Tag: Architecture

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Newcastle Upon Tyne

Being a Novocastrian (but from New-Newcastle Australia), I thought it time to visit Newcastle England. I don’t know why it’s called Newcastle Upon Tyne, or Newcastle Gateshead… there is a Gateshead, a Jesmond, and a Wallsend in both the English and Australian versions. Regardless, the locals loved hearing I am from Newcastle Australia, even got discounts.

The town is quite pretty – with many buildings similar to the brownstones in Edinburgh, but thrown in is the University with ultra-modern and sleek buildings. The Sage building is quite beautiful with undulating curves, it is a conference and performance centre.

I was there for four days, and pretty much crossed off every notable tourist attraction – the Castle and the keep, the mini Sydney Harbour bridge, Sunday Market at the Quay, the art galleries, shopping high street, and even went to Bingo!

Castle stairs
Cathedral
Great Hall at the Castle
Castle

If you go to Newcastle, you must visit the Biscuit Factory art gallery – all the pieces are for sale, and reasonably priced, ranging from £100 to £8000. Their collection is breathtaking. If you had to choose between the Laing and the Biscuit Factory, definitely go the latter!

  • Inside the Biscuit Factory Upstairs
  • Inside the Biscuit Factory

Down Grey street, there are a couple of independent art shops (Castle Fine Art in particular) which are worth a visit. I had to exit quickly before I purchased something. Unfortunately due to restricted time openings, I missed the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art Gallery – so if someone has been to both the Biscuit Factory and the Baltic and the latter is better – do let me know!

Close to Newcastle is a beautiful place on the coast – Tynemouth with a proper sand beach. There is a restaurant on the beach – Riley’s Fish Shack. You can watch the waves roll in and listen as they break on the shore whilst you warm your digits over your private fire pit and of course, eat fantastic seafood.

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Seville

After just a couple of hours in Seville, I was asking myself, why had I not visited before? The city is magnificent! The architecture is pure eye candy and being October with the northern hemisphere hurtling towards bitter winter, having 30C days with bright blue skies was wonderful. Seriously considering a yearly pilgrimage.

It’s very easy to get around as the city centre is compact and flat, there are hire cycles, trams and an extensive bus service. Take the bus from the airport – it makes a couple of stops in Seville and is about 40 minutes to the final stop at Plaza de Armas. One way is 4€ and its possible to buy a return for 6€. Tickets are purchased at the airport bus stop or from the driver on board.

No visit to Seville would be complete without visiting a flamenco show or two. I prefer the more rustic performances over the glamorous touristic shows. I pre-booked a show for Friday at El Callejón del Embrujo which is very central. The dancers and band were both excellent. A glass of vino and one tapa is included in the price for 20€. Don’t opt for a dinner and show package at venues because you will get a better and more affordable meal at a restaurant nearby.

It is a must to visit Alcázar – rich in history hosting three palaces. It is breath-taking in detail. There are beautiful sculptured gardens and you are allowed to stay as long as you like. There is a restaurant is inside the gardens with peacocks strolling around the tables.

Purchase Alcázar tickets online prior to the day because you will waste hours lining up – the queue is ridiculously long and moves very slowly. I didn’t realise this and on my last day wanted to visit so the only way to avoid the queue was to join a guided tour group for 36.50€. The online tickets without a tour are less then 10€ – buy tickets from the Alcázar web site. Note that entry is free on Mondays!

I visited the ancient baths for a 3-hour session, there are five pools as well as a roof top infinity pool for after your treatment – so pack your swimmers. Access to the pools is included with a treatment – although not cheap but compared to London prices was value especially with the baths. The massage areas are separated by hanging curtains, so you do hear the whispers and movements of others. It is a very relaxing experience nonetheless.

If you like Seville then consider visiting Rome, Vienna and Bilbao.

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Paris in May

More a year ago I purchased two tickets to go and see Ravi Shankar’s daughter – Anoushka Shankar – undisputedly they are the World’s best Sitar players. The venue was Paris. Unbeknownst to many people, Anoushka is the half sister of Nora Jones…. a more familiar name.

The two sisters collaborated in creating one of the most beautiful songs – Traces of You. Listen to that and your heart will sing guaranteed.

So anyway I bought two tickets, not knowing who might join me because it’s a unique style of music and perhaps not everyone likes such different variety. Plus the concert is in another country and a year in advance – all things to be considered in fairness.

Unfortunately the person I invited did not like the style one little bit… Nor the country and culture.

On top of that they booked the wrong outgoing train and had to change it in rush when their ticket didn’t work at the gates. Now if you had to change an International train ticket, a mere £40 additional cost is a bargain if you ask me. To also have availability on the preferred train as well! And the seat next to me…. I thought they were lucky…. but people react differently to the World….

What was very insulting was that they checked their phone of my communication to them before they could accept their mistake. What a start to the weekend. Great.

Also I did not realise was that the performance was a collaboration of Phillip Glass & Ravi Shankar – and coincidently I had seen the symphonies of Phillip Glass and the legendary David Bowie in London a couple of weeks prior…. So I saw Mr Glass twice on stage in two weeks. And I just learnt that Phillip Glass has also worked with Aphex Twin! How diverse.

I love Paris, its a magical city with a wide variety of art, landscaped gardens and beautiful architecture. The musee D’orsay is my favourite museum in Paris – the sculptures and paintings and the space itself is beyond words. Treat yourself and eat at the restaurant – it looks much more expensive then what it is and its truly majestic – you are sitting in an art gallery within an art gallery.

Wandering the streets of Paris is always colourful and the Marais is my favourite area. Definitely visit Fleux – https://en.fleux.com/ for shopping. Keep in mind that a lot of their goods are available online for 1/3 the price, but some are not – like their terrariums – definitely not available on line – I have looked!!

Careful on the ordering of steaks in France. They do prefer to serve them still kicking and grazing on the garnish – my friend ordered medium rare, but seriously it was still moving. Unfortunately as the first meal in Paris, it didn’t go down well. At all. Was returned for a couple of more minutes on the grill S’il Vous Plait (and probably spat on).

We stayed at a lovely hotel in the 8th arrondissement at the Le Mathurin Hotel & Spa  – about £400 for 3 nights. A great location. Not appreciated by my travelling companion in the slightest.

I learnt an important lesson this trip. Careful who you travel with. If your travelling partner(s) are not open to new experiences, possibly insecure recluses, or even have a touch of borderline personality disorder…. don’t take them. Better to travel Hans Solo.

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Athens

If you’re a history buff like me, or just like a bit of old stuff, then you’ll definitely want to add Athens, Greece to your travel bucket list. This ancient city is packed full of stunning sights, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences.

First up, let’s talk about the food. If you’re a meat lover, then you’re in for a treat. Greek food is renowned for its lamb dishes, and they did not disappoint. I had the pleasure of trying some of the most succulent and flavorful lamb I’ve ever tasted, slow-cooked to perfection with herbs and spices. Whether you’re trying a traditional gyro, souvlaki, or kleftiko, you’re in for a mouth-watering treat.

Now, onto the sights. You simply cannot visit Athens without checking out the Parthenon on Acropolis. Side note: The Acropolis is the high hill that the Parthenon was built on. This ancient temple is one of the most iconic landmarks in Greece and is a must-see for anyone visiting Athens. Below the structure, the Acropolis museum resides in parallel, many of the carvings have been preserved inside – away from environmental damage, and it is easy to see how the structure may have been in its heyday. At night, the Parthenon is lit up like a magnificent jewel.

But the Acropolis is just the beginning. Athens and the surrounding islands are full of museums and artefacts that will transport you back in time. From ancient pottery to intricate sculptures, their museums do an excellent job of showcasing the history of Greece.

One of my favourite experiences in Athens was visiting the National Archaeological Museum. I spent hours wandering the halls, marvelling at the ancient artefacts on display. From the intricately designed golden masks of Mycenae to the awe-inspiring statues of ancient gods and goddesses, the museum was a treasure trove of history and culture.

Now for the real fun, if you have time, jump on a ferry to one of the many islands. I visited the Island of Hyrda and enjoyed a beautiful Mediterranean lunch at the Ostria Restaurant, serving fresh seafood.

I hired a quad bike which was a hefty little power horse. Initially, I was quite nervous and started out like a little old granny, putt putt putting around the roads to various historic sites. By the end of the day, my confidence had grown somewhat and I was now hooning around the place with my hair trailing behind.

As someone who loves to learn about the history and different cultures, Athens was an absolute dream come true. The city is full of rich history, stunning architecture, and delicious food, and I can’t recommend it enough. So if you’re looking for your next travel destination, make sure to add Athens to your list – you won’t regret it!

I stayed with a lovely guy – Yannis through Airbnb. He is a gracious host and has two adorable cats. You can find his home here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2948623?source_impression_id=p3_1679402729_KDwxTFZtqEIkFAWi

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Budapest

Budapest is a beautiful city steeped in history, the city was named as such in 1873 with the convergence of three neighbouring cities – Pest, Buda and Óbuda.

Besides the beautiful Parliament Building, which is positioned on the river in the Pest side of the city, there is an abundance of beautiful buildings to see there. The best viewing of the Parliament Building is from across the river from the Buda Castle.

Without doubt a visit to Budapest is not complete without a visit to the New York New York cafe – touted as the most beautiful cafe in the World. And when you visit you will probably agree.

New York New York Cafe Ceiling

The Central Market Hall is very interesting, you will find an assortment of fresh food and oddly shaped salamis (Hungarians really love salami), as well as traditional clothing.

Note that nothing much is open on Sundays, so you might want to buy a snack for breakfast on Saturday to tide you over until you can find a restaurant.

I wasn’t aware at the time, but Budapest has an extensive thermal spa pool (Széchenyi) and is apparently quite well known for it. So definitely pack your swimmers for this visit! There are three pools outside and indoors there are fifteen smaller mineral pools that are known for their remedial benefits (however the smell might put you off a little). Towels are available for hire, so if you can, take one along and also a swimming cap.

We stayed at the Corinthia Palace. Breakfast is quite amazing – but as it should be for 30€ per person!! That does include à la carte and the largest breakfast buffet I have ever seen. Chefs cook fresh pancakes, waffles, bacon etc which can be washed down with a glass of bubbles.

You can also find one of the World’s most stunning church’s – St Stephen’s Basilica, definitely worthy of a visit. It’s ornate Neoclassical interior is stunning and it is very easy to spend several hours admiring the craftsman ship.

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Paris

I visit Paris at least once a year. The Marais is a wonderful place to stroll around and the Musée d’Orsay is one of my favourite museums in the world.

From London, the Eurostar is the best way to get there. It used to run from Waterloo but changed to Kings Cross in 2007. And it is very reasonable to go just for a day – taking an early morning train and returning in the evening.

I have stayed in the Latin quarter which still hangs on to its bohemia roots. (Stay away from the night life on Champs-Élysées – unless you enjoy trash.)

Do visit Château de Versailles – its a train ride from centre of Paris. There is a walking hall of mirrors inside and the most beautiful Orangerie. Its quite nice to boat around the impressive man made lake.

My favourite restaurant – Chez Paul is in the Marais and was recently featured in ‘The Marvellous Mrs Maisel’ – which pissed me off a bit as now everyone knows about this hidden gem. (Be impossible to get in now.)

Coincidently, a friend of mine – Gwen (who lives in Amsterdam) texted about this amazing French restaurant she had found – my Chez Paul! I’ve been going for more then fifteen years! I even took my nephew there! And bless him, he decided to be adventurous and order the ‘moelle osseuse’ (I thought it would be mussels… er no. Tis bone marrow).

I’m still trying to work out how the French make such amazing omelettes! Always light and fluffy. Best in the World!

I was last in Paris May 2018 for my birthday. We went to see a show at Lido on Av. des Champs-Élysées – and yes do refer to my initial comment about trash on this avenue.

My next visit is May 2019 to see Anoushka Shankar.