The Old Customs House of Venice

In Venice there’s a triangular area of land where the Grand Canal converges with the Giudecca Canal. Sitting on this point, the Punta della Dogana, is the Old Customs House where merchant ships once stopped for inspection and to pay taxes on their cargo before proceeding down the Grand Canal.

The Old Customs House, Dogana di Mare,
on Punta della Dogana

Cruising the Rhone River

River cruising continues to grow in popularity and the Rhone is one of Europe’s major waterways, originating high in the Swiss Alps and flowing southward through France to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way it passes through the rugged Ardeche and the scenic landscapes of Provence. Cruise itineraries operate in both directions and usually offer pre- or post-cruise stays in Paris. Here are some of the historic towns and cities you may visit on a Rhone River cruise.

River Cruise Vessels Docked in Lyon

The Roman Spa Town of Bath

The English city of Bath is perhaps best known for its association with Georgian era novelist, Jane Austen. She made the city her home for several years and set two of her novels here: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.  But Bath was also the site of a Roman public bathing complex that gave the city its name.

The Circus, Bath

7 Sights on Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco seems to be on the itinerary of every visitor to Venice. Napoleon described the square as the finest drawing room in Europe; powerful doges ruled the Venetian Republic from a pink marble palazzo; and Caffé Florian served the continent’s first cup of coffee. From the Byzantine basilica that gives the square its name to a colourful zodiac clock, here are seven sights you’ll see on one of the world’s most famous squares, Piazza San Marco.

Dusk on the Piazza

3 Scenic Hill Towns

Some of the most scenic towns I've visited are those that are perched high atop a hill. These towns offer great views of the surrounding countryside and medieval buildings add to their charm. From Provence and the Cote d'Azur in the south of France, to the region of Tuscany in Italy, here are some photos of my three favourites.

Eze Village, France

The Flowers of Spring

Yesterday was the first day of spring. I don't know what the weather is like where you live but we just had another large snowfall. It will be quite a while before it looks like spring. Nothing signals the change of season to me like gardens in bloom so here are some flowers I've enjoyed during my spring travels in Europe, beginning with Kensington Palace in London.

Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London