Madeira The islands of Madeira are situated of the North West Coast of Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean and are Portuguese. They lie above the Canary Islands but below the Azores. Traditionally these are a holiday destination for older holidaymakers. Typically the age of those holidaying on Madeira is fifty plus. When we visited a couple of years ago we were just the right age but that was not why we chose to visit. WHY MADEIRA? Madeira is known as a floating garden. This is because of its sub-tropical climate. We had read that it was beautiful Island, had little if any trouble, would not be overrun with screaming children and was a great place to visit. Holidaying on Madeira is not the cheapest vacation you can take but it can represent good value. CANICO We stayed a little way outside the Island's capital Funchal in a small resort called Canico De Baixo. Our accommodation was four star and a little more expensive than we would normally pay but it was worth it. Having had some holiday accommodation that left a lot to be desired the Oasis Atlantic was sheer heaven for us. We visited Funchal on the local bus and found that the cable cars for Monte were just next to the bus station. Perfect. Our more recent holidays, such as this one, see us carrying a digital camera and so we were able to take some really good photographs. THE CABLE CARS You can pay for a single or return ticket on the cable cars. Many people choose to return via the traditional sleds which are pulled along the steep streets by local men. We watched these from the gardens and decided to give it a miss. If you choose this toboggan remember that you do not have to accept and pay for the photograph unless you really want it. Do not let yourself be pushed into buying. Similarly as you embark onto the cable cars you will be snapped, like it or not. This image is then flashed to the top via computer link ready for you to purchase as you disembark. Again say no if you do not want it. The Cable cars were fun and do give you some spectacular views over Funchal and its bay. They are never extremely high as the earth rises from Funchal up to Monte. However I guess they are not for those with a fear of heights. MONTE The small village of Monte has a few gardens open for you to wander around, for a fee of course. You can stroll around the village though and take in the lovely clean air and scenery. There is another Tropical Garden which we did not visit which is accessed via further cable cars from Monte. We just visited the Tropical Gardens of Monte but oh what a visit. Our visit to Monte Palace and gardens
Monte has a beautiful church or two, cafes and more. When we arrived at Monte village we just seemed to end up in front of the Monte Palace Gardens. It looked a good place to visit and while away an hour or so, and in we went. Included in the price of your entrance fee is a leaflet which has a map of the Gardens. There are buildings which hold displays and these were interesting. When we visited, one had African art, another precious minerals of South America and another a Japanese display. These buildings were lovely and cool compared to the daytime heat and humidity. There could have been more but I cannot recall. There were some toilets here and my advice is use them. You never know how long it may be before you find any more. Near here there was a Japanese garden which was lovely and calm. As you wander around the gardens you will come across all sorts of peculiarities, strange plants and flowers and different garden layouts. On we trekked like the explorers that we felt. Two hours later we appeared to be in the depths of god knows where. Looking around all we could see were trees and plants, but at least we had the map, I hear you say. Well hubby is a lovely guy and not very bad tempered but when he blows he blows. As the heat got to him, and I guess a feeling of desperation, we tried in vain to get to grips with the map. Too late. It was crushed into a tiny ball and pitched as far as he could throw it and I did not even dare to laugh out loud. Of course we did later. We found a lake, a waterfall and Monte Palace, which was not open to visitors but you could peek through the windows. Another hour or two later we came across a restaurant. Hallelujah. As I hastily headed for the toilets Hubby got the sustenance ordered. When I returned he had also acquired another map as the restaurant had a ready supply on the counter. A kindly waitress showed us just where we were and how to make our escape. Don't get me wrong it was a lovely place and I would visit again but next time I would be prepared. We just had not realised how big a place the gardens were. Essential requirements
Worth a visit? Yes Monte and the gardens are definitely worth a visit. Monte sits high over Funchal and on a clear day the views are really special. The cable cars and toboggan rides add to the fun. The toboggan though only takes you back part of the way into Funchal town and you will either have to walk the rest of the way or take a bus or taxi. The cable cars take you back to near the bus station and the coastline of Funchal. Set aside a whole day or decide to visit Monte more than once in order to give all of its attractions the attention they deserve. Remember tourist trinkets will be more expensive at places such as Monte. Shop in Funchal instead. Even if you do not take a toboggan ride watch those that do for a great laugh. More: Gardens of Monte Madeira
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The Island of Madeira is situated in the Atlantic Ocean. It is Portuguese and lies above the Canary Islands, below the Azores and off the North West coast of Africa. The Island's capital is Funchal, which is also the name of the Island's modern airport. This airport is not actually located in Funchal though but is on the eastern side of the Island. Our two-week vacation was spent in the small resort and village of Canico. It was a short trip from there into Funchal by local bus. Some days we used our hotels free courtesy bus, for at least one way of the short journey. The bus timetable gave us more freedom about when to visit Funchal and our length of stay each visit. Madeira is not British, but having being visited by so many British people over the years, it does retain some olde world British charm, unlike Great Britain these days. Just about all of the locals speak English and the currency is the Euro. Madeira has a sub-tropical climate that suits we British perfectly. The temperature is fairly constant throughout the day and throughout the year. The temperature never rises or falls much out of the seventies. This climate is beneficial to Madeira's plants and you will find a wealth of flowers blossoming all year round. When we visited, in early September, there were huge hydrangea flowers growing wild on even bigger plants. Travelling around the Island you will find that the flora and fauna varies depending on the region that you are visiting. Funchal We visited Funchal quite a few times when were holidaying in Madeira. It is a busy, bustling place with lots of bars, cafes, museums, shops, hotels, restaurants and more. It has a real cosmopolitan feel. Most of the Island's population live in Funchal and so it is always busy. You will find that the main roads around Funchal and Madeira are in very good order. The people of Madeira have worked hard to make Funchal and the whole Island an easy place to get around. As the centre of the Island is mountainous and Madeira is a volcanic Island the terrain was difficult many years ago. Travelling away from Funchal you may still come across narrow and high roads but the views are spectacular. Plenty of visitors to the Island choose to stay in or near to Funchal. The hotels around the Island tend to be first class but they can be pricey. However if you shop around you may find a bargain. Do not expect bargain bucket prices though. There are no yobs or lager louts on Madeira or in Funchal. Some young locals do resent the tourists a little but it is not plain to see. On the whole the people of Madeira will welcome you with open arms. Funchal has a large market which is a great place to visit. You can buy cheap, delicious fruits and flowers here. Such items are much larger than back home in the UK for example and extremely fresh. Take a look in the fish market section to see the catch of the day. We saw the local black fish called Espada for sale here. It looks horrific but is a local delicacy. Make sure that you ask the restaurant to bone it for you though before eating. There was a local traditional dance troupe playing and dancing close to the market when we visited on a Saturday. Later in the evening this same dance troupe were entertaining at our hotel in Canico. I guess Saturday is their busy day. Near the bus station there are cable cars that will take you up to the village of Monte which sits high above Funchal. There are some beautiful gardens up there, toboggan rides, cafes, churches, shops and spectacular views. As you can see from some of my photos there were some terrible fires when we visited Madeira. These had been started by local farmers who had issues with the government over land. The smoke in the mountains looked really fierce some days but Funchal survived unscathed. There have been similar fires more recently.
As Madeira does not have an air-force as such fighting these fires was difficult. The fire services could only reach so far and so some fires were just left to fizzle out. Funchal has great shopping and plenty of banks with cash points. It also has a cathedral that dates back to the 1400s and is well worth a visit. Blandy's Wine Lodge is in the centre of Funchal and you can visit and sample some great tasting Madeira, the local wine. Just wandering around the streets of Funchal is fascinating and there are channels between the main streets so that the winter rains can pour down from the mountains. In summer these channels are full of flowers. Small bridges allow you to cross over the streets. There are sculptures all over the place and many are modern and quite impressive. The coastline of Funchal has two distinct halves, before and after the main harbour. From this harbour you can take a ferry or helicopter over to the smaller, much quieter Island of Porto Santo. Unlike Funchal and Madeira in general it has a long golden sandy beach. Funchal just has a few volcanic rock beaches. Boat trips out of Funchal include a day trip on the Santa Maria, which is a replica of Columbus's vessel. At the sea front there is a large yacht which once belonged to The Beatles. It is now moored and is a cafe. Near here there is a large Balloon which makes for a good meeting place as it is easy to spot and find. There are lots of little cafes and even one that is made up of small boats. These are fine for a quick snack or drink but not really ideal for dining out. There are local open topped buses that offer a tour around the Island's Capital, Funchal. Book a boat trip whilst near the harbour for simply sightseeing or to try a little fishing or whale spotting. Above the ferry port and harbour there is the Santa Caterina park, a hotel and Casino. Travel around to the other half of Funchal and you will find a Lido and the world famous Reid's Palace Hotel. Even if you cannot afford to stay at Reid's you can take afternoon tea on the terrace for a reasonable cost. Make sure that you try Espetado at least once during your visit. This meal has chunks of beef which arrive at your table hung from a large metal hook. It sounds odd but is delicious. Is Funchal for me? Funchal has plenty to see and do but it is not what I would call lively. There are no loud clubs, drunks or parties into the night. It does have good food and drink, pleasant company and a relaxed and welcoming feel. Funchal is probably not well suited for families and children. Yes, I know some holiday there and enjoy it, but there are few traditional family attractions. On the whole the average age of tourists in Funchal and Madeira is 50. We chose not to stay in Funchal and were glad as we needed to relax. However if we visit again I would be happy to stay in Funchal itself as long as the actual location was right. Some parts of Funchal have hotels all on top of each other. The best hotels soon get booked up and can be expensive. Although Funchal is bustling it is not excessively so, if you compare it to other capital cities. Madeira is a clean Island, with lovely fresh air (apart from the fires when we visited) and a charm all of its own. When we visited a small town in the north west of the Island we were fascinated to watch two local ladies cleaning the street. As we sat eating lunch these ladies fussed and cleaned the street until it was spotless. Perhaps our towns ought to have more female street cleaners. Warning When we visited Funchal had some scam merchants on its streets. They will try and tell you that you have won some item or another on a free lottery ticket and then reel you in. If you are not careful you could waste hours trying to get away. Worse still you could be conned into joining ridiculous holiday schemes. DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE THE TIME OF DAY. By now they will have no doubt moved on to another means of conning tourists. However, remember that if an offer seems to good to be true then it probably is, and is a scam. More Funchal the capital of Madeira Visiting Santana on the Island of Madeira Funchal The Island of Madeira is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, below the Azores but above the Canary Islands. This is off the North West coast of Africa. Its situation means that it has a sub-tropical mini-climate all of its own. The temperatures here seldom climb out of the mid to high seventies but neither do they fall out of them either. Even at night the temperature is nice, steady and warm. Madeira is often referred to as the "floating garden" due to its abundance of flowers. It is also classed as a holiday destination for those of us who are a little older. Most British holiday makers tend to be aged in their mid-fifties. However, Madeira has plenty to offer all age groups. It does not have excessive noise and clubs though, which for us was a bonus, but I guess if you are young may be a downside. Among all of the different sights to see around the Island of Madeira, the tiny village of Santana is well worth a look. Madeira The Island of Madeira is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, below the Azores but above the Canary Islands. This is off the North West coast of Africa. Its situation means that it has a sub-tropical mini-climate all of its own. The temperatures here seldom climb out of the mid to high seventies but neither do they fall out of them either. Even at night the temperature is nice, steady and warm. Madeira is often referred to as the "floating garden" due to its abundance of flowers. It is also classed as a holiday destination for those of us who are a little older. Most holiday makers tend to be aged in their mid fifties. However, Madeira has plenty to offer all age groups. It does not have excessive noise and clubs though, which for us was a bonus, but I guess if you are young may be a downside. Among all of the different sights to see around the Island of Madeira, the tiny village of Santana is well worth a look. Getting to Santana We joined a local coach trip to visit Santana. It was actually a small min-- bus which was comfortable and the people were friendly. The bonus with this form of transport was that we explored the side roads and villages which large coaches could not access. When we visited the Nuns Valley, another day, we actually travelled further into the heart of the Valley which larger coach tours were unable to do. We used Turitanor, perhaps they were called Turitas Tours, and booked via an agent in our holiday resort of Canico. We had read about the houses of Santana in a travel guideand just wanted to see them for ourselves. I have to say that they were better than expected. The village is pretty, the air clean and the views are breathtaking. The tour was part of a 'Best of the East of Madeira' trip and took in plenty of other interesting towns, villages and local attractions. As the map shows the interior of the Island of Madeira is mountainous. This is due to the fact that Madeira is a Volcanic Island. The beaches of Madeira are made up of volcanic rock apart from the odd man made beach. This is probably why all of the hotels have fabulous swimming pools and many are set near to the coast. Ours was just a few paces from the volcanic beach and the ocean.
Santana memories Santana is the most famous village in Madeira. Its main attractions these days are the tiny, traditional houses that, once upon a time, would be home large families but these days the form part iof a museum like village. These have been lovingly restored. They have thatched roofs which go all the way down to the ground. The houses are triangular in shape and very distinctive. It is possible to book a short stay in one of these houses. Apparently honeymooners are the most likely to book this unusual accommodation. The house that we visited was still occupied by a middle aged man and his extremely old, but friendly, Mum. This house was beautifully painted on the outside and looked like something out of a fairy tale. Our local driver knew the man and had arranged our visit. There were only 6 of us on this tour and so it was relaxed and personal. This house had been extended over the years but was still small. The guy invited us all in handing around a tray of delicious Madeira wine. We had already drunk a little of the local fire water, or as they call it liquid Viagra, and we were already in a merry mood. This fire water is called Poncha. If you visit Madeira aim to drink some that is freshly, and locally, made. The bottles that you can buy in the local supermarkets are OK but not as good as the real McCoy. Still back to my experiences. Along with the Madeira wine came home-made biscuits. As we left the chap's home we all tipped him but this was not demanded. It was really up to the individual. However, we had enjoyed our visit and felt a small payment was in order. We finished viewing this house by sitting outside with the old lady. In the small garden there was a fish pond and lots of plants. This old dear prattled away although none of us could understand a word she said. Still a smile and nod are universal, aren't they? From here our driver took us to the main tourist area of the village. Most of these houses are unoccupied now and set out as museums and shops. Some where painted but not as beautifully as the one we had just visited. That one reminded me of reading the story of Hedi as a child and the accommodation she lived in with her grandfather. It was a sweet house but hard to imagine a whole family living there permanently. As we drove to a local restaurant for lunch we passed some of these old houses that were falling into disrepair and they were not much more than simply barns. All in all though we had a great day visiting Santana. It helped as our driver, the English couple and the German couple who were our travelling companions, were all fun and great company. Additional information about Santana Strictly speaking the Portuguese word Santana translates to Saint Anne. Santana is located in the north of the Island of Madeira near to the coast and tends to receive most of its visitors as passing trade. It survives on tourism and farming these days. Coach parties and local excursions call in at Santana to have lunch and explore the traditional Madeira houses. These are only really found in and around Santana now but once upon a time would have been the main type of accommodation for all locals. The 'Madeira Theme Park' as it is called is situated in Santana and details some of Madeira's history and culture and has a lovely open area of park, come garden, that suits Madeira perfectly. ................................................................................ Santana, short form for Santa Ana is a municipality along the northern coast of the island of Madeira, in Portuguese archipelago of the same name. The population in 2011 was 7,719, in an area of 95.56 square kilometres. Wikipedia More http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/santana.html http://visitingmadeira.com/ Why did we pick Albufeira for a two-week vacation? We absolutely love the Greek Islands but sometimes the accommodation there leaves a little to be desired. We had visited Madeira in recent years and loved everything about it. As Madeira is a Portuguese Island we thought we would go the whole hog and visit mainland Portugal. Just how we decided on Albufeira as a destination I am not sure. Possibly the travel company offered us a good deal and we thought why not. As it turned out, for us The Algarve and Albufeira was a mixed bag. Arriving in Albufeira We flew to the Algarve, Portugal, from Manchester Airport in the UK landing at Faro airport on a blazing hot afternoon, tired and sticky, obviously desperate to get to our accommodation. We needed to shower, change our clothes and start to unwind but this is where we had our first problem. There were only a handful of us looking for the small coach which would take us to our resorts, but no-one could find it. Eventually a very laid back driver realised that he had forgotten to put the number on display in his coach. No wonder nobody could find it; still problem solved, off we went, eventually. The journey from Faro Airport to Albufeira was not long but was boring as it followed the main road along the coast passing factories, car dealerships and shops. Not very picturesque but I have experienced worst. Having droppped various people off at hotels in the area there was just one other couple left with myself and hubby. The driver stopped outside a large hotel and demanded that Hubby and I disembark. I said to hubby "this is not our hotel" but he thought the driver must know best. As soon as I disembarked the driver hot-footed it around the small coach to the other side and was off leaving us to wander into the hotel. The receptionist was lovely as she gave us our directions to our actual hotel; it is only four or five minutes along the road she smilingly told us. 20 Minutes later hot, sticky and cranky we found our hotel. Had we known it was that far we would have taken a taxi. The mountain of luggage I always take abroad was certainly difficult to lug about. Of course eventualy we laughed about it but we did complain to the travel company when we returned home. If we had been elderly or infirm we could have been in trouble being so unceremoniosly dumped. We had travelled with a well known travel firm. However these days they do not supply a rep on all of their coach links. A rep did ring us just as we arrived in our room cheerfully asking if everything was alright now that we were settled in. Of course he got an ear bashing. Our Hotel Unfortunately our hotel left a lot to be desired. We had asked for a quiet room and thought that may be why ours was a bit duff. However speaking to other guests they felt the same. The Perola Do Algarve, as it is or was called, means Pearl of the Algarve, but it was anything but and should be rated lower. If it had been cheaper it would not have seemed so bad. As it was, it was over-priced. Our accommodation in Madeira had been so lovely that The Perola came in a poor fifth or sixth place by comparison. Yet they were star rated the same and cost a similar price. Situated down a slope, off a backstreet, just behind a large supermarket, there was little scenery around the hotel. The images in the holiday brochure had been carefully taken so that it looked as if it was possible to walk directly from the Hotel to the coast, but it was not. There were many negatives about this hotel but this report is about Albufeira. The hotel staff were all charming, thoughtful and did their best to offer help when needed. The reception staff provided us with a few basic directions and a small map of Albufeira, and off we went to explore. Albufeira itself Albufeira has a lot to offer but it is very commercial. The old town which used to have just a few amenities and the Fisherman's beach is now crowded with bars, shops and tourists. The beaches of Albufeira are lovely clean sand but it is hard to find a deserted spot. Sunbeds and parasols are for hire and they are not overly pricey. With restaurants and cafes almost on the beach it is easy to leave the sun bathing for a spot of lunch and return later. The Old Town In the old town there is a square with many side streets and alleyways leading this way and that. It is a lively and vibrant area which has a market sort of feel. Just near where there is an archway leading through to part of the beach there is a tourist office. Here you can get timetables for the tourist train and buses. They will also provide you with maps and more. If you decide to wander around the old town you may find yourself exploring upwards. We did and came across a small but interesting museum. It was also nice and cool away from the heat of the day. Wandering further on through and past the old town you will find lots of little treasures. We found a restaurant perched out over the cliffs with spectacular views. We also came across Cliff Richard Street which was a bit strange. However I understand it is something to do with a wine of his, from Portugal. We ended up walking towards the next small resort and harbour and found this more peaceful and less over developed. The Strip
In the opposite direction, away from the old town, is Albufeira's Strip. This is a long stretch of road which holds the bars and clubs of Albufeira. For those who want a noisy, modern travel experience of clubs and booze at night this is the place for you. All age groups visit at night, I guess some for the 'experience'. We only visited during the day and there are some nice places to lunch plus plenty of shops to browse if that is your thing. At night we preferred the cafes and bars of inner Albufeira. If you seek them out you will find good food and company but the choice is yours. There are burger bars and the like if you prefer. Albufeira Albufeira can be loud and brash. We visited in late August and saw the resort change as September approached. There were less children and young families and more couples arriving all the time. The weather was still hot and we had no bad weather at all in the two weeks we visited the Algarve. Tourist train Most tourists travel around Albufeira on the tourist train which operates on a circular route taking in The Strip and the Old Town. There was a train stop not far from our hotel and so we used this train occasionally. Some days we would walk one way or take the train, and then walk to another beach near a train stop. The train travels along the road and does struggle at times with some of the hills. Return tickets are cheaper but the tickets are a good price anyway. Local buses There is a bus station in Albufeira and good bus routes. We never actually used any of these buses at all though. The station was across town and we could not be bothered to find it. Excursions We tend to book local tourist excursions and generally enjoy these. From the Algarve we visited Lisbon, Gibraltar, Seville, Lagos, Sao Vincente and Zoomarine. We booked through our hotel and found that we had paid more than we needed to. Speaking to fellow travellers we discovered that many of them had paid a quarter of the fee we had been charged. So the advice here is to shop around for the best deals. Book such trips with local offices which you will find dotted around places such as Albufeira Old Town. Tips and advice if visiting Albufeira
Overall, for me, Albufeira was just too commercial. We still had a great holiday as that was down to our state of mind. There is no point grumbling when you are on holiday, just look for the fun and enjoy what is there. I guess Albufeira had a lot to live up to as our previous year's holiday to Madeira had been such a great success. Our hotel in Albufeira was disappointing and on the whole the resort was just too much like England with sun for us to enjoy it completely. There were some great places to experience within easy reach of Albufeira. Reflecting on the holiday later though made me realise that Albufeira was not the perfect destination for us. Not for a two week stay anyway. But it may be for you? Albufeira Happy New Year, Scottish style
Most people in the UK will tell you that the Scots truly know how to celebrate New Year. In fact, many British people and tourists from around the world, find their way to Scotland for New Year or, as it is called in Scotland, Hogmanay. Certainly we British celebrate each New Year but with nowhere near as much tradition, pizazz and style as the Scottish do. For them The Holiday Season is all about New Year. Yes Christmas is spent in the usual way, with family and friends gathered around but the Scots save their biggest and loudest celebration for the New Year. Hogmanay Hogmanay in Scotland usually lasts more than just New Year's Eve. The celebrations may begin New Year's Eve but they usually last at least a day or two. It is widely believed that Scottish people celebrate New Year more than Christmas due to the influence the Vikings had on them in the long distant past. Before Christmas was a December celebration Scottish people celebrated the passing of the shortest day by pushing the boat out at Hogmanay. As a far northern country the long dark days of Winter were dreaded and it was a time for celebration when they were starting to pass. To this day Christmas is celebrated as a secondary holiday in Scotland, with New Year as the time for huge celebrations. Edinburgh in particular is host to many, many visitors over the New Year and there are huge firework displays and so much more. In recent years, it has been ticket only, to enter the centre of Edinburgh and these celebrations, due to the impossible amount of visitors. Usually such tickets have been allocated long before Christmas. There are current bands and so many events. Celebrations are ongoing from around the 29th December. Although the celebrations have plenty of traditional bagpipe playing and swirling kilts, these days there are plenty of modern attractions on offer also. Have you ever visited Scotland? We have and we loved it. Winter may not be the perfect time to visit, especially in you want sunny climes, but Scotland has a lot to offer. So what can Scotland offer the visitor or tourist?
Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. The loudest and largest Hogmanay celebrations centre around this city. There will be others though across Scotland, in the towns, villages and other cities. As a capital city Edinburgh can be pricey to visit. This applies if you stay in many Capital cities. Move a little away from Edinburgh and you could get a good deal. Travel links are pretty good with rail and bus services covering a wide area. Driving is not too bad but during Hogmanay roads will be busier than normal. If Scotland opts for independence it could end up with the Euro as its currency. For now its currency is like English currency. Scotland does have some bank notes of its own that are legal tender, in for example England. However some shops in England will not take them and you may end having to visit a bank to get them changed. It is best to refuse them at source unless you know you will spend them in Scotland. If you plump for Edinburgh you will be spoiled for choice. It has many fine historical buildings, plenty with Royal links and associated history. Towering above the city is Edinburgh Castle. It offers visitors a wide panoramic view of the City and its surrounding countryside, for miles. During the Christmas and New Year holidays places such as museums may have limited opening times. Some days they will be closed. You need to plan your Hogmanay vacation in order to get what you want from it. Scotland could provide you with a perfect Winter vacation. If you combine one week in Scotland with a week in say the sunny Canary Islands of Spain you will get the best of both worlds. If you opt for sticking with Scotland arrive for Hogmanay and enjoy your vacation in January. There will be bargains to be had with January Sales plus once the revelers have departed Scotland will be peaceful. This is when you will get the best prices ever. http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-History-of-Hogmanay/ https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/ Sound of Music country, Austria.
We were late coming to foreign travel. When hubby and I finally made it out of the UK it was on a eight-day visit to both Austria and Switzerland, by coach! The journey was a story in itself but what follows is what we made of our brief visit to Austria way back when - in 1989. Where on earth in this world is Austria? Well I guess there may be some people who have no idea where Austria is, so here goes. Austria is a landlocked European country; its neighbours are:-
Did I like Austria? Yes I loved it. Visiting Austria I did not travel abroad until in my late thirties. Although this was not unusual when I was a young child, by the time I was this age most people were travelling here, there and everywhere by quite a young age. Our first holiday abroad was an eight-day coach trip which would take in Austria and Switzerland, with a brief visit to the principality of Liechtenstein. Looking back now this seems a ridiculously short amount of time for a vacation. I am amazed though at how much we saw considering that the coach journey took 36 hours outgoing and about 24 hours for the return. Still on the whole it was a great holiday and the weather was kind. We travelled in early September and experienced a slight heatwave. This meant that even in the mountains the weather was pleasantly warm and the air was clear. We had been warned that often great views were obscured by fog, cloud and mist but not so for our vacation. We viewed these beautiful countries in all of their glory. The second part of our visit was Austria which is where I shall begin. AUSTRIA Having already experienced the breathtaking scenery of Switzerland it was hard to imagine anything could be more beautiful. However, Austria has a more rugged, natural style and the views are just as special. Our base was to be the village of St Anton, which is a popular destination during the winter months with the ski-ing fraternity. As it was late summer all of the pensions (guest houses) had plenty of rooms vacant. This meant that we actually had quite a luxurious small suite of rooms. For the price we paid it was fabulous. Consider visiting off season for a great bargain break. Although the weather had been kind our entrance into this pretty village was met with torrential rain. It lasted briefly but helped cool the unusually hot Austrian weather. Standing on our balcony, and looking at the view, we saw that we were surrounded by mountains. The heavy rain had given life to summer dry waterfalls which now flushed their way down the green mountain slopes; simply stunning. St Anton is made up of small wooden pensions, a few shops, some lovely cake shops and the odd bar. A group of us experienced the highly intoxicating Austrian beer, one evening, at one such establishment. The beer, served in huge glasses, was very potent. Our holiday included an excursion to Innsbruck which we thoroughly enjoyed. Innsbruck has rather up market shops and plenty of wonderful architecture, such as a palace. Set on the River Inn, Innsbruck too is surrounded by mountains. There was a lovely park here and it was strange to see almost tropical plants thriving outdoors with snow topped mountains nearby. On a warm day this park is perfect for a picnic. If you visit Austria try and also check out Vienna. GENERAL ADVICE
In Austria you can almost hear Julie Andrews warbling "The Hills are alive with the Sound of Music." Those 'hills' are definitely a wonder to behold. Tourism Austria News from Austria 2017: https://news.vice.com/story/austria-moves-to-ban-the-burqa-to-counter-surging-support-for-the-far-right https://news.artnet.com/art-world/hitler-birth-house-expropriation-841397 Returning to Lefkas after a day trip to Ithaca and Kefalonia The Greek Islands With over 160 Greek Islands that are inhabited, and hundreds of smaller Islands that are not, there is certainly plenty of choice, when you are thinking about visiting the Greek Islands. In fact, there are more like 6000 islands in total. That is some figure, isn't it? Some Islands are quite close to mainland Greece or Turkey, whilst others sit in the Aegean with only other Greek Islands for neighbours. However, never think of the Greek Islands as all simply just being Greece. This is definitely not the case. The Greek mainland has a different feel to the Islands and some Greek Islands are very special and unique. Consider the Greek Island of Santorini Legend would have us believe that this volcanic Island was pushed up out of the sea and has links to Atlantis and more. It is certainly a beautiful Island with terrific sunsets, sunrises and clean, crisp, blue and white houses. If you have admired one of those images of Greece that shows brilliant white and blue houses and churches, high in the sky, then it will no doubt have been snapped on Santorini. So never mind which are the best Greek Islands to visit by boat, just deciding which one to visit, full stop, is a hard choice. The Ionian Islands for example This group of Islands is found of the western side of Greece These are:- GREEK NAME ALTERNATE NAME POPULATION ISLAND AREA Ithaki Ithaca 5,000 96 Kefallonia Cephalonia 32,314 (1991) 935 Kerkyra Corfu 105,043 (1991) 641 Kythira Cerigo 2,500 284 Lefkada Lefkas 20,900 (2001) 325 Paxi Paxos 2,000 25 Zakynthos Zante 38,957 (2001) 410 Returning to Lefkas after a day trip to Ithaca and Kefalonia Note:- Cerigo is not always classed as an Ionian Island The Ionian Islands illustrate how diverse the Islands can be. The extremes of population and land mass show perfectly just how tiny some Islands can be, and there are only 7 islands shown here. At one time all Greek Islands would have been accessed via the sea Yes, Lefkas had an old link to the mainland, in its causeway, but the Island still was mainly accessed via the sea. Assessing which Islands are the best to visit by ship, yacht, ferry and boat needs careful consideration. Take into account:-
If an Island has a very busy harbour, that has daily traffic in it which consists of commercial boats, ferries, hydrofoils and the like, then perhaps it will not be the best place for a small yacht to dock. It does also depend the vessel you use to sail to your Greek Island or Islands. Are you sailing on your own small yacht? Will you be travelling on a commercial ferry? Will your boat be a huge tourist boat made for cruising? All of the above will have some bearing on which Greek Islands are the best for you to visit by boat. So which are the best Greek Islands to visit by boat? Island hopping was one of the first main ways that tourists travelled around the Greek Islands. It is not that long ago many of the Islands still did not have direct access via an airport. Landing on the Greek mainland or another island meant that a ferry trip was essential just to get to your Greek island destination. There are still a few islands where this happens such as Thassos when we visited. Greek Islanders use boats, ferries and the sea constantly; it is very much a part of their lives. So here is some information for those considering visiting the Greek Islands via boat, whether it is:-
It does also depend on whether your visit will be fleeting or not, and what you want to find when you get there. Are you just looking for beautiful sandy beaches? Do you prefer bustling harbours and shopping? Then again perhaps you would like to discover ancient Greece? Finding the perfect Greek Islands to visit by boat will also need you to research the perfect destinations for you, such as choosing lively Islands or peaceful havens. Whatever floats your boat really, all puns intended; the choice is yours. However, most Greek Islands offer you spectacular views, atmosphere and harbour side tavernas. If this is all your heart desires try exploring an island group at a time or at least part of a group. Ferry Services Now that so many people visit the Greek Islands ferry services are improving. Not only that but the vessels are much cleaner and often have tourists in mind, as well as local travellers. You can pick an island as a base and visit as many or as few other Islands by sea, as you want to. Pre-planning is possible. You should be able to roughly schedule your route and even book your ferry tickets in advance. Of course delays due to adverse weather conditions are always a possibility. Alternatively book your ferry tickets once you arrive in the Greek Islands, either for individual sailings or for a period of time. Established cruises There are established Greek Island cruises which take in Crete, Patmos, Mykonos, Piraeus, Rhodes, Santorini and Kusadasi. The best Greek Islands to visit by boat I have shied away from naming any specific Greek Islands, which could be the best to visit by boat, and hopefully you now understand why. With so much diversity I believe that there would be many such perfect Greek Islands for any traveller's requirements, but it is up to you. The Ionian Islands have a slightly wetter climate and are much greener Islands. Crete and the Dodecanese Islands are further south and hotter. Islands in the Eastern Aegean such as Kos and Samos can be hot, dry and lively. The time of year you visit may also affect your choice unless you are happy sailing in all weathers. The Greek Island Groups Apart from the IONIAN group of Islands most of the other Greek Islands are to be found in the Aegean Sea. There are seven main groups which are, and include:-
Map: Cyprus tends to be classed alone because of its location and the fact that currently half of the Island is Turkish. We won't go into that whole can of worms just now though. The map above shows the reader which Islands are ideal for Island hopping as they are relatively close to each other. It is also plain to see that The Cyclades is a great place to visit by boat with so many islands in close proximity.
The 2013 spat between Spain and the UK over Gibraltar reminded this writer of a day trip she took to The Rock, while she was enjoying a two-week vacation in the Algarve. At that time, even without a disagreement between the two countries, entering Gib took a little time. Nothing I imagine compared to the hold ups experienced by visitors during the 2013 dispute. The location of Gibraltar, one of the UK's last bastions of our colonial past, means that any peace is always uneasy. With the United Kingdom set to leave the European Union in the near future who really knows what will happen to Gibraltar? Gibraltar may still appeal to you as a travel destination, be it for a day, a long weekend or a full blown vacation and with BRexit in mind now may be a good time to visit. Here is a review of our visit. Location of Gibraltar Gibraltar is to be found at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea. It is a headland overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. On a clear day you can see the coast of Africa with Tangiers in the distance. Over the years there has been some dispute over who Gibraltar belongs to. As it is on mainland Spain you may think that ownership would be a simple matter. However you would be wrong. Currently Gibraltar is British and is very much so. This means that when you enter the tiny province you have to go through passport control. However this is by no means the only strange thing that you will find if you visit Gibraltar. We visited Gibraltar from The Algarve, on Portugal's Southern Coast. It was a long tiring journey but ultimately worth the effort. However visiting for only a day just gives you a taster of Gibraltar and that is what I will try to offer here. For all that travelling we only had four or five hours in Gibraltar but it was enough to get a feel for the place. There were other brief visitors, such as passengers from cruises, that had docked at Gibraltar to take advantage of the duty free purchases available. We arrived by coach and had to disembark and walk across the frontier and through passport control. As our guide told us, we could wait and drive across but it would take ages. This was obviously so, and there was a huge line of traffic attempting to cross the frontier. We had booked our excursion in Albufeira and our travel rep had also booked tickets for a tour of the Rock for those keen to see this wonder. We walked through passport control and headed for our parked mini van, which would take us up the Rock. Not everyone had chosen to take part and so there were about a dozen of us on board. As we set off we were curious to see that we had crossed over the airport's runway. If a plane is due to land or take off gates, similar to those at railway crossings, close and the traffic has to wait before it can move again. No wonder there are such long traffic queues. The Rock Our driver headed toward the base of the Rock and started to wind his way upward. The roads are in good order but there are times when they are a little narrow. As you head upwards you pass the old British Naval bases which are no longer in operation. There are many optional sights to see. Our rep had booked a tour of St Michael's Caves for us. These caves have stalactites and stalagmites which are all lit for great viewing. The tour ends in a huge part of the caves that has been made into an auditorium. There were rows of seats stacked high and a concert had been held here the night before. I imagine the acoustics are phenomenal but the setting must be strangely eerie. As you leave the caves there is the regulation tourist shop. This tour was interesting but may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. We continued our upward journey which soon brought us to the main viewing point of the Barbary Macaques. These are often referred to as Apes but apparently are wild monkeys. There are different stories about how this colony of monkeys ended up on Gibraltar as they are native to Africa. However no-one could give us a conclusive reason for their presence. There is an old British saying that goes along the lines of, if and when the Apes leave Gibraltar Britain will no longer rule the Rock. For many including me these monkeys were one of the main reasons to visit Gibraltar. I wanted to see the Rock and its views, but was looking forward to seeing these monkeys. I was not disappointed. The tour guide advised everyone not to touch the monkeys. Overall they are wild animals and can bite and infect you. However there were many tourists and guides who did not obey these rules. We did. My Hubby was a little unsure of the monkeys and did not want to get too close, anyway. I got close but in an observational sort of way. There were older monkeys, tiny babies and whole families. They dart about and swing precariously from walls that overhang steep drops to the town below. All too soon we were to move on and we walked along the road to the mini van. From here we could see the cable car which also takes visitors up the Rock. I quite fancied this but others did not. The guide didn't. Probably because it could make him unemployed but as he quite rightly said there was only the "huge cable supporting it and, if it were to snap, a terrifying drop down". The views from here were terrific, and still we climbed a little further. Our final stop was near the Mosque where there are spectacular views over the water toward Africa and Tangier. On the whole Gibraltar is a Christian community but it does have such a multicultural population that many religions are practised here. There were many ships anchored out in the bay, which they use as a tax dodge. The day we visited the sky was clear and we could make out Africa clearly. Our trip did not take us to the highest tip of the Rock but far enough to enjoy the scenery and the fresh clean air. Gibraltar The rest of our visit was spent in the town lunching and shopping. The main street was strange as it was full of bunting made up of Union Jacks. At first glance it was as if you were in a market town in England. After all there are traditional English red telephone boxes scattered around. However we do not have these in England anymore. The flags it seemed were from the previous days celebrations. We purchased some cigarettes for hubby and some whiskey for a relative at home, and that was about it. However others shopped until they dropped. Here are a few hints and tips, learned from our visit:
Just a few Gibraltar facts
Overall Gibraltar is definitely worth seeing. I would not like to spend a whole vacation here but a long weekend would be lovely. There is plenty to see and do for a short break. Gibraltar has a fascinating history but this blog is about my brief visit and whether or not such a visit would interest you. I would have to say that it probably would as Gibraltar is such a unique place, it is definitely worth seeing, at least once. (Information correct at time of visit) The Ferens Art Gallery Hull was closed for around 16 months for a revamp. This regional art gallery with an international reputation was to be a prime feature of Kingston-upon-Hull's year as UK City of Culture 2017. It reopened to the public on January 13, 2017 following a £5.2m refurbishment. Representatives of the mainstream media were allowed a special publicity visit Thursday January 12 and the morning of Friday January 13 and then it was once again open to the public. We visited Friday January 13 within its first hour of reopening and it was bustling with activity. The open or winter exhibition was and still is occupying more than one gallery as locals, not so locals, amateurs, semi pros and professional artists work is put on display. Most of the art works are available to buy but the majority are quite pricey. You could purchase a catalogue from the gallery shop to check out prices, artists and more. We visited around 10 days later though and a chart of the works in the open exhibition including prices is on one gallery wall. Red stickers on art works denotes they are SOLD. The open exhibition includes at least a dozen or so sculptures. There are also works of art using mixed mediums such as paint and material. The other temporary exhibition, and one attracting huge numbers of visitors, is the Pietro Lorenzetti Renaissance masterpiece which was bought by the Ferens Art Gallery for £1.6m. This is in the first gallery to the left as you enter. Other galleries are occupied by some of the gallery's excellent core pieces including old masters and maritime work. We checked with gallery staff and you can take photos in all galleries, preferably without flash photography, except for in the Pietro Lorenzetti Renaissance gallery. I did note however that the press and mainstream media who visited the gallery pre-opening had snapped plenty of images of that work of art. Ferens has a large shop, decent sized cafe and clean unisex toilets. There is also toilet access for people with disabilities and a lift to reach the upper floor. To the right as you enter the Ferens there is a gallery specifically for children, young and old. Take a look and have a play. Some of the activities and exhibits are perfect for children with physical or mental disabilities. The Ferns is situated in Victoria Square close to the Hull City Hall, Queen's Gardens, Princes Quay shopping Centre, and Maritime Museum. Other museums, shopping areas and the Marina is within walking distance. The Ferens comes under the Hull City Council and like the city's other museums is free to enter. These are a few snaps from our first visit. A huge wind turbine blade made in the Hull Siemen's factory has been temporarily installed in Victoria Square. The following are just a few on display as part of the open exhibition. A couple of the old faithfuls in the Ferens. Address: Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3RA
Established: 1927 Opening Hours Mon - Sat 10:00 to 17:00 Sun 01:30 to 16:30 Hours subject to change Related reading: Just where is the island of Gozo?
Gozo is situated in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies off the western tip of Malta. Gozo and its much smaller sister Island Comino are both Maltese. There are also much smaller, uninhabited Islands. Visiting Gozo We visited Gozo for a day whilst holidaying on the Island of Malta. We booked our excursion through the local tourist board trips which were called TIS Tours. A minivan took us to the ferry port, at the northern end of Malta. The van and its driver boarded the large ferry with us and then escorted us around Gozo. You can book accommodation on Gozo itself and spend your whole vacation there if you wish. There are hotels and guest houses. Some guest houses are converted farmhouses and may be quite luxurious. Gozo can be reached by sea or by helicopter from the mainland or from Comino. We loved our day trip to Gozo At the time we visited Malta was especially hot and humid. Gozo was very warm but less humid. The capital and the port were both quite busy but the rest of the island was fairly tourist free. Yes, there were travellers but not to the same extent as on Malta. Our two week vacation was early one September. The price of a ferry trip across to Gozo, and transport at both sides of the water, was good value. The van only held about half a dozen or so passengers and was OK. However for those sat at the back it was a bumpy ride. The ferry passes the tiny island of Comino, with its peaceful, turquoise waters, as it approaches Gozo. Mgarr is the name of the place where the ferries dock on Gozo. This town has a market, churches, museum, shops and many fine buildings to visit. Gozo has some nice sandy beaches, one that has red sand. This beach is in the north of the island of Gozo and is called Ramla Beach. This popular beach is never spoiled with hordes of tourists despite its perfect location. Sandy beaches are unusual around these parts and Malta itself only has a couple of sandy beaches. However Gozo seems to have more than its fair share of glorious stretches of sand. We visited Marsalforn, which according to our guide is where local Maltese often choose to spend their vacations. Originally a simple fishing village, Marsalforn has developed over the years into one of the most popular seaside resorts on Gozo. Toward the centre of the Island of Gozo is Victoria, or Rabat, the Island's capital. Here you can really feel as if you have taken a step back in time. With ancient architecture and history around every corner Victoria offers some welcome shade from the heat of the sun whilst you soak up a little history. Is Gozo for me? Gozo is much greener than Malta and has a much quieter pace. It all depends what you are seeking from Gozo. If you prefer lively holiday destinations stay on Malta and visit Gozo for a day or a couple of days. Gozo is perfect for those seeking relaxation, a step back in time, historical sites with some welcome sun and water sports. Remember though Gozo is only a small island and may not suit those that soon become bored. One thing to bear in mind is that visitors either love of hate Malta and Gozo. Lucky for us we loved the Maltese Islands and plan to return in the future. GOZO IN GENERAL CURRENCY- The official currency is the Euro LANGUAGE- The official language is Maltese but most locals speak English also. FOOD AND DRINK-It is possible to eat a fairly European diet but traditional Maltese fare is tasty and is more readily available these days. SHOPPING-There are not as many tourist shops selling dross as there are in some holiday destinations but you can find some gifts to take home. THINGS TO DO IN GOZO-Visit Malta and or Comino, swim in the clear waters or enjoy a little fishing and or scuba diving. |
Where in the world do you want to go today? One Woman uses personal experiences to show you some of the best places to visit in the United Kingdom and beyond. Enjoy!
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