Manx Crosses, Runes and Oghams: Discovering the Early History of the Isle of Man
I went to the Isle of Man in search of Viking rune stones. I’d seen runes in Sweden last year, and wanted to explore them further. But it wasn’t long before I realised that the story was much more complicated than I thought. The Manx runes were part of a much bigger...
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Books to Read Before You Visit Ireland
I’ve just booked my trip to Killarney in October, and I’ve been thinking about what books I’d recommend to anyone visiting Ireland for the first time. It’s not an easy task. Ireland’s long and sometimes troubled history, combined with a rich folklore, has provided...
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Exploring the Magic of New Zealand’s Bridal Veil Falls
One of the many attractions of New Zealand is its scenery and natural wonders, including more than 1500 waterfalls. Some of these waterfalls are transient, only appearing after heavy rain. Not so the Bridal Veil Falls (also known as Waireinga), in the Waikato region....
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Exploring the Gold Rush Era in Arrowtown, New Zealand
Many people visit Arrowtown for the walking and cycle trails. The town is surrounded by unspoilt countryside, and it is a lot less crowded than nearby Queenstown. But I was here for the history. I wanted to walk the streets and imagine that I was back in the gold rush...
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Book Review: Secret Marvels of the World by Lonely Planet
What sort of traveller are you? Do you prefer to stick to well-known sights, or are you keen to discover something new? Or do you like to explore the wonders of our planet from the comfort of your own home? A new title from Lonely Planet, Secret Marvels of the World,...
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Exploring Tarnów, a Day Trip from Kraków
To visit a new country and only see one town would be a bit like going to a wine-tasting and only sampling one wine. So, although I only had a few days in Kraków, I was keen to take a day trip, to travel through the countryside and explore a different place. There...
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In Search of the Kraków Defence Walls
Why do I enjoy walled towns so much? Perhaps because they tend to be old and mired in history. Or because walking around town walls gives me the opportunity to imagine what the town was like in the past, at a time when walls were a vital defence rather than a...
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