun occurs in Finnmark between the second week of May and the end of September. Around the solstice, the sun will circle high in the sky, but at the beginning and end of the period, you can watch the sun set on the northern horizon, appear to touch the Arctic Ocean, then rise again.

Don’t miss: Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø; Sami Centre for Contemporary Art, Karasjok; Steilneset Memorial, Vardø; views from the Nordkapp plateau, near Honningsvåg; The Royal and Ancient Society of Polar Bears, Hammerfest; Alta petroglyphs.

Photo Journal: Stormbound in Skudeneshavn, Norway

https://thesevagabondshoes.org/2018/10/27/photo-journal-stormbound-in-skudeneshavn-norway/

Europe road trip – Montenegro

Shared by Cassie from cassiethehag.com.

There’s nothing like a road trip through Montenegro to see the best Europe has to offer. Combining charming old towns, excellent cultural attractions, and truly next-level mountain scenery, there is every chance of making unforgettable memories here.

It’s easiest to begin and end your road trip in historical Kotor or capital city Podgorica. Rent a car with a reputable company and drop it off at either city once you’ve finished your trip. There are a few different routes to choose from, whether you want to stick to the coastal roads, trace the footsteps of historical figures through the many Montenegrin old towns, or feel inspired to take on the mountains. The below recommendations combine a mix of all three and will take around seven days to complete. 

Beginning in Podgorica, enjoy nearby Lake Skadar National Park. Don’t miss the famous ‘bend lake’ viewpoint, marked on google maps as the Crnojevic River lookout point. On day two, head to Durmitor National Park. You won’t want to rush your time here – from the 2423m high Bobotuv Kok mountain to the stunning glacier lake Crno Jezero (‘Black Lake’), the scenery is wonderful. Durdevica Tara Bridge and Tara Canyon are definitely worth a stop. There are lots of outdoor activities here, including rafting below or ziplining above the canyon, which is actually the largest canyon in Europe.

Finally, spend more time relaxing and enjoying historical architecture by visiting Kotor, Sveti Stefan, and Budva. These are popular beach destinations in the Summer but are worth visiting for the cultural attractions at any time of year. A side trip from Kotor to Lovcen National Park is also worth it for the fantastic Mausoleum of Petar Njegos, views over Kotor… and the hair-raising cliffside road of 25 hairpin bends. Drive carefully in Montenegro – you’ll be glad you did.

Provence Road Trip

Written by Lannie from Lanniesfoodandtravel.com.

A road trip through Provence in the south of France is a combination of idyllic and surreal.  Of course, there are villages with extensive lavender fields and cypress trees.  But there’s so much more!  Art, Roman history, and unmatched natural beauty. Although it was a little confusing to me at first, Provence is not a specific village and refers to the whole region.

The road trip begins in Avignon, Provence’s main city – a 6.5-hour drive south from Paris or 2.5-hours from Lyon. 5 days would be perfect for this road trip, which can be broken up into different sections. 

• Luberon – less than 1 hour west of Avignon, Luberon is a Natural Regional Park which encompasses forests, scrublands, vineyards, and rocky areas.  The main commune of Gordes, sits atop a giant calcareous rock, reminiscent of Minas Tirith from LOTR!  A hidden gem is Roussillon, tinted orange due to the ochre deposits in the clay.  Talk a walk in the Ochre Path to visit an old ochre quarry.  Don’t miss Sénanque Abbey, a picturesque Cistercian abbey from 1148, known for their lavender fields (blooms in July and August).
• Saint Remy de Provence – located 45 minutes southwest from Luberon.  Mostly known for the Saint-Paul Asylum, where Van Gogh spent one year between 1889 – 1890.  Also, visit the ancient and wealthy Roman city of Glanum, founded in the 6^th century BC but abandoned in 260 AD.  If art is your thing, I’d suggest a trip 15 minutes to south to visit Carrières de Lumières (The Quarries of Light) – a digital art installation nestled inside a giant limestone quarry.
• Continue on your journey to Arles, only 30 minutes away. Van Gogh spent 1888 -1889 in Arles, prolifically painting his most famous works, and (sadly) where he cut off his ear.  The Van Gogh self-guided walking tour is incredible and takes you to the places behind the paintings. Outside of Van Gogh, the Arles Amphitheatre is the main landmark in town – built in 90 AD and previously held up to 20,000 excited, Roman fans of chariot races and bloody gladiator fights.  In its long history, it housed an entire town with over 200 houses inside!  If you’re in Arles on Wednesdays and Saturdays, check out the open-air markets, with fresh produce and spices galore.

If you want to continue south on your Provence road trip, head to the seaside city of Marseilles – famous for the Chateau D’If prison, which housed the fictional Count of Monte Cristo. Or take a boat trip to the Calanques National Park for stunning emerald bays set against towering limestone cliffs.

If you’re heading back up to Avignon, detour to Nimes to the Pont du Gard roman aqueduct – the highest and best preserved Roman aqueduct bridge!  It’s absolutely stunning!

The Best Road Trips In Europe – Tuscany!

Contributed by John from johnrieber.com

Driving through Italy’s famed Tuscany wine region is not only easy but spectacularly beautiful as well. The trip begins when you fly into Florence, either into their smaller airport or a larger one nearby in the city of Pisa – which allows you to get a picture of the leaning tower while there.

Rental cars are easy to secure from either location, and you can use Florence as a home base for your adventures because everything is so close.  

For example, the trip from Florence to the medieval town of Siena is just over a one hour drive of 53 miles, taking the RA3 highway.

Siena is known for its medieval brick buildings. There’s a fan-shaped central square known as the Piazza del Campo, which is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, their gothic town hall.

There is plentiful parking on the outskirts of the ancient part of town.

One of the joys of driving in Tuscany is that there is so much to see within an hour’s drive of Florence…and by taking smaller roads you will discover more of the region’s medieval villages, such as San Gimignano, which is only 41 miles from Florence.

“San G” is known as the “town of fine towers”, as the walled medieval village is home to a dozen walled towers, which look like a miniature version of Manhattan’s skyline.  These were originally built to provide protection for local families from marauding enemies.

If you want a taste of the town’s past, you can stay in one of the small hotels, which offer up a unique style that celebrates their history.

From there, you can drive to the Castello di Verrazzano in only 45 minutes.  This is a classic Tuscan winery.  In fact, the Verrazzano bridge in New York City, connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island, has a brick that came from this estate. 

The winery offers tastings and tours, and lunches are also served on site.  The ornate estate sits high on a hill and offers up incredible views of the surrounding vineyards as well.

Everything is easy to navigate in this part of the country.  To get from San Gimignano to the winery, you just take the RA3 to the SP94 and then the SP92 and you are there.

Finally, the beautiful town of Cortona is just 61 miles from Florence, easy to get to using the A1 highway until you get to the SR-71 for the remainder of the trip.

Cortona has the Etruscan Academy Museum, which has an Archaeological Park with ancient city fortifications and examples of Roman roads as well.

Driving through this part of Italy will take you back in time for some delicious adventures.

The Best Road Trips In Europe – Serbia by bike

Contributed by Lauren from theplanetedit.com

Serbia is a fantastic place for a road trip, and what better way to hit the road than by bicycle? The world is at its best when there’s nothing between it and you, and this rings particularly true for Serbia. The warm Serbian breeze, the fantastic scenery of the Djerdap National Park and the character of the local towns are best experienced on two wheels.

The EuroVelo 6 bicycle route spans from France to Romania, traversing 10 countries across the European continent. The section that runs through Serbia, though, is one of the best. The Serbian EuroVelo 6 follows the Danube River for over 665km from the Croatian border near Backa Palanka to the Bulgarian border near Negotin, hitting highlights such as Novi Sad, Belgrade, Golubac and the Djerdap National Park on the way.

Between the cities and major towns, the EuroVelo 6 bike path will take you along gorgeous mountain roads, through rolling countryside and along the Danube River, where you might spot wild otters playing along the banks.

The absolute highlight of your Serbian road trip, though, will be when you cycle through the Djerdap National Park. The scenery is astonishing and you’ll be awestruck by the gorges and river.

Another highlight of a road trip through Serbia is the warm hospitality of the local people. After a long day of cycling, a lovely campsite is always much looked forward to. With that being said, the following campsites are excellent for bicycle tourists and can be found along the Serbian EuroVelo 6:

My Memento Rooms and Camping: Situated just 20km east of Novi Sad near a town called Cortanovci, this campground is situated in a lovely garden, with flowers and fruit trees.

Camp & Guesthouse for Cyclists & Adventurers “Urban Guerrilla”: Situated in the lovely town of Negotin, this campground is one of the most talked-about on the cycle trail in Serbia. The host is a lovely man named Bojan who goes above and beyond to make you feel at home, and is a fountain of knowledge on cycling in the area.

Camping Asin: Camping Asin is run by a wonderful lady called Milena. She has an infectious, positive energy and kindly welcomes guests with a cold, homemade juice and fresh watermelon.

The EuroVelo 6 bike path is well sign-posted and easy to follow, so you’ll be able to relax as you cycle. Completing this road trip through Serbia should take about 2 weeks for a competent cyclist.

Will you be adding any of these Epic European Road Trips to your bucket list? Let me know your European road trip favourite in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any money, it will help keep this site going and me travelling. Thank you for your support.

What are the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds is a region in South Central England near Bath and Bristol, containing the Cotswolds hills. The whole region is a succession of rolling hills and has been designated an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Beneath the hills is a Jurassic formed limestone. Its this golden coloured limestone that brings the area its most distinguishable feature, as it has been heavily mined for centuries and is used to build the areas distinct villages. Characterised by that stone, every village and house you see will have you oooing in amazement. If cake is food-porn then the Cotswolds are architecture-porn.

Our Visit to Castle Combe

A spring road trip in the United Kingdom took us through the Wiltshire countryside, with a stop in Castle Combe village high on the agenda, before the city of Bath. A period Cotswold village of magnificent houses, it would prove to have a lasting impression on my memory. What can I say about Castle Combe? That its possibly my new favourite village. Ever. Period.

Where is Castle Combe?

Castle Combe is located in the county of Wiltshire in South East England. Its nearest town is Chippenham five miles away. The closest city where you might be using as a base is Bath, one of Britain’s oldest and most interesting. Bath is fifteen miles from Castle Combe. Bristol, the local transport hub twenty miles away, has international links to 110 destinations. Cardiff the Welsh capital is fifty miles away while London is one hundred miles away. Its possible to day trip from any to Castle Combe.

The Cotswold village is located on the Bybrook River and is split into two, an upper and lower village. A car park is available near the upper village but we continued on and stopped on the road side bypassing the upper part. You are required to park your car out of the village, with the village being pedestrianized. We went on foot into the village and its a pleasant stroll through the surrounding woodlands.

What to do in Castle Combe

The Village

From first sight it is breathtaking. The village gets its name from a 13th century castle that once stood nearby. Once the castle was destroyed the limestone from the castle was then used to construct some of the cottages of the village. It all is so postcard perfect. Honestly there isn’t a lot to do here but when it all looks this good you will just be lost in the moment. I think that’s enough.

Manor House

While walking around a local woman suggested we enter a private area, and if anyone were to ask to say we were looking for our car. We were glad we did, as a walk by some cute as Christmas houses took us to the beautiful grounds of the Manor House Hotel, a country house from the 17th century and now an upscale hotel and golf club. The house which has quite a history is a Grade II listed building.

The grounds surrounding also were fitting with the river Bybrook cutting through on its way to Castle Combe, and steps leading to well-tended gardens above the house. The Italianate gardens were a delight with flower beds and a croquet lawn adding to the very Victorian feel We couldn’t help but feel we were trespassing a bit so we returned to the village after some brief exploring. Travel goals include returning and staying here some day. Those really wanting to get into the local swing of things, can play a round of golf at the Manor House Golf Club.

Want to stay in style at the Manor House or one of Castle Combes hotels? Book with the link below.

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Walk the length of the Village

All two minutes of it. Each house in the village seems more beautiful than the last and there are the side attractions of the medieval market cross and the church of St Andrews. We walked the length of the village and stopped to photograph the bridge as everyone who enters the town does. Some of the houses are off-limits; it can’t be easy calling somewhere like this home, when every day someone wants to stare in your window.

St Andrews Church is a small but attractive stop on the stroll through. Though originally built in the 13th century, it has been altered many times since and contains several different architectural styles. The graveyard has a number of interesting tombs and gravestones before you reach the structure. At the base of the church tower is a faceless clock, which is considered to be the among the oldest working clocks in the country. Within, the Lady Chapel is of most interest, particularly a memorial to Walter de Dunstanville, the Baron of Castle Combe until 1270.

At the convergence point of Castle Combe’s three main streets is a Market Cross. It was built in the 14th century when the village earned the right to hold a market. The structure is known as a butter cross, a common structure of the time where people would gather to buy and sell dairy.

Have a little lunch or Snack in Castle Combe

There are a few options for food in authentic village surroundings such as the Castle Inn and the Old Rectory Tea Room. The Old Rectory tea rooms are in a house dating from 1490, and are open to groups of six or more by reservation. The Castle Inn is even older, with its origins in the 12th century. The pub below is as traditional as it gets, and its fare as British as possible, with pies, fish and chips and afternoon tea served. We had a quick coffee and scone in the Old Stables Coffee Shop a pleasant place with very friendly staff. The outdoor seating is ideal to enjoy them on sunny mornings.

Castle Combe in the Movies

If you recognise the village a little it’s probably from its use as the set in many main stream movies and shows. From the original Doctor Doolittle to modern day Downton Abbey, the town has hosted Anthony Hopkins in the Wolfman, and the great Steven Spielberg. Many of the main scenes of Warhorse were filmed here.

Castle Combe Circuit

It is also famed for the Castle Combe circuit, with race meetings taking place each year in the nearby World War II airfield. The Polish airmen of the war were soon replaced by loud fast cars. Over the past 70 years Formula 3 cars, motorcycles, sports and Gt’s have all hurled around the track. Annually there is a two day summer meeting, with a full weekend of racing. It’s the guaranteed busiest weekend of the year in the passive Cotswolds village.

Take a Guided Tour of Castle Combe and the Cotswolds

There are many group tours take make a stop in Castle Combe while visiting the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon. Get your guide offers a reliable service to book a tour.

Castle Combe Gallery

As I mentioned before the greatest joys are in walking and admiring. With that in mind I will let my photos speak for themselves. They usually say a thousand words, and no truer than when a village looks like this. The following is my argument that Castle Combe is Britain’s finest.

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After our continental breakfast we checked out of the Malago guesthouse we had booked through booking.com taking our luggage with us and leaving Bristol behind. I pointed the Merc out into the Somerset countryside. One observation of this day and this trip in general is just how beautiful the rolling gentle hills and valleys of Wiltshire are. The area is punctuated by stone cottages and farmhouses which add so much character. Added to by the occasional country pub, which are a treasure of English country life.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any money, it will help keep this site going and me travelling. Thank you for your support.

A Day in Bath

After that wholly satisfying visit to Castle Combe, we drove south to Bath. Again the countryside was breathtaking and first impressions of Bath were good ones. I was nearly enticed by Beckford’s Tower, a 19th century tower with a very photogenic spiral staircase, but the lure of the city kept me going. Bath was to be the second city after Wells on this trip with a name that tells you exactly what it was famed for. Bath is a Roman city famed for its Roman baths. But that’s for later.

The Circus & Royal Crescent

The direction of our drive took us inadvertently to a sight I desired to see. The Circus, a circular street forming a complete ring, and enclosing a green area. The houses were completed in 1768 and built by architect John Wood the Elder. I never heard of him prior, but he did build a beautiful street, and already my liking for Bath was growing.

A few suggested turns from Google Maps and we found ourselves on Royal Crescent. Designed by John Wood Junior, and in the tradition of like father like son, these thirty terraced houses form a 150 metre long crescent. It’s a wonderful piece of Georgian architecture and was completed in 1774. For the best panoramic shot walk into the green in front. Number 1 Royal Crescent has a museum in a Palladian style Townhouse with period furnishings.

I picked a random car park close to the city, the centre seemed compact so the Avon Street car park seemed perfect. The walk into the city was short, but the streets, the buildings all exuded an air. Bath is an aesthetic city. Pillars and arcades are in the abundance. The bathing tradition of the city is maintained through the modern Thermae Bath Spa, and the Cross Bath. when we had reached Stall street I was already entranced. The streets were thronged with life, and before me now lay the Pump Room, part of the famous Roman Baths, and a restaurant.

Roman Baths- Unmissable on a day in Bath

The city centre of Bath has deservedly been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1987, and at the heart of this the Roman baths. The natural springs at its core produce water heated to 46 degrees Celsius. The Celts first used the springs, before the Roman conquest of Britain. The town became known as Aquae Sulis and from 70 ad on the town and baths grew and remained in use. The were redeveloped a number of times over the centuries.  They were then lost for several hundred years before their rediscovery in the late 19th century. The baths are now housed in an 19th century building, The spring is located in a building designed by our friends the Woods.

The Tour

Entry is through an 1897 concert hall, and this immediately is awe-inspiring with its wonderfully high decorative ceilings. The tours are open from 9am to 5 in winter and until 9pm in summer. We paid £16.25 for adults and £10.25 for Nina, but its a small price. First on the tour is the terrace with its impressive Roman style statues, and your first glimpse of those green waters. The museum within has a large selection of coins, statues, skeletons, statues and other artefacts all discovered within the site. A reconstruction of the temple pediment is the focus of one room, with its centerpiece, a gorgon in honour of the goddess Sulis Minerva. Look out for the bronze head statue of the goddess.

Finally we reach the spring and the great baths. The glow of green adds to just how awesome they are. This room once stood 40 metres tall. Actors in Roman dress really give you an image of life during the times of the great civilisation. Side rooms with changing rooms, plunge pools and saunas really show you how we still take influence from the Romans in our modern spa developments. The final stages of the tour take us to the springs and a oppouruinity to taste the water from the spring. I’ve never been a fan of warm water. Exit is through the compulsory gift shop or the extravagant restaurant.

Pulteney Weir, Bath

Owing to a lunchtime concert in Bath abbey, we decided to take in the views of Pulteney Weir next on our walking tour. The city of Bath is built within a bend on the river Avon, and to prevent flooding a weir was built on the river, Whatever the reasoning they created something beautiful. The weir was given a v-shape in the 1970s, and pleasure boats can be seen cruising up the river and through the 250-year-old Pulteney bridge.

I looked longingly at the girls when I realised we could have lunch in a cafe located within the historical bridge. They indulged my whim, and so we had a couple of sub-standard pulled pork sandwiches, or cheese in Nina’s case. But they view through the window and onto the river below made up for what was lacking. On the way back after lunch we went for a stroll through Parade Gardens. Oddly they charged admission to the park, but the arrangements were nice and there were alternative views of the weir.

Bath Abbey

We arrived back to the city centre to see Bath Abbey. The Abbey does not charge entry but a suggested donation of £4 can be made at the entrance. The Abbey is also known as the Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and has been rebuilt several times since the 7th century, the current structure is from the 16th century. It is gothic in style and has an impressive west facade with a large window and very detailed carvings. The unusually low aisles add to its visual appeal. The church is cruciform in style with flying buttresses on the north and south side.

So to the interior. The ceilings have beautiful fan vaulting and the lighting chandeliers are very unusual. The fan vaulting helps to distribute the weight of the ceiling with the aid of the flying buttresses. Very inventive these architects, and to still make it all look so impressive. The walls are covered in memorials and statues, and there are hundreds of floor stones to honour past persons. As ever in British churches the quire and stain glass windows are very attractive.

It doesn’t take long to see all the church has to offer but tower tours are offered from the gift store (of course there’s one). However much to our disappointment (probably more just mine) they were guided only and the were full until an hour later. It’s a shame as the views over Bath would have been great.

Sham Castle, Bath

Back in the car we made one more stop on our day in Bath. I’m not sure why. Located in Bath golf club is the self suggestively titled Sham Castle. It’s a bit of a sham and a complete folly, and while it looked interesting was hardly worth the effort to go out of our way. There was decent views through a clearing down onto the city of Bath in the valley below.

Our flight wasn’t until the evening so to reward Nina for being patient for the day we took her to the Airhop trampoline park which was north of Bristol. The late flight gave us plenty of time to return the car (I was sorry to say goodbye to my rental Mercedes) and have our dinner at the airport (Burger King) before our short flight home.

If you want to read more of our trip to the UK you can do so here.

This was day 2 of a trip to Somerset with Beata and Nina. The city of Bristol, the Safari Park of Longleat and Stonehenge were on our target list for this day.

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The weather wasn’t as bright as our first day in Somerset but it was dry so we were able to happily push on with our plans.

Bristol

After breakfast at the Malago Guesthouse booked online at booking.com we made the short drive into Bristol for a quick visit to the city. We only wanted to see a few sights there and most were located fairly centrally. We used the NCP Prince street car park, it was in walking distance of all of our stops. Bristol is famed for the street art of Banksy so spotting one of his drawings was high on our agenda.

Traversing the harbour we manoeuvred our walk to pass by Bristol Cathedral a 12th Century construction, but we declined to stop in. Our target was the Cabot Tower. The walk via college green presents the lovely curvature on the Bristol City Council building.

There is quite the elevation in Bristol and the streets up to the tower had a steep gradient. But hey that means a better position and a better view. Located in a park atop Brandon Hill the tower is aesthetic and the views commanding. The girls found a bench and left me to my own devices. Dedicated to John Cabot and his 15th century voyage to Newfoundland, it was opened in 1897. Entry is free which is a plus. Not wanting to waste time or leave the girls too long I raced up the narrow steps to the top, but the dull morning left the views a little flat.

As time was of the essence we backtracked but not without a diversion to see that iconic Banksy sight, his Well Hung Lover. Clinging to a wall side, em, as most graffiti does. But also clinging to a window sill. His works are great at catching stills from people’s lives, even if this one is a little slapstick.

We wished we had longer to see more of the city (and hunt for Banksys other works) but with a full day before us, we went straight to the car. The drive was an hour to Longleat. I was sad at not getting to see the LLangoder Trow pub in Bristol where Treasure Island was written by Stevenson, but our route to Longleat took us by the even more visual George Inn in Wadsworth. I am mesmerised by Tudor style buildings, and this one was breathtaking. Possibly dating from the 14th century, its style certainly looks as if plucked from that time and it has provided the background in a number of movies.

Longleat

We had booked tickets online for Longleat and arrived there around 11am. It’s worth booking online for that 15% discount. It’s around £35 for an adult and £23 for a child at the gate. The park is open 10-5 each day with longer opening hours in the summer.

Nina was keen to have a run around so we brought her to the adventure castle, the children’s play area here, and after we cracked the hedge maze.

But Longleat is first and foremost famous for its zoo and more so it’s Safari Park. The zoo features all of the usual suspects. Meerkats run around your feet in their enclosure and endangered giant anteaters rummage under sticks for a crunchy lunch.

What absolutely cannot be missed is the Rainbow Lorikeets. Their large cage is innocuous looking as you enter with their feed. What is totally unexpected is just how tame or hungry they are, as soon as you step inside the gate they were all over the three of us, on our heads, shoulders and our arms. It’s a delight to feed them. I found it very amusing that if you tried to touch them they would give out and aim a peck at your finger. Amazing birds.

Longleat Safari

We booked our tickets on the safari bus (an extra £5 per person) before returning to the Coffee House for a lunch of sandwiches and treats. I wasn’t going to risk my rental Mercedes through the safari park, everyone has read enough what the monkeys can do to your car. You can bypass the monkeys, but that’s like leaving a good movie half way through and coming back for the end. Speaking of movies the first lions to inhabit this park were the animal cast of the 60’s movie Born Free. Apparently it saved the estate from ruin.

The bus tour takes you into the beautiful expanses of the safari park, which makes great use of the ginormous grounds of the Longleat estate. A succession of animals from wildebeests, warthogs, and vultures entertain before the bus makes a stop at the African Village. You can stay on the bus (why would you) or climb up to a viewing tower for great views across the plains to zebras, Giraffes, and camels. It’s as close as it gets to the real thing in the British Isles. With time still we went to see the ever entertaining lemurs, who were all resting in the cutest of huddles.

Back on the bus the safari now brought us to where we most anticipated, the drive through the Rhesus Macaques. Signs give warning that your car will be damaged and to keep the windows rolled up. In fact several tonnes of car parts a year are removed from the enclosure. They have a particular liking for wipers, parking sensors, and anything removable. It’s hilarious to watch them clambering all over cars and sitting on wing mirrors looking in at the bemused driver and passengers.

The drive through the rest of the park showed animals in a better habitat than a normal zoo. We were treated to some activity from the normally passive Lions. The male and a female had a little flirtation, and the male even did a little running and leaping, his power easy to see. Loved the friendship between an elephant and three goats again something so random it couldn’t be seen in a zoo.

Longleat House

The return drive from the safari gave us wonderful views of the house and the majestic parkland and formal gardens, designed by famous landscape gardener Capability Brown. We were enticed to tour the house, but not before ice cream.

Longleat house itself is one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the country. It’s a vast three-story house, elegant yet opulent. Built 450 years ago by the first Marquess of Bath John Thynn. The external fountains and large lion statue to the fore add to its appeal. Tours of the house are by guided tour only, but its adds another token of value to the admission of the park. Sadly that notice that irks those of us who love to take photos was displayed – no photography allowed. Such a shame too, of the 130 rooms, only a dozen or so are allowed to be viewed, but they are intricately decorated. The great hall is floor to ceiling in paintings, the library has 40000 books, and the grand staircase is exactly that. Each room is a feast for the eyes, and a measure of the wealth the family amassed over the years. It is quite simply a treasure.

Some statistics; the lands once extended 40 kilometres in each direction. The house is the home of the Marquess of Bath – the former Alexander Thynn was a critic of monogamy and had up to seventy wifelets who live in cottages around the Estate. The current marquess’ wife is part Nigerian, and the first African member of British aristocracy.

Do not miss the house if in this part of the country.

Stonehenge…sort of

It wasn’t that late in the afternoon so one quick look at Google told me that Stonehenge closed at five. It was only thirty minutes driving away. Nina was reluctant to leave Longleat, but I had decided. Sometimes we should listen to our children more. Arriving at the visitor centre we quickly realised that last entry is 2 hours before closing. Maybe I should have done more research and been less impulsive. Checking it after they highly recommend booking online to guarantee entry. Lesson learned. I hope.

Having come this far, we skipped the visitor centre and drove in search of the site itself which is usually reached by bus. Its easily spotted from the road so we ventured down the country road adjacent. Parking and walking to take a look, I spoke to a member of staff who made a very welcome suggestion. That to jump a gate and walk up a field inhabited by cows, and littered with dung. It wasn’t a first hand view but with my telephoto lens, my photos somewhat give a different impression. Does this count as seeing another UNESCO World Heritage Site? The stones were raised about 4500 years ago, were brought here from Wales, and most interestingly no one has any idea why.

Back to Bristol

The drive back to Bristol took one and a half hours. Before settling down for the evening we give sightseeing one last roll of the dice, and our legs a stretch after the drive. Circling the south of the town we lined up a drive over Clifton Suspension Bridge. A toll is payable to cross the bridge but the views down into the Avon Gorge are magnificent. The bridge itself is a work of art, two red sandstone arches help support the wrought iron chains that keep it all together. It is one of those rare places where I was inspired to be both panoramic and minimalist with my photography. It was completed in 1864 to a design by Isambard Brunel and is the iconic image of the city of Bristol.

We parked in a housing estate in Clifton as the park side was lined with cars. The area is an affluent one, large houses line the road side. It’s a pleasurable walk through the park to the Clifton Observatory. Stick to the gorge side for ever better views of the bridge and down below. We walked down in to the bridge itself where we found a welcome bathroom and first hand views of the masterpiece of engineering itself.

There is a visitor centre which was closed at this time of the evening and an interesting looking tour of the vaults beneath the Leigh Woods. These are open from 10 to 5 daily.

We returned to the car and made the short drive to Pieminster in Avon. Our plan was to try one of the most traditional of British dishes, steak and kidney pie. Sure we have them in Ireland but they do them better here. Even though it’s a chain the quality was good and we left happy. It was already deep into the evening so we returned to our hotel.

To read day 1 of our trip to Somerset, click here.

The first day of a trip exploring the Somerset and Bath region of the UK.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any money, it will help keep this site going and me travelling. Thank you for your support.

Flights to Bristol from Dublin leave at a ridiculously early time of 6:40. No consideration for those who are night people. That’s me.Now I concede it panders to business people, but was hard work to get up mid-night. For this trip there was three of us, Nina my daughter joining us.

Positive thing about the early start was arriving in Bristol exceptionally early with a full day to explore. The airport is quite decent in Bristol and car hire is not far outside the terminal building. As we booked a good deal through Rentalcars.com we had to head to the pick up area to be collected. Our company was Green Motion a company dedicated to reducing their carbon footprint so we were off to a good start. I was content to hire a Volkswagen Polo, but they offered me an upgrade. My idea of a free upgrade was rebuked. The offer was a Mercedes A-class for £15 extra per day. I wilted them down to £10. Good deal.

Cheddar

Happy with my motor we made the short drive south into the town of Cheddar. The town which lent its name to the famous choice of cheese, is unashamedly touristic. This owes not only to the products but the town’s location. Sited at the foot of a deep gorge, the largest in the country, a winding road weaves through this gorge. We continued through the town first and out into the gorge. Massive steep walls rise on both sides of the road and its a beautiful drive through to the Mendip Hills. The limestone gorge rises up to 130 metres. We continued on for some miles before turning back in the direction of the town. We paused a few times on the way back, some caves catching our eye, but mostly for the gorges population of Soay Sheep, those dark woolied wild inhabitants of the area. They can be found running everywhere.

We were still a little early to visit the attractions of Cheddar and the town was mostly asleep. We parked the car on the outskirts and walked in (hard to know where to pay for parking, but we got it later with our ticket). We had coffees and croissants in Costa. That give ample time for the ticket office to open. Tickets cost us £55 in total with access to all Cheddar Gorge attractions.

We first explored Gough’s Cave. This cave is famed for the discovery of the full skeletal remains of Cheddar Man, a 9000 year old male. It is the oldest complete remains found in the UK. Since then a mammoth and more human remains dating back to the 15th century BC. Evidence suggests the grizzly fact that these people were cannibals. How macabre. The show cave itself allows you to explore 800 metres of the 3kms, with some nice calcite formations to be seen. Highlights are the mirrored pools of Aladdin’s Cave and the cool storage of some of Cheddars finest produce within.

Having left the cave we took a stroll through the town. It’s a pretty town with the cheddar river running through. To the right and above stands an indomitable rock, and viewed from the right angle, it really does resemble a lion. So aptly called Cheddar Lion. Cox’s Cave is the victim of some bad reviews so we gave it a miss. We briefly called into the museum of prehistory but it wasn’t too interesting. The towns Main Street is short, and is a succession of cheese, craft or tourist shops, buoyed by cafes and restaurants. But we liked it. Generally we having a liking for anything cheese. The Cheddar river which created the gorge before later becoming submerged and creating the towns caves adds to some beautiful backdrops.

We now turned our focus to the gorge itself. Jacob’s Ladder is a stairs leading to the top entry to which is included in your ticket price. It’s a 274 step climb to the top which we found tough going after the early start. Eventually making it to the top, we went for those extra few and up the Lookout Tower. Beautiful views of the local area. The circular walk takes in a three-mile route around the pinnacles, taking in the views down in to the gorge, and over the meadowed fields to the sides. But we never made it. Nina planted herself on a rock, exhausted and unable to continue. Poor thing. So we abandoned the plan, and descended Jacobs Ladder.

If you haven’t come by car, an open top bus runs throughout the day and through the gorge. We didn’t use as we had already driven that route in the morning.

I was intrigued to visit Glastonbury Tor, its hill-top location suggested views across the surrounding counties. En route, Nina exhausted from the early start fell into a slumber. When we arrived at the tower I unexpectedly discovered there was a good hike between the car and the top. For once in my life I turned my back on a tower and drove off.

Wells

I had my eyes set on a bigger prize. The city of Wells, Britain’s smallest city lay twenty minutes to the north. GPS directed me to a car park that I couldn’t find, but we found a Waitrose shopping centre and this was perfect for accessing the city. They even had a vending machine selling maps on the way out so I guess we weren’t the only ones to abandon our car here and head into the city.

What a beautiful city Wells is. From first sight lines of terraced houses dating back centuries greeted us. These were the city of Wells almshouses. Most of these are inaccessible. We took a path that led us up Priests Row and by St Cuthberts church. More almshouses were in the vicinity. This took us to High Street.

High Street is awash with tourists and shoppers. A small channel of water constantly runs down the street. Arriving at the Market Place the awesome sight of the Penniless Porch and Bishops Eye Gate stand before you. The Penniless Porch was constructed in 1450 as an entrance into the Cathedral Green. But the bishop who commissioned it also did so to allow beggars somewhere to beg. When I was there a busker plied his trade in so doing maintaining hundreds of years of tradition.

We exited the square is using the amazing Bishops Eye Gate. Also built in 1450 as a pair with the Penniless Porch, this is more photogenic owing to its more centred location. Both were constructed using ashlar stone, it’s colour adding to the beauty.

The first sight that greets you is the moat, walls and entrance tower of the Bishops Palace. These are beautiful and took us away from our destination for a few minutes.

Vicars Close

We went first to Vicars Close, the route passing by Wells Cathedral. Aesthetically it is probably Britain’s most beautiful cathedral, our eyes drawn as we walked by and towards the close. Passing under the arches of Vicars Hall and Chain Gate we arrived in the close. The houses are quirky and quaint, a full terrace lining each side of the road. Their elongated chimneys added to their charm. The close was built in the 14th Century and is the oldest surviving fully intact residential street in Europe. The houses were built to provide lodgings for the priests of the cathedrals choir. Clever design makes it seem that the street is longer from the cathedral end looking down. It’s a remarkable construction for the time and wonderful that it has survived all this time. To think of all the souls that have passed along this historical promenade.

Wells Cathedral

We made our way back to visit Wells Cathedral. The cathedral’s west front has one of the highest concentrations of medieval sculpture in the world. Over 300 statues grace the front, with Christ topping all. It’s a beautiful facade and among the more aesthetic I have ever seen. Once inside the building doesn’t stop to amaze. Constructed in the 12th century it contains a series of architectural triumphs.

Entry is free but donations are accepted, as no funding is received to maintain the daily costs. The first room we enter are the cloisters, where white ceiling and gold beams crisscross mesmerisingly. An exhibition recreating the Bayeux tapestry was on during our visit. Off the cloisters the pleasant camery garden and churchyard can be found. But its upon entering the nave that we start to see the cathedrals real beauty.

The church was sinking in the middle ages so a solution was drawn up. Scissor arches were created to disperse the weight of the sinking tower. They have a beautiful design and for me somewhat resemble an owl. Behind the arches the quire runs up the center of the church, light shining on it from the remarkable stainglass Jesse window. More architectural delights can be found in the undercroft, and in the unusual curved stairs that lead up to the chapter house. The chapter house itself has an amazing high ceiling resembling a canopy of trees. If you do one thing in the church make sure you are at the clock on the quarter-hour, as jostling knights circle round. The clock is an unusual one with all 24 hours of the day on the face.

I’ve been to many churches in my time, but I can safely say Wells ranks near the top. Circling every corner presents something another awe-inspiring sight. I will let my photos say their own words.

Bishops Palace

We backtracked to the Bishops Palace. The palace is an indication of the power and might of the church at the time.  Dating from the 13th century, it is the most intact bishops palace in the country, and was the master plan of Bishop Jocelin the owner at the time. Crossing the moat with its swans (who ring a bell at feeding time) and under the magnificent portcullis gatehouse, we enter the lawns with the palace located across. Stand and admire, have a coffee, or buy a ticket for £8.95. Kids are £3.95. It’s worth it. The grounds and gardens within are beautiful.

We started by exploring the ruins of the Great Hall and out onto the rampart walls. Farmers toiled in the fields beyond, and one can catch a glimpse of Glastonbury Tor from here. We made our way into the chapel which is small and from here to the palace. The Palaces lower floors are somewhat uneventful, but the upper floor with its portrait lined Long Gallery are plush. The drawing-room has the huge coronation cape; lets hope coronations didn’t take place on summer days. Great use is made of the adjacent rooms, with local art displayed for sale in the east gallery. Nina enjoyed the chance to dress up in the panelled rooms, and loved the slightly obscure dragons lining the stairs of the house.

Easily missed but totally worth seeking out is the blue door that leads out from the lawns and into the gardens and arboretum. Here lies the famous wells, from which the city got its name and prompted the first settlers to stay. Besides this the gardens are a delight, and photo opportunities abound as the cathedral is reflected in the water. A kids play area is hidden in a corner here, for those of you with children.

Peckish after all our sightseeing we decided to have lunch in The Crown at Wells. We ordered and I ran back to the car park to top up on the parking. Clamping never makes for a good holiday. For an establishment that has been open many centuries the menu was a bit samey and the food a little average. It was cold there too a draught blowing through and we moved table a few times. Nina had sausages and chips and we had their burger.

We couldn’t leave the town without a few further looks at its treasures, and i’m glad we didn’t as the late spring of this year helped me to some more nice photos.

To Bristol

We needed some rest so we drove to Bristol. Our base of operations was the Malago Guesthouse a no frills option. The room was a triple and was good value for what we wanted; simple with car parking and on the outskirts of the city. The breakfast the following morning was continental, as one can often expect in a budget offering. It was booked online via booking.com. We took some time to chill that evening before dining locally in an Italian restaurant called Mezzalunna. Not particularly hungry but still a long way from the next morning, we were content here to share a few pizzas. It filled us nicely before we called time on what was a long day.

Our base of operations was The Barcelo Edinburgh Carlton Hotel, now a Hilton. Comfortable, and very centrally located it was a good springboard to visit Edinburgh, where most of the attractions are centrally located.

Day 1: Walking the streets and getting our bearings

We used day 1 introduce ourselves slowly to Edinburgh, admiring the old town architecture of the Royal Mile. St Giles Cathedral dominates the street, with its crown shaped spire. Keep an eye out for the heart of Midlothian outside and the intricate Mercat Cross. We ventured down Advocates Close which frames the Scott Monument well.

Our eyes lured by the vista, we backtracked across the North Bridge, and up Princes Street which has a marvellous number of picturesque views up to the castle, old town and hills above and beyond. Rain cut our afternoon short, and we retreated to our hotel.

Day 2- Edinburgh Castle

Aiming for a more productive day we headed towards the west end of the Royal Mile. The wealth of sights that we bypassed nearly upset me, from Gladstone’s land, to the Camera Obscura, to the enigmatic The Witchery hotel. Here also is the Scotch Whisky Experience, but an Irishman couldn’t go there. National pride. Finally we arrived at Edinburgh Castle. The rock on which the castle is built, is aptly named Castle Rock and is in fact a 700 year old extinct volcano. Some great photos opps exist on the esplanade in front of the castle.

The castle is mostly a collection of buildings built between the 12th and 20th centuries. They were built as the use of the castle changed and the tour around introduces us to its different guises. Admission now costs £17 for an adult. It’s worth every penny and give yourself plenty of time to see all it has to offer. The tour begins at the Gatehouse which was built in 1887 to give the castle a ceremonial entrance. From here we proceed through the Portcullis gate built in the 1570’s. The road steeply leads up to the main buildings above.

The views to Edinburgh below are panoramic. The foreboding defensive line of the Argyle Battery from 1730s and the half-moon battery from the 1500s shows the defensive importance of the castle over different centuries. Try to time your visit for the One o’clock gun which is fired daily at…you guessed it. It is fired for maritime purposes. The huge Mons Meg which was pivotal in battles in the 15th century is also found here after its return from the Tower of London in the 19th century.

The oldest standing building is the small St Margarets Chapel from the 12th Century. The stunning Royal Palace is the Home of the Scottish Crown Jewels. The Stone of Destiny (very Indiana Jonesesque) is also here, and was used in the crowning of ancient Scottish kings. The Great Hall was the centrepiece of the castle when completed. It’s high vaulted wooden roof finishes the room which was once where the Scottish Parliament sat. It has a large decorative fireplace. Its not difficult to envisage the kingdoms of old been run from within this room. It has a wonderful medieval air about it.

Worth a visit too are the Military Prison and the National War Museum, both full of artefacts and stories from the time the castle was a prison and a military garrison. We split our time while touring the castle with a coffee and lunch in the pleasant cafe. If you can expect one thing in the castle, expect crowds. It’s a busy place.

Edinburgh at Night

Day 3 – East on the Royal Mile

I dragooned Nina into a walk down the other side of the Royal Mile in the morning (ok she was 2, the choice wasn’t hers). Canongate Kirk Church was an interesting stop with an array of mausoleums and grave stones. It also looks up onto the new Parliament House above. I would have needed hours to truly explore this end of the Royal Mile. We made it as far as the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal family’s home in this part of the country. Nina’s cultural disinterest and immobility at her age led to us not venturing inside, or rambling up to Arthur’s seat. There is no shortage of museums down this end of the street, and I could easily spend a day hiking and culturing myself.

Architecturally again this area of the city shone. White Horse Close is one of the prettiest streets in the Uk. The People’s Museum with its Clock Tower was eye-catching. John Knox House is one of the oldest houses in the city. Backtracking we headed south to get a view of the castle rock face, where abseilers were making the most of its sheer drop. I couldn’t resist the urge to go see the monument to Greyfriars Bobby, probably the most loyal dog in canine history. He remained for 14 years by his masters grave until his own passing. Grassmarket Square which is en-route is lined with very quaint terraced houses.

We them headed back to the playground at Princes Streets Gardens. With Nina entertained I sneaked a chance to take some good shots of the castle and St Cuthberts Church. A little guy came out for a photo shoot amongst the trees.

Scott Monument

On the way back I gave in to my tower addiction tackling the Scott monument. It is a Victorian Gothic monument to the Scottish author built in 1840. The tower stands 60 metres tall, and 288 spiral steps takes you to the top. How excellent. £5 gets you access. A number of viewing platforms gives good views. As well as an abundance of monuments and gargoyles, there is a museum room embellished with four marvellous stained-glass windows. Charles Dickens commented “It is like the spire of a gothic church taken off, and stuck in the ground”. He’s not far off. He wasn’t impressed but I enjoyed it.

Calton Hill

Our last action was to head up Calton Hill. It is pleasant to ramble around and appreciate the 360 degree views. It is a windy place and its at the mercy of the elements. Adorned with monuments to honour British citizens and an observatory, it is a much easier climb than Arthurs Seat. The three stand out structures for me are the Old Observatory House, The Nelson Mounment and The National Monument of Scotland. The Observatory House, a beautiful brick house from the 18th century, was once the home of the architect of Edinburgh’s new town.

The Nelson Monument was built in 1815 to honour Admiral Horatio Nelson after his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. It sits at the highest point of Calton Hill, and was designed to resemble an upturned telescope, an instrument synonymous with the Admiral. There is a museum with free entry on the ground level or you can climb the tower for a fiver.

The National Monument of Scotland was built in the 1820’s to honour fallen sailors and soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. It was supposed to resemble the Parthenon in Greece. Funds ran dry far before completion and only one side was ever fully completed. Looked upon with disgrace and distaste at the time, it now seems poignant.

Sadly as ever, all good trips come to an end, and we departed back to Dublin on the evening flight.

Nira Caledonia Hotel

Our short trip began with a midday flight from Dublin. Arriving at 1:45 we took the airport shuttle into the city. Disembarking at Waverley Bridge, the bus takes around 30 minutes. As we meandered our way through Georgian Edinburgh to Stockbridge, the cold was crisp. We arrived at the Nira Caledonia Hotel, part of an impressive looking block of 3 story terraced houses. The welcome was exuberant- our room was almost ready, and we were seated in the bar with the offer of a complimentary drink. 2 cappuccinos later we were ushered to our room. I had booked an executive double, and it was located on the top floor. 4 flights of stairs later, some huffing and puffing, and we were there. No lifts, the building is listed.

The room was uniquely decorated with some bizarre wallpaper. Strangely it worked. A coffee machine and dab radio with docking station added a modern touch. Having booked their romantic package, the mood in the room was perfect, rose petals caressing the bed under candlelight.

The bathroom had a bath with air jets and a selection of L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. And yes, I did use the duck.

We took a stroll through Edinburgh as dusk fell around us. The pattern of streets off Princes Street provide excellent opportunities for shopping. The moon rose to provide an interesting perspective on the Scott Monument. The Monument was built in Victorian/ Gothic style to honour Scottish author Sir Walter Scott and was opened in 1844. For those who are inclined a stairs leads to a viewpoint inside. Having previously succumbed I didn’t this time.

We stopped into Patisserie Valerie on Rose Street to indulge our cravings for cake, before heading back to the hotel. Dining in the hotel that evening was a disappointment, my medium-rare rib-eye steak was a poor cut with excessive fat and was cooked far beyond my favoured red core. The staff offered free desserts but it didn’t appease me much.

Day 2 began better with a wonderful made to order breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Full-Scottish was the start I needed. Our stay wasn’t blighted by the dinner, the hotel in all other respects was excellent.

Dean Village

I went for a morning stroll through Dean Village while Beata relaxed in the hotel room. It was a short distance from the hotel to the Water of Leith, where things got more picturesque. The walk winds past St Bernard’s Well, a waterfall, and some brooding houses perched on the hills above.

Dean Village was a former milling Village. It is endowed with a number of wonderful looking buildings and houses from the 19th century. Full of narrow streets and alleyways all worthy of a stroll down, it is rightly regarded as being amongst the most picturesque areas of Edinburgh.

We ambled into Edinburgh. Taking the North Bridge to the Royal Mile you are flanked by the imposing Balmoral Hotel before coming up on the Scotsman, a former newspaper office operating now as a hotel. It’s rooms apparently border on the bizarre. On the left is a pleasant view of Calton Hill. With an abundance of historical buildings lining the Royal Mile there is a plethora of sights to see. The old and new towns of Edinburgh are a World Heritage Site. As with any great city, several days are needed to see it. We had several hours before our bus back to the airport. So we had to be selective.

St Giles Cathedral

St Giles Cathedral sits on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace if Holyroodhouse. The street widens to give it more reverence. It has a distinctive crown shaped spire. Private tours are available at £6 per person, or you can visit for free. We entered for a short look around. The stone work around the entrance are very detailed and there are some excellent stain glass windows. The highlight is The Thistle Chapel. It is a Chapel to honour the Order of the Thistle, which is the highest honour awarded to persons of Scottish descent. Its ceiling evokes memories of the organic style ceiling in the Sagrada Familia, and it contains stalls for the knights of the Order. The stalls are decorated with the colours and imagery of the individual knights. The sovereign stalls against the back wall have the greatest detail. For more info.

The Real Mary King Close

Edinburgh has a fascinating history and one of the most intriguing aspects is surely how some of the closes (small narrow streets) that existed are no longer at street level. Formerly the scene of much dereliction, poverty, and disease, the decision was made to build the modern city above these closes. What was left makes for some really interesting tours. One such tour we took, into The Real Mary King Close which is a warren of streets that lie completely below ground. The 17th century tale is told of its inhabitants with emphasis placed on how the bubonic plague ravaged the population, and how they were futile in the efforts to stop it. The iconic image of the plague doctors, with their beaked masks is central to this story of the huge loss of human life. The tour takes an hour and is entertainingly presented by the tour guide. More info. Admission is £15.50. Sadly, no photography allowed inside to share the tour.

As we passed by Gladstone’s Land, a local Scot was selling the experience of having an Eagle Owl perch on your arm. For £5 it was well worth it. I won’t forget the soft texture of his feathers in a hurry. It was huge and a little scary.

Dinner in Amarone

We went for an early dinner/ late lunch in Amarone. A huge Italian restaurant with an extensive menu, we both opted for the San Daniele pizza. It was terrific but enormous. We asked for a doggy-bag. When we got back to the hotel the concierges eyes swelled with envy. It was his favourite restaurant. Good choice. We ended up taking a taxi back to the airport as time was running short for our flight back to Dublin. Short time on a short trip, but Edinburgh as ever was immensely enjoyable.

I suggest buying a colour map at the door to get the most out of your visit. Bear in mind they won’t allow you take a suitcase in with you, so either leave at your hotel or in a train station locker.

Only 1% of the Museums stock is actually on view at any given point in time. When you consider how much is on display, that’s an incredible statistic. I won’t pretend to be an authority, this was my first visit and I covered as much ground as possible. I was led by what I read, and what amazed my unlearned eye as I traversed the rooms.

Heading straight into the museum we arrive in the Great Court. 2 stairs cleverly wrap around the famous reading room, to take you to the upper floors. Gifts shops and cafes are tucked neatly under the stairs.

I started by examining the rooms to the right as I came in. It’s a bit of an eclectic collection here. The theme is enlightenment discovering the world. I had more of an interest in other parts of the museum so I passed through quickly.

From here I moved to the rooms dedicated to Mexico. I’ve always had a fascination with Mayan art. There’s an anger in their art, with imagery bordering on supernatural. Their civilisations lasted around 3500 years and some of their achievements were extraordinary. Chichen Itza in Yacatun is synonymous with their advanced culture. The turquoise masks and the double headed serpent are particularly rare. These can be found in room 27.

Asia

I moved to the Asian rooms. This is the greatest collection of Chinese artefacts outside of the orient. The Tang Dynasty is famous for its brightly coloured ornaments that were buried in their tombs. A good selection of these is on show. Of particular note also here are the number of statues to the Hindu gods.

What most drew my attention here was the sculptures from the temple in Amaravati in India. Buried for over 500 years, they were unearthed in the late 18th century. Much of the upper Temple was destroyed so what is here came from the lower parts of the temple. The detail is very intricate. They are located in room 33a.

One of the enigmatic Easter Island statues governs the Living and Dying exhibit in room 24. This one is called Hao Hakananai’a and was most likely built in Rapa Nui around 1200ad.

Ancient Greece

The reach of the Greek empire was felt far and wide. Its art is timeless. The Lykian people of Turkey were heavily influenced in their architecture. A wonderfully reconstructed tomb from Xanthos in Turkey is in room 17. Taking the form of a temple, on a base of sculpted friezes, the ruins were shipped to the UK in the 1840’s. It is named after the Nereids, the figures between the columns who were the daughters of a sea god from mythology.

The Acropolis was the centre of Greek culture, a beacon on a hill, and the ceremonial heart of an empire. The Parthenon was the main temple, dedicated to the god Athena. Completed in 432 BC, it was decorated by a 160 metres marble frieze. The vast majority of this is within the British Museum, located in room 18.

Middle East

The Assyrians were a Mesopotamian empire that existed from the 25th century BC to the 6th Century BC. The passtime of kings, the royal lion hunts, are brilliantly captured on a relief from an Assyrian palace. They are considered the masterpiece of Assyrian art. They adorn the walls of room 10.

The “Ram in the Thicket” is a figure excavated from Ur in ancient Iraq. It dates from 2500BC. It is certainly unusual.

The Standard of Ur is a decorated box, depicting scenes on war and peace.It was found in the Royal cemetary at Ur. It is 4600 years old. It’s use remains a mystery.

Ancient Egypt

A reconstruction of the full scale of the gates from a palace in Balawat. I couldn’t get over it.

Awesome imagery from Ancient Egypt:

The Rosetta Stone in room 10, was discovered in 1799. It was instrumental in dechipering the Egyptian heiroglypphics, that had remained a mystery since the collapse of the Egyptian empire.

Rooms 61-63 take us on the journey through Egyptian death and afterlife, the death masks, tombs, mummified remains, and offerings in death. These rooms are chillingly interesting, a tribute to one of the most interesting races to world has known.

The Gayer Anderson cat from 600BC

The false doors of a tomb at Pthashepses. Made from limestone and painted to resemble wood.

My morbid curiosity was satisfied by a couple of preserved bodies. Below is Gebelein Man from Egypt, his body preserved for 1000’s of years.

Lindow Man- died in 300BC and preserved in a bog.

Romans

Head of the Roman emperor Augustus made from bronze.

The Portland Vase is in room 70. It is dated from the earliest 1st century, and is made from cameo glass. The detail is flawless, and it has been wonderfully preserved for 200 years. It has been the inspiration for porcelain makers worldwide since the 18th century on.

Uk & Europe

The upper floors with their medieval galleries have some real highlights. The Lewis Chessman in room 40 is the worlds most famous chess set. Forged in Norway from Walrus and whale teeth about 800 years ago with the intent of being traded in Ireland. They were discovered in the 19th century in Scotland.

In Room 41 the Sutton Hoo Burial was a 6th Century ship burial, containing Anglo-Saxon aretfacts. The collection is on show here, and is truly beautiful. The helmet below shows the outstanding quality of the find.

Truly a great collection is to be found within these walls. It ranks an one of the worlds greatest museums, and there is potential to do and see much more. I wanted to present you with a snapshot of what inspired me. With daily talks on different parts of the museum, temporary exhibitions, and numerous other activities, multiple visits would be warranted. To read more of my London sightseeing trip click here.

Westminster Cathedral

The train from Gatwick took me to Victoria Station. From here it was a stroll to Westminster Cathedral. Built in the Byzantine style by John Francis Bentley in the late 19th century, it is certainly unique among London churches and worth a visit. The cathedral is free to visit (donations welcome) and has a gift shop. The stations of the cross are by Eric Gill and are the cathedrals main draw besides the fine architecture.

Westminster Cathedral Website

A £6 fare will give you access to the tower, the top which is reached by lift, with commanding views over the local area. Is it worth it… it’s questionable. It was a dull morning and the views from other London landmarks is better. But I’m a sucker for a tower.

Buckingham Palace was my next port of call. The palace itself only opens to the public during the summer months but the highlight here is the ceremonial changing of the guard. I advise to do what I didn’t, arrive early and get a good spot. My suggestion is on the steps of the Victoria Monument, get there at 10:15 for the 11 am ceremony. This elevated position will give you a good view of the processions approaching from Spur Road as well as the grounds of the Palace. Failing that a selfie stick (I hate myself to mention this) will get you some good shots from the footpath outside the Palace.

Buckingham Palace Website

Westminster Abbey

I wrestled with the idea of visiting the Queens Gallery and the Royal Mews, but conscious of time, I marched to Westminster Abbey. The wealth of history that is associated with this building ensure that anyone even with a passing interest in the British Empire will not be disappointed. 1000 years of history are well represented.

I cannot recommend highly enough a visit. Only twice have I felt this level of awe in a place of worship, at the Notre Dame and the Sagrada Familia. Admission was £20 if bought online, which includes a free audio guide. Guided tours are available too, but if you are struggling for time, the audio guide allows you to pick and choose what is of interest. Sadly photography isn’t allowed within the Abbey.

One can amble through at your own pace. The floors and walls are crammed full of commemorations to people who have served the British empire. From scientists, explorers to poets and playwrights, those who shone in life are respected here in death. For me the highlights are the architecture of the nave, the fantastic screen that takes one through to the beautiful quire, the altar with its Cosmati Pavement, and the succession of monuments in the North and South Ambulatory. My personal favourite was the Death from the Nightingale Monument, which was chilling in its depiction.

The Lady Chapel, a church within the church, is perhaps the jewel in the crown. Featuring the tombs of Elizabeth 1 and Mary Queen of Scots, it is the church of the order of the Bath. The banners of Knights hang from above the stalls at the side of the nave. Attention is rightly drawn to the ceiling, where wonderful craft has produced the most elaborate fan vaulting. It is amazing in its complexity and beauty.

The last stages of the tour take one through the cloisters, the chapter house and the very early Pyx chamber. These were an integral part of everyday monastic life. Returning from the cloisters the coronation chair is on view behind a glass partition. Perhaps I expected the Iron Throne, but this was a few swords short of it. It’s a little underwhelming considering the weight of history carried on it. For more info check out Westminster Abbey.

Next door to the Abbey is Dean’s Yard another sight worth a few shots.

With the Houses of Parliament on my right, and a heavily scaffolded Big Ben, I made my way north, zigzagging through streets, passing Churchill’s War Rooms, the now heavily guarded and inaccessible Downing Street, the Household Cavalry Museum (a good place to catch a minor changing of the guards in the morning) where fine horses stand to attention street side, Admarality Arch and onwards to Trafalgar Square.

After a quick refuelling stop in Pret A Manger, consisting of some super fruit, a sandwich and a coffee, I traversed London’s Chinatown  to Piccadilly Square and Soho. I absorbed the colours of the West End before satisfying my curiosity to seek out the Liberty Store on Marlborough Street.

No I hadn’t come to shop, it is a Tudor revival building, the frontage of which was built from the wood of 2 ships. It’s a grade II listed building. Check out the clock with its mechanical workings as it strikes the hour. The building received some criticism at the time of construction, but I’m entranced by all things Tudor in style.

British Museum

My last stop of the day (or so I thought) was the British Museum. A vast collection of artefacts await, sourced from all corners of the planet, and organised according to the great civilisations that ruled them. Several hours are needed to view it, and luckily being a Friday it was open till 8, so I was afforded it. The building itself with its magnificent central plaza is a treasure. A string of cafes and shops circumference the central plaza. Admission is free, donations suggested, but at least shell out for a colour map. The whole museum warrants exploring. I found of particular interest the Friezes from the Acropolis in Athens, the Egyptian Rooms, centred on the Rosetta Stone and the mysterious mummies. The stone carvings from Amarvita were a highlight as was the exquisite collection from the Sutton Hoo ship burial. The whole collection is as marvellous as any in the world, and at this price unmissable.

British Museum Website

Jaded I made my way back to my hotel using a combo of the underground and my poor tired legs. As a solo traveller, the Holiday Inn Express satisfied my needs, reasonably priced, decent breakfast, excellent central location and a clean spacious room for 1. After a soaking shower, where I debated whether I would be able to walk the next day, I made the short walk to the Tate Modern, to find some dinner. There is a bar and a restaurant  on site, one too simple and one too refined for what I had in mind. I settled for a burrito after I left. I’m not one for modern art, but entry is free, and the museum makes excellent use of what was previously a power station. The roof gives one access to excellent views of the area. My final act for the day, I went to earn some well earned shut eye. 

Day 2 of my walking adventure through London began, with me attempting to burn through as many attractions as I possibly could. My flight home was at 7:50pm so no time to lose.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

I woke and had a hearty breakfast in the Premier Inn, decent for a relatively budget hotel. Checking out promptly, I hastened to the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The Theatre is in fact of replica of one that existed near the current site, in the days of the bard. It is quite interesting for a number of reasons. Theatres at the time weren’t allowed within the city walls, and hence were built on this side of the Thames. They were open aired buildings. Theatres were then associated with free speech, drinking and debauchery, not ideal for the ruling classes, and so kept outside the walls. The rebuilt Theatre is the only building within London to be allowed to have a thatch roof, since the great fire of London decimated the city.

Guided tours leave every 30 minutes, and concessions are available online, entry is £10 during the winter months. The tour guide (cannot recall her name) was excellent. Very knowledgeable and good-humoured. The tour really helps you encapsulate how it was for all classes of society to view shows back then, and the sights, sounds and smells that came with the territory. The Theatre is a beautiful building, both in and out. Plays are only staged in the theatre during the summer months, but for those wishing to see a show, the adjoining Sam Wanamaker Playhouse will cater for their needs. Named after the American whose passion and vision saw the Globe Theatre being rebuilt after several centuries. More info at Globe Theatre .

St Paul’s Cathedral

Millennium Bridge brought me directly to the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral, Christopher Wrens masterpiece within the City of London. Construction was between 1675 and 1711, after an earlier cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The dome is the second largest in the world behind St Peters Basilica in Rome, at 366 feet high.

Entry is £18 with an audio tour included. Website £16 here. Photography isn’t allowed but I sneaked a few shots. The nave is flanked by 2 unusual looking crucifix’s and an enormous monument to Admiral Nelson. The North Transept contains The Light of the World by Hunt. When one enters the Apse, eyes are drawn to the huge dome above. It is breathtaking. The murals adorning the dome and under the dome are spectacular. It’s wise to do as the audio guide suggests, take a seat and reflect. It’s neck ache inducing. The altar was re-constructed after World War 2, the victim of a German bomb. Take the North Quire Aisle to see Henry Moore’s Mother and Child, and on into the quire. Marvel again, at the beauty of the high altar and the solemnity of the quire.

Take the stairs off either Transept to visit the crypt. Of note here are the tombs of the Duke of Wellington and Nelson, both given pride of place. Florence Nightingale, Christopher Wren, and Churchill are honoured too. A cafe serving standard fare is located in the basement. You need to hold on to your ticket to go to the cafe. Back on the cathedral floor, the south aisle contains the stairs heading up to the galleries. Bear in mind there are steps. Lots of steps. My legs weren’t happy after. But they always lose out to my brain.

The first flight, 257 steps gets you to the Whispering Gallery. So called cause if somebody stands on one side and whispers it can be heard on the other side. I was alone so I decided would be best not to try it. For my sanity. The up-close view of the murals shows just how awesome they are. For those without an aversion to more steps, a further flight of 119 spiral steps takes you to the Stone Gallery. This is ideal for panoramic views of London, with its walkway around the side of the dome. The last flight, up 152 more steps leads to the Golden Gallery. Here the view is bettered by a 22 metre increase in height. 85 meters in total above the cathedral floor, the views are glorious.

Back on level ground I decided to tour some of the most impressive buildings that the financial core had to offer.

Tower of London

Taking the circle line to Tower Hill set me up for a couple of stops. First up the Tower of London. If a city has a castle, a citadel or a fortress, it’s the first thing on my list of what to visit. The Tower of London is more than that it’s an experience. From the 35 Yeoman Warders, who guard, give tours and live within the Tower, the Crown Jewels on display, its famous residents (mostly the involuntary ones), to the Ravens. Myth has it that if the ravens fly from the Tower, the British Empire will fall. One wing of the ravens is clipped to ensure they cannot leave the bastion. The huge ravens survive on a diet of 170 grams of raw meat and biscuits soaked in blood. They are to be honest, a bit scary.

The White Tower, the most recognisable building within, was built in 1097, and was the tallest building in London at the time. It is 30 metres tall and the walls are 5 metres thick. There is a Norman chapel within the Tower, the chapel of St John, and a fine collection of armour and weapons from several centuries.

The Jewel Tower does exactly what it says. Containing the Crown Jewels which are used for coronations and other state occasions, it is a priceless collection. The jewels on show date from 1661 onwards, the previous ones were mostly destroyed under Oliver Cromwell. Featuring 10 gem studded crowns as well as sceptres, orbs and swords it is not to be missed. The Imperial State Crown alone holds 2800 diamonds.

A tour around the rest of the tower, will bring you to the Beauchamp Tower, where many of the more important prisoners were kept, often under very good conditions. The Tower Green was the site of many executions, including a couple of Henry VIII’s wives. The most harrowing story to be found is within the Bloody Tower, which tells the story of the little princes and their murder at the hands of their uncle Richard. What was presumably their bodies were discovered 200 years later. Their bones were laid to rest in Westminster Abbey. Bringing my trip full circle after my visit the day before. Admission to the tower is £21.50, and more info available here.

Tower Bridge

Climbing up on to Tower Bridge ensure you are on the right side walking south as the bridge can’t be crossed (I made this mistake). Entry to the bridge is £9.80. Concessions online. The tour begins with a guide and video recounting the history of the bridge and it’s constructors. I have to be honest I found the whole tour drab and boring. The staff were robotic and unable to give the place the personality it needed. The one redeeming feature of the whole tour was the glass floor on the upper walkway. The option to walk on by is given to those with vertigo. I was so disheartened I gave the engine room a miss. The bridge is majestic to look at, from afar and close up. It deserves its status as London’s most recognisable landmark. But it is best viewed from without.

Imperial War Museum

I put my London Underground map to the test, and after a few changes arrived at Lambeth North confidently. The Imperial War Museum loomed as I turned on to Lambeth Road. It’s dual naval guns are a formidable sights. Upon entry to this free museum, the 3 story atrium is dominated by the military aircraft hanging from the ceiling. A Spitfire takes pride of place. Surely a harrowing sights to see them bear down on you in battle. It is joined by a modern harrier jet and an enormous V-2 rocket. I grabbed a late lunch in the cafe there, a tasty sandwich and a coffee.

The museum is divided by floor, the ground floor dedicated to World War I. Throughout all the floors the machines of war are displayed, their ability to devastate for all to see. The human aspect is also well portrayed, through photos, journals and newspapers clippings. You could spend hours reading the first hand experiences of soldiers, journalists and those who were lost during the great wars. I was running low on time so couldn’t afford too long on each exhibit. The trench warfare experience conveys a sense of how it was for the soldiers. Walk the trench as a Sopwith Camel Plane and German tank lurk above.

The second floor traces World War II from the earliest moves by the nazis in the 1930’s through the war. Again the machines of war take centre stage. The plight of the average citizen as they struggled to face the Blitz is a strong focus here.

The third floor is a departure from other floors, examining the Cold War and modern wars. The destruction and threat of nuclear warfare is examined. The Beach Girl sculpture is a brash statement about the horrors. Curiosities of modern-day battles can be found on this floor.

The most harrowing floor is that dedicated to the holocaust. An air of solemnity exists amongst the public here, as they read the stories of the survivors and victims of the nazi final solution. Take time to read the stories of the individuals who were at the heart of the terror. It is charted from the initial movements where Jews had to register, to their confinement to ghettos and on to the concentration camps. The glass display of shoes evokes memories of the huge rooms I’ve seen in concentration camps in Poland. The giant scale model of Auschwitz camp gives you a very visual display of how, on the orders of the high command, the nazis started systematically eliminating its prisoners in Hungary and Central Europe. The diagram is narrated by posters on the side, with first hand accounts and descriptions of how the atrocities occurred. It is very moving and not recommended for those under 14. Out of respect no photos are allowed here.

I left the museum melancholic after the holocaust floor. Alas my trip was nearing an end. I trudged to my hotel to collect my suitcase, and from there on to Blackfriars Station to catch my train to Gatwick. My legs by this stage had resumed their lament. But my mind was now satiated. I was impressed by my 2 day endeavour. London suddenly felt a little smaller and less daunting than it sometimes had.