We dock in Nynäshamn, Sweden. I hear the low grumble of the ship’s motors moving us ever so slowly and carefully towards the port. Usually I’m happy to find my own way but today we’re booked onto a Big Red Bus transfer into Stockholm, an hour away.… 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
National Museum Of Beirut – Other Artifacts
As I begin writing about the artifacts contained in the National Museum of Beirut, my enthusiasm carries me away and there ends up being too many favorites to fit into just one post. So, I have divided the five original subheadings into separate posts.… Read the rest
National Museum Of Beirut – Mosaics
As I begin writing about the artifacts contained in the National Museum of Beirut, my enthusiasm carries me away and there ends up being too many favorites to fit into just one post.… Read the rest
National Museum of Beirut – Sarcophagi
This fabulous museum is hidden behind construction work as I approach with my luggage. It’s my last stop in Beirut before I have to leave and it’s most definitely a must see.
I work my way around the museum, starting on the entrance level, followed by the basement exhibits and leaving the first floor until last. … Read the rest
Byblos
After a morning visiting Jeita Grotto and Harissa, I am keen to get to Byblos. The grotto is a natural wonder, big and impressive, and Harissa has an aura of the pilgrimage, where the significance is not lost on me. … Read the rest
Uplistsikhe & Gori
Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi. The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest
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
Tbilisi, Georgia
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