Dubrovnik was, not so long ago, deep in the horrors of war. The physical wounds have mostly been healed, but you can still spot artillery …
Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
This sleepy costal town experiences a tsunami of tourists each time a cruise ship docks in its harbour. While I pressed on to the train …
Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s harbour changed significantly from my first trip, in 1998, to my second, nine years later. What was a peaceful, sleepy port has become a …
Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow’s a tough city – “Glasgow Kisses” and “Glasgow Smiles” are nowhere near as friendly as they sound – but there are moments of beauty …
Acropolis, Athens, Greece
The grand and imposing façade of the Parthenon has been impressing and intimidating visitors for millennia, but the other temples on the Acropolis have been …
Pyramid of Djozer, Saqqara, Egypt
This trip represented the heaven and hell of package tours: Yes, I got to see some of the greatest sights of the ancient world, but …
Tuileries Gardens, Paris, France
Even though they inspired my website name, the Tuileries are one of my least favourite spots in Paris – the gardens are too neat, the …
Institut de France, Paris, France
There’s a reason Paris is known as the City of Lights! Buildings the entire length of the River Seine are floodlit, and the bridges are …
Latin Quarter, Paris, France
The area around Notre Dame cathedral is one of my favourite spots in Paris. There’s a busy square in front of the church, a peaceful …
Vaux-le-Vicomte, France
Vaux is hard to reach, but worth the effort. Designed and decorated by those later responsible for building Versailles, it is a comparable gem, filled …