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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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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Why I Visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine (and Should You Bother?)
You’ll know by now that I’m not a great fan of major tourist attractions. So why did I want to visit the underground cathedral in Poland's Wieliczka Salt Mine (estimated annual visitors in excess of 1.5 million)? And would I recommend my readers to go there? (Read on...
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Exploring the History of Pembroke Castle, Wales
I visited lots of medieval castles on my recent trip to Wales. However, the one that made the biggest impression on me was Pembroke Castle. Privately owned and imaginatively managed, Pembroke Castle has an enviable location, with a long history stretching right back...
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