One of the great delights, whether in the Tuilleries garden in Paris or at the centre of many French towns, are the myriad colourful carousels. They are loved by children worldwide and form a component of almost every amusement park. Once they were the main attraction, but time and technology …
Recent scientific research on what makes us happy shows that experiences, however one-off or short-lived, are more effective at sustaining our happiness than buying a longer lasting thing. This seems counter-intuitive, but according to Dr Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University: “We buy things to make us happy, and …
Why are bridges so fascinating? Bridges hold a special place in every culture. They are a means to cross from one place to another; over a hazard, a dangerous river or chasm. So bridges are both a connection and a marker for a division. When you step off the land …
When you enter a city – perhaps the one you are in right now, you probably spend quite a bit of time looking up at the architectural details above the shop level. I do that a lot and often find that that is where the history is, where the story …
When travelling, slow down and take time to look – with the intensity of an artist! The camera can capture what is in front of you, but it takes your intervention to capture how you feel about it. And that is where post-processing comes in. Whether it is just putting …
Circular Polariser Filter (CPL) When trying to record your travels, there is nothing so frustrating as not being able to get a decent photo in a museum. On my first visit to the British Museum, I completely failed to get a decent photo of the Rosetta Stone. Why? It was …
One of only two surviving medieval houses in Paris, the Hotel de Sens was built between 1480 and 1510. It was built for the the archbishop of the town of Sens in Burgundy. At that time the Archbishop of Sens was more important than the bishop of Paris! It can be …
Nestled in the UK’s Wiltshire downs, Salisbury cathedral rises with the tallest medieval spire in England and the second tallest in Europe. It is from any angle an impressive feat of architecture – especially when you consider when it was built. The foundation stone was laid, just five years after …
If you are in Copenhagen in early July you will find the streets alive with the most amazing jazz music. This is the week of one of the world’s great global jazz festivals. The outdoor cafes on Nyhavn are wonderful at the best of times, serving great food, coffee, beer or wine at …
