Category: Europe

 

I never tire of visiting the many countries that make up Europe.  I share all my stories, photos and travel experiences from my many travels to this continent.

Reflections From 2018

2018 was an especially good year for travel. I was fortunate to be able to travel somewhere fun almost every month, both in the US and overseas.

Many of the locations that I visited were new to me, including a new continent-Africa. I also revisited some of my favorite cities-London, Istanbul and Washington D.C. I have written about my experiences for many of these destinations-but some are still sitting in my draft que, waiting to be finished (one of the resolutions for 2019 before I start traveling again).

Continue reading “Reflections From 2018”

PhotoPOSTcard: Remembering With Flames

To commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I, 10,000 flames were lit nightly for eight nights in the moat surrounding the Tower of London. Beyond the Deepening Shadow is a public project designed to commemorate the lives of the fallen. A moving choral sound track also accompanied the flames and provided a somber setting as London residents walked the full circle of the tower in order to take it all in.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

PhotoPOSTcard: The Tower Bridge at Night

Built in the late 1800’s, London’s iconic Tower Bridge is busy at all hours of the day and night. In advance of the 2012 London Olympics, the bridge received a new face lift as all the old paint was removed and the bridge was repainted in shades of blue and white. The Tower Bridge is near the Tower of London and both can be visited together.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: A Musical Coffee Break

London is well known for its theater scene. At any one time there can be over 40 productions to choose from. And, just like in New York, you can get good, last minute, inexpensive seats at a range of popular shows. There are a number of outlets that provide cheap tickets. I went through Encore Tickets and scored a third row seat for the musical Kinky Boots for about $35. As expected, the quality of the production was fantastic. And the best part was that I was able to take the Underground and was back at my hotel in about 20 minutes. No parking or driving hassles – just a lovely and relaxing evening out. An experience I highly recommend.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Five Red Phone Boxes and a Ballerina

This row of five red phone boxes in Broad Court in Covent Garden, London are an Instagram staple. But what you don’t often see in the photos is the lovely bronze ballerina statue that sits right in front of them. The statue is by Italian artist Enzo Plazzota and celebrates the nearby Opera House and School of Ballet. Personally, I think the statue adds to the photo.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Stairway to Gothic Heaven

The stairway of the beautifully restored St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. That is actually somewhat fitting since the hotel is across the street from Kings Cross Station and the fabled platform 9 3/4. More important, for the muggle traveler, the hotel is also next door to the St. Pancras train station which makes it a convenient luxury resting spot for those taking the Eurostar train to the continent. Regardless of whether you stay there or not, this historic hotel and its grand Gothic interior is a beautiful visit.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Egg-centric London Underground Art

I happened upon this art installation at Gloucester Underground Station just by chance. My hotel was just across the street so this was the station that I was coming to and going from for a few days in London. A little bit of Google research told me that this bit of egg-centric art is called “my name is lettie eggsyrub” by British artist Heather Phillipson, and was only recently installed in June, 2018. This work is one of a number of decorative installations that are part of the Art on the Underground projects which are designed to “enrich the journeys of millions on the Tube every day”.  Apparently “for this commission she [Ms. Phillipson] focused on the egg as an object of reproduction, subject to human interference.” And here I though it was a reference to good breakfast restaurants in the area – shows you what I know. Now I am on a mission to find more London Underground art.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Prague Sunset View from the Old Town Hall

Prague’s Old Town Hall is best known for its elaborate astronomical clock. Most people don’t go beyond standing in front of the clock at the top of the hour to watch the various pieces go through their motions. But you can also take a guided tour of the inside of the Old Town Hall and learn about its history and architecture dating back to the 16th century. My favorite experience was climbing to the top of the tower and getting this beautiful sunset view of the Prague skyline and the castle.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

Please note that my Old Town Hall tour was sponsored by the Prague City Tourism office, but all content is my own.