Faro's Sé with its Eccentric Organ: Faro's Sé stands in the square that's called Largo da Sé. The Sé is a cathedral and the seat of the bishop. The Sé stands on a site that was formerly a mosque. The first Christian church in Faro was built on the site but when the English attacked in 1596 the building was destroyed. All that survived were the base of the belltower, its medieval doorway and two chapels. Long-term reconstruction resulted in a cathedral which became a blend of … [Read more...]
Arco da Vila – Faro Sightseeing Attraction
October 18, 2009 by
Arco da Vila - Gateway to Faro's Old City: Most tourists visiting the Old City of Faro will no doubt have walked through Arco da Vila at the south end of the Jardim Manuel Bivar. This arched gateway is a national monument which leads into the Old City of Faro. Arco da Vila was built by the architect Francisco Xavier Fabri for Bishop Dom Francisco Gomes do Avelar in the 19th century. It sits on the site of a medieval castle gate. It was Dom Francisco who took upon himself to re-design the … [Read more...]
Almancil's masterpiece of azulejo panels
October 18, 2009 by
Ingreja de São Lourenço is Almancil's treasure: East of Vilamoura and just outside the town of Almancil stands Ingreja de São Lourenço, a small, Baroque-style white chapel which is the main sightseeing reasons why most tourists come to Almancil. Inside the chapel is one of the Algarve's most amazing sights - an outstanding masterpiece of decoration in azulejo panels. Ingreja de São Lourenço was built in the 18th century and dedicated to Saint Lawrence of Rome. Local inhabitants, in … [Read more...]
Belem Tower – an iconic monument on Lisbon's waterfront
October 3, 2009 by
A symbol of Portugal's great era of expansion: Torre de Belem or Belem Tower sits at the mouth of the Tagus and guards the entrance to the city. It's another of Lisbon's iconic attractions on the Lisbon waterfront. Belem Tower was built as a fortress in the middle of the Tagus in 1515-21 and it was from here that the caravels set out to discover the trade routes. When Manuel I came to power in 1495, he prospered from the expansionary period and commissioned grandiose monuments to reflect the … [Read more...]
Lisbon Sightseeing | Monument to the Discoveries
October 3, 2009 by
Portugal's early discoverers stand prominently at the waterfront: We were taught about Vasco da Gama and his early discoveries at school, but during those days I found the history lessons pretty dry and hard going. Between the heat of the afternoon tropical sun, our non-airconditioned classrooms, and history lessons that were so distant to our day-to-day lives, I wasn't sure which was causing me doze off more. Had I known that one day I'll be standing on the very spot where those early … [Read more...]
Sagra dell'uva – Marino's Grape Festival, Rome
October 2, 2009 by
Will another miracle happen at the Festa dell Uva: The little hill-top medieval castle town of Marino is just forty-minutes from the centre of Rome and is one of the towns which make up the Castelli Romani region, Frascati being probably the best known of them. This wine-growing region was famous for supplying Roman Emperors with their wine needs. Although Frascati is the most popular of the Castelli Romani wines, the area also produces several reds including Merlot del Lazio. Like many … [Read more...]
Single and Seeking the Prospect of Romance….?
August 28, 2009 by
150 years of Matchmaking in Lisdoonvarna: If you're single and are looking for love and romance, why not join thousands of Irishmen and women at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in County Clare this September and early October. Lisdoonvarna is one of Europe's biggest singles events and apart from enjoying all of the good-natured fun and grand "craic", you may also just find your perfect match! Matchmaking is one of Ireland's oldest traditions and in the past there were matchmakers in … [Read more...]
Enjoy life's small victories, says Edradour
August 13, 2009 by
Scotland's smallest distillery: No visit to Scotland is complete without a visit to a whisky distillery and this morning we visit Edradour, Scotland's smallest distillery. At Edradour, the local water, the finest malt and age-old skills combine to produce a ‘wee dram’. Edradour is nestled in a pocket glen in the hills above Pitlochry in the Southern Highlands. When we say that it's the smallest distillery in Scotland, it's no exaggeration as only three men are responsible for the … [Read more...]
See the Spectacular EdinburghTattoo at Edinburgh Castle
August 12, 2009 by
The Edinburgh Tattoo is a Spectacular Event at Edinburgh Castle: We arrive at Edinburgh Castle in good time and already the stands are filling up. Edinburgh Castle is the setting for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and thousands of visitors from all over the world flock here to see this famous military tattoo each year. The Edinburgh Tattoo takes place in August every year and is the prime event of the Edinburgh Arts Festival. Tonight, as with most nights, it is full house. If you're … [Read more...]
St Andrews, the Home of Golf…
August 11, 2009 by
Winning at St Andrews is every golfer's dream: St Andrews is where golf was born in the 15th century. On our journey here we cross the Firth of Forth Bridge, a bridge that was completed in 1890. The Forth was heavily over-constructed in an attempt to regain the public’s confidence after the tragic collapse of the Tay Bridge. It was a daring design for its times and when completed, it was the longest span in the world. Brief History of Golf The earliest known reference to golf … [Read more...]
