Seven Dials is the Pillar with Six Sundials and Also Refers to the Surrounding Neighbourhood: In the upper corner of Covent Garden is a junction where seven streets converge. Seven Dials, a pillar with six sundials, marks the crossroads with the central spike supposedly representing the seventh dial. Seven Dials also informally refers to the immediate surrounding neighbourhood which is a shopping precinct. It describes itself as London's hidden shopping village which we stumbled upon when … [Read more...]
Shopping in Oxford – Where to Find Your Oxford Shops
December 16, 2010 by
Oxford Shops - Oxford Shopping Streets and Shopping Centres: Shopaholics need not feel concerned about suffering withdrawal system when they visit Oxford. Most well-known high street shops and department stores are represented here. The main Oxford shopping streets include Queen Street, Cornmarket Street, the High and Magdalen Street. Then there are the Westgate and Clarendon Centre indoor malls. The majority of Oxford shops are open seven days a week. Other smaller streets with … [Read more...]
Visiting the Home of Wedgwood at Stoke-on-Trent
December 10, 2010 by
Josiah Wedgwood - the Man who Started Wedgwood: Our travels through Staffordshire brought us to the Wedgwood Visitor Centre to learn a little about this famous brand ... and perhaps for some retail therapy. The Wedgwood Visitor Centre is located at the home of Wedgwood whose factory is set in 250 acres of lush parkland on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent. Like many people I went through a phase of desiring Wedgwood products, but I knew very little about the company or the people who inspired … [Read more...]
A Visit to Belleek Pottery in Co. Fermanagh
December 8, 2010 by
Belleek Pottery is World Famous for its Belleek Fine Parian China: Belleek is a little village in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland that not many people may know about, except perhaps those people who are keen on Belleek china. Whilst the larger part of Belleek is in County Fermanagh, a part of the village spills across the border into County Donegal. So, after our stop in Donegal, we hop across to Belleek to visit the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre. Belleek is home to the Belleek Fine … [Read more...]
A Visit to London's Famous Portobello Market
October 25, 2010 by
Portobello Market - A London Market That's Extremely Popular with Tourists: It may be crowded and a little chaotic on weekends, but London's Portobello Market is a fun place to visit, especially for visitors who love wondering through street markets. Portobello Market is of course one of the most famous street markets in the world. Located in West London, the market takes up most of Portobello Road. And, Portobello Road itself runs through the trendy area of Notting Hill which has been … [Read more...]
Christmas Markets in Cologne, the Cathedral City – 2012
October 19, 2010 by
Cologne - a Popular Destination at Christmas Time: With no fewer than seven Christmas markets, the cathedral city of Cologne is a popular destination at Christmas time. Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral (26 Nov 2012 - 23 Dec 2012) Cologne's main Christmas market, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Kolner Dom, is set against the magnificent backdrop of the city’s most famous landmark. Around 137 booths fill the Christmas market around the cathedral and these are arranged in the shape of a … [Read more...]
4711 – Cologne’s Original Eau de Cologne
October 10, 2010 by
A Visit to 4711 Eau de Cologne, the city's oldest internationally famous brands: Eau de Cologne was first invented in the city of Cologne in 1709 when Johann Maria Farina named his elixir Eau de Cologne (Water of Cologne) in honour of his new home. He had moved to Cologne from Santa Maria Maggiore by Domodoccola and his perfume became so famous that by 1887 Farina became supplier to Queen Victoria of England. 4711 Original Eau de Cologne is one of Cologne’s oldest internationally … [Read more...]
Feira da Ladra – Lisbon’s Thieves Market
July 28, 2010 by
In Lisbon's Feira da Ladra, Thieves are not Welcome: Located in Campo de Santa Clara, not far from the Alfama district, Lisbon's Feira da Ladra (Thieves Market) has been in existence since the 13th century. People gather at this open-air market to buy and sell items in the shade of centuries-old buildings. Photographs from the end of the 19th century reveal a flea market that looks much like it does today. No doubt items sold then would be considered antiques today, but the air of … [Read more...]
Helsinki's Market Square or Kauppatori
July 26, 2010 by
Kauppatori Offers Visitors Great Food, Great Views and Lots of Local Atmosphere: At Market Square, known locally in Helsinki as Kauppatori, visitors and locals alike can get everything from fresh salmon steak to reindeer meat. The Market Square is located on the shoreline and offers great food, great views and outstanding atmosphere. The bright orange cloth-covered stalls are a pick-me-up in winter and an even greater delight under Helsinki's gentle summer sun. On one side of the bay is the … [Read more...]
Harrods – The World’s Favourite Department Store
July 20, 2010 by
Harrods - The store that promises 'Everything to Everybody Everywhere': A household name in the U.K. and all over the world the Harrods brand is much sought after by many first-time visitors to London. Whether it be a Harrods Winnie-the-Pooh bear, a Harrods mug or a Harrods shopping bag, many tourists desire something from Harrods as a souvenir of their trip to London. Like many of London's historical buildings and institutions, Harrods is indeed a London icon. But Harrods isn't only … [Read more...]