By far the best way to see a city is to walk it. Particularly the compact old towns of Europe. Today I’m walking the Zürichsee. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well). … Read the rest
Lake Zürich & Rapperswil
I board the boat for Rapperswil with an expectation of a lake Zürich cruise and the vague promise of a Schloss (castle) at the end. It’s not like me. Usually I have my days planned to the ‘n’th degree but, apart from today being an unexpected bonus, I think I’m mellowing a little in my holiday expectations.… Read the rest
Fraumünster
On the other side of the Limmat River from the Grossmünster cathedral, directly across Münsterbrücke (church bridge) is Kirche Fraumünster. This church was founded as a convent in 853 and like Grossmünster the church was stripped of all decoration at the time of the Reformation. … Read the rest
Grossmünster
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
Århus Cathedral
Århus is a city on the Jutland peninsula, the second largest in Denmark. It is a cultural and economic hub of the region known as much for its music festivals as its port and status of trading hub.
One of the first buildings of interest as you walk along the canal, after the Cultural Centre, unmissable on the harbour front, is the Århus Cathedral.… Read the rest
Aarhus/Århus
Aarhus, or Århus as it has also been known, is a city in Denmark, the second largest in the country, situated less than 200km north of the capital on the Jutland peninsula. It is a cultural and economic hub of the region, known as much for its many music festivals as its port and status as a trading hub.… Read the rest
The Flåmsbana
We have spent the morning in Flåm followed by a cruise of The Fjords and now, after lunch, we board the Flåmsbana train to journey some more through this incredible Norwegian landscape.
The Flåmsbana is a railway journey that travels 20km from Flåm at the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord that we have just explored, at least partly, this morning, and up along the line to Myrdal in the high mountains.… Read the rest
The Fjords
We board a bus in Flåm, headed for the Fjords. The bus terminal is just behind the comparatively large tourist centre for such a small town. We have spent the morning here, organizing our tours for the day and taking a walk up behind the town towards the hills.… Read the rest
Flåm
Flåm has the greenest of greens. The bluest of blues. The whitest of whites. The horizon closes in, jagged against the most expansive of skies. The clouds drift in between, not willing to take sides.
There is a breathtaking beauty in nature that slips the mind when living in the city.… Read the rest
Copenhagen and the Round Tower
We have spent the morning at Christiansborg Palace a former royal palace on the island of Slotsholmen and today the seat of the Danish Parliament and the Supreme Court of Denmark. After exploring the delights of the palace, we head outside to explore the equally delightful streets of the city – Copenhagen and the Round Tower.… Read the rest