Sighnaghi

Sights of Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi, a tiny town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, is an attractive town perched high on a hilltop with sweeping views across the Alazani Valley laid out below. Known affectionately as Georgia’s City of Love, the restored 18th and 19th century architecture of the centre gives the town a relaxed, easy charm focused around its tourist attractions.… Read the rest

Bodbe St. Nino’s Convent

Bodbe Church and Bell Tower in the Convent grounds

Bodbe Convent, the revered final resting place of St Nino, is set among tall cypresses. The convent (monastery) is located 2km south of Sighnaghi, a picturesque little town along a picturesque winding country road.… Read the rest

Tbilisi, Georgia

Domes of the Sulphur Baths

I awake on my first morning in Tbilisi, Georgia excited at exploring all that my First Impressions promise.  My travel companion, Diana, has arrived during the night and despite a restless sleep, I only doze a little before being ready to hit the town, so to speak.… Read the rest

First Impressions

Clock Tower outside the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater

There are many words to describe my first impressions of Tbilisi, yet none of them quite capture the vibe of the Old Town or just how excited I am to be here.

Statues outside the Hotel Ambassadori

It’s still early and I have checked in to the Museum Hotel Orbeliani, dropped my bags and logged in to finalise a few last work emails before the long weekend really sets in. … Read the rest

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile

Arc de Triomphe with the Le Départ sculpture visible on the right hand facade.

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (Triumphal Arch of the Star) is a must see in Paris.  Even if you don’t climb the 284 steps to the top, strolling up the Champs-Élysées as the 50 meter high French Revolutionary and Napoleonic War memorial comes into ever greater focus is memorable.    … Read the rest

Latin Quarter

Restaurant Au Port du Salut, Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques

The Latin Quarter in Paris is an area that takes in parts of the 5th and 6th Arrondissements on the Left Bank.  It is home to several higher learning entities, including the Sorbonne (the University of Paris), as well as lively bistros, shopping and of course the Pantheon.… Read the rest

La Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel

Sigh!! My first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) in Pairs.  We arrived in Paris yesterday and had an early night last night in anticipation of getting to the Eiffel Tower early this morning.  It’s a bit of a Metro ride but we’ve made it. … Read the rest

15th Arrondissement

Max Poilâne patisserie & boulangerie

Our 10am booking for the Eurostar to Paris was a sensible choice.  We are staying with Claire in the 15th Arrondissement and as I rise to my 6:30am alarm and rouse the boys from the cartoon channel, which has likely been on for a while already, I’m resigned to a long day ahead. … Read the rest