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This is my City – Glasgow

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Glasgow City Centre

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and is a UNESCO City of Music

In 2022 the Shawlands area of Glasgow was ranked number 11 in the 51 coolest neighbourhoods around the world.

Must Do

Watch a Scottish folk band play whilst drinking whiskey, eating Haggis and having a conversation with a man in a kilt. I’d recommend The Ben Nevis bar in Finneston as your best chance to get all four.

What do you like best about your city?

The music scene. Glasgow’s people are creative, intelligent and culturally aware. As such, the city has a rich and vibrant music scene. Add into that, Glaswegian love of a party and you’ve got a recipe for a great night. If you are coming to Scotland, check out this selection of the finest in Scottish bands past and present. 

Best Walk

Through Kelvingrove park, past Glasgow University and into the west end. It shows Glasgow’s nicest parts and allows you to finish with a decent coffee or a nice cocktail when you’re done. 

Related Article : Things to do in Inverness

Best Restaurants in Glasgow

The Finnieston area was described in the Times as The Shoreditch of Glasgow – that is to say, the hip and happening part of town. It feature some great eateries: The 78 is the best vegan place in town and The Gannet is the best high end restaurant. For breakfast and lunch, the Southside area is perhaps the surprising winner, with Glad Cafe and the exceptional Cafe Strangebrew. 

Best Music/Festival

Live music is Glasgow’s thing. There are lots of great venues and huge bands tour here much more than any other part of Scotland. TRNSMT Festival is the biggest innercity festival in Glasgow and is held in Glasgow Green park, which is worth visiting if the festival is on or not. 

Best Nightlife

In the West end you’ll find a thriving bar scene and legendary comedy club called The Stand. The best nightclubs to visit are Sub Club – the oldest consecutively running nightclub in the world – and SWG3 near Finneston. 

Best Day Trip Out of the City

Head out to the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lommond which is an hour away by bus. It’s a remarkable Scottish landmark with plenty to do , from hikes, to watersports to pubs and eateries. 

Something that not many tourists would know about Glasgow

Head South to Pollok Park. It’s a huge oasis of countryside, featuring a country mannor house and wildlife, from Highland cows to deer and horses. It was voted best park in Europe just a few years ago. 

Lake Cullulleraine great place for camping or caravan stop

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If you are travelling from Adelaide to Sydney and are camping or caravanning and you don’t want to stop in Mildura, then a great option is Lake Cullulleraine.

Lake Cullulleraine is about 50km on the Renmark side of Mildura. It’s quite a small town but the caravan park is located right on Lake Cullulleraine and has a nice grass verge to the lake.

There are quite a lot of local bird life and is a really nice setting for camping or caravanning. Nearby is a conservation park and there are dirt roads that lead to Lock 9 on the River Murray. There are walking trails around the lake which would be a 10km walk so would take a good amount of time and would not really recommend it in the middle of summer because it gets real hot.

Things to do in Moonta -South Australia

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The Old Moonta Railway Station

Moonta on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula is known as Australia’s Little Cornwall. This name was given due to the large number of Cornish miners that immigrated to Australia during the mid to late 19th century.

This is known as the Cornish diaspora. Today, you can see the results of this immigration in the Methodist churches in the district and also in the names of the local people of the district, generations later.

The Moonta Mines opened in 1861. The colony of South Australia had only been proclaimed and white settlement commenced 25 years earlier. In 1876 The Moonta Mining Company was the first company in Australia to pay over 1 million pounds in mining royalties.

As a free settlement South Australia had been settled to make a profit for the British Empire. Without this mining the settlement of the state would not have been a success The mine royalties were ploughed back into the colony and with that money, were then able to build the Adelaide University.

Within a few decades most of the ore had been extracted and Moonta Mines was closed in 1923. For a time Moonta was the 2nd largest town in SA and had its own tramway running through the town. Today the population numbers about 3,000-4,000.

Things to See

Moonta today is a State heritage area and a number of buildings from the mining days remain. Buildings such as Richman’s Plant, Hughes’ Engine House, School of Mines and Moonta Mines Museum. To see these sights its imperative to have a car however you can see some of the Moonta Mines area on the local Tourist Railway.

More relevant to today’s visitor, the area has magnificent family friendly beaches. There is no surf and no crowds that you get at Adelaide metropolitan beaches. There is also a 9 hole Greg Norman designed golf course The Dunes at Port Hughes for those that love to golf. In true South Australian fashion the developer ran out of money before they could build the last 9 holes – Maybe one day!

For backpackers there are a couple campgrounds at Moonta Bay or Port Hughes. These are probably better accessed by those who have a car however you can get to Moonta. I’ve added a link below about how to get to Moonta Bay and Port Hughes by bus. The bus leaves from Adelaide at the Central Bus Station in Franklin St. At the time of writing there were 4 trips per week from Adelaide to Moonta Bay leaving Adelaide in the mid afternoon. Unfortunately there is no forward bus. This will mean having to return to Adelaide or Port Wakefield to board another bus headed north.

Yorke Peninsula Coaches – link to bus services and timetables.

While you are in Moonta try Moonta’s gift to the culinary world (well actually its Cornwall’s gift to the culinary world) the Cornish Pasty. Back in the mining days vegetables would be baked inside a pastry “bag” to keep the food clean in the mine and then the pastry was thrown away and the vegetables eaten. Now we eat the pastry too and it’s a pretty good lunch.

Moonta Bay and Port Hughes could be so much more than what they are but vested interests and NIMBY’s (Not in my Backyard) seem to do their best to stifle any meaningful development in the town and have done so for 40 years. With a beach that is equal to anything you will find in Europe or Asia the area should be a tourist paradise for 6 months of the year but what you will find is empty beaches and nothing much to do or see. So if you’re looking for a place to drive to, go camping in a caravan park, going fishing off the jetty and spend the day on a beautiful beach this is your place.

In January the population of the town dramatically increases with holiday home owners spending the school holidays in Moonta. On Christmas night you see a stream of cars towing boats driving through the town to caravan parks and holiday homes. This also applies to long weekends. You will find it very difficult to find a place to stay at these times.

Places to Stay in Moonta

Links to the Best Places to stay in Moonta

Infrastructure for tourists is terrible in Moonta and the whole of the Yorke Peninsula. Government, councils and local business should collectively hang their heads in shame for the lack of tourist facilities in the region.

Today their incompetence is plain to see with historic churches falling down and being demolished, lack of accommodation and transport options. In the 1980’s the Moonta Mines tourism railway was created and 40 years later the area is very tired and nothing much has been done since then. The old Moonta Railway Station houses a Tourism Information Centre that you should visit.

Tourism in this area is generally looked at as people from Adelaide who own a holiday home. They come to the region on the weekends and school holidays to relax by the beach and fish. That is all!

Up until recently there wasn’t any place on the Yorke Peninsula that could cater for a full bus of people – so no tour groups could go there and stay overnight which is absolutely deplorable.

Here is a list of options that are available. For more details and customer reviews click the links and that will take you to TripAdvisor.

It is worthwhile to note that it will be virtually impossible to find a place to stay from December 26 to January 31. This is peak season, in the school holidays when people come from towns from all around and the city to spend the holidays by the beach. Many holiday houses will be booked out a year in advance at this time of year while the other 11 months during the week, other than in the caravan park, you will barely see a tourist. Weekends, especially long weekends, particularly Easter, also get very busy.

Motels and Caravan Parks

  1. Seagate Motel is a small motel that has fantastic views of Moonta Bay beach and jetty but also overlooks a large carpark. If fishing from the jetty is your thing then this motel is a very short walk.
  2. Moonta Bay Holiday Park – this is the old caravan park that has been there for years. It is absolutely beachfront, not the best beach around but still the beach. The holiday park has catered to many farming families over the years who take their caravans to Moonta Bay for the school holidays, hence it will be difficult to get in around those times (which is the best time to go to the beach – summer holidays). The park is a short walk to the jetty and the small general store. In the winter the beachfront is possibly not the best place to be, because it can be very windy and bad weather comes from the west, so the wind is the worst at the beachfront.
  3. BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Port Hughes – another caravan park for camping this time at Port Hughes. This caravan park has been expanded so there is a large area that is sheltered from the beach with no views and a longer walk to South Beach plus there is the old caravan park right on the water and a short walk from the best beach in the area – South Beach. So in winter the new park that has more facilities would be the better option unless you really want to be on the beach or in this case the beach in front of the caravan park has rocks not sand.
  4. Cliff House Beachfront Villas is a historic property that has been turned into tourist villas. Cliff House is unsurprisingly at the top of the cliff at Moonta Bay and overlooks the Seagate Motel, Moonta Bay and with expansive views of the water. I’ve been in this property many times (before it was updated) and the sunset views most of the year are outstanding. There are steps down to the beach and jetty area.
  5. Royal Hotel – have one room on the second floor of the pub for visitors. Probably not the place to go if you want an early night but good if you want a place for a drink and something to eat close by. The Royal Hotel is in the township of Moonta on the main road.
  6. Moonta Bay Motel is a motel at Moonta Bay set back further from the beach than the Seagate Motel but only 100 meters away on the hill.

Holiday Homes

Redwing Shearers Quarters is an 1860’s cottage which has recently been fully restored. Situated on a working farm only ten minutes from Moonta on The Copper Coast, the Shearers Quarters is the perfect place to get away from it all and relax in your fully self contained cottage.

Holiday Homes at Moonta Bay

  1. The Boat House is perfectly & quietly located within the new Patrick’s View Estate, less than a 10 minute walk to Simms Cove Beach between the Pt Hughes & Moonta Bay jetty.
  2. Moontana is a 2010 built Rivergum home located a short 300m walk from the beautiful and secluded Simms Cove, Moonta Bay. Comprising of 4 bedrooms (see description below), large open plan kitchen/lounge area, 2 bathrooms, reading room and laundry with washing machine.
  3. The Boat House is a perfectly & quietly located within the new Patrick’s View Estate, less than a 10 minute walk to Simms Cove Beach between the Pt Hughes & Moonta Bay jetty.

Holiday Homes at Port Hughes

  1. Indulge at the Dunes is a 4 bedroom home in Port Hughes located near the Dunes Golf Club. The house can comfortably sleep 8 people.
  2. Seaglass is the ideal beach holiday accommodation for families, couples & small groups. It’s conveniently located in the Patrick’s Cove Residential Estate Port Hughes.
  3. Bunker Vista – relax and unwind in this beautifully appointed 3 bedroom 2 storey home, situated in one of SA’s favourite tourist destinations within the Copper Coast of the Yorke Peninsula. Built in 2014 this home features 2 king size bedrooms plus 2 bunks in the 3rd room allowing comfortable accommodation for up to 8 people. Large kitchen/dining area and lounge. See the sunrise over the world renowned Greg Norman designed golf course ‘The Dunes’ and watch the magnificent sunsets over Spencer Gulf.

Nightlife in Moonta

For nightlife there are a few pubs in Moonta but this is a town with mostly older people. 10 backpackers with beer on the beach will be more lively than anything you’ll find in Moonta.

Really, this area has very little tourist infrastructure. There are a lot of holiday homes owned by people in Adelaide but very little else.

So if you want to see Moonta and more of Yorke Peninsula you will need a car and be quite self sufficient.  You can buy food at supermarkets, but you won’t find good nightlife or very good restaurants. So it’s camping or caravanning near the beach and enjoying beach life that will bring you to Yorke Peninsula.

Reading my article you would think that the area has nothing going for it – but No its a great area to visit with beaches better than anything I saw in Europe just no infrastructure for visitors almost to discourage people from visiting.

Some Facts about Moonta

  • In 1875 Moonta was the second largest town in South Australia pop 12,000 due to the number of miners working at the local copper mines. Large scale mining in Moonta ceased in 1923.
  • The name Moonta comes from the local Narungga word Moontera meaning impenetrable scrub land.
  • It is believed that the concept of Carols by Candlelight originated in Moonta in the 19th Century when miners gathered on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas Carols with candles attached to the brims of their safety hats.
  • Moonta was founded in 1861 as a result of the discovery of rich copper deposits in the area.
  • Moonta was known as “Little Cornwall” because of the large number of Cornish miners who migrated there to work in the copper mines.
  • The town is home to the Moonta Mines State Heritage Area, which includes a museum and a number of historic buildings and sites related to the mining industry.
  • The Moonta Mines Railway operates a heritage train service between Moonta and nearby Kadina, providing visitors with a unique way to explore the area.
  • Moonta is also famous for its Cornish pasties, which were traditionally eaten by miners as a portable and filling meal.
  • The town hosts an annual Cornish Festival, which celebrates its Cornish heritage with traditional music, dancing, and food.
  • Moonta is located on the Yorke Peninsula, a popular holiday destination known for its fishing, surfing, and scenic drives.
  • The town has been used as a filming location for a number of movies and TV shows, including “Picnic at Hanging Rock” and “The Lighthorsemen”.
  • Moonta is home to the Moonta Bay Jetty, which is popular with anglers and offers stunning views of the coastline.
Moonta Town Hall
Moonta Town Hall
Moonta Bay Jetty

Buy vs. Rent: What’s The Best Way To Drive Australia?

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motorhome parked near a hill

If you’re heading down to Australia, you might have a road trip already planned…..if you don’t you definitely should! There’s over 817,000 kilometers of roads in the country.

If you planned a trip from Sydney (in the south-east) to Perth (Western Australia), it would take you nearly two whole days to drive there.

In other words, Australia is huge, but the best way to see it is by road. Nothing compares to the freedom you experience seeing this gorgeous country from behind a steering wheel. But that begs the question – is it better to buy a used car or rent one?

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of both options:

Renting a car in Australia

In most countries, renting a car is straightforward. You can even do it at the airport. You probably know all the big rental brands anyway – Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, and Redspot. There’s also a ton of local players that offer cars.

The issue is the complex paperwork involved in getting a car hired. There could be issues with security deposits, insurance cover and the amount of distance you can cover.

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Damage excess for rentals varies greatly. Image: bayswatercarrental.com.au

You may fail to notice car damage as minor as bumps or scratches, before you leave the car rental lot. Then end up paying for damage you weren’t responsible for. The terms and conditions also apply many restrictions – not letting you take the car on a ferry, for example.

Our overall thoughts on renting a car in Australia

Overall, renting a car provides less freedom to do what you want. For a lot of travellers, renting is the least enjoyable part of travelling.

But if you’re only going to be visiting for a few days, renting a car rather than buying one might make sense.

Buying a second hand car in Australia

Prefer having more freedom to do what you want? Whilst saving money over the long term, buying a used car might be a better option in Australia.

You can easily buy a used car online and complete the paperwork in a few days. Australians love the open roads and there’s a lot of variety in the cars on offer.

Buying a second hand car can work out cheaper if you’re in Australia for longer than a few weeks. The one caveat is the need to inspect the car before you buy.

You can even sell the car for a reasonable price once your trip is done and you have to leave.  Just make sure you sell the car in the same state as you bought it to avoid extra paperwork.

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2006 Ford Focus with 6 months registration. Image: Gumtree Cars

At the end of the day, whether you buy or rent a car, depends on your budget and time in Australia.

It’s the perfect country for a road trip, so make sure you do your research and get the car you want before you land.

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Great way to save money in London

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Visiting London soon? One way that travellers can save money is by pre-purchasing a London Pass.

The London Pass is a sightseeing card which gives holders FREE ENTRY to over 60 sights and tourist attractions in London.

You pay a one off cost for the pass and then you are able to visit as many of the included tourist sites in the period that your pass is valid for.

Some of the most popular attractions which can be visited free with the London Pass are the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, London Zoo – to name but a few.

The London Pass is an ideal addition to a family holiday, romantic weekend or group trip – in fact, anyone who is travelling to London can enjoy and benefit from the pass.

Homestay in Hoi An – Orchid Garden Homestay

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Entrance Orchid Garden Homestay

I spent yesterday afternoon as guests of a Hoi An Homestay – Orchid Garden Homestay.

Orchid Garden Homestay is located on Cua Dai Road halfway between Hoi An Old Town and Cua Dai Beach. The homestay is a collection of 11 bungalows so it probably better classed as a boutique hotel or self contained units than a homestay. Of these bungalows 5 of them have a self contained kitchen if you wish to cook your own food.

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The bungalows have cable TV in a lounge room with Vietnamese style lounge chairs.

Some of the bedrooms can be set up as either a double or twin beds but you should ask about this when you book.

Some of the bungalows have 2 showers one indoor and one outdoor and this is one of the bungalows individual charm each bungalow is different from the other.

There is a nice swimming pool in the homestay which would be very welcome in the summer because Hoi An gets hot. One thing I loved about the homestay was the food. Breakfast is included in he room rate and you can have a Vietnamese breakfast or Continental European.

Looking to go to the beach? You can use the homestay’s bike and ride to the beach or in the other to the Old Town. If you need some information the receptionists speak excellent English.

Rates at Orchid Garden Homestay range from US$40-70 per night.

Private tour of Pompeii

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pompeii

On a summers day in August 79AD the people of Pompeii were going about their everyday tasks oblivious to the danger watching over them.

The previous day was Vulcanalia (the festival for the Roman God of Fire) and in honour of the day Mount Vesuvius was likely speaking to the people. Little did they know it was about to roar to life burying the town for the next 1500 years.

Scientists say it’s most likely people were killed by a pyroclastic flow which is a surge of heat produced when a volcano erupts so when the town was excavated people were found exactly where they were when disaster struck, with no ability to try and escape the eruption.

For the next 6 hours ash rained on the town, until it was under 15 metres of ash and buried for the next 1500 years.

In 1599 a wall of Pompeii was uncovered but quickly forgotten again until the 19th century when the site was discovered and excavated.

Ever since Pompeii has been an important tourist attraction and a must on The Grand Tour of gentlemen in the 19th century and tourists today.

Today Pompeii is  UNESCO World Heritage listed and attracts well over 2 million visitors per year.

The best way to counter the crowds and the multitude of tour groups in their big buses is to take a Pompeii & Vesuvius private tours.

This will allow you to bypass the waiting for other people, be able to see gems that private travel guides know rather than see the same thing, walking the route that thousands of people on the tour buses have done before and are doing that day.

By taking Private tours in Italy it gives you the ability to customise your experience seeing the things that you are interested in, not the same old experience that everyone gets on group tours.

Try using travel guides and private tours you will find that you can get a more pleasant and customised experienced and a better holday all round.

5 Adult things to do on The Gold Coast

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When everyone thinks of the Gold Coast the first thing that springs to mind are the theme parks. But what about the adults, what do they do when they visit the Gold Coast?

There are plenty of adult  things to do away from the main theme park stretch of the Gold Coast nowhere near the screaming and tantrums of those little munchkins.

Most people will go to the Gold Coast for about 5-7 days so I’ve given a quick rundown of a few things to do in that time.

  1. The quest for the perfect photo.

Everyone wants to come back with the iconic photo looking down the coast beach one side high rise buildings the other. Here are 3 ways you can get some great shots.

Firstly the romantic way. Hot Air Gold Coast offer a range of champagne breakfast/balloon ride packages over the Gold Coast hinterland, a great way to get some fantastic photos and a great way to spend the morning.

Hot Air Gold Coast will pick you up from your Gold Coast Hotel.

If you’d like to do get in the air with a little more adrenaline maybe a helicopter ride or Tiger Moths maybe more appealing.

There are a number of companies offering 15 minute helicopter scenic flights over the Gold Coast. For then even more adventurous Tiger Moth Joy Flights operate out of an airfield in Pimpama.

If none of that appeals you can always get 360 degree views from the Q1 Observation Deck at the top of the Q1 building. You also have the option of the 90 minute Skypoint climb which is the highest external building climb in Australia.

   2. Meeting the wildlife

Experience Australian wildlife by feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas. There are bird shows, sheep shearings, Aboriginal performances and treetop ropes courses at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a must for overseas visitors who’d like to see Australian wildlife up close.

You can see Pelican feeding daily at 1.30pm at Ian Dipple Lagoon, 371 Marine Pde Labrador. You should get there early to witness the pelicans gathering before feeding time. Pack your swimmers and a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it.

3. Around the Water

As you can imagine Gold Coast life revolves around the sea, surf and beach.

There are a number of water based activities to try.

You can learn to surf – there are many surf schools along the Gold Coast where you can learn to hang 10 and allow the inner child to show through. If you like your surfing a little less wet you can go to the Surf World Museum at Currumbin.

For horse riders you can ride along the beach try Tassiriki Ranch for details.

Lastly for the adrenaline junkies there are the power boats. Paradise Jet Boating will give you an action packed ride over the water.

4. Food

Gold Coast boasts some great restaurants and also Jupiters Casino where you will find 5 different restaurants.

Ask your hotel concierge for a local recommendation.

5. Health and Fitness

If a relaxing holiday is more your forte then there are many options for you.

If pampering is what you need there are many day spas where you can find your peace and look your best.

For fitness and well being every Monday and Wednesday morning Tai Chi classes are held at Justin Park Burleigh Heads and Australian School of Meditation also hold free yoga classes you need to contact them for more details.

If golf is your thing there are many great course on the Gold Coast try the Emerald Lakes Golf Club or the Links Hope Island Resort there are may others though.

There are plenty of things for adults to do on the Gold Coast and every place you go doesn’t have to end in the name World

Villa in Sicily

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infinity pool

Renting a luxury villa in Sicily can open up a world of opportunities and experiences that you would not normally get from staying in a large hotel. If you want to find a villa that is right for you and your family, you need the right agent who not only understands the area but also the needs of the customer.

Villas offer the unrivalled experience of living like a local, so that you can enjoy the luxurious surroundings of a character property in a relaxing pool, surrounded by lush landscapes and breathtaking sea views.

Finding the right villa in Sicily for your holiday can be a daunting task, particularly when there is a language barrier. There are plenty of websites for renting villas, but sometimes it is just easier to give the difficult task of finding a villa to an agent.

The best agents will have personal knowledge of Sicily and will be able to offer advice about location, customs and even excursions. They should also be able to answer any questions about the finer details of renting the property before you choose to go ahead.

When dealing with a rental property, especially a luxury villa with a pool, it is always best to prepare for the unexpected. Like any other holiday property, you will probably find something that you didn’t expect, whether it is the situation of the villa, the decorative features or the proximity to neighbours, but it is important to keep an open mind. Your own personal idea of what luxury villas should look like may be very different to the opinions and tastes of a local, so it is essential to keep this in perspective. No matter what property you choose, your villa will always offer more space and freedom than a large luxury hotel.

Benefits of renting a villa

The best part of renting a villa is the freedom it can bring to you and your family. If you love to see all of the local attractions, then you certainly have the opportunity to see them at your own pace. Sometimes the best moments are spent enjoying all the facilities that the villa has to offer. This is especially true for children, who will love to run around freely or splash about in the pool. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore the local area, get to know the owners or the neighbours and really immerse yourself in authentic Sicilian culture. Sicily has a long and fascinating history that has been shaped by its ancient Phoenician, Greek and Roman influences. To explore all the wonderful historic sites of this fascinating island, like Syracuse and Catania, there’s no better choice than spending your holiday in a luxury Sicilian villa.

Top 5 attractions of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

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Castle in Armenia

The tours to Armenia and the beautiful old region Nagorno-Karabakh are becoming popular day by day. This area amazes by its old and difficult history, colorful traditions, exotic national dishes and, of course, a huge number of attractions. In this article you’ll be able to have a closer touch with this amazing country. You will learn about most famous attractions of Armenia and the region Nagorno- Karabakh located to the east of the country.

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Geghard Monastery

Gaghard Monastery is one of the most famous in Armenia. It is included in almost all tour packages. The uniqueness of the temple is that it has rock architecture and its part is carved in the rock. The exact date of its construction is not known yet however, it is supposed that the monastery was built in the 4th century and first was called Ayrivank translated as Cave Monastery.

Later it was renamed into Geghard or Geghardavank (a monastery of spear). This name was given because of the spear of Loginus that for a long time had been kept in the monastery. Geghard Monastery impresses by its rough simplicity and majesty seemingly borrowed by surrounding landscapes – equally severe and amazing.

Tatev Monastery

This amazing architectural creation is an absolutely must for all those who wants to travel to Armenia. It is a masterpiece of medieval architecture of the 9th century. You can get to the monastery by the world famous rope way which is included into the Guinness Book of Records because of its length (5,7 km). You will fly over the amazing gorge for 15 minutes. At the end of the way you will see Tatev Monastery – impressive and majestic as though soaring over the surrounding mountains.

Ghazanchetsots Cathedral

The town of Shoushi is one of the most famous in Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is famous for its tragic 200-year history. It is a real symbol of the tireless struggle of Armenians and their belief in a brighter future. One of the most popular and exciting attractions of the town is the majestic Church Ghazanchetsots (Church of Holy Savior). It is one of the largest Armenian churches in the world.

The temple was built in 1888 from white limestone and decorated with the finest exquisite carvings. While visiting the temple, you will be impressed by its graceful design and spirituality. The temple is also known for its unique acoustic hall located under the altar, in which man’s voice changes unrecognizably and sounds like a stranger’s. Ghazanchetsots Church is the perfect embodiment of the architectural talent of Armenian people.

Gandzasar Monastery

In Nagorno-Karabakh near the river Khachen, there is another great architectural monument. It symbolizes wisdom and centuries-old Christian traditions. We are speaking about the Gandzasar Monastery (Church of St. John the Baptist).

The construction  began in 1216 and was completed in 1238. People differently call this beautiful creation. “The greatest miracle of Armenian architecture”. Also”the church similar to the Heaven’s dome temple”, “a perfect creation”. The church is also famous around the world because it keeps the head of John the Baptist buried under the altar. So once in Nagorno-Karabakh try not to miss this majestic site. It would be a great omission!

Hunot Canyon

Hunot Canyon is a natural miracle of Nagorno-Karabakh. This canyon is a State Natural-Historical Reserve which by its stunning beauty leaves the visitors in awe. The tourists who choose to travel around the canyon will be able to discover amazing waterfalls, forests, caves, ruins of ancient settlements, and numerous historical and architectural wonders. An excellent place for hiking lovers! There you can choose among the three trials marked with signs.

For example, Routе 1 will lead you to the popular picturesque waterfall called Mamrot Qar or Umbrella. It got this name not by chance: the water here falls from a cave that resembles a big umbrella covered with moss. This impressive natural monument surprises visitors of all ages, and is a highlight of the canyon. Route 2 will lead you to the ruins of Hunot village which was founded in the 18th century and was abandoned in the 20th century. During the hike the tourists can explore interesting remains of old buildings and cemeteries. Hunot Canyon has lots of other unique surprises for its visitors, so if you decide to have a Holiday in Nagorno-Karabakh try to necessarily visit this attraction.

If you’d like more information on Armenia go to the official tourism website of Armenia 

Food and Cuisine of Hoi An – Paradise in Vietnam for the Food Lover

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Food in Hoi An

A trip to Vietnam is not complete without visiting Hoi An, a Unesco World Heritage Site. While not being a large town (120,000 people) there are plenty of things to see in Hoi An and you can easily spend 3 days seeing the major sights, most of all enjoying the local cuisine that includes some fantastic regional specialties.

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The history of Hoi An is predominately based around trading and Hoi An was the most important trading port in the South China Sea in the 17th and 18th centuries, trading in ceramics and spices, which were exported all over Asia.

The legacy of this history is some very old and historic buildings and a rich cuisine with some external influences, such as the French, Japanese and Chinese.

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Banh Mi

The main culinary gift the French exported to Vietnam was the baguette and is the base of the Banh Mi.

The Vietnamese baguette is lighter than the French variety, it’s made with rice flour as well as wheat flour. Added to the baguette is pork, sometimes egg and pate’ which is almost always made at home. Then add coriander (cilantro),

Cucumber,onion, mint and mayonnaise and often pickled carrot and daikon radish. Some chilli or sweet chilli sauce is also added depending on your tolerance level.

It’s a great and cheap meal to have for lunch and backpackers are seen at all the local Banh Mi shops.

The most visited Banh Mi shop in Hoi An is Banh Mi Phuong which was made famous on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

Hoi An Crispy Pancake

Another great snack and regional specialty is the Hoi An Crispy Pancake. In Vietnamese called Banh Xeo – sizzling cake.

It’s similar enough to crepes to think there maybe a French influence in this dish as well.

The pancake is made from rice flour, turmeric and coconut milk/cream and then bean sprouts,shrimp and pork are added to the batter.

Once the batter is cooked rice paper is used as a base next layer the pancake and then put cucumber, green banana coriander (cilantro), mint on top of the pancake and roll it like it’s a cold roll and eat. Just fantastic!

You can buy the pancakes in the local market and you eat them with your hands, true street food.

This dish is taught at most of the local cooking schools of which there are many.

Cao Lau Noodles

This noodle dish is something you will only find in Hoi An and the legend that surrounds it, is that the taste and texture can only be achieved using water from the Ba Le water wheel (although it is quite likely an urban myth).

It’s also said the ash of a burnt local tree gives the dish its taste and texture.

Nobody can be sure of the origins of the dish but the fact that it is unique to Hoi An and is reminiscent of a Japanese or Chinese noodle dish, you would think that it is a local attempt to replicate a Chinese or Japanese

dish a few centuries ago to sell to the traders.

Different restaurants cook the dish in slightly different ways the dish is normally pork, noodle and vegetable with a broth and sauce.

There are many Cao Lau noodle makers in Hoi An outside of the old town where you can enjoy a bowl of Cao Lau Noodles

You can see the noodles being made all over town being laid to dry on the pathways, out the front of the homes of the noodle makers.

Crispy Wontons

This dish is out of left field and something I would more likely expect to see in Mexico. In Vietnamese this dish is called Hoanh Thanh.

Crispy Wontons are fried wontons filled with pork. It’s a bit like a fried tortilla but the thing that’s most Mexican like is the salsa that’s added at the end.

It’s a tomato based salsa with vegetables and coriander (cilantro), it’s a fresh taste that’s ideal for the hot climate in the area.

Pho

If you are in Vietnam you will find Pho (pronounced) fur everywhere. The Hoi An variety is much like the Saigon style which is a lighter broth with star anis, very floral with plenty of herbs.

The more north you travel the more that Pho tends to change to a more winter like soup by European tastes.

Unlike in Europe the soup is eaten for breakfast in Vietnam and you will find Pho in nearly all the places you go in Vietnam.

It’s a taste sensation when done well and you’ll find everyone will have a different master stock so no two restaurants will have Pho’s that are exactly the same.

Hoi An is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam and should be on the itinerary of every food lover visiting Vietnam

Relax with nature in Tuscany at Oasi Maremma Village

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The thought of Tuscany brings evocative images into my mind. The sun setting behind a vineyard as you snack on olives and sip on your glass of wine.

I guess everyone gets a different picture in their mind when they think if a certain place and that’s my image of Tuscany.

One place where you can satisfy that desire is at Oasi Maremma Village where you can let one of 48 newly built apartments for you holiday in Tuscany.

There are many things to see and do near Oasi Maremma Village and is very close to Scarlino a small medieval village on Alma Mountain, with a view of the blue sea.  Scarlino’s history is linked to the noble Aldobrandeschi family, dating back to the eleventh century.

Walk along its medieval walls to the Rocca Aldobrandesca castle, walk through ancient streets and encounter the Romanesque atmosphere of the San Donato church, dating back to the 12th Century.

Only 40km away is Grosetto a town that dates back to the 9th century, see the 16th Century Medicean Walls and Grosseto cathedral you can spend a great day exploring the town and its history. You could spend days exploring all the churches, abbeys and palaces in Grosseto but you may not want to because Siena and Florence are only a 2 hour drive away as well.

Within the city walls you can visit

  • Church of San Francesco. Situated in the square, it was built in the 13th-century, initially an important Benedectine, later Franciscan convent. The complex underwent several restorations and reconstructions: the bell was rebuilt in the first half of the 20th century.
  • Convent of Clarisse. Located on strada Vinzaglio, the convent is annexed to the Church of Bigi. The convent of Clarisse and the church of Bigi are now desecrated. The entire complex is characterized by the probable medieval origins, which was followed by a series of restorations in Baroque style in the 17th century.
  • Church of San Pietro. The oldest religious building in town, it was built along the stretch of the Via Aurelia that crossed the center and was originally a plebeian and stational church along the old consular road.
  • Church of Misericordia (19th century). It belonged to various religious orders during the following centuries, before moving on brotherhood in the early decades of the 19th century.

Another daytrip you could take is to Portoferraio best known as the location of Napoleon’s first exile (Elba) there are a number of historic forts on the island for you to visit, you can get to Elba on a ferry from Piombino.

And if the history is not enough you have the beach and there is a great sand beach nearby for you to swim and spend some time in the sun.

For more information about accommodation at Oasi Maremma Village please go to the website oasimaremma.it

The City that lost its Glory – Hue

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Hue Palace Gates

After leaving Hanoi we had our first experience of the Reunification Express. We were in the Livitrans carriages – the most expensive and the first impression we got – cockroaches and plenty of them! Anyway other than the cockroaches it was an uneventful and uncomfortable trip.

Arriving in Hue was a nice culture shock because the incesant noise of Hanoi was over and Hue is a much smaller and laidback town.

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The majority of hotels, backpackers and bars were in a small 3 or 4 block area and prices are cheap for food especially.

During the day we visited the Citadel which contained the palaces and capital buildings of the Nguyen Dynasty rulers of Vietnam from 1805 to 1945. The citadel has what I would politely call a run down charm to the place. Saying that looked like work was starting to be done and it seems to have survived the last 50 years and everything that went on around it in OK shape.

It is Vietnam’s answer to the Forbidden city.

Also while we were in Hue we took a cruise on the Perfume River, It was a bit of a waste of time and money -although it wasn’t expensive 100,000 dong I think. Our time might have been better spent going to one of the pagodas.

One other thing that was noticeable was there were more cyclo drivers offering prostitutes and marijuana in Hue than other places I’ve been in so far. Haven’t been to Saigon or Vung Tau yet though!

Hue also has a number of pagodas you can visit plus tours to the tunnels in the demilitarised zone. Due to fact that we had been travelling so much the previous days we didn’t do any of this and treated Hue as a bit of a rest and relaxation time.

Trekking in Sapa

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Sapa

Our trip to Sapa began at Hanoi and our train trip to Lao Cai near the Chinese border. We decided to take the Sapaly Express the highest price option.

The train to Lao Cai has a number of different names but are the same train. The train was borderline comfortable, the trains in Vietnam are certainly not up to the standard of Thai first class.

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So after a night on the train we arrived in Lao Cai early morning where we had a car waiting for us, The car cost $30 and was arranged by the hotel.

My first impression of Sapa was a mountain town surrounded by low cloud almost a combination between Asia and Switzerland.

There are not many things to do in Sapa town itself you can graze between French style cafes and restaurants and you can relax at a few Massage joints.

Most of your time however will be spent trying to dissuade the local hawkers trying to sell their wares. Sapa also has a large number of shops selling North Face and Columbia hiking gear. (you can also buy this in Hanoi at pretty much the same price).

The big earner (other than the hotels) are village tours. The trek in Sapa are run by local guides we had a local Black Hmong villager called Soo whose English was very good. She took us from Sapa up hill down dale through the Sapa countryside. The walk was 13km but felt like more for my bloated, unfit body.

The tours themselves were very enjoyable and if you are lucky and go on a clear and sunny day it would be heaven for people who enjoy photography.

However the downside is the hawkers. You appear to get 2 Black Hmong villagers who walk along with you and over the day you strike a rapport with them but as soon as you get to the village its all bets off and you get a severe hard sell. After buying a couple things from the 2 women who walked with us we were surrounded by about another 20 of them wanting you to buy their stuff.

So in the ended up spending $20 on a couple things I’ll never use plus the $28 for the guide.

Is it worth it, considering it cost $90 round trip on the train plus higher hotel rates – I’m not sure to be totally honest but I think if the weather was better I might not be writing this.