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Snapshot: Revisiting history at Jarlshof
Its appearance is as mystical as its discovery. A heavy storm in the late 19th century tore through the aged low cliffs at the cape of the southern tip of Shetland, Scotland, exposing part of an unusual settlement of stone structures. Excavation works revealed several settlement sites, with the oldest dating back 4,000 years. The earliest structures found were Neolithic houses, followed by a Bronze Age village, Iron Age broch, Norse longhouse and medieval farmstead. Excavation efforts also uncovered many artefacts. The name, Jarlshof means “Earl’s Mansion”, and was given by Sir Walter in the early 19th century, when he set part of his novel ‘The Pirate’ in the Old…
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Snapshot: Discover Native American Living in Taos Pueblos
From far, they look like oblong mud blocks, one stacked on top of another. When you get nearer, you’ll realise that they are homes, with windows and doors carved out of adobe blocks.
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Snapshot: Entering the enchanted Bialowieza Forest
This is it. The last unspoiled spot of the primeval forest that once blanketed Europe. Straddling the borders of Poland and Belarus, this lush woodland has withstood the test of time and human intervention.
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Snapshot: Go back in prehistoric time at the Lascaux Caves
Hunting scenes splashed across the wall, richly colored and detailed drawings of human-like figures stabbing spears into life-like animals, telling stories of life in primitive times.
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Exploring Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet
I’ve heard about Marie Antoinette and her frivolous ways before, but Sofia Coppola’s rocked-out film version revealed a different side of the reluctant queen. Married into the extravagant lifestyle of French royalty, she sought to retreat to the simple life in a rustic village, in the middle of the Palace grounds. The Palace of Versailles may awe with its opulence and size, but it’s really the Hameau de la Reine (The Queen’s hamlet) that took my breath away. Designed by the Queen’s preferred architect, Richard Mique and painter Hubert Robert, the hamlet is self-contained, with a meadow filled with lakes and ponds, strewn with shrubs and flowers and quaint cottages…
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5 cities I would gladly revisit
Travelling is a form of escape, a way to experience diverse cultures and widen our horizons. I love how different places inspire, humble and excite me. There are some that leave a deeper impression on me than others, and I would gladly revisit them.
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Snapshot: Visit the Majestic Ruins of Monte Alban
Monte Alban, or the White Mountain, is the most majestic ancient ruins in Oaxaca. The flattened mountain top lends a panoramic view of the plunging valleys of Oaxaca with the city in the distance.
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Liechtenstein: soaking in the Alpine sights
Liechtenstein Are you ready for some Liechtenstein? Just barely bigger than Manhattan, this pint-sized country is filled with rolling hills, lush forests and quaint villages. Sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, this little piece of heaven is ideal for all seasons. Summer sees outdoor sports enthusiasts hiking rocky cliffs and cyclists zipping down winding paths, while winter welcomes skiers and ice-skaters ploughing the powdery snow. Vaduz City The nation’s capital, Vaduz is a collision of old and new. Home to the Prince of Liechtenstein who still lives in a castle, the city also houses modern structures like the Liechtenstein Museum of Fine Arts in a futuristic cube-like building. In the heart…
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Snapshot: marvel at the Leshan Giant Buddha
Carved out of a hillside that overlooks the convergence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the massive Buddha sculpture, built during the Tang Dynasty, remains the largest Buddha structure in the world.
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Snapshot: Explore the Moaning Cavern
First explored by gold miners in 1851, the Moaning Cavern near Vallecito, California is also an archaeological site where a few of the oldest human remains in America were uncovered.
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At the end of the Romantic Road- Fussen
Fussen is known for its castles, beautiful lakes and the ancient former abbey of St. Mang. Most importantly, the town is right next to the castle where fairy tales are spun from- the Neuschwanstein Castle.
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Gdansk: Beauty along the Baltic Coast
At the edge of the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is considered the most beautiful city along the Baltic Coast. At its prime, it was one of the wealthiest cities in Europe, evidenced today by its bourgeois architecture.
