In his 1961 hit song “Marieke”, the Belgian singer, Jacques Brel sings about a Flemish girl, Marieke, whom he once loved and lived “between the towers of Bruges and Gent. It is the only song where he sings both in his native French language and in Flemish.
Towers played an important part in medieval life. In addition to the religious significance of towers and their associated spires, the observations towers played an important role in protecting the cities where they stood. Fire was a persistent problem in medieval times and the sooner it was spotted the better.
There are three medieval towers that overlook the old city centre towers in Gent (Ghent). The most famous is the 14th century 91-metre-tall (298.5 ft) Belfry of Ghent. The other two belong to Saint Bavo Cathredral and Saint Nicholas’s Church. Originally the tower of Saint Nicholas’s Church served as the main watchtower in Ghent, but in 1442, the watchmen moved to the Belfry.
St Bavo’s Cathedral is the oldest parish church in the heart of Ghent. It stands on the site of a 10th century church and a 12th century Romanesque church. In medieval times Gent was a rich and powerful city and the church that stood on this site was converted during the 15th and 16th centuries into the impressive St Bavo’s Cathedral.
Bruges on the other hand has one main tower, the Belfry of Bruges. It was constructed originally in the 13th century. Over the years it has its fair share of misfortunate, suffering from 3 major fires but being rebuilt each time. Like the towers of Ghent it is a UNESCO heritage site. The tower was originally used as an observation post. At 83 meters high with a climb of 366 steps you too can observe the local landscape. It is definitely worth the effort.
There is a second tower in Bruges worth paying a visit. The Poertoren or Gunpowder Tower. Built originally as a defensive tower in 1397 it was eventually used to store gunpowder hence its name still used to day. This was in fact one of two towers that sat either side of the Minnewater Bridge over the canal and were known as the Waterpoort or Water Gate.
Bruges is by far the most popular tourist attraction of this two beautiful cities but it would be almost criminal not to visit Gent if you are in the area. Almost untouched during the Second World War, a stroll around the city centre will take you back centuries as the place is so well preserved.
Once of the best ways to see both cities is by foot, Gent has the largest pedestrianised areas in Belgium, but if you want to take an even more leisurely tour, then both provide the opportunity to see many of the sites by taking a trip on a canal boat.
There is so much culture and history in these two magnificently beautiful cities, we haven’t needed to mention, waffles, chocolate or beer to grab your attention.
Take a view from the towers or Bruges and Ghent. Contact Maggie today to visit these medievel gems.
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Posted inActivities, Belgium, Bruges, Europe, Gent, Ghent, Historical
This is the tite of the national song of the Cayman Islands written by Leila Ross-Shier in 1930. Born on the island in 1896 she wrote a number of hymns and ballads. The national anthem of the island still remains “God Save the Queen”, but Ross-Shier’s lyrics are a more apt song for the island. Dear, verdant island, set in blue Caribbean Sea, If you are heading for the Caribbean then you are almost certainly heading for a beach to relax on, and the Cayman Islands certainly have those. According to some, the beaches here are amongst the best in the world. With the average temperature in the Cayman Islands of 28°C, it’s perfect for all year-round destination. January is the coolest month with temperatures around 25°C. Still warm enough to sit outside. With enough diving sites for each day of the year, there are diving experiences for all ages and abilities. The islands are widelayWidely recognised as the birthplace of recreational diving, exploring the underwater world around the Cayman Islands is not to be missed. There are diving experiences on offer for all ages and abilities with qualified instructors on hand for those wanting to learn. With crystal clear waters you can expect to see colourful, abundant marine life, trenches, chasms and wrecks. If you do not dive, there are schools offering tuition or you could try your hand at snorkelling just off shore. Not keen on putting your head under the water. There is plenty to do on the surface of the water, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and kitesurfing are all available. There are several land based activities to enjoy in the Cayman Islands. The main island of Grand Cayman is fairly flat and its possible to follow the Mastic Trail which is well signposted and guided tours are available. The Mastic Trail is based on a traditional footpath that had fallen into disuse. In 1994 and 1995 it was restored and reopened as a 4 km walking track that passes through the Mastic reserve (a mainly forested area), traversing the central part of Grand Cayman from south to north. The southern part includes a 170 m hand-built rock causeway, known as the “Mastic Bridge”, through black mangrove forest. Other activities such as bird watching at the islands’ sanctuaries to kayaking through mangroves; learning about different flora and fauna. Naturalists will love the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park where the rare, indigenous, Blue Iguana roams and marvel at the spectacular stalagmites and stalactites of the Crystal Caves are all available. The most popular acitivity for visitors to the islands is a trip to Stingray City where you can see, touch, and even hold a stingray! The “city” is a sandbar near a channel in Cayman’s barrier reef. Historically, fisherman used to come to the sandbar to clean the fish they had caught throughout the day. They threw the unwanted bits overboard, which started attracting stingrays. Eventually, this practice grew and became a tourist activity. Contact Maggie today to book your trip to Stingray City and maybe whilst you are there, spend some time relaxing on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. This edition we will be visiting the birthplace of the Greek composer Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou, otherwise known as Vangellis. He is probably best known in the UK as the composer of the soundtrack for the film “Chariots of Fire”. The 1981 film is based on the true story of two British athletes in the 1924 Olympics. The soundtrack won the academy award for the best soundtrack. All that running along the beach reminds us that the main attractions of Vangellis’ birthplace Agrai, are the beaches and water based activities. Away from the more popular Greek tourist destinations you will not find the beaches along this stretch of coastline so crowded in the summer months. Many of the towns and villages along the coastline here, have mooring facilities and many people will hire boats and yachts for the day or longer. The sea area is called the Pagasetic Gulf and provides good sailing conditions. In fact it gets its name from the town of Pagasae, which according to Greek mythology is where Jason built his ship the “Argo” and sailed on his adventures. Within the gulf itself sail off to the tiny island of Trickeri. You will find no cars of this lush green island. However you will find numerous hiking trails and you can walk from one side of the island to the other in less than an hour. There are no cars on the lush green island. There are some narrow lanes, but no actual roads, and most of the island’s infrastructure consists of hiking trails. On the way you will getting some stunning views across the island and the gulf. On the highest point of the island you will find the Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. There are a number of reasons why the island is so undeveloped by modern standards. One of them is that for hundreds of years the island had been abandoned after the island was used as a base for pirates. In the 18th century a monk decided to go and live there and legend says that he found an icon to the Virgin Mary and built a church next to the ruins of an old one. Another is that during and after the Greek Civil War, the island was used to house political prisoners. From 1946 to 1953 the camp housed up to 4,700 mainly female prisoners who held left wing views. You could use this as a base to explore the Thessalian Sporades to the east by boat. This area consists of 24 islands in the Aegean Sea, four of which are permanently inhabited. picturesque Alonnisos, cosmopolitan Skiathos, idealic Skopelos and quiet Skyros. Give yourself 3 days or more to explore this area. Like the gulf itself, sailing conditions are pretty ideal most of the time. Distances between the islands are small and you can shelter from the wind in the many bays along the coastlines of the islands. Sail in the footsteps of Jason and the Argonauts, contact Maggie today. Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. Houses iced in whitewash guard a pale shore-line These opening lyrics to the 1969 song “Formentera Lady” by British band, King Crimson helps to explain why many musicians have found inspiration on the tiny island of Formentera over the years. Whilst King Crimson drew their inspiration in the 60s, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) was being inspired in the noughties for his album “On an island”. We couldn’t find a video of King Crimson performing their track, we hope that you enjoy this version by Colin Barley. Formentera is the smallest of the inhabited Balearic Islands. It is also the most southerly and only accessible by boat from Ibiza. It only has around 12,000 permanent residents and is famed for its pristine white sandy beaches. Being fairly flat, all parts of the island are easily accessible by bike as well as moped or car. The British left their influence on the island in terms of what are called Martello towers. These towers were built in numbers around the British Empire to defend its territories from enemies, especially the French. The towers would house around 25 men and typically one large gun on the flat roof. With walls at least 8 feet thick they could withstand a bit of a battering from naval artillery. Note in the photo below, the entrance door was 10 feet above the ground and access gained via a ladder. It is said that Bob Dylan spent four months living on the island in the windmill below (he probably stayed in the house next door). If it is good enough for Bob Dylan, then it’s probably an excellent destination for the rest of us. He came for the peace and quiet and in the past 40 years, the island still pulses at a much slower rate than the other larger Balearic islands. The authorities are attempting to restrict the number of tourists and in particular the number of tourist cars, either hire cars or private cars coming via ferry from Ibiza. The plan is to protect the existing infrastructure and natural habit of the island. To visit this little gem of an island contact Maggie today to book your flights, ferries and accommodation. Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. “Indiana Wants Me” is a 1970 song written by Canadian singer R Dean Taylor. It is reputed that he wrote the song after seeing the film “Bonnie and Clyde”. Whilst Indiana might have wanted R Dean Tayor, we want to visit Indiana and in particular the state capital of Indianapolis. The most famous event in the Indianapolis year, is the Indianapolis 500 motor race, which including practice and qualifying takes up most of the month of May. If you are contemplating attending next year’s race, it might be wise to start making plans now, and book your flights, hotel and race tickets. Compared to the price of tickets for say, the British Formula One Grand Prix, tickets for the Indy 500 are very reasonable. Tickets for a practice day start at $10, whilst general admission on race day starts from $35 and reserved seats from $50. If you don’t manage to get to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for race day then a visit to the track museum is still a must for any motorsport fan. The museum has one of the largest collections of racing, antique and classic cars in the world including 30 that have one of the Indy 500. Treat yourself to the 2 hour private golf cart tour for just $20. (All prices are correct at the time of writing July 2021). After you have been to the track you may well be asking what else is there to see and do in Indianapolis. The answer is that there is plenty. Check out the White River State Park. Here you will find 250 acres which contains the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians, the Indiana State Museum, a zoo, a canal with gondolas, Indianapolis Indians baseball, an IMAX cinema, an amphitheatre, the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Indiana Cultural Trail, plus many cycling and walking trails. If you are taking children, then do not miss out on a visit to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. It is reputedly the largest museum in the world devoted to children. It us rated as one of the best museums in the USA. Founded in 1925, it has almost half a million square feet of exhibition space and includes an outdoor sports area, where children can try out amongst other things, basketball, golf and pedal race cars. The museum is designed to be as hands-on and inactive as possible. For history lovers, there are museums and several memorials in the city commemorate armed forces or conflict, including the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza. Indianapolis is the home to the largest collection outside Washington DC of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties in the USA. Well we haven’t got out of Indianapolis. Indiana still wants us and unlike R Dean Tayor, Travellogs can go back there another day. To book your flights, hotel and tickets for the Indy 500 contact Maggie today. Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. With little on the UK Government’s Green List to choose from. The lyrics of the track “Costa Rica” by Canadian Singer-Songwriter had a bit more weight. A slight editing of the lyrics gives us “I wanna leave this place yeah to never be found” … “Let’s go to Costa Rica”. I guess some of us are feeling that way about wanting to get abroad and hey, wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere different. Over the past few years Costa Rica has become an increasingly popular tourist destination. It’s not difficult to see why. It seems to have it all. Rainforests, beaches and volcanoes are just the start. Costa Rica literally means “Rich Coast” and most tourists will base themselves on the coast. With its many soft sandy beaches and swaying palms you might be forgiven for thinking that you were in paradise. With 800 miles of coastline adjoining the Pacific and the Caribbean you are sure to find one that suits you. Home to over 20 National Parks, Costa Rica has really developed itself as an Ecotourism destination. The Corcovado National is internationally renowned for its biodiversity and visitors can expect a wide range of wildlife including all four Costa Rican monkey species. Costa Rica is the first tropical country to have stopped and reversed deforestation. We like volcanoes here at Travellogs, especially when they are connected with thermal spas. There are 6 active and over 60 dormant volcanoes in Costa Rica. You could do worse than stay somewhere like the “Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa and Resort. The hotel consists of just 54 rooms with great views of the volcano and a less than 5 minute walk from the Eco Termales Fortuna thermal pools. Amongst those volcanoes is Arenal Volcano, about 56 miles northwest of the capital city of San Jose. The volcano is 5,358 ft (1633 m) high. After being dormant for many years it erupted in 1968 destroying a nearby town. It continued to erupt until 2010 since when it has been dormant again. It is one of the countries’ most popular tourist destinations and is very popular with hikers. In those many National Parks you will find over over 500,000 species of animals, including scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, colourful butterflies, humpback whales, iguanas, sea turtles, and sloths. According to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica is ranked as the Number 1 happiest country in the world. It states “Strong social networks, investment in health and education and a deep connection to nature may help explain why Costa Ricans are happier and live longer than the residents of most rich nations. A national commitment to environmental protection and use of renewable energy also keeps Costa Rica’s Ecological Footprint small.” For your holiday of a lifetime contact Maggie today. Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. Solsbury Hill was written and performed by former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel. It was his debut single after his split from the band, and it is widely acknowledged that the song is about his thoughts around his decision to leave them. Solsbury Hill itself is a small flat-topped hill, that was once an iron age fort which gives splendid views of the city of Bath. In fact the name “Solsbury” maybe derived from the Celtic god, Solis who was worshipped at the thermal spring in Bath itself. The thermal springs at Bath has always been a focal point for visitors to the city. Google must see and things to do in Bath and the thermal springs aka the Roman Baths will be on the top of almost every list. Within a few years of the Roman Invasion of Britain, they constructed a temple on the site of the baths and the settlement that developed here was called “Aquae Sulis” (The Waters of Sulis). Today you can visit the baths which are well preserved and sympathically restored. The baths were used to a greater or lesser extent over the centuries, but it was around 130 years ago that they become popular as a focus for the Georgians, after claims were made for the curative properties of the thermal waters. In 2019 the city was the 11th most visited destinations for overseas visitors to the UK just behind Oxford and Cambridge. Most visitors come to see the superbly preserved Georgian buildings constructed from Bath stone. Amongst the most widely recognised sites is the Royal Crescent, this is in part due to its popularity in TV and film, including most recently the very popular Netflix series Bridgerton. There is an excellent museum that has recently refurbished at No.1 that promises you an immersive experience to show you what live was like 250 years ago for both the wealthy and poor citizens of Bath. In 1987 Bath was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO and there are many other note-worthy attractions and views the city including the Circus, the Assembly Rooms, the Pump Rooms and Pulteney Bridge. It is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides. There is so much to see and do in Bath you will need more than a day. You will find a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget and you will not be short on choices of places to eat and drink. If you want some time out from the hustle and bustle of the city, then head for the Abbey where you will find some peace and quiet. One of the things that will strike you about this beautiful building is the amount of light inside. The 52 windows make up 80% of the wall space. Wondering why it’s called an Abbey rather than a Cathedral. It once held joint cathedral status with the Cathedral at Wells. The Abbey was given cathedral status in 1090, but it was stripped of this at the time of the Dissolution when the cathedral was consolidated in Wells, which incidentally is the smallest city in the UK with a population of only 12,000 souls. Contact Maggie today to help you plan and book your City of Bath break this year. Pay with the card that gives you reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. “M.T.A” aka “The MTA Song” aka “Charlie on the MTA”, tells the tale of a man called Charlie, who is trapped on the Boston subway system. So famous has the song become over the years that the electronic card based fare collection system on the Boston subway is known as the “Charlie Card”. The Kingston Trio who appear in the 1959 recording below, played the song as the dedication ceremony when the card system was introduced in 2004. Visitors to Boston today have the choice of the CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to help them get around. Which one is for you will depend on where you are staying and whether you want ferry fares included. Check out the https://www.mbta.com/fares/charliecard Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MTBA) website for details. Boston is a relatively short flight from the UK and is easily accessible if you are looking for something different for a weekend away. You can catch a flight from Heathrow on a Friday evening after work, snooze on the plane and you be in Boston in time for last orders. Known as the “Cradle of Modern America, Boston was the birthplace of the American Revolution, therefore one of the first places that you will want to head off to, is the location of the Boston Tea Party. Here you will find a multi-sensory experience that includes live actors, interactive exhibits, and full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels! You can recreate your own Boston Tea Party by throwing tea into the water. Most of Boston’s historical sites can be reached by following what is known as the Freedom Trail across the city. Keeping with a nautical theme, 2nd stop on your trail could be a visit to the USS Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned warship afloat and earned her nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812, she captured a number of merchant ships and defeated five British warships including HMS Guerriere which is where she earned her nickname. A visit to Boston wouldn’t be complete without an outing to watch one of the cities top class sports team play. Visiting from April to September a trip to Fenway Park to watch the Boston Red Sox is must. Since 1912, Fenway has been home to the Red Sox and is the oldest Baseball Arena in the USA if not the world. Unlike some of the newer arenas, the compact design of Fenway takes you back in history and gives you a spectator experience that you will not find anywhere else except maybe Wrigley Field in Chicago. If there are no games scheduled, then a stadium tour is recommended. On a more cultural level, Boston is home to over 60 museums of which the most famous is the Museum of Fine Arts, which is the 5th largest museum in the USA and one of the top 50 most visited museums in the world. It is home to over half a million exhibits, ranging from ancient Egyptian to contemporary. The 1888 painting by Vincent Van Gogh’s Postman Joseph Roulin, is one of the museum’s best known works in its collection. Whether you are in Boston for a day or a week you will find so much on offer to experience that you will leave wanting more. Contact Maggie today to book your short flight to the USA (and much, much more 😊). Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. This official video for the track Porto by the French DJ and musician Kevin Rodrigues, who is better known as Worakls gives a really good flavour of the city of Porto. There are no lyrics the images say it all. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and lies along the Douro River estuary in Northern Portugal. It was one of the most westerly cities of the Roman Empire and its name literally means “port” or “harbour”. The centre of the city has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1996. The British have had a long term relationship with the Portuguese. In 1387, Porto was the site of the marriage of John I of Portugal and Philippa of Lancaster, the daughter of John of Gaunt. This symbolised a long standing military alliance between Portugal and England, this alliance is the world’s oldest recorded military alliance. Traditionally we imported our wine from France, but the British decided to look further south for a new source after a few disagreements. At the time Portuguese wine didn’t travel that well and one day the story goes by accident Port was born. The wine was fortified with grape brandy and took on the flavour of oak from the barrels and the rest is history. This long connection is why many brands of port have English sounding names, like Croft, Taylor and Graham. Porto is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe and it’s not difficult to see why. The old parts of the city are best visited on foot, however, be prepared for some steep climbs. A retreat at the top of a steep hill was always a good option in case of attack! You might like to fortify yourself with a traditional Portuguese custard tart “pastéis de nata”. They have become so popular that they are now found in many UK supermarket bakery sections. Porto is famous for the ornate blue azulejo tiles, that you will see around the old town. Head for the Church of St. Ildefonso and the railway station at Sao Bento to see some of the best used on both interior and exterior walls. Sao Bento station was completed in 1916 and the murals represent moments in Portugal’s history and the people of various regions within the country. A good way to see the sights is to take the historic tram and whilst you are at it why not take in the “Tram Museum” or “Museu do Carro Eléctrico”. An entry ticket to the museum will give you a free ride on the historic tram so planning ahead would be useful here. The Tram Museum is on the bank of the River Douro and the historic tram will take you to Infante where you will be a short walk from the Cais da Ribeira where you will find Porto’s riverside area. Here is a large collection of bars, coffee shops and restaurants. The upper walkway in the Cais da Ribeira is built on the top of the original mediaeval city walls. There is a network of narrow streets and alleyways behind the riverfront where you will find a mixture of dilapidated buildings and restored buildings. Here you will find several river cruises which is a great way of seeing some fantastic views of the city. Book your break to Porto with Maggie today. Pay with your British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card* and earn Avios points. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us. Yearning for more of Portugal, why not visit Lisbon with travellogs. Jules Verne’s 1864 novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” tells the story of a German scientist and his nephew who believe that they can journey to the centre of the earth by descending into Iceland’s inactive volcano “Snæfellsjökull”. Snæfellsjökull can sometimes be seen from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík, a distance of 120 km. Iceland is on the UK government’s green list and might seem like a strange destination for a summer break. Many people view Iceland as a winter destination with the northern lights and various cold related activities to pursue. However, in the summer you will be able to benefit from the long almost endless days. The average day starts at 3am and ends at midnight. Plenty of time to get more done. The summer will also give you better access to the Highlands which can be impossible to access in the winter due to the icy conditions. You will be almost wandering into the unknown so double check the weather before you set off in your 4×4. Even if you are not heading for the Highlands, then why not hit the Ring Road, which Icelandic style will take you round the country rather than round a city. The roads are well maintained and in the summer, they will be snow free! Travelling the Ring Road will give you access to parts of the country might not otherwise see. Summer is a prime time for hiking and Iceland provides routes for both beginners and experienced hikers alike. Every region of the country has something different to offer, whether its waterfall, beaches or volcanoes that take your fancy. For serious hikers look out for the Laugavegur trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, the Fimmvörðuháls hike between Skógar and Þórsmörk and Hornstrandir in the Westfjords. If you are not that brave you will find a number of escorted tours that will take you to see the best of the Iceland and this can be just what is needed to give you the confidence to head out on your own. Iceland is sometimes known as the land of Fire and Ice. You can take an escorted trip out to one of the glaciers where you can glacier hike, snow mobile or ice climb is you have the nerve and energy. On the fire side, after a hard day exploring why not visit one or more geothermal baths and natural hot springs. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular but there are so many other interesting pools to discover. Book your to trip to and tours around Iceland with Maggie today. Pay with your British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card* and earn Avios points. Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us.Beloved Isle Cayman
I’m coming, coming very soon, O beautious isle, to thee.
Chariots of Fire
https://www.ilovepelion.gr/
Formentera Lady
Cornered by the cactus and the pine
Here I wander where sweet sage and strange herbs grow
Down a sun-baked crumpled stony road.
Indiana Wants Me
Let’s go to Costa Rica
Solsbury Hill
Charlie on the MTA
Porto
Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
