In continuation of last month’s travel story I decided to list a few more of my memorable travel experiences this month. There are so many places to look back at and write about, it becomes quite difficult which ones to choose. I spent some time browsing through my old posts and came up with these places.
Reminiscing past holidays is a favourite pastime of mine as it gives me immense happiness and forget about all the worries of life around me. Though I cannot say I have travelled extensively like many others, but I am thoroughly happy with wherever I have been and each has its own wonderful memories to reflect upon.
So here are some more of my memorable travel experiences.
Going up Mount Solaro in Capri, Italy
The island of Capri forms part of the Campania region and it has two harbours Marina Piccola and Marina Grande. I travelled to Capri from the port of Naples on a ferry which goes to the main port on the island of Capri called the Marina Grande.
At an elevation of 589 m, the top of Monte Solaro is the highest point in Capri. I took the chair lift up the mountain to top of Mount Solaro to enjoy the views from the top. Sitting on an open chair might seemed a bit scary to start with, but when I started going up the spectacular views just made it worth it.
Mount Solaro is visited by many species of birds, including peregrine falcons. The view of the sea, the area surrounding the island nearby and at a distance are truly picturesque. On a clear sunny day the blue colours of the Tyrrhenian Sea makes it even more beautiful.
You can read more about my travel to Capri here.
Walking the steps on the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
The Giant’s Causeway near the town of Bushmills in County Antrim of Northern Ireland is an area which as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is covered with about 40000 hexagonal interlocking basalt columns.
Managed by the National Trust, the Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular and visited sights in Northern Ireland and also in the United Kingdom. I read so much about this place that during my visit to Belfast I took a day trip to visit the Giant’s Causeway wondering what the buzz was all about to see some hexagonal column of rocks. The drive along the coastal route up north is relaxing and the scenery along the way was just breathtaking.
The first view of the rocks with waves from the ocean hitting them strikes as how these giant columns were created, why are they all hexagonal in shapes and how they are standing linked to each other like a jigsaw puzzle. I kept staring at these, only to stand amazed and feel humbled at nature’s creation.
You can read more about my travel to the Giant’s Causeway here.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Salzburg, Austria
I have not written about my Austria travel yet. But one place which I enjoyed during my Austria visit was the Mirabell Palace and gardens. It was mainly the gardens which I remember from my visit. Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria made the gardens accessible to the public and it is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Salzburg. Many scenes from the film Sound of Music was shot in these gardens.
Mirabell Palace and its garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the historic city centre of Salzburg. The gardens are arranged geometrically with plants, flowers, statues and sculptures of Aeneas, Hercules, Paris and Pluto. The boxwood layout of the well maintained gardens looks beautiful when viewed from an upper level. There is a theatre and an orangery within the gardens.
I hope to write more about my Austria visit sometime in the future trying to recollect my travel memories of the wonderful places and sceneries.
An afternoon in the medieval town of Obidos, Portugal
During my weekend trip to Lisbon, I took a day trip to Fatima, Batalha, Nazare and Obidos. Located on the Atlantic coast, encircled by a fortified wall on a hilltop, is the medieval town of Obidos.
The entrance to the town is through the city gate where I noticed the classic blue azulejo art form which is a type of earthenware tile, decorated with figures and glazed. The entire town of Obidos, including its streets, squares and walls are very well preserved medieval architecture. The town and the castle are very popular tourist sights.
During July every year Obidos castle hosts a traditional ‘Medieval Market’ for two weeks and this is a great time to experience the spirit of medieval Europe with parades, shows and with stalls selling food and drinks. I experienced this festivity and also tasted Ginjinha, a cherry flavoured liqueur made using ginja berries served in edible chocolate cups.
You can read more about my Lisbon weekend break here.
Exploring the Bock Promontary and Bock Casemates in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
In 963 the Count of Ardenne Siegfried, acquired a massive rocky ledge, the cradle of the city of Luxembourg and built his Castle on this rock which led to the development of Luxembourg town. Offering a natural fortification, the rocky cliffs of the bock towers above the River Alzette surrounds it from three sides.
Ruins of the old castle and the vast system of underground passages and defence galleries called the casemates can be visited today and continue to be the major attraction of Luxembourg city. As I walked through the rock, I saw the archeological crypt, casemates of the Bock which were formerly used as underground defence galleries.
Over the centuries, the Bock and the surrounding defences were reinforced, attacked and rebuilt many times. Around 17 kilometres of the casemates are still in good condition and since 1933 the Bock and casemates have been open to the public. The Bock and the Old Town were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
You can read more about my travel to Luxembourg City here.
HELPFUL HINTS
- Capri can be easily visited as a day trip from Naples but is an ideal place to spend a few relaxing days on the island itself.
- The chair lift to top of Mount Solaro are open chairs, so if the weather is not good, protection from the elements is required.
- Within Giant’s Causeway area, there is an option to take the bus or hike towards the main attraction.
- Day trips to the Giant’s Causeway are around 8-9 hours and also covers Bushmills Distillery which is about .
- Salzburg can be covered easily as a day trip from Vienna by train.
- If possible it is better to spend a day to two in Salzburg as there is quite a lot to see.
- Day trips to Obidos can be booked before you visit or from local travel agents once you are in Lisbon.
- During summer the sun can be very strong and bright, so hats, sunglasses and sunscreens are essential.
- Luxembourg City is best covered by foot or by its free public transport services.
- May to mid-October is the best period to visit Luxembourg.
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