Originally a monastery, Grossmünster (gross = large or great and münster = minster or cathedral) is arguably the heart of old town Zürich. Construction began on this site in 1100 but there are two legends woven into the founding of this historic cathedral.… Read the rest
Wismar
Another Hanseatic gem. Wismar’s sky line is dominated by a trifecta of Gothic medieval architecture – St Maria’s, St Nikolai’s and St George’s. My heart beats faster at the thought of these divine churches although these are not the only splendid notable facades in Wismar.… Read the rest
Schloß Schwerin
If fairytales were to have a birthplace it must be Schwerin. Even from a distance, just laying eyes on their impossibly beautiful castle makes me feel like a princess, or at least, like the world is full of hope and beauty.… Read the rest
Venice Of The North
Today we get to experience St. Petersburg’s canals. Alexander the Great founded this city as his own and had a vision to turn it into the Venice of the North, criss-crossing the city with canals to provide a means of transport as well as beauty.… Read the rest
A Taste Of St. Petersburg
After a day of exploring Peterhof and the Catherine Palace at Pushkin, I’m ready to delve into St. Petersburg proper. After dropping the rest of the tour group back at the port, mum and I are taken to the metro at Primorskaya where we are handed over to another guide for the evening. … Read the rest
Catherine Palace
As the second wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, Empress of Russia, came to the throne by chance. She was orphaned at an early aged and spent her youth as a maid. Nevertheless, they met soon after Peter moved the capital to St.… Read the rest
Peterhof
Our destination is Peterhof. After a drive through the city, however, the metro is our first introduction to St. Petersburg and even from the very beginning it is unlike any other metro station. Narvskaya metro is bustling with commuters and we push our tokens into the machine to pass through the gates and are funneled onto a long escalator, perhaps the longest I have ever seen.… Read the rest
Tallinn, Estonia
The wind whips through my hair as we walk along the pier to our first glimpses of Estonia. There’s not much by way of sign posts to the Old Town but I know Tallinn is going to be special. … Read the rest
At Sea
“Forgive me for saying so, but you’re too young for cruising” my work colleague quips a few weeks before our departure. On the contrary, I rather wish we had discovered this way of travel long before now.
We’re on our first day at sea travelling from Warnemünde, Germany to Tallinn, Estonia where we will dock tomorrow morning. … Read the rest
Marienkirche
Today we are visiting Marienkirche (St Mary’s Church), located in Rostock, a city in northern Germany. After a walk through the town square we come across this charming church and enter into the dazzling interior, the whitewashed wall reflecting the light of the bright day outside.… Read the rest