Helsinki, Finland - A Happy Place denniscallan 2022-05-05 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.00:00 intro:14 content:28 strong economy1:03 beautiful city1:45 small city2:24 history3:41 location4:19 on foot4:45 when to visit6:33 getting here7:02 not in Scandinavia7:23 ethnic groups7:48 school 8:23 environment8:59 taxes9:37 more moviesThe world's happiest people live in Finland, according to many surveys. So let's take a look at Helsinki to find out what's going on here. Why are these people so happy?They will say it's more a matter of being content, being satisfied with their lives rather than giddy, ha-ha happy all the time and that's because their society functions very well. You will find many comments down below that debate this issue, many from locals with a different opinion about happiness here.One correction on taxation, I mentioned income tax is 57%, but this is only for the multi-millionaires. Normal income tax is like most other European countries, 25-30%.The economy is strong, the educational levels are high, there is a decent level of economic equality, and the society provides services such as health and medical, retirement pensions, and cleaning up the cities and maintaining the infrastructure that makes everything work beautifully together. So the residents are very happy about all of that.Another reason why their life is good is this city is a beautiful place. It has lovely buildings. It's nicely designed with plenty of sidewalk cafés and outdoor activities for those warm summer months, good streets, lots of bicycle paths, and pedestrian areas with enough urban density to provide those walkable neighborhoods and shops and cafés nearby, but it's not crowded.Helsinki's town planners have created a livable city that was praised at one time by the Harvard Architectural Digest as the best-designed city in Europe.July is an excellent time to visit because the weather is at its best. The city is not crowded, and hotel rates tend to drop. That's because July is the peak month for locals to take their vacations, either at their summer cottages in the Finnish countryside, or elsewhere in Europe, especially on the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.Business travel also grinds to a halt in July, leaving hotels looking for customers and lowering their rates to attract the few remaining travelers. All of the scenes in this video were photographed during the month of July, which is when I always bring my groups to visit there. While I tell you a bit more about Helsinki and Finland, I'll continue showing some scenes of the city, focusing for now on Esplanade Park that most popular green space in the heart of town. During July temperatures are quite mild, usually in the 70s, so it does not get hot, because Helsinki is so far north, as nearly as high as Anchorage, Alaska. At the peak of summer you get 20 hours of sunshine. There will still be plenty of locals in town for you to mingle with, if you so choose, and you'll find that most of them are friendly and fluent in English, and they like spending time outdoors on the streets, in the cafés and parks, enjoying that fleeting good weather.You can imagine when there's 20 hours of sunshine in the middle of summer they truly enjoy taking advantage of the summer.Although Helsinki is in a relatively remote position in northern Europe, it's easy to get here by flying, or many people come by ship, perhaps on a cruise of Scandinavia, or you can come here on a two-hour ferry ride from Tallin, Estonia.Surprisingly, Finland is not part of Scandinavia, nor are they related ethically to the Slavic people of Russia, which borders them to the East. Instead, they are grouped with Scandinavia as Nordic cultures. Somehow the Finnish language is most closely related to Hungarian, although it's really not clear how this happened.The two main ethnic groups in the country are Finnish and Swedish, so the country has two official languages, with many street signs labeled with both Finnish and Swedish. Children begin their schooling in kindergarten and by age 9, they start foreign language training with French and German currently the most popular choices. English had been the number-one preference until Finland's entry into the European Union. At age 13, students who speak Finnish as their first language start learning Swedish, and vice a versa. By age 14. Most students begin learning a fourth language.Thanks partly to the excellent education system, Finland has one of the strongest economies in the world.Recently ranked as number-two for competitiveness and they're in the world's top 10 for good environmental policies.Finland is the first country in the world to prepare plans for a National Circular Economy. Have you heard of that, Circular Economy? It's basically recycling, reusing, repairing, lower consumption, protecting the environment from climate change, pollution, waste and loss of biodiversity.That's another reason why people here are so happy.
Cusco, Peru, Central Market denniscallan 2023-09-14 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.The central food market in Cusco is a wonderful sight, filled with locals shopping for produce, lots of action, many kids, go and see it here.
Lahaina Before the Fire Part 2 denniscallan 2023-08-31 | This video was created as a tribute and memorial to this wonderful town. It presents a short explanation of how that movie was created, with added scenes of Lahaina and Maui. It shows Lahaina the way it was before the fire and hopefully leads towards a rebirth of Lahaina so that it can come back looking something like it does today. It's such a problem to decide how to build it, how to pay for building it.If you have not seen the main movie yet, be sure to take a look. Here is the link:youtu.be/JoEmpq1AMbIA reliable way to help with donations is here: hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong
Ollantaytambo, Peru denniscallan 2023-08-24 | Ollantaytambo is an ancient Inca town and archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of Peru, about 72 kilometers northwest of Cusco. 00:00 intro00:34 living museum1:01 location1:40 Altiplano drive2:24 arrive Ollanta2:35 local guide3:19 inside house5:47 chicha, local corn beer6:01 kids6:24 granaries6:56 "fortress"7:28 climb up8:56 terraces10:35 Inca stonework11:50 local market13:10 Hotel Posada del Inca Ollantaytambo was an important religious, agricultural, and military center during the Inca Empire. It was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who built the town and a ceremonial center there. The site also includes a fortress, which was used to defend the Inca Empire from its enemies.Today, Ollantaytambo is a popular tourist destination. The ruins of the town and the fortress are well-preserved and provide a glimpse into the Inca Empire. The town itself is also a charming place to visit, with its cobblestone streets and Inca-era buildings.
Lahaina Before the Fire denniscallan 2023-08-13 | Lahaina has been destroyed by a catastrophic fire that burned down the entire town. A reliable way to help with donations is here: hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strongThis is the worst natural disaster in the history of Hawaii. We present images of Lahaina before the fire as a memorial tribute to this wonderful place, and with hopes it will be rebuilt in the near future.0:00 intro0:16 hula0:59 date photographed1:37 Baldwin Home2:20 Banyan tree2:44 Courthouse3:00 Pioneer Inn3:25 boat harbor4:22 restaurants, Plantation Inn4:31 Lahaina Grill4:42 Lahaina Yacht Club4:53 interview with waiter5:35 Wo Hing Museum7:31 Lahaina Jodo Mission8:02 Front Street, "I'll Remember You" Kui LeeAs a resident of Hawaii who has enjoyed many visits to Lahaina, our most beautiful town, I am devastated by this loss, as are all people of the world, a colossal tragedy.We can only pray for the survivors and hope Lahaina will be rebuilt as it was, in the near future.travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.
Hawaii Hula Festival, Prince Lot denniscallan 2023-08-10 | photographed July 15, 2023We're taking you to Honolulu for one of the world's best hula festivals celebrating the art of hula, which is an essential part of Hawaiian culture and history.We're going to show you hula highlights along with many other activities happening here at the festival. There is a lot going on here. So we'll take you back and forth from the craft booths to the food to the hula. We're here at the Prince Lot Hula Festival in Honolulu. It's an annual event that happens. And there there's dance music, food and Hawaiian arts and crafts.We'll learn about pounding Poi in a few minutes. And all of these events, including the hula performances, are free taking place on the lawn of City Hall in downtown Honolulu. It's an entertaining cultural event with a lot going on where people can go back and forth from watching hula, play some games, get a bite to eat or just sit and relax.travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.
Malmesbury, Cotswolds, UK denniscallan 2023-07-27 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Malmesbury is set in a rural location typical of Cotswold villages, with a population of about 5000, and a famous church that dates back to the 12th-century.The charming High Street is bursting with an array of independent retailers and eateries, and the town has occasional festivals for music, history and the arts.This 15th-century Market Cross is one of the country's best preserved right next to the arch of Birdcage Walk that leads us into the Abbey grounds. This church is always the main focus of any visit to this charming little town.The entrance has some of the most outstanding Romanesque sculptures in all of Britain.The origins of the Abbey go back to the seventh century, a time when Malmesbury was one of the oldest market towns in Britain.The church is so old that the first King of all England was buried here in the year 941, honored with this monumental statue, but in the 14th century, the remains of King Athelstan were moved from here to an unknown location.The Abbey is still an active parish church, and we happened upon a social event where some folks were gathered to raise money for their charity called Christian Aid.“Taking aid a people who are in need of provisions or whatever.” Great.“And, uhm, so we're supporting them.” By the volunteers such as yourself. “Yes.”And Church of England masses are held here on a regular basis.The church has been rebuilt in various styles over the centuries, from Saxon to Norman, and Romanesque to Gothic.Next door is the oldest hotel in England, founded in the early 13th century as lodgings for visiting monks. It's a four-star hotel with a high-quality restaurant.Continuing along on our Mad Max tour of several Cotswold villages from our home base in the city Bath. Our guide takes care of all the driving on these narrow country roads.
Dublins Temple Bar, music in the streets in Irelands nightlife capital denniscallan 2023-07-14 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.One of the most popular places in Ireland's capital city of Dublin is Temple Bar, known for its traditional music, lively nightlife, many pubs, tasty restaurants and artistic vibe. Temple Bar is a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. In fair weather, you will see thousands of people out on the streets standing or sitting on the pavement with a pint in hand, having a grand time.The sidewalks are mobbed and the pubs are packed. Sure, it can get a little rowdy and noisy with all that Guinness flowing. But don't worry, this area is very safe, night and day, with people out just to have a good time. It is one big street party. There's no doubt this is a place with a lively atmosphere created by lots of people day and night, giving it a unique, energetic character. If you're looking for a tranquil evening in a quiet neighborhood, there are many other parts of Dublin that will make you happy. But if you're up for some fun, come on over to Temple Bar.And it's also a good place to have dinner, where you'll find a more peaceful atmosphere inside the restaurant. There are usually a few locals around, but granted this is a touristic place and there are many good reasons why visitors flock here. So don't come to Dublin and avoid it because you think it's a tourist trap. This is a fun, authentic place with much to offer.There is kind of a temple bar for locals, and that's across the street over on Dame Lane, where you'll find the Dubliners out, enjoying themselves in their pubs outdoors, having a drink and a chat. But hardly any tourists. This is only a block away from Temple Bar, a place where you might strike up a conversation with the locals.While Temple Bar is famous for its nightlife, the area also has a daytime charm, when it takes on a different character with the restaurants and shops, and many of the pubs still offering live music. That thriving music scene is one of the best features of Temple Bar. Creating a lively and energetic atmosphere, traditional Irish music with its soul stirring melodies and foot tapping rhythms can be heard echoing through the streets.It's usually a fiddle and guitar with some singing, but these music sessions often involve a variety of traditional instruments like the bodhran, the Irish drum, tin whistle and accordion, creating an unforgettable ambiance that captivates locals and tourists alike. You will also hear music from many street performers, so stop a while and listen and be generous with your tip if you like what you hear.These streets serve as an open stage for musicians, ranging from solo performers to small bands of various qualities to express their art and connect with passersby. Street music can serve as a platform for aspiring musicians to gain exposure and support themselves, perhaps using it as a launching pad for their careers while refining their skills and building a fan base.Music continues late into the night, enhancing the city's renowned nightlife and contributing to the energetic ambiance and vibrant atmosphere of Dublin's streets. Perhaps the most famous and most photographed music pub is the Temple Bar Pub, itself, a true institution in the neighborhood, with its cozy interiors adorned with vintage photographs and memorabilia. The pub offers an exciting Irish experience. If you're a fan of Irish music and a good pint of Guinness, you're in for a treat.The Temple Bar Pub is one of Dublin's most iconic and well-known establishments, perhaps the most famous pub in Ireland.
Genoa 4 minutes denniscallan 2023-06-29 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.One of Italy's most interesting but overlooked cities is Genoa, with its delightful waterfront promenades, a collection of classic old buildings, monumental statues, and my favorite attraction of the city, a vast pedestrian zone, one of Europe's largest, making a delightful place to go for a stroll.00:00 intro00:24 little alleys00:48 not crowded1:14 waterfront2:07 via Garibaldi palaces2:36 pedestrian zone3:25 main lanes3:40 restaurants4:12 Italian RivieraGenova has an amazing number of those little side alleys. They go around, and up and down. Some of them are very quiet, like this one. Others are lined with shops and filled with people walking around. It's got so much character you could easily spend days in the maze of alleys of Genoa.You're about to see that Genoa is a wonderful place with many exciting attractions, and yet it's not in the top 20 most-visited places in Italy, even though it's the country's sixth-largest city with a population just over half a million, Genoa is not one of those cities that's overcrowded with tourists, which makes it a delightful place to visit.There are many enjoyable things to see and do in Genoa, for example, along the waterfront, you've got the beautiful marina, there's a maritime museum reflecting Genoa's long history, and the largest aquarium in Italy, one of the city's most popular attractions. Among the favorite exhibits are the manatees and the penguins, along with 15,000 other animals representing 400 different species in a beautiful building designed by the famous local architect, Renzo Piano, who also designed this crane that can lift you up 40 meters for a spectacular aerial view of Genoa. Another great view is from Spianata Castelletto, with a commanding view over the whole city.Pastel-colored buildings are typical of this region of Liguria, and one place you find a lot of them is along via Garibaldi, lined with historic palaces that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, ranking among the city's top visitor attractions.Nearby is Palazzo Reale, the Royal Palace museum, constructed in the mid-17th century, complete with frescoes, stucco paintings, sculptures and furnishings that belonged to the noble families who lived there.One of the great aspects of Genoa is the pedestrian zone. It's so enjoyable to walk around without any cars getting in the way, down lanes that are lined with shops, and cafes and restaurants, making a great place for people-watching. And there are many quiet side lanes, without shops and fancy attractions, but an authentic down-to-earth feeling to them. This is where the local people do their business, talk with friends, and live upstairs in the many apartments that you find in this central core of the city.Genoa is densely populated, with this downtown about two kilometers across, packed with commercial and residential buildings, with those little lanes running between them. About half-dozen of those pedestrian lanes, outlined in red, are the main streets that you would enjoy exploring. It's a safe place, but you might get a little lost, so it does help to have a map as you're wandering around.It's also wonderful to explore at night, where you'll find many dozens of outdoor restaurants.Towards the end of one of the main streets, you'll reach an indoor collection of restaurants called the Oriental Market, a popular gathering spot with many different choices of cuisine.There is a lot more to see in this beautiful city, with its hundred pedestrian lanes, and we didn't even get to the church is yet, but this is only been a brief four-minute summary of the wonderful city of Genoa.Genoa is at the center of the Italian Riviera, with towns stretching east and west.When you've finished your visit, there are many other great towns to explore throughout northern Italy, all of them easily reached by train.We frequently upload new movies, so please subscribe to our channel and click that little alarm bell so you'll be notified. And if you enjoyed the movie, how about a thumbs up and we always welcome comments down below. Or if you have questions about the destination, make note and we'll answer them. Thanks for watching.
Kinsale, Gourmet Capital of Ireland denniscallan 2023-06-15 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Kinsale is one of Ireland's most beautiful towns, famous for its brightly-colored buildings, numerous shops, including art galleries and antique stores, with many excellent restaurants, often called the "Gourmet Capital of Ireland". It's slightly out of the way, about 17 miles south of the bigger city of Cork, and yet it has become one of the most popular visitor destinations in the country, primarily because of its beautiful setting with the waterfront harbor and the lovely arrangement of its narrow, winding streets that are just perfectly ideal for walking.00:00 intro00:43 shops1:17 ideal for walking2:02 Market Square2:27 pedestrian zone3:27 location4:42 Blue Haven5:31 White House6:07 pub music at Kitty O Se's6:36 walking tour6:48 Market Street7:48 Main Street8:46 Pearse Street 10:54 Desmond Castle11:59 harbor12:54 Dinos restaurant13:25 Fishy Fishy restaurant13:53 Actons Hotel14:16 Bastion Restaurant14:30 Max's Wine Bar and Seafood restaurant15:07 Pirates15:56 Jim Edwards Restaurant17:13 Market Quay17:45 Market Square18:32 Charles FortHere we have an authentic and cozy village feeling with these many blocks for discovering on foot, lined with an excellent variety of shops that are usually smaller and independent family operated boutiques. You don't see those high-end luxury fashion and designer shops like Louis Vuitton and Chanel here. Instead, it's much more of an authentic local shopping experience, with typically Irish workers who are friendly and happy to chat with you.You'll find it is the perfect town to walk around in. Kinsale is such an ideal town for walking, and that's partly because of its small size, just about 400 meters from one end to the other, with a lovely concentration of shops and restaurants in that central part of the village. There are many variations of these paint jobs and colors of the stores along the streets, turning the urban landscape into an outdoor art gallery, delightful to look at as you stroll along. Throughout the program will be taking you on walks along those main streets of town, showing you the beautiful shopfronts and restaurants along the way.
Italian Riviera, Camogli denniscallan 2023-06-01 | The Italian Riviera along the northwest coast of Italy has some of the most beautiful towns you could ever hope to visit. And one of the nicest is Camogli with its long beach on the Mediterranean Sea, and a row of pastel-colored buildings rising up behind it, with a lovely promenade containing many outdoor restaurants and cafes.travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com/Italy/north/Camogli.html with text, maps & links.Above, in those pastel-colored buildings, are mostly private apartments, some of which are available as vacation rentals. There's also a picturesque small harbor for the fishing boats and the tourist excursion ships offering scenic rides along the coast. This is just the perfectly divine spot, which is why they call it the Gulf of Paradise -- a little bit of heaven, located 24 kilometers southeast of Genoa. 00:00 intro0:28 pastel buildings0:53 location2:29 nearby towns3:00 harbor6:14 back lanes7:15 beach10:03 restaurants13:23 train15:31 grand vista17:08 seaside promenade18:55 lot to offer
Varenna, Lake Como, Italy denniscallan 2023-05-18 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Varenna is one of those magical, beautiful villages along the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. The lakefront setting gives it a marvelous ambiance with the pedestrian walkway and cafes right along the waterfront terrace, where you could have a delicious meal at one of several restaurants featuring that classic Italian cuisine and fresh fish right out of the lake or get some rich gelato from this gelateria inside an ancient stone arcade.00:00 intro0:49 location1:01 arrival2:14 Piazza San Giorgio 4:00 tour guide Giovanni Menna4:12 down steps5:18 waterfront7:24 Villa Monastero 7:59 Castello di Vezio 8:18 town center9:05 history9:52 holiday town10:15 scenic views10:45 walk of lovers11:30 day-trip11:55 Orrido di Bellano (Bellano Ravine) Our visit was skillfully organized by https://www.comolake.holiday/en/
Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds, UK denniscallan 2023-05-04 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the larger and more famous of the towns of the Cotswolds, with lots of restaurants and shops and several main streets. it makes a very good place to visit, walk around, do a little shopping and have lunch.The large market square and busy streets testify to the town's former importance and to its current popularity. The market square is surrounded by town houses, independent shops, antique centers, cosy cafes and inns all built in the mellow local stone, and it has been the focus of town life over many centuries, with the medieval market stocks at one end, the ancient market cross at the other. Stow is an important shopping center with antique and art galleries, gift shops, craft stores and variety of restaurants in all prices. At nearly 800 feet elevation, Stow is the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the old Roman Fosse Way at the point where several roads meet, hence an important trading center.One of the town’s major attractions is St. Edwards, a medieval church with cut stone and stained-glass and most famous for its very attractive doorway surrounded by yew trees, right out of Lord of the Rings. The garden and old graveyard out back provide a tranquil oasis to relax and play. The Norman Church had later additions with the tower completed in 1476.St Edward’s Church, was used as a prison during the English Civil War, as it was the only lockable building in the town. In 1646, the English Civil War ended near here after a battle at nearby Donnington, saw Royalist troops defeated, which put an end to Charles I’s hopes of retaining the English crown. Stow is built on layers of much earlier history, dating back to the Neolithic, which left behind stone axes and arrow heads, and a later Iron Age fort.
Bellagio, Italy, complete tour denniscallan 2023-04-20 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Located in the Lake District in the north of Italy on Lake Como, Bellagio is one of the world's most beautiful destinations that you would really enjoy visiting. The poet Shelley called it the loveliest town in the world.00:00 intro00:54 selfies1:09 picturesque lanes1:51 waterfront2:39 staircases3:14 map5:36 Via Garibaldi6:03 Salita Mella7:33 Salita Serbelloni10:29 Lake Como11:10 local guide13:09 Salita Grandi13:33 Grand Hotel villa Serbelloni14:08 Piazza della Chiesa14:19 Basilica di San Giacomo15:42 via Garibaldi19:06 Salita Monastero19:30 via Centrale21:10 Salita Mella21:24 history22:49 portico24:46 departureThe old town is characterized by narrow streets and picturesque, winding alleys, most of them staircases lined with charming shops, cafes and restaurants. It's a great place to wander and explore. The town's layout is reminiscent of a typical medieval village with steep and irregularly shaped streets that climb up the hillside with the rounded cobblestone paving that is quite easy to walk on.The staircase lanes going up the hill make Bellagio something very special magical, unique. You do have to put in a little effort to climb those steps, but it's easy.These winding hillside lanes are so beautiful you would probably enjoy walking every bit of them with a complete route covering about two kilometers.
Mantua, Italy, walking tour with Local Guide denniscallan 2023-04-06 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Mantua is the perfect Italian city and makes a great place to visit. Famous for its architectural treasures, elegant palaces and the medieval and Renaissance cityscapes. 00:00 intro1:16 guide intro2:03 walking tour begins3:16 Piazza Sordello3:44 Mantua map4:24 into Old Town5:21 main piazza6:48 three piazzas8:31 passeggiata8:47 cat walk9:11 Scaravelli bakery9:56 Piazza Erbe10:12 Rotunda and Tower12:33 Basilica of Sant'Andrea15:12 Italy lifestyle17:00 Piazza Alberti18:20 Piazza Canossa19:08 Piazza Virgiliana19:36 Palazzo D’Arco19:53 walk to Rio21:14 Loggia delle Pescherie 22:01 Via di Orefici 24:11 walking tips24:30 Porto Catena25:29 Teatro Bibiena26:13 Piazza Sordello28:03 Duke's Palace29:45 Cathedral29:56 Bishop's Palace31:36 Tower of the Cage32:34 history33:05 conclusionMantua's compact historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a dense concentration of historic buildings, some of which date back to the Middle Ages, and others reflect the strong Renaissance tradition of town planning.These historic sites are so close together, concentrated around three adjacent piazzas, making it very easy to see a lot in a short period of time with a minimal amount of walking. Located in the Lombardy region in the north of Italy, even though Mantua is inland, it's surrounded by water including three lakes and a canal, with a green park along the lakeshore, as you'll see more of later.This is the ideal city for discovering on foot where it is so easy to get around while exploring these endlessly fascinating sites. This visit is extra special because you will be enjoying a walking tour with a local expert, Giacomo Cecchin.
Lake Garda, Bardolino, Peschiera, Garda, northern Italy denniscallan 2023-03-23 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We're bringing you to three of the beautiful villages along the shores of this lake: visiting Garda town, enjoying a stroll on the lakefront promenade and the little winding lanes of the Old Town; next to Bardolino, famous for its red wine, pedestrian lanes and waterfront promenade; then we'll visit Peschiera Del Garda, with a fortified harbor built by the Venetians 400 years ago.:00 intro:32 location map1:29 arrive Garda town2:03 pedestrian lanes3:42 lakefront5:30 history6:53 Bardolino intro7:52 map walk route8:34 lanes10:12 San Severo10:47 to Peschiera10:58 Venetian walls11:23 walking tour12:29 Roman ruins13:05 views of walls13:32 departGarda town is known for its beautiful lakefront promenade, which is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a stroll along this promenade while taking in the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. We'll see more of the promenade in a few minutes, but first, we want to dive into these wonderful pedestrian lanes. It's a tangle of shopfronts and restaurants and homes up above. It gets busier in the summertime, but our visit was in October when it was nice and quiet, and peaceful. And now we're going on to Bardolino and Peschiera Del Garda. You can get from Garda to Bardolino in 5 minutes on the city bus, or you could walk it in 45 minutes. Bardolino's Old Town is a charming maze of narrow streets, picturesque squares and colorful buildings.Visitors can wander through the streets and explore the local shops, restaurants and cafes. Bardolino is also famous for its namesake wine, which is made from the local Corvina and Rondinella grape varieties. Visitors can explore the town's many wineries and taste the delicious wines produced in the region. We have just walked into town along Borgo Garibaldi, which leads into a series of little twisted lanes and intersections and small piazzas, heading towards the waterfront.It's quite easy to get around because this is a pedestrian zone and it's small, just about 400 meters long and 400 wide. Next, we're heading down to Peschiera Del Garda. During the 15th through 17th centuries, the old town was protected by a series of massive walls that were built by the rulers of Venice who controlled this area at that time. These walls are a World Heritage site as declared by UNESCO, which said they are of exceptional historical, architectural and technological significance. Upon entering town, your first impression will be this beautiful marina with its outdoor cafes. It was part of the Venetian fortified harbor. Just next to the waterfront, you'll see Piazza San Marco with a beautiful building looking down on it. It's the Palazzina ex Finanza, built in the impressive neoclassical style in the early 20th century. The building was originally used as a barracks for the Italian finance police. Aerial view shows the piazza and the small cluster of little streets that we're about to wander through.These three islands created a fortified harbor for the Venetian navy. At one time, Lake Garda was connected to the Adriatic Sea by canals that reached the rivers, Adige and Po. But that was severed by the Venetians to cut off trade competition from Mantua. Of course, the history here goes back much further, back to the bronze Age with those lake-dwellers, with their homes up on stilts and wooden piles.00:00 Introduction00:32 map01:29 arrive Garda town02:03 pedestrian lanes03:42 lakefront05:30 history06:53 Bardolino07:52 walk route map08:34 lanes10:12 San Severo10:47 to Peschiera10:58 Venetian walls11:23 walking tour12:29 Roman ruins13:05 views of walls13:32 depart
Carcassonne Complete Tour denniscallan 2023-03-09 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.00:00 intro00:00:27 Google Earth view00:01:16 enter town00:04:45 Castle00:06:29 wall walk 100:09:59 St Nazaire church00:13:14 wall walk 200:15:05 Narbonne Gate00:16:21 wall walk 300:19:06 New Town00:20:57 Place Carnot market00:23:08 Midi Canal00:25:29 Castle museum00:27:45 evening views00:29:11 hotels00:30:23 history00:32:26 departThe medieval town of Carcassonne in the southwest part of France is such an important historic landmark that the castle and entire walled town are on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites. It's surrounded by two fortified walls with a castle in the center. And within the walls is a small village, in a pedestrian zone with historic buildings, some of which date back to the 12th century.There's a tall inner wall and a lower outer wall, providing two layers of protection for the old medieval city. The main entrance through the massive walls is into this fortified gate with a projecting barbican thatv has stone walls along both si des for protection and drawbridge to create an effective barrier at this potential weak spot and keep out any attackers.We'll have a lot more to say about this gate later in the program when we walk on the wall all the way around the fortress. But first, we want to enter the town and take a walk along its beautiful lanes, look at the shops and generally get oriented. Right away as, soon as you get through the gate, you'll find yourself on the main street of town.It's for pedestrians, no cars allowed inside the Old Town except a few service vehicles and some of the local residents. You will find it's very rewarding to stroll about the lanes that are inside the village. It's not a large city by any means. The village itself is about 400 meters long and just over 200 meters wide, so it's easy to walk around and get a nice feeling for the whole place. And yet there's enough here that you could easily spend a full day or even two days exploring it.There cannot be very many places in the world that produce so profound an effect upon the imagination and the sense of beauty and history as the old walled town of Carcassonne, especially when you are walking along its wall. Stepping back into the 13th century when this town was attacked by the pope from Rome. More about that crazy story coming up a bit later.The town offers historical programs featuring costumed guides for visitors and also for the local school kids.Oh, there's something about castles that appeals to the kid in all of us. It really fires up the romance of the past, and it's really helped along by these costumed guides who put on a show for the little kids and tell them some of the many legends associated with the spectacular castle of Carcassonne. Within the walls, we have an actual functioning town with shops, there's several small hotels, and there's 50 homes for the local residents as well, with a small plaza in the center or hosting some outdoor terrace restaurants, and a vast pedestrian zone that you'll want to explore.The main street we walked in on could keep some visitors busy for many hours, maybe for a couple of days right here on this one block. So many shops, mostly souvenirs, but there's a variety of all kinds of goods, clothing and food. One of the nicest and most popular spots in town is Place Marcou, with its outdoor restaurants and bars, cafes, tables all around it. This is a happy place. It's quiet during this non-meal hour, but during lunch and dinner it gets very busy. Let's have a look at night and you'll see people are out enjoying themselves with a fine meal and some good drinks. It's not just for visitors. Local residents come up from down below to also enjoy the atmosphere.
Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy denniscallan 2023-02-16 | Sirmione on Lake Garda is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy's Lake District.travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.00:00 intro0:43 Piazza Castello2:09 Piazza Giosuè Carducci3:43 Via Vittorio Emanuele4:18 Via Santa Maria Maggiore5:17 Piazza Flaminia5:50 Piazza Porto Valentino7:14 town crossroad7:34 Via Giuseppe Piana8:43 Piazza dei Catari9:19 Scaligero Castle11:29 fortified harbor15:36 Via Dante15:52 Santa Maria Maggiore16:17 beach walk18:06 boat ride18:28 Grottoes of CatullusLake Garda in the north of Italy, near the Alps, is the largest lake in the country and it has two dozen beautiful villages all the way around it. One of the most interesting is the fortified town of Sirmione. The first thing you see upon arrival is the impressive medieval castle. You enter the town, crossing the drawbridge, and through a fortified gate, a dramatic way to begin our visit.Later, in the program will take you inside the castle and climb to the top of that tower for a grand view. But first, we're going to walk all around in the village and enjoy its charming pedestrian lanes. Right away, we're at the Castle Piazza, one of several charming little piazzas in this village, which also has some beautiful lanes for strolling, shopping and eating.Interesting little alleyways, tunneling through the buildings, connect the various streets and piazzas, which adds another element to the charm of this place. And shoppers will find many tantalizing opportunities. Sirmione is on a narrow peninsulas jutting into the lake. So you'll have some nice waterfront strolls. And yes, there's a beach at the peninsula's north end. There are ruins of an ancient Roman villa, one of the largest Roman archeological sites in northern Italy.As you'll see after we visit Sirmione in town. The castle and town scene from above gives you a nice overview and you can see how compact the town is. Just 400 meters long and 200 meters wide, with several little waterfront piazzas that are quite inviting along with charming pedestrian lanes, as we'll show you in a moment. The town is on a narrow four kilometer long peninsula that juts out into the lake.It's been compared to a jewel on a scepter because of that unique location. It played a special role in defense of the lake, as we'll discuss later when we get inside the castle. Simply strolling around, enjoying these beautiful buildings and the location on the lake is probably one of the most enjoyable activities, as in your visit to Sirmione.Along with that fantastic Italian cuisine, there are a handful of these beautiful piazzas lined with restaurants that go right down to the waterfront. Gives you a chance to go out on the dock and maybe take a boat ride, or just enjoy the scenic vistas along the lakeshore. The ancient Romans were here 2000 years ago, including the poet Catullus, and 100 years after him, a great villa was constructed in the ancient Roman style.We'll see it later on a boat ride that you could catch from this pier, offering tours of Sirmione Peninsula. It's always enjoyable to watch the ducks and swans swimming around by the dock here, looking for some food, establishing the pecking order. This was photographed in the month of October, when the weather is still very nice. It was never cold, hardly any rain and no crowd.
Verona, Italy denniscallan 2023-02-02 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Verona is most famous for its Roman amphitheater. Next to it is one of the largest piazzas in Italy. Piazza Bra, with several main streets emanating from the central part of town. Via Mazzini is the most popular of the shopping streets in this pedestrian zone, and it leads on to the Piazza della Erbe, which had been the ancient Roman forum, and then the main square of Verona, the pedestrian zone lined with shops and cafes is a major feature of town.But the most popular attraction for many people is the House of Juliet. As in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which was set here in Verona. 00:00 intro1:52 walk route2:53 Corso Sant'Anastasia3:46 Porta Borsari5:58 Arena6:51 Piazza Bra8:26 via Mazzini10:21 via Anfiteatro10:59 via Stella, Scala11:35 via Cappello12:06 Juliet's House14:09 Piazza delle Erbe17:08 Piazza dei Signoni (Piazza Dante)19:42 Scaliger tombs21:38 House of Romeo23:00 Sant'Anastasia24:09 Verona Cathedral. There are several palaces around Piazza de Signore that had been home to the ruling scholar family who are famous for the Gothic tombs. They were interred in and outside several churches, along with Mazzini, the other main shopping street is Corso Sant Anastasia, which leads to a major church of the same name.We're taking you on a walking tour from one end of town to the other, up north to the Ponte Pietra with two stone arches on the right side, built nearly 2000 years ago during the Roman period. The hill across the river on the left bank has a long history because it was here. The first settlement of Iran was founded.A fortress atop the hill offers the best vantage point for views across the whole city, where you can see how the river wraps around the historic center. Like a moat. Yet this rapidly flowing river divides the town in two, traversing the picturesque medieval bridge with a tower gateway. At one end leads you back into the right bank. The main part of downtown.We're going to take you on a walking tour through that historic cente
Tallinn, Estonia a Perfect Day denniscallan 2023-01-21 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Tallinn, Estonia is the best preserved medieval town in Northern Europe, according to UNESCO, which declared the Old Town a World Heritage Site.00:00 introduction:25 Town Hall Square1:42 small town, popular2:28 historic preservation4:52 upper and lower towns5:38 getting here on ship7:05 arrive main gate7:58 Pikk street9:04 Brotherhood of Black Heads10:37 St Olav11:31 wall walk12:25 upper town14:38 viewpoint15:16 walk down17:07 Katariina käik18:38 St. Catherine's Monastery19:18 walk in lanes20:53 Great Guild Hall21:04 Estonian History Museum22:56 economy25:21 Town Hall27:00 Holy Spirit Church27:35 Viru tänav street28:10 Viru shopping mall28:32 music festival The number one site to enjoy in Tallinn is the Town Hall square, where the market has always been located, and it is still the busiest place in town. Surrounded by some of the finest architecture, housing shops and outdoor restaurants and beer halls and the great collection of market kiosks in the center of the square.The excellent preservation of this medieval architecture is a result of three major factors: during the 13th and 14th centuries it became a very important trading center part of the Huns the Arctic league and therefore these buildings were constructed and built up in a grand style befitting the wealth of this community.But after a few hundred years of trade and expansion the prosperity tapered off the trade moved to other places and Tallinn was sort of left behind in the wake of history.In the 20th century it was occupied by Russia and was left alone because there was no money to pay for any modern development creating this unique situation of a well-preserved ensemble with medieval and Renaissance buildings in this extremely beautiful setting.Tallinn has a few gentle hills, creating an interesting topography where you get some intersections of streets going high and low. One of the first of the impressive historic sites you come upon on Pikk Street is three connected houses called The Three Sisters. These are typical examples of what the dwellings of wealthy merchants would look like in the Middle Ages.Tallinn has always depended on merchants for its prosperity, and in this street we find many of the guild houses. They were the headquarters of the various merchant organizations. This elaborate facade and beautiful doorway leads to one of the most interesting of the guild houses. We're in the house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, and you see here a gothic guild hall. This would have been the principal meeting room inside the Guild Hall.St Olav's Church is claimed to have been the highest church in Europe, and there are some who claim it was the world's tallest building in the late 16th century. They say its height was 200 meters, but lightning has struck at numerous times and the height's been reduced now to 125 meters.Wander through the nearby little lanes, and you will soon come upon a section of the wall that you can actually walk on for free. The oldest sections of Tallinn's city wall were built in the 13th-century. During the next 300 years, it became one of the largest and strongest defense systems in all of northern Europe. More than half of the magnificent defense system has been preserved, which includes nearly two kilometers of the wall, 26 defensive towers and two major gates. It would be very easy to miss this wall-climbing adventure, so be sure to look for it.One way to reach the Upper Town is walking through that fortified gateway that was part of the barrier between the upper and lower towns, on an extension of Long Leg street, the main street of town.There are a couple of lookout points up here where you get splendid views looking down at the Lower Town, especially at the city wall, and the watchtowers, and the clay tile roofs of the old buildings. There are 26 of these medieval towers still standing.When finished with the Upper Town, it's quite easy to get back to the Lower Town. It's all downhill, perhaps returning the same way you came up along the Long Leg street where you're going to find more of those paintings and crafts on display.Katerina Käik, or St Catherine's Lane, is one of the nicest streets in town because it's a quiet respite with this ancient architecture. And it's lined with open studios that function as everyday work rooms for the artists.The Great Guild was the most important of the merchant societies, and the impressive Gothic headquarters was converted into the Estonian History Museum with a fascinating collection.The main building on the town hall square is the city hall itself. It's the best-preserved town hall in the Baltic and Scandinavian states, dating back to 1402. The Town Hall has a small museum inside with costume attendants to explain the history. The magnificent building celebrated recently its 700th anniversary.
Bologna Piazzas and Porticoes denniscallan 2023-01-05 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We are taking you to Bologna, one of the great cities of Italy, quite famous for its food. 00:00 Intro:43 porticoes3:04 cafes3:29 Piazza Santo Stefano4:21 Piazza Maggiore6:01 Portico del Pavaglione6:52 Frescoes7:31 portico evolution8:35 why porticoes? 9:23 sightseeing tram9:42 main street11:32 Asinelli Tower12:54 Strada Maggiore15:50 portico history17:02 UNESCOAlthough here they do not eat baloney. They have a similar meat they call mortadella, and they don't eat spaghetti bolognese. They call that red sauce a ragu. And they never serve it on spaghetti, more likely on tagliatelle and other pastas. Bologna is also famous for its university, the oldest in the world, and the well-preserved historic center, one of the largest in the country, accented with those two prominent medieval towers which have become the symbol of the city. But there is one particular feature that makes this city unique in all the world. It has the longest collection of covered sidewalks. It's called a portico, which is a roof over the sidewalk that is held up by columns.The plural in Italian is portici, or an English porticoes. You might also call them arcades or loggia or colonnades. These sheltered sidewalks extend for 38 kilometers in the city, with another 15 kilometers reaching beyond the center. They have such tremendous cultural and historic importance that UNESCO has declared them a World Heritage site. This is the world's longest collection of sheltered sidewalks, and many of the piazzas are surrounded by porticoes.So in this program, will be combining a look at the porticoed roads, as well as some of the more interesting piazzas that have porticoes around them. These arcades serve two basic functions. One is to provide shelter from the sun, the rain, the occasional snow, while they also enable the buildings to extend out over the sidewalk, creating additional floor space in the building's upper levels.Perhaps even more importantly, the porticoes provide an outdoor living room, a shared community space where people can interact, serving as crossroads of civic life. A place where you are at home, but also out in the world. A meeting place to stop and chat, run into neighbors, make new friends, do a little smooching, maybe fall in love. These arcades provide a social network that ties this city together.Porticoes also create a delightful ambiance, a sheltered area that brings the outdoors in and the indoors out. It's kind of an in-between space that encourages pedestrian traffic while increasing access to the many shops that line these streets, which can display products for sale in outdoor stands and in the old days were used by craftsmen for making things. It's like an early version of our modern shopping malls.Porticoes also provide a comfortable setting for the numerous outdoor cafes and restaurants that you'll find throughout the city. You will often see the restaurant expanding out beyond the portico into the adjacent street or piazza, creating additional useful spaces, which gives customers the choice to sit indoors or under the portico or out in the open. A fine example of that is the very popular Piazza Santo Stefano, which has a triangular shape with porticoes on two sides of medieval and Renaissance origin, and the Church of Santo Stefano at the end with seven churches inside it, including an octagonal portico in one of the ancient churches and a beautiful cloister surrounded by two levels of columns and arches.We'll see more of this in a separate movie about the churches of Bologna. Another interesting building on this piazza is Palazzo Salina, with a portico clad in terracotta. Its nickname is the Palace of the Heads, because there are 300 faces looking down at us from the facade. The largest piazza in town just a few blocks away is Piazza Maggiore, with more porticoes along several of the most important buildings in Bologna.The main square of Bologna is always a busy place, daytime and right into the evening. It's surrounded by the big church, the town hall cafes and little lanes leading off from it that have many restaurants, lots of outdoor eateries. It's an amazing busy place.t
Fly in Comfort with head strap denniscallan 2022-12-22 | My Christmas present to you, a simple head strap that can give you the comfort of a first-class seat, especially useful when you're trying to get some sleep. You can make it from materials that cost practically nothing -- a strip of fabric, some rubber bands and a paper clip. It's a free upgrade. But what's the point? This strap is going to comfortably hold your head snug, allowing you to get comfortable and totally relax.It's also very easy to remove it and then it could fit in your pocket, it's so small. Typical neck pillows prevent your head from leaning back as far as possible, which is the most comfortable position you can get into if you're trying to relax or sleep. With the strap set up in position, all you do is sit down and put your head inside the strap and relax. When properly adjusted, which is quite simple to do, it's going to hold your head nice and snug. You'll be in a good firm position without your head dropping down all the time. It's easy to make: sew a loop at each end of your strip of fabric, then attach some connected rubber bands to the loop. And then a simple paperclip is all you need to connect the strap together.It can be adjusted to fit any sized head, one size fits all. It helps if the fabric is elastic for extra comfort, although any soft fabric will work.And very easy to use on the airplane. Just put the strap around the top of your airplane seat. The strap can be adapted to fit any airplane seat without bothering the person sitting behind you.It's even useful on some first-class seats. So you might think, Oh, I'm going to get a flat bed when sometimes first class does not go flat, and you've got that same problem of your head flopping around. Well, put the strap on your first-class seat, too, sometimes. Of course, it's primarily intended for those who are flying economy. We all know how uncomfortable airplane seating has become. This little gadget can help a lot. Very easy to adjust the length of your strap, depending on the size of your seat and your head. Just be sure to have enough rubber bands available that you can add more if necessary. And then you just connect the two ends of their upper bands together with a paperclip.If the strap needs to be a little bit shorter, just move the connection of the paperclip to a different rubber band. This is not rocket science. No instruction manual is necessary. This short video provides all the information that you need to make it yourself. The strap and connections are remarkably sturdy. I've been using one for several years and haven't had to change any rubber bands, but over time, if the rubber bands start drying out, well there is easy to replace.You might be wondering more how much will this cost and where can I buy one? Well, you could probably put it together with materials that you already have, so the cost could be free. And as far as buying it, no, it's not for sale. I invented this little device and am offering it to you for free. I place it into the Public Domain. So don't try and patent it and sell it for a gazillion dollars. It's free. The strap is a simple little device, but amazing how effective it is in holding your head still. And that allows the neck, shoulders and rest of your body to also remain still so that you can relax and get some solid sleep.travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.
Northern Italy Top-20 Towns denniscallan 2022-12-08 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.00:00 Introduction01:06 Genoa03:44 Camogli04:50 SESTRI LEVANTE05:40 SAVONA06:31 Albenga07:22 Bellagio09:14 Varenna11:14 Bergamo14:50 Brescia18:00 Iseo18:43 Peschiera20:26 Sirmione23:02 Verona25:03 Vicenza26:35 Padua28:31 Mantua31:42 Cremona33:23 Parma34:31 Modena36:14 BolognaWe finally reach the last destination of our grand tour of the Top-20 towns of northern Italy, arriving in the great city of Bologna, which has one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in Italy.
San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy denniscallan 2022-12-01 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.There is one special village in Tuscany, San Gimignano, that has more than a dozen medieval skyscrapers that have been standing there for 700 years. Tall stone towers like this were found in many Tuscan towns during the Middle Ages. But in later times, most of them were torn down, which makes these survivors of San Gimignano so unusual. No doubt this is one of the largest collections of medieval towers in Italy.00:00 Introduction00:29 Google Earth view02:06 walking route03:51 World Heritage05:12 Piazza Cisterna06:48 climb tower11:06 art museum 13:35 via San Matteo 14:08 fortress15:07 side alleys17:08 best seasonOriginally, San Gimignano had 72 of these towers back in the Middle Ages, and remarkably, 14 of the towers have survived, which is the main reason why this town is so famous. San Gimignano was preserved in this unique way because for many centuries it was ignored and left alone without any further development, until the 20th century, when its status as a tourist attraction began to be recognized.These preserved buildings became a bonus for the modern visitor who gets to experience an authentic medieval town. The highest tower reaches 170 feet, and you can pay a small fee to climb all the way up to the top of it, where you get a fabulous view of the old town and a delightful panorama of the Tuscan countryside.
Prague Old Town Square and lanes denniscallan 2022-11-17 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We're going to take you on a tour of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. It's one of the best preserved historic towns in all of Europe. And we're going to show you the highlights. Of course, the best way to see a city like Prague is by walking. And we'll be doing a lot of walking as we see this town.
Prague Castle with Local Guide denniscallan 2022-11-03 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.In Prague, visiting the Castle District with our local guide, Petra, and she's going to walk us back through the Castle District and then down the hill.
Prague Charles Bridge and Walking Tour denniscallan 2022-10-20 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.In addition to visiting Old Town Square we explore an area of quaint backstreets that are perfect for walking. It's just south of Charles Bridge and within this area you will be deep in the Old City, but somewhat away from the tourists. So it makes a perfect place to meander. The whole neighborhood is ideal for the aimless stroll, offering the perceptive traveler an opportunity for immersion in 18th century architecture and town planning.
Prague Highlights and Walking Tour denniscallan 2022-10-06 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Imagine a beautiful, ancient European city that looks like the 18th century never ended, with cobbled lanes and majestic old Baroque palaces, statues everywhere, fountains, gardens, a brooding castle on the hill, a river crossed by historic foot-bridge, and with no automobiles in the center to shatter the time-warp illusion. This must be Prague! Capital of the Czech Republic (Czechia), Prague is one of the most picturesque and interesting cities in Europe. It is one of the few major historic places on the Continent that was not damaged by either World Wars, so the well-preserved buildings you see are the real thing, not a reconstruction or some tourist bureau fantasy. Not much has changed during the past 200 years, resulting in one of the largest collections of well-preserved old buildings in Europe. “Modernization” was thankfully limited to the graceful innovations of art nouveau at the beginning of the 20th century, found in dozens of elegant buildings around the center. Economic stagnation under the Communists following the Second World War was unfortunate for Czech society, but fortuitously it preserved the old buildings by default, since there was no money to knock them down and build anything new. The city is a jewel intact, a time capsule glistening with castles, palaces, medieval old-town neighborhoods, and many fascinating sights that offer a glimpse of the past.The “city of a hundred spires” will impress you with its soaring churches and lavish baroque palaces. Its lively squares and avenues give the city a festive atmosphere which few can rival, and its concert halls, ballet and opera performances are world-class.
Bath, UK, Walking Tour denniscallan 2022-09-22 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We're focusing on the pedestrian streets of Bath, UK, lined with many shops, and we'll take you into some little side lanes and tranquil courtyards.We begin in the very center of town in front of the Abbey and its busy churchyard, always bustling with people and surrounded by cafes and museums. The street in front of the church is the busiest part of town.This one main street stretches almost the entire length of the center. It's about 600 meters long. Then we'll explore more of those little side lanes. The southern end of this main pedestrian street is an excellent example of urban redevelopment. It's Southgate Street, which is kind of like a shopping mall in the middle of the historic center.There are numerous little side lanes and main streets that you'll want to explore right in the center of town, including Milsom, Westgate and Kingsmead. The central area of Bath is only about six blocks wide and about eight blocks long, but there's a dense network of fascinating shopping lanes to cover, which could keep you busy for many happy hours. You will be tempted by attractive side roads leading off in each direction from this central street. So you'll undoubtedly keep coming back and forth in this central lane many times.The best strategy for the savvy traveler is stroll up one direction and then back down another street, criss crossing the side streets in a semi-organized way until all the possibilities are covered.
Lacock, Cotswolds, UK denniscallan 2022-09-08 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We are driving through the beautiful Cotswolds of England, heading for the village of Lacock. During the Middle Ages, it was important for raising sheep and processing, storing and selling wool. These old buildings have not changed very much since that time. Production of wool ended in the 19th century, depriving the village of its main source of income, which fortunately for us, has kept new developments to a minimum resulting in this historic treasure.Lacock dates from the 13th century and is full of traditional half-timbered and stone houses. It's the quintessential English village. You'll see it is easy and rewarding to take a short walk through this small village, which we will do. Taking the route shown on the map. The entire distance walking around the village center is just 800 meters, ending up back where you began.
Bibury, Cotswolds, UK denniscallan 2022-08-25 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We're visiting some small village of Bibury in the Cotswold region of England. The main attraction here is the splendid row of stone cottages that dates back to the 14th century in a picturesque setting next to the Coln River and the open meadow in front. Bibury is a small village in a rural setting, with the oval outline showing the location of that row of stone cottages called Arlington Row.We'll be showing you many views of that beautiful site and also taking you to the famous trout farm in the heart of Bibury with its water features and lush landscaping. The small Coln River is a tributary of the Thames and makes an idyllic setting for the stone houses and the pretty flower gardens of the village, with several bridges for cars and pedestrians connecting the two sides of town, providing easy access to Arlington Road and its spectacular old stone structures.Arlington Road is one of England's most iconic and photographed sites, so famous its picture has been on the UK passport for a decade, originally built in the 14th century as a monastic wool storehouse. It was a warehouse for wool and it was converted in the 17th century into a row of cottages for weavers who supplied cloth for the two mills in the area which made this village very prosperous from the wool trade.It's owned by the National Trust, which restored it in 1975 after early preservation efforts by the Royal College of Arts back in 1929.
Tetbury, Cotswolds, England denniscallan 2022-08-11 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Next we are heading to the second largest town in the Cotswolds, Tetbury. see my new website townsofeurope.comFor text, maps, links, videos and more.It's situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, surrounded by landscapes of gently rolling hills, primarily used for farmlands, including flocks of sheep and grain production. We'll be looking at a few blocks right in the center of town. Tetbury is located in the southern Cotswolds, about 30 kilometers from Bath.Our van parks in the nearby lot and we step out excited to explore yet another Cotswold village. Right away, next to the car park, we see the historic cobble lane called Chipping Steps, lined with picturesque stone cottages. These steps are an old entrance to the town, and that row of stone cottages running down the side were probably home to wool weavers.During the Middle Ages,Tetbury was near a major East-West trail for trade, and so it became an important market for Cotswolds wool and yarn. The historic Market House is at the crossroads at the center of town. It was built in 1655 and it's the most famous building in Tetbury, listed as a historic protected property. We'll see more of this marketplace in a little bit.But first, we're going for a walk down the main shopping street of town, called Long Street. This is where most of the retail action takes place. It's very easy to explore. Just walk all the way down one side and then cross over and walk back up the other side. Although it's called Long Street, it's just 300 meters from one end to the other.The town is known as an architectural treasure, with many of the wool merchant's houses remaining the same as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries during the height of the town's prosperity from the wool trade, built from that famous Cotswold stone. Most of Tetbury is a protected conservation area. The center of Tetbury is especially renowned for its antique shops and independent boutiques.This High Street has been named one of the UK's top ten favorite streets for shopping by Homes and Antiques Magazine. You'll find a number of specialist food markets selling cheese, breads and meats, along with clothing shops, banks, charity shops, estate agents, lifestyle, clothing. And there's even a store here that's owned by Prince Charles. It's called Highgrove, featuring organic food and branded homeware.The gardens of the Prince's Highgrove estate are just two miles south of town and open to the public with guided tours. The town has many fine stone buildings in various styles, reflecting the architecture and fashions of the last 400 years. The town has pubs and hotels, including the Royal Oak Inn, with six bedrooms in an 18th century building that's been fully renovated.Completing our walking round trip, returning to the top of Long Street brings us back to the Market House. This is one of the best surviving pillared market houses in England, and it has had many uses in the past, sales of wool especially, but also administration of the town, storage of the hand fire pump, and it was even used as a lockup until a police station was built.For centuries, this building has been the hub of town and markets are still held here regularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. And that completes our short visit to Tetbury. We've been visiting the Cotswolds on a day trip with a company called Mad Max, continuing along on our Mad Max tour of several Cotswold villages from our home base in the city of Bath. Our guide takes care of all the driving on these narrow country roads.That's all for now. But we have other movies about villages in the Cotswolds, including a film about Castle Combe, Malmesbury, Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, Lacock and Cheltenham. Look for them in our collection. We frequently upload new movies, so please subscribe to our channel and click that little alarm bell so you'll be notified. And if you enjoyed the movie, how about thumbs up and we always welcome comments down below. Or if you have questions about the destination, make note and we will answer them. Thanks for watching.
Todi, Umbria, complete tour denniscallan 2022-07-28 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Todi is an excellent example of a well-preserved Italian hill town. It's a fascinating medieval gem in the heart of Umbria and yet Todi is off the beaten track of tourists. It's one of those authentic places that are not crowded, but Italians in the know are quite familiar with it because this village is so wonderful. It's next to the Appenine mountains with a patchwork of vineyards and olive groves. Because we're on a hill, the surrounding lowlands can gather mist, sometimes with a magical lighting effect. It's an old-fashioned small town with a friendly atmosphere. Todi is located about 40 kilometers from Perugia in a straight line distance, 100 kilometers from Siena, and 150 kilometers from Florence. During our Todi visit, we'll be focusing on the little pedestrian lanes and the piazzas lined with historic buildings.Information available at official tourist information site:https://www.visitodi.eu/it/ For information about finding a local guide in Todi:todiguide.comWe'll see monumental arches in the old fortified walls. Todi has quite a few of these little pedestrian alleyways. No cars here, just people walking and residences, apartments lining these little narrow lanes. While it is a very old town, there are quite a few young people living here. If you're out walking in the morning, you'll see them on their way to class.These narrow, curved lanes can be a little confusing, so you might get a bit lost. It's a small town, you can't get too lost, but you have a choice. Do you want to just go wander or follow a particular route that will bring you to most of the good parts of town? To help you out, we're going to offer an efficient route.
Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, complete tour denniscallan 2022-07-14 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.The main piazza in Arezzo is one of those great Tuscan spaces, with pedestrian lanes leading out from it in all directions. We'll take you on a walk along the main Corso Italia, with detours into various little side lanes, and show many of the old buildings dating back to the Middle Ages when Arezzo was a fortified town with a wall around it.Among the many attractions here there is one particular focal point, which is a series of paintings by Piero della Francesca depicting scenes of the True Cross. The historic center between the train station and Piazza Grande is just about one square kilometer, so it's really easy to see it on foot walking around for a day. You'll really enjoy this main street, Corso Italia, lined with shops, and there's apartments above, there's a few little hotels here and there, in a quiet pedestrian zone with the few little service vehicles. You'll notice a slight incline in the angle of the street as you enter the town, but Arezzo is relatively flat, not one of those steep hill towns of Tuscany. Within 10 minutes walk from the train station, you can reach the Basilica of San Francesco, perhaps the major landmark of town, because inside is that series of fresco paintings by Piero della Francesca, depicting Legends of the True Cross, a world famous collection of art.We'll take a closer look at these beautiful pieces at the end of the video. Like in many other Tuscan towns, this broad pedestrian route is the main pathway connecting the lower part of town to the historic one, more up towards the top of the hill. It's a slight uphill walk, but very nice stroll with many kinds of shops, there's restaurants, antiques and more.
Italy’s Best Piazza? denniscallan 2022-07-01 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Begin your day in the center of Rome at Campo de Fiori outdoor fruit and vegetable market, one of Italy’s best piazzas -- maybe the best! Campo de Fiori is teeming with friendly people, tasty fruits, vibrant colors, animated conversations, varieties of vegetables, sweet smells, energetic vendors, local shoppers, and atmosphere galore. This setting is perfect, surrounded by very old buildings with cobbled pedestrian lanes leading off in all directions into a great neighborhood we shall explore next. This friendly and lively piazza is one of the major focal points of the city, just three blocks south of Piazza Navona.Arriving any time in the morning is good, but earlier is better. Campo de Fiori makes a great start for our walk: it is the only main attraction opening by 6am and it is simply a wonderful morning scene. This magical Campo has multiple personalities, changing character throughout the day: Rome’s main veggie market in the morning, a ring of busy restaurants at lunch, peaceful in the afternoon, and a party scene at night. Nearly all the vendors have worked here for years and know each other like family, making for a cooperative, communal attitude. Ladies traditionally do most of the trimming to get the produce ready for display, so watching their deft moves might give you a few ideas for speeding up your own food-prep techniques.A special item that comes into season during the fall, usually October and September, is the truffle, the wonderful truffle of Italy. It’s quite expensive, perhaps $200 for a little piece, but more affordable as an ingredient of your meal in a good restaurant. The classic presentation is served freshly sliced onto a simple pasta dish with a plain oil or butter sauce, which allows the pungent, earthy truffle aroma to explode in your mouth. The finest truffles are the white variety from Piedmont, tastier than the more famous black French version.Porcini mushroom is another specialty at the market, one of Italy’s unique wild foods offered primarily in the fall. These big fungi don’t travel well, so you generally don’t find them served fresh outside Italy. Most good restaurants in Rome will offer them in season, and the porcini mushroom is absolutely worth tasting, either as an ingredient in the pasta sauce or as a dish unto itself grilled to firm perfection. They have become so famous that some have been marginally cultivated in other parts of the world, and dried packets are widely available – but dried is nothing like the real thing.The morning market is what makes the campo unique, so if you are an early bird trying to squeeze the max out of your Rome hours or someone waking up early from jet lag at the start of a trip, do consider coming here first thing in the morning, even as early as 6:00am when the vendors are just starting to set up their stands. In this pre-dawn bonus hour you will see all manner of oddball, wheeled devices being pushed, pedaled and driven into the still-dark piazza as merchants bring stands from their overnight storage in nearby warehouses. Crates of produce stacked high are delivered by tiny three-wheel trucks (more like overgrown mopeds). Umbrellas are raised, peaches arranged, white-smocked fish-vendors march in, conversations ring loud in the air with the fountains burbling and the antique lamp posts still shining in the dark blue, pre-dawn sky above. It is quite a free show. It’s fun to just hang out and watch everybody getting set up for their morning’s work. By seven o’clock the vendors are fully open for business and the second act of this street theater has begun. Don’t come too late because by mid-day most food stands have shut down -- the merchants have packed up their goods and pushed them back into the nearby warehouses for overnight storage. The center is clear, ready for the next act. Around noon it transforms into a popular luncheon piazza, encircled by a dozen outdoor restaurants which are fascinating to observe, and tasty, if rather touristic: fine for simple pizza, salad, pasta or drinks, and ideal for its people-watching atmosphere from an al fresco table. If you are hungry for excellent food, the adjacent lanes are sprinkled with better choices, such as Ditirambo, Costanza and Teatro di Pompeo. The Campo de Fiore becomes a lively party scene in the evening when wine and beer flows like water and hundreds of people gather at the tables and stand in the plaza, chattering and laughing. It is beautifully lit, the fountains are going, restaurants are open, people are friendly and talkative, music is in the air, young and old share the space, and tourists are hard to find. It’s a very hip gathering spot for locals, hanging out, seeing and being seen. There are terrific cafés and bars all around the square -- drop in for just a drink or a complete meal at one of these busy spots, especially lively on weekend nights.
Rome Restaurants denniscallan 2022-06-16 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.The restaurants of Rome are just as wonderful as the ancient historic sites of this great city. For some people, the food is even more important. In this program, we're going to experience three excellent places to eat: Cantina e Cucina near Piazza Navona, Maccheroni near the Pantheon and Restaurant 34 near Piazza de Spagna and the Spanish Steps. But each of them is not located right at those touristic landmarks, but instead on little side streets nearby, where you're more likely to get an authentic restaurant with some locals among the customers.Cantina e Cucina https://cantinaecucina.it/ Maccheroni ristorantemaccheroni.comRestaurant 34 http://www.ristoranteal34.it/Cantina e Cucina. The friendly staff really sets the fun and casual feeling of the restaurant, and they provide very efficient service The historic atmosphere of brick walls and vaulted ceilings was a perfect setting for our group meal, and the food began arriving quickly.So many foods to choose from. Homemade pastas, carbonara, ravioli, amatriciana, lasagna, and lots of different salads. Or you can get a pizza, and meats like saltimbocca, meatballs, beef entrecote, or sliced chicken. How about bruschetta or grilled vegetables? And then save a little room for dessert. Have fun with getting spoiled by so many choices that will satisfy your palate.And you can wash it all down with the excellent variety from the cellar wine collection, or cocktails prepared by the bartender. From the Cantina, we're walking a few blocks beyond the Pantheon to Restaurant Maccharoni, and then we'll finish up at Restaurant 34. This street leading to our restaurant has many touristic outdoor restaurants that you might want to avoid, even though a host will try and lure you in. Instead, keep walking a few minutes, then go around the corner and into this magical world of Piazza de la Copelle, a small, quiet space, off the beaten track with several excellent restaurants.The pasta is fresh, sometimes a little spicy. And so are the waiters. Hello.Hi, my name is Luciano. This is Maccheroni restaurant, the best in Rome. The restaurant is quite large with several rooms on the main floor, all of that outdoor seating, and there's a lower level with historic brick arches. With tables spread out enough, you don't feel crowded. Here's that fettuccine with black truffles, and they keep the sauce rather plain to bring out the flavor of the truffle. The restaurant has an open kitchen, so that it's easy to watch the chefs doing their magic inside.And you'll notice some interesting things about the way the pasta is prepared, perhaps a little different than the way you do things at home. So, let's observe and pick up a few professional cooking tips. Pour lots of olive oil. The main technique is to saute the pasta in the sauce in a skillet over the flame and keep it moving, stir it up and flip it around.When you're boiling the pasta, you do not want to completely cook it, because you'll be finishing it off in the skillet so that it comes out al dente, nice and firm. By sautéing the pasta together with the sauce over the heat, the elements combine with each other and enrich the flavor. And you're not just stirring. It's more of a two-fisted athletic operation where you're really shaking it up, beating those flavors together.Now, we've walked another kilometer over to the neighborhood known as Spagna, famous for the nearby Spanish Steps. And just around the corner on Villa Mario de 'Fiori, we reach Restaurant 34, a traditional, authentic ristorante. I've eaten here many times, going back decades, and it's always been a wonderful meal.“Welcome in the restaurant. This restaurant, Trenta Quatro, is one of the oldest restaurants in Rome. It's a very typical Italian food, very good food, traditional food. We use very good ingredients. Beautiful restaurant in the heart of Rome.We are here from 1968. I am third generation and it's my family, from my grandmother, my uncle, me and my brother. We serve many dish of the tradition of the city of Rome. So lamb, the tripe, the carbonara, amatriciana, many, many plates of our tradition, and we serve, too, many dish of Italian tradition. So from the north, from the south, we have many different choices.Fresh pasta. Fresh pasta, always. A lot of fresh pasta.Very good a list of wine, of course, all Italian wines from the north to the south.And the house wine is very good. House wine is good. Not expensive. It's not as much expensive, it is very good, to be house wine, of course. We are always here, from morning till night.”The staff takes a personal interest in how the dining room is functioning, spending time with the customers to get some feedback. We frequently upload new movies, so please subscribe to our channel and click that little alarm bell so you'll be notified.
Piazza Navona, Rome denniscallan 2022-06-02 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Piazza Navona is the greatest square of Rome. Great, in the sense of being wonderful and lively, beautiful, large. Night and day it's a busy place. This piazza is like the living room of Rome, a place for locals and visitors alike. It's considered one of the most beautiful and lively outdoor spaces in the world. Originally built as a racetrack by the ancient Roman Emperor Domitian, it still retains the original oval shape that gives it a unique appearance, lined with restaurants and palaces. The piazza is enclosed by faded pastel facades all around that produce a rich feeling of antiquity. It's a place to have some fun, with something for everybody.One of the most beautiful focal points of the Piazza Navona is the fountain of the Four Rivers, right in the center. It was designed by Bernini that greatest of all baroque artists in Rome. There are four principal statues that represent the four major rivers of the great continents known at that time. You want to walk all the way around this wonderful sculptural complex and see it from all angles, and especially from the corner where you get the church in the backdrop.We'll take a close look at these fountains to appreciate their beauty and discuss some of the history of the piazza coming up in just a few minutes. But first, let's take a stroll around the piazza and absorb this magical atmosphere. There are some convenient benches all around the fountain where you can sit down or lie down and relax.The piazza is lined with many attractive looking restaurants, most of them with lovely outdoor terraces that look very appealing. It looks like a nice place to sit down and have a meal. But you'll find much better restaurants within a few blocks of the piazza with more reasonable prices. However, if you'd like to sit at one of these terrace cafes and have a drink, and enjoy some people watching, that's perfectly fine.You'll notice that lots of artists have set up their easels here, turning the piazza into an outdoor art gallery. They could do a quick sketch of you, or you could buy an original watercolor with some really beautiful choices here of the various scenes of Rome.Just be sure it's an actual painting and not some cheap print going for a high price. Most of these artists are honest and very talented, part of that artistic heritage of the city. Maybe you'd like a caricature of yourself. Make yourself look kind of goofy. It can be done in a pastel or in a charcoal black and white.You can talk with the artist and negotiate the price and discuss the style or perhaps just a straightforward portrait to make yourself look better than a photograph. And there are many other kinds of arts that you can purchase here. There's watercolors and oil paintings, and the wonderful thing is these are original works of art, and you're buying it directly from the artist.One of the big attractions is that central Fountain Of The Four Rivers, designed by Bernini in 1651.The Fountain has four giant heroic statues that represent the four major rivers of the four continents over which the Pope had some authority. In total, they symbolize the power the church had on the four most important areas of the world at that time. You've got the Nile representing Africa, the Danube representing Europe, Asia, represented by the Ganges and the Americas, represented by Rio de la Plata of Argentina.The obelisk is a monolithic piece of Aswan granite brought from Egypt.The obelisk seems to float in the sky, magically suspended above an empty space. Beneath it, you are left to wonder how can this obelisk possibly be supported over thin air, which adds a magical and dramatic effect to astonish the viewer. This fountain is a theater in the round, a spectacle of action that invites you to walk all the way around it, observing the different angles, the different characters, the spectacle, water flows and splashes from a jagged and pierced mountainous disorder of travertine marble, cooling the air and making a delightful sound. Piazza Navona has two other fountains sometimes overlooked because of the magnificence of the four rivers. At the southern end is Fontana del Moro, with a basin and Triton, sculpted by Giacomo della Porta in 1575 and one century later, Bernini added, a statue of a Moor, wrestling with a dolphin.At the northern end is the fountain of Neptune, also created by Giacomo della Porta in 1574. The theatrical setting of the fountain of the Four Rivers is greatly enhanced by the backdrop of the Church of Sant Agnese, with an elaborate convex facade and beautiful dome flanked by twin bell towers, a spectacular baroque architectural landmark.Piazza Navona is centrally located in Rome, easy to reach on foot within ten or 15 minutes from most of the major attractions and the sights further away, like the Colosseum and the Vatican, are within two kilometers. The piazza is right in the center of Rome.
Helsinki, Finland, Top 5 denniscallan 2022-05-20 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.00:00 intro1:21 Esplanade5:39 Market Square10:39 Old Market Hall12:15 Senate Square14:29 downtown20:02 SuomenlinnaWe are visiting the beautiful capital of Finland, Helsinki, with a look at my favorite top-five visitor attractions. Of course, there are many more things to see and do here,Be sure to see our other Helsinki movie youtu.be/4PFbsPxq2h0 Esplanade Park and shopping district, Market Square with its food and crafts on the waterfront, number three, Senate Square with its historic buildings and cathedral, four, you'll want to do some shopping and people-watching in the vibrant downtown center. The streets here are mostly for locals. It can get pretty busy, but has a relaxed pace and authentic atmosphere. Finland is located between Scandinavia and Russia. And you'll see a lot of blond hair in this city, which is the second-most northerly capital in the world, after Ridgeview in Iceland, And rounding out our top-five activities -- It's fun to take a boat ride out to the nearby islands, including an old fortress called Suomenlinna where we'll get off the boat and take a walk around. Helsinki's downtown is rather compact, making it quite easy to walk to each of our main sites in just a few minutes. we'll start out with the Esplanade, then the food market and Senate Square, saving the shopping and boat ride for later. The Esplanade is one of those great city parks. In English, it's pronounced Esplanade. In Finnish, Esplanadi. But the locals just say espa, and it runs from the market and waterfront all the way to the busy commercial streets of town. There's beautiful greenery all around you, especially in the summertime, and you can bring your own food into the park if you like, have a picnic on the lawn.And there's some very comfortable benches here. The park was designed in 1818 by Carl Engel, and it took a few decades to develop with extensive landfill and landscaping. You could even take a horse carriage ride, if you like, or just pet the horses. This park is very much the heart of town, and it's not just for tourists.This is one of the favorite spots for locals to come and relax and enjoy the environment. There are many fine restaurants around the outside of the park, and an excellent choice inside, the famous Kapelli cafe. Kapelli has a dining terrace that faces a stage and outdoor performance area popular with musicians, and today, a gymnastics family, who also put on a performance with their trained cats. Can you believe that? Is it possible for cats to perform an orchestrated routine. Just watch. Well, yes.The cats can jump through a hoop, climb a pole, fly through the air, jump into a basket with her young daughters supporting the action. It's very common to run into the street musicians playing rock or classical, all kinds of music. But to see a family performing with trained cats is most unusual. This video was photographed during several different tours, all of them in the month of July.July is a great time to be here because the weather is very mild. It doesn't get hot or cold, and the town is not crowded because locals tend to leave to go on vacation. The streets on each side of Esplanade host a main concentration of stores selling Finnish-made goods such as wooden toys for the kids and Marimekko fabrics, especially along the North Esplanade. These shops are all noted for their world-famous Finish design, a sleek, modern functionalist look.The Marimekko shop is part of the stylish Kamp Galleria. This upscale shopping mall, right in the middle of Helsinki, brings top international brands and high quality Finnish fashion designs, providing a luxurious shopping experience in this unique center.The Finns are proud to be a major creative force in the development of the Scandinavian design movement, whose roots stretch back to the Art Nouveau period of the early 1900s and have continued evolving into our postmodern world.There are several stylish restaurants on this block, including Brasserie Kemp, whose food philosophy is a combination of French cuisine and Finnish food culture. My friends enjoyed a deluxe seafood platter The restaurant is open for breakfast right through late dinner, located right along the Esplanade, with seating indoors and outside. Another popular and more casual restaurant here is the Cafe Strindberg.Great spot for a pot of tea. Maybe some pastries or a light meal, perhaps sitting at an outdoor table watching the passing parade of people. At the top of the Esplanade there is an interesting restaurant complex, the territory, and includes the Theater Gril, Theater Bar, a Clock Bar, club and a deli. Walking back through the lower end of the Esplanade, which will bring us down to the food market at the South Harbor Market Square.
Amsterdam’s Old Town denniscallan 2022-04-21 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Old Amsterdam :01 intro, 1:17 Spui, 2:49 Spuistraat, 3:40 Begijnhof, 5:25 Kalverstraat, 6:26 Rembrandtplein, 8:26 Waterlooplein, 8:41 Jodenbreestraat, 9:42 Sint Antoniesbreestraat, 10:05 Oude Hoogstraat, 10:33 Waag, 10:48 Nieuwmarkt, 11:47 Oude Kerk, 12:17 Red Light District.The oldest neighborhood of Amsterdam, to the east of Dam Square, dates back to the medieval 13th century. But at the same time, it's a lively modern place with an active nightlife, busy plazas, tranquil gardens and the most popular shopping street in the city. We'll start at Spui, then spend time at Rembrandtplein, a great place to take your pictures, and travel along some busy streets, join the bicycle crowd, trying not to get run over. This brings us to the Nieuwmarkt for more restaurants and bars. We will end up at the Red Light district, always a popular and busy place, especially at night, with many things to see in addition to those bordello windows.
Canals of Amsterdam - Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht denniscallan 2022-04-07 | Canals are the heart and soul of Amsterdam, the defining icons that make this city unique. :01 intro, :41 boat tours, 5:20 canal map, 6:16 Singel, 7:15 Brouwersgracht, 8:02 Herengracht, 8:56 Keizersgracht, 9:16 Reguliersgracht, 9:29 Prinsengracht, 10:03 Spiegelgracht, 10:25 Lijnbaansgracht, 10:58 Vijzelsttraat, 11:29 Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, 12:46 Prinsengracht, 13:19 canal boat tourOne of the most enjoyable things to do in Amsterdam is wander along the beautiful canals, which are lined with picturesque, historic buildings and have an endless variety of boats of all shapes, size, variety and function going by.With so many attractions and such visual beauty, this is one of the world's great cities for discovering on foot and in a boat. The canal boat tours take about one hour and provide an excellent, very popular introduction to these waterways. There are some 120 different canal cruise operators in Amsterdam. You have a choice of self-hire, some of which are pedal boats that can carry four people.Or you could rent a small electric boat such as from Mokum Boot, the biggest boat rental company in Amsterdam. You can choose your own route, go wherever you want, with room for a bunch of your friends. Just get out on the water and go. No experience or license is required as long as the boat is under 15 meters in length. Or board one of the larger commercial operations, some of them with open-top boats, and others are enclosed, some are elegant and vintage, some have full meal service on board, while others provide a standup outdoor bar where you can enjoy some fun with your friends. And most of those smaller open boats can usually offer a picnic for sale, making that experience a floating party. You can also charter a boat for private hire with a captain, or you could design your own route, or leave it up to the expert who does these trips all the time.With so many different kinds of boat tours to pick from, you can really cater the trip to your own personal tastes and interests, like in the smaller boats where you'll meet new friends and have a casual conversation as you're cruising along. You will not get lost while walking around because the central canals follow straight lines in a grid pattern, with many connecting side streets featuring little shops and restaurants. This central area with four main canals is called the Canal Belt or Canal Ring. It was the wealthiest part of 17th century Amsterdam, with beautiful homes built by some of the world's most powerful and wealthy businessmen.We're going to take a close look at the four main canals, Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, along with some pedestrian shopping streets and side canals.Singel was the first major canal to be built in the late 15th century. Then in the early 16th the city needed to expand with rapid construction that quickly built up this new part of town. At the south end of Singel you will find one of the prettiest sites in town, the famous Floating Flower Market, with thousands of fresh blooms for sale.Herengracht translates as Lords' Canal or Patricians' Canal, because it was home to the wealthiest of all the merchants. It had the biggest homes, with most beautiful ornamentation, with inner gardens, coach houses and elegant interiors suitable for these powerful occupants. The canal bank is another lovely setting for a terrace restaurant, this one featuring a modern Dutch-French menu.The next canal over is Keizersgracht, named after the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian the First, who made the Hapsburg Empire the largest ever created, including the Netherlands. Another terrace restaurant, a great spot to eat, drink and watch the canal. Running at right angles is Reguliersgracht, which connects three of the main canals, and it's noted for its seven bridges. This intersection is particularly beautiful. We've now reached the last of our four main canals, the Prinsengracht, named after the Prince of Orange. It's the longest of these main canals, at 3.2 kilometers. There are quite a few houseboats on this canal, some of the 2500 houseboats in Amsterdam, many of which are available as vacation rentals.Spiegelgracht is one of the shortest of the canals in the center, at just over 100 meters long, which somehow makes it even more attractive and quaint in a human scale. The bike lane gives very good protection, as well as offering a scenic ride for bikes, mopeds and standup scooters.That canal connects up with Lijnbaansgracht, which is another short and beautiful waterway. It's a fine neighborhood for pedestrians and for bikes. You're going to see what they call cargo bikes whizzing by, with one or two or three kids in front. The Dutch really know how to conserve energy, where a whole family can carpool in one bicycle, sometimes with four kids and a driver. That's five people on the bike. A good way for the visitor to safely ride is to join up in a bicycle tour.
Amsterdam center, Dam, Damrak, canals, streets denniscallan 2022-03-24 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Amsterdam is one of the great cities of the world. It certainly belongs in Europe's top-10. You'll find it endlessly fascinating., just walking around in the little streets, the canals, the bridges, thousands of shops, dozens of museums.This is the big city of the Netherlands, of course, number one in the country -- the economic center, population center and cultural center of the Netherlands.Amsterdam today is certainly one of the most popular cities in the world. They get something like 5 million overnight tourists every year plus another 16 million day-trippers who come in, say on a bus tour for a day, which is very unfortunate to only stay here for one day. You should spend at least three days, maybe four, five, even six days. You could spend a week in Amsterdam.While the museums and historic landmarks and traditional architecture are among the great sites of Amsterdam, you'll also enjoy walking along those quaint streets and admiring the magnificent canals, then sit back and relax at a sidewalk café.There are thousands of things to see in Amsterdam. In this episode we're focusing on how delightful the very center of town is, all around the Dam Square and nearby neighborhoods, including the West Church, where we take you up inside the belltower for a carillon concert.(music)We'll even show you a bit of an evening horse carriage parade.Many visitors first arrive here at the train station, and then walking out front, one of the first things you'll see is the boat harbor, called the Damrak. It's a marina for the canal boat tours, with buildings seemingly floating on their reflections. We will be looking at the central part of town just around the neighborhood surrounding the Dam Square.The Royal Palace was originally built as Europe's largest Town Hall in the mid-17th century. For a while it became the royal residence, now it's a historic monument open to the public. This Kingdom of the Netherlands still has a royal family, but the monarchs never played much of a role in running the country. Instead, it was controlled by the merchants.The plaza is always like a three-ring circus with lots of street performers doing all kinds of tricks for you. Another way you can do your sightseeing is in a horse-carriage ride around town. Across the street, another building looking like a church is actually now a shopping mall. Originally it was the main post office in Amsterdam.The central hall of the interior has galleries on two upper floors surrounded by arcades. This magnificent building was constructed at the end of the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style similar to that of the main train station and the Rijksmuseum, but something unique and very special in itself.It was built as the main post office over 100 years ago, but in the 1990s it was converted into this luxurious shopping mall.Then it was added to the list of 10 Most Valuable Monuments of the city of Amsterdam.One block behind it brings you to the Singel canal and a most unusual bridge. Torensluis, one of the oldest and widest in town, 42 meters wide.So large, it provides a terrace for an outdoor café and has rooms underneath it that are remnants of a former prison and the old city wall. In recent years, those rooms were open to the public as a jazz club and art exhibit area, and there used to be a tower on top in the 17th century.Now we are walking a few blocks west along this charming side street, with some cafés – you can get a falafel – and shops like jewelry and gifts, and there's an up-to-date modern computer store.Sitting at a sidewalk restaurant alongside the canal is another perfect way to enjoy these sights and have a relaxing time. There are more than a thousand restaurants in town, and many of them have these lovely outdoor tables – it's a beautiful atmosphere. And this was filmed during the month of October when the weather was still quite mild.This is one of four main canals that form a concentric belt around the city. Because of their significant history and good preservation, this canal ring area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Nearby is the Anne Frank house and Westerkerk, the world's largest Protestant church when built in the early 17th century.The church was built in the 1620s in the Renaissance style, with the town's highest church tower at 87 meters.Some years ago I walked up inside the tower on a regular tour and was lucky enough to come upon a carillon concert.There are 42 bells inside the tower, played in that old-fashioned way with mechanical keys and pulleys.(music)That brings us back to the Dam, where we're going to enjoy a horse-carriage parade. It's a special event for ambassadors to the Netherlands, a unique celebration you will likely not see in person, so here it is for your enjoyment as we wind down the program.
Amsterdam Tips, arrive, depart, hip street, free ferry, Central Station and airport denniscallan 2022-03-10 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Oh, Amsterdam! You've got to love this city, where nearly everybody rides a bicycle. And the bicycles, scooters, and people get a free boat ride across the river into downtown. It can be a scenic round-trip for the visitor too, arriving at the Central Train Station. We will be showing you all that and more, including a trip out to the airport, with some suggestions on how to get around. If you're traveling throughout the Netherlands, the train is an excellent way to see this beautiful country.See our Netherlands playlist with 27 movies: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLke86NFI6R8yHA2T5e7P38pniCONuuN_3Many visitors arrive at Schiphol Airport, just outside of Amsterdam, and there is a very easy rail connection that brings you right into the heart of town.In this program we're going to focus on that section of Amsterdam near the train station, perhaps the first part of the city that you'll see when you arrive. We will show you that free ferry ride and the great shopping street of Haarlemerstraat. As you exit the train station, this street is your right, just a few minutes walk to get over here, and you will find some of the best shopping and eating in the entire city, although it's a place that's often overlooked by the visitor eager to get into the central part of Amsterdam at the Dam Square.So Haarlemerstraat is more of a local street where you can kick back and mingle with the residents of Amsterdam.It's mostly a street for pedestrians and bicycles, although cars are allowed to drive here, but most Dutch don't want to drive a car. It's too difficult to drive in these narrow streets with bicycles all over the place.The origin of New York City was created on this street inside the West India House, former headquarters of the West India Company, which ordered the construction of a fort on Manhattan Island in 1625.The same building at night and now it's a restaurant the Café New Amsterdam, with its streetside and courtyard terrace tables.Haarlemerstraat in the evening, is just as busy as during the daytime. This is Amsterdam's hip alternative district offering boutique specialty shops, there's delis, the perfect neighborhood for dining and bar hopping.This road continues for a kilometer with more shops along the way through a neighborhood called Haarlemebuurt with the Brouwersgracht canal on the side.There are 14 different tramlines in Amsterdam and 11 of them stop here in front of the Central StationThere are three tunnels for bicycles and pedestrians that go underneath the station leading to the other side where you can catch the ferry. We're going to take you on a free boat ride.These ferries provide an essential service for pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds, bringing them from Amsterdam to North Amsterdam, just a few minutes away. And the boats arrive so frequently, there's hardly any waiting time at all before boarding.You'll enjoy some nice harbor views, including the Eye Film Museum, where they put on film festivals with Amsterdam Lookout Tower next to it, with observation decks, a hotel, restaurants and nightclubs.The ferry arrives in Amsterdam North and the passengers very patiently get off the boat, walking, pushing their bicycles and mopeds. It's a very polite crowd of people navigating together.The train station has a very modern appearance, with this sleek, curved roof outside with a nice wide road for bicycles in the middle and an elevated sidewalk on the edges. Upstairs, there's a road for buses, and inside it's like a shopping mall. It's open from early morning until late in the evening.You can purchase the OV chip card used for public transit throughout the country right here at this lovely shop, with very helpful clerks. They've also got a doctor and pharmacy here to take care of any medical needs you might have. Central Station is used by about 200,000 passengers daily.We're heading out to a Schiphol Airport and you don't have to worry about a schedule because trains leave the station every 10 minutes for the airport. I've had the pleasure of riding these comfortable trains all over the country visiting a dozen cities and making lots of movies that you can find in my collection.When you get off the train and arrive at your destination, you've got a tap your OV card again to let the system know that you've ended your ride, so you get charged the proper amount for distance traveled.Of course they had many shops, including a supermarket, and more in the duty-free area. Schiphol is the world's second-busiest airport for international travel, and often wins awards as Europe's best airport.All that's left to do now is check your bearings, have a look at the signs, figure out which way to go to find your gate, and depart.I spent three weeks traveling through this wonderful country shooting lots of video and created a couple dozen travel movies that you can find in my collection.
Amsterdam Leidseplein, canals, streets, parks, Netherlands denniscallan 2022-02-24 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Amsterdam's Leidseplein is the main square that we will be having a close look at in the program. We'll also drop in on the biggest park in the city for a little peaceful tranquility.Leidseplein is such a very special place with all of these outdoor tables surrounded by bars and restaurants, with that tramline running right through it.It's especially busy in the evening with cinemas, discos, theaters and a casino located nearby. You also find two very famous rock 'n' roll nightclubs the Milky Way and Paradiso.The streets that wrap around the square keep going for several blocks, extending that festive atmosphere with more bars and restaurants.Leidsestraat is the main street running alongside Leidseplein and extends further into the heart of the city. Starting at the big canals, then moving on to Leidseplein and to that park. It's a cross-section slice of Amsterdam for you.Canals are the heart and arteries of the city. The perfect setting for waterside cafés and recreational boating. The tram system is another network tying the city together and making it so easy to get around town.Okay, let's pull up a chair, get a beer and drop anchor at the Leidseplein the most popular central gathering place in the city.This Vondelpark is less than 300 meters away from Leidseplein so you can easily walk over here in a couple of minutes, and yet many visitors don't even know it's there because they're so busy at Leidseplein and all of those fascinating streets.There's an information booth here where you can talk to the local expert and learn something about the park.Now you are in the Vondelpark. Vondelpark was opened in 1865. Vondel was a poet in the 17th century. There are many statues and many benches where you can sit and enjoy the place, and looking for beautiful people. That's very nice in the park, yes.While most visitors come to Amsterdam for the excitement of the city, it's nice to get away into a more peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for a change of pace.Of course, Amsterdam is world-famous for its bicycle culture, with nearly 60 percent of the local population over the age of 12 riding a bicycle every day.The streets are designed to give priority to bicycles, with nearly 800 kilometers of cycle paths and bike lanes in the city.Take a look at the wonderful diversity of people on the bicycles. It's all ages, and different kinds of income levels, with 900,000 bicycles in the city. Nearly everybody rides a bike.
Loire Valley Châteaux, France, Complete Tour denniscallan 2022-02-10 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Châteaux of the Loire Valleyintro :01Chenonceau 1:08Amboise 5:00Chambord 8:54Cheverny 14:15Azay 16:12Chinon 18:29Blois 22:11Tours 27:17Loire The world's most famous collection of palaces is in the Loire Valley outside of Paris in France. It is a UNESCO World Heritage area and it has dozens of beautiful mansions that you can explore. We will bring you to the very best with some tips for your visit.Chenonceau 1:08Chenonceau is the most-visited château of the Loire Valley, France, and is the only one built across a river.Chenanceau is most famous for its setting across the river. It’s as if the building formed a sort of island or ship moored in the rapidly running Cher River, which joins with the Loire River a few miles away. Our series about the châteaux of the Loire is also bringing you to Amboise, Chambord, Cheverny, Azay and Blois and a few other places, with our home base in the city of Tours.Amboise 5:00Amboise, in the Loire Valley, France, has two châteaux and a charming old town with souvenir shops and some excellent restaurants in a pedestrian.Visit both the big castle and Clos Lucé, most famous as the final home of Leonardo da Vinci. You actually get to walk through Leonardo’s bedroom and his study, you can see the desk that he sat at – it’s really quite inspiring. Leonardo was already over 60 years old when he left Italy in 1516 to relocate to the château where he was supported in fine style by the king of France.Amboise is famous for the grand château that was once the home of the French royal court. Francis the First was succeeded by his son Henry II who was succeeded by his son Francis the second, and he brought his young bride Mary Stuart, the Queen of the Scots, to the château.Chambord 8:54Chambord is the finest of all the châteaux in the Loire, France, and the largest. The château to end all châteaux, a masterpiece, perhaps the greatest architectural triumph the French Renaissance ever created. This is a dream place to visit, 156 meters long, 117 wide and 56 meters tall with 426 rooms, 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces, more than 800 sculpted columns and with massive towers at each corner. It's second in size only to the Château of Versailles, making this one of the great national monuments of the country.The first thing you'll see inside is one of the main architectural highlights, a spectacular double spiral staircase – it's the centerpiece of the château. It forms a double helix with two intertwined flights of steps ascending three floors, without ever meeting.Cheverny 14:15Château Cheverny is another top tourist attraction of the Loire, renowned for magnificent interiors and its dog kennels. In the past the château was a homelike and peaceful abode for many centuries, protected from the world beyond.Amazingly, the château owners are descendants of the same family who originally built it in the early 17th century.One hundred dogs live at Cheverny, so be sure to have a look at them. They can be seen all day during your visit. Azay-le-Rideau 16:12We’re at the Château of Azay-le-Rideau, which is one of the beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley. There are half a dozen major castles that you want to be sure to get a look at, and certainly Azay is one of those. The setting is spectacular – the gardens around it are beautiful and there's a moat formed by a small river that surrounds most of the château, so when you visit here you want to be sure not only to see the interior but to walk around, all around the outside.Chinon 18:29Driving through the main shopping lane of the historic town of Chinon, in the Loire, France, gives us a quick preview of the lanes in which we'll soon be taking a little walk. It's primarily a pedestrian zone but our tour van has permission to bring us in here and then drop us off – very convenient for usBlois 22:11The French city of Blois in the Loire Valley has one of the largest and most interesting of the châteaux of the Loire Valley, built up in a variety of architectural styles over its 700 year period. It was home to many of the kings and queens of France. And there is also a very friendly pedestrian center to the town.Because so many powerful kings lived here and were associated with the château, it was built up over the centuries in a variety of architectural styles. This one building exhibits the medieval and the Renaissance and then the French classic style later of François Mansart.Tours 27:17You’ll find the city of Tours is a very good home base for staying a few days, and from here you can easily explore the Loire Valley, and visit the many illustrious Château that are in the region. Most of the major attractions are within 30 to 40 minutes away from Tours – it's very convenient either by train or by private Tours company.
Jordaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands denniscallan 2022-01-27 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.One of the most enjoyable neighborhoods to explore in Amsterdam is the Jordaan which has become extremely popular for visitors in recent decades with its many shops, several different street markets, cafés, restaurants, canals and narrow lanes.There's a casual outdoor bar scene and unique shops individually owned and with a lot of character offering vintage and handmade items.Crossing over an old-fashioned drawbridge, we’re entering Jordaan from the north end which begins at the Brouwersgracht canal, often considered one of the most beautiful canals of Amsterdam, and forming the northern border of Jordaan, and to the east, we have another border canal the Prinsengracht.Right alongside that canal you'll find one of Amsterdam's many lively street markets, Noordermarkt, and sometimes you'll get jazzy street entertainment, as we found this morning. Every Monday morning it's a fleamarket selling fabric, some food, secondhand clothing, old shoes, records, etc. and on every Saturday, it's a biological food market selling a wide range of ecological products like organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, mushrooms and cheese.Although Jordaan does not have a lot of canals running through it there, are some beauties, such as this, further south. We will be starting in the north part of Jordaan in our visit and working down south towards this canal and beyond.That hungry swan is looking for a handout but it seems like the people are not paying attention, wrapped up in their little worlds.If you really want to get off track, take a walk around the Jordaan neighborhood.It's mostly residential, and has quiet little narrow streets. There are some shops, of course, and cafés and bars and restaurants.Jordaan is an enjoyable comfortable place to live, with an artistic bohemian atmosphere, something like New York's Greenwich Village or Soho, that has attracted a critical mass of hip residents.There is a peaceful atmosphere since it is slightly removed from the tourists and commercial center of town, yet it's just 700 meters away from the Dam square, an easy 10-minute walk.It's a reasonably quiet neighborhood. Of course, there's the odd scooter going through, and the occasional jackhammer – they've got a lot of maintenance here with these old buildings, but this is about as quiet as it gets in Amsterdam. There's a few cars can come through here, but not much, not too many people. But it's a fun place to just wander around. You can walk in the street, but there will be a few cars going by, so keep your eyes and ears open. Most buildings here are quite old, dating back originally to the 17th and 18th century, typically five stories high in a medium density.By the 1890s there was 85,000 people crammed into 11,000 apartments, making it one of the world's most densely populated zones.Today the quality of life is very high with a reduced population of just 20,000, many of whom are well-paid professionals, because this is become a very expensive neighborhood – it's gentrified.There is an exotic variety of ethnic restaurants, avant-garde art galleries, practical shops, like hair salons and eyeglass stores, all of which creates a quite modern and holistic community.This urban concentration nowadays offers lots of amenities, like restaurants on the corner, little markets for daily purchases, with apartments on the upper floors.And of course, being Dutch, they've always got their canals for boating recreation. You'll see all kinds of boats out, big and small, including some that you have to peddle for propulsion, and others where you can sit back and enjoy one of the famous tour boat rides of the Amsterdam canals – something you must do when visiting this city.It is fun and easy to simply wander through the little back lanes of this fascinating neighborhood, spiced up with independent art galleries. These old buildings originally provided low-cost housing for the working-class laborers who built the city, for hundreds of years. It was a poor neighborhood known for its radical politics and love of music and beer.However, in the early 20th century, the neighborhood continued to deteriorate, buildings falling down, sewage backing up, so much so the by the 1930s the city had a plan to demolish the entire neighborhood and build modern housing. Fortunately, community opposition held up and fought against this plan for many years and successfully won the battle to preserve it.But then the rent started going up, and in the 1960s, many of the original residents moved out to more affordable locations. In recent decades the gentrification accelerated, and like in many cities, property values have skyrocketed because it's one of the most desirable neighborhoods of Amsterdam, and a great place to visit.
Amsterdam’s Nine Streets, ideal for walking and shopping denniscallan 2022-01-13 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.One of Amsterdam's best neighborhoods for walking and shopping is called the Nine Streets.Amsterdam is among the world's great cities for walking. There are so many neighborhoods in this city that are wonderful to explore on foot, or perhaps on a bicycle, as so many locals get around, including entire families. There's an excellent website put together by the merchants of the area that describes in great detail everything that you'll find in the Nine Streets, with a listing of the shops, with photos, maps and a brochure you can download. So take a look at that website https://de9straatjes.nl/nl/homeAmong all of the favorite spots in Europe for walking through a town, this has to rank among the best. It's right next to the Dam, Amsterdam's main square. It looks like it's three streets, but each one has three parts, so that's a total of the nine streets.I'm going to take you on an organized walking tour through all of those main streets from south to north. You will be delighted to see how friendly it is to pedestrians, and how many little independent shops there are here. And we will also be looking at the beautiful canals that run throughout this district – four major waterways that add to the special character of the Nine Streets.Singel is one of the main streets along the canal of the same name, and this is part of that great charm of the neighborhood – you've got waterways along with these pedestrian lanes lined with shops, with an old pissoir, part of that historic heritage of the neighborhood.Here you also find apartments, offices, and some hotels. It's a complete neighborhood, very attractive for both the visitors and the local residents.This is a compact zone with basically a square shape, just 400 meters from one end to the other, making it so easy to walk and see all of it in a day. The paving is great, you're welcome to walk in the street and the terrain is flat.There are quaint and picturesque neighborhoods throughout the Netherlands, and in other sections of Amsterdam, indeed all over Europe there are hundreds of charming towns with wonderful places for strolling, but it's hard to find one that has all of these characteristics in one place: sidewalk cafés, major canals, pedestrian lanes, a thick concentration of independent little shops, amid a large collection of attractive historic buildings, with a central location that's easy to get to. This is clearly someplace very special.From the very beginning 400 years ago, this charming neighborhood was dominated by trade and culture, and still it has a great bustling atmosphere full of quirky little shops, designer boutiques and hidden cafés.There are 60 boutiques, 40 places for food and drink and sleep, 5 for vintage 12, shops for shoes and bags, 16 for accessories and jewelry, 14 for hair, health and beauty, 18 home and lifestyle, 8 art, culture and books, and 25 specialties.Most of the shops here are unique little boutiques.There are hardly any tourists, souvenir shops, but you'll find plenty of places to buy a keepsake to bring home.In the old days, these streets served the merchant families and businesses who worked along the canals. There were milking establishments, gas and fire shops, and liqueur distilleries. In the 60s, the hippies discovered the neighborhood. They not only came to live there, but also started shops selling secondhand clothes, furniture, lamps and curiosities, some of which can still be found today.As you've noticed there are no shopping malls or big department stores here. It's just not that kind of place, but instead it's laced with authentic shops and picturesque scenes. There are big department stores elsewhere in Amsterdam, of course, you can find them along some of the main boulevards, but don't look for them here.Most shops are open every day from about 10 or 11 in the morning until six or seven in the evening, all year round. While this neighborhood is a slice of heaven for shoppers, it's fun even if you don't intend to buy anything. Just walking around through these streets is a pure pleasure. And we have the added bonus of seeing row after row of houses along the canal.There are thousands of boats of all shapes and sizes here, including quite a few houseboats, some of which are available as vacation rentals, although Amsterdam has been reducing the number of vacation rentals available to protect the housing market. There are several excellent hotels in the Nine Streets that have converted rows of canal houses into deluxe accommodations, including the Pulitzer, the Dylan, the Hockston and the Andaz. You can get a room with a view looking out over the canal, or a quiet room at the back looking out over a garden.Another way to get around is to rent a bicycle, which makes a great way to see this neighborhood and the rest of town, one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe.
Siena, Tuscany, Italy Complete Tour denniscallan 2021-12-30 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.:01 Introduction3:01 Main Lane5:32 Campo12:30 lanes on west side17:02 Piazza Mercato18:12 lanes on east side20:47 to v. Gilio, Rossi, and Basilica of San Francesco22:48 The Duomo Cathedral27:47 How to reach SienaView the transcript, photos and map at our new website: http://townsofeurope.com/Italy/tuscany/Siena.htmlSiena, in the heart of Tuscany, is one of Italy's most popular destinations, a great medieval landmark to explore.It's both a historic site and a vibrant modern city with excellent shopping, many fine restaurants, and beautiful pedestrian lanes throughout town.We'll show you the busy main streets, always active with lots of people, and take you to those out-of-the-way little lanes, into the quiet residential neighborhoods.The main piazza, called il Campo, and the Cathedral, called the Duomo, are two of the most important attractions that we will explore in detail.Siena is so well-preserved that UNESCO has designated the entire old town as a World Heritage Site, not just one building or neighborhood, but all of the old town.UNESCO describes Siena as "an outstanding medieval city that has preserved its character and quality to a remarkable degree. It's a rare example of a medieval historic town of this size. The original urban form of the city, with its 15th century street plan, has been retained along with the Gothic design of its public buildings, palaces and tower houses, which remain unchanged."Siena is a very livable city. It's built to a human scale, covering about a square kilometer, which makes it small enough that you can easily walk from one end of town to the other in a single day and see almost all of the sites in between. There's an endless variety of interesting things to see along your way.Siena is a small city, but crisscrossed by dozens of little lanes that provide many miles of picturesque strolling opportunities for the ambitious trekker. Siena is divided in three districts corresponding to the three ridges it sits on, North, West and East, with the Campo in the middle, the main piazza.3:01 Main LaneAt the north end of the main shopping lane, via Banchi di Sopra, there is a pretty little square, Piazza Salimbeni, with Europe's oldest bank founded in 1472. This main shopping street is worth walking from one end to the other, perhaps stopping for a bite at one of the attractive little restaurants along the way. And narrow side alleys will attract you with their charms.Escape the crowds by ducking into the side alleys, as we will be showing you here.5:32In the middle of it all is the Campo, the great piazza of Siena. Nearly 500 feet wide and surrounded by shops, restaurants, and the towering Palazzo Publico, this is the very heart of town. It's a great place to have an outdoor meal at one of the many sidewalk restaurants that are around it. You will find the experience of eating an evening meal at twilight, sunset on the Campo, is going to be one of the highlights of your trip,12:30Now let's take a walk in all those little back streets of town that are so wonderful, starting on the lower west side.You'll find that when you get off the beaten track, these little lanes are a lot more interesting. Get away from other tourists and you'll start to feel like a local.We're going to take you walking off the grid, further away from the tourist areas, further away from views and landmarks and famous churches, and just into this lovely, peaceful, residential neighborhood. There are a few shops, there are certainly always restaurants and cafés, mostly catering to the locals who live nearby.17:02We continue through the little side lanes and down to the Piazza Mercato. This place was the ancient market square which still today has an outdoor produce market several times a week. This Mercato is a lovely nook of the city, just two blocks south of the Campo, the main busy square, and yet 95% of the visitors never get here.20:47 We continue walking on other nearby lanes, especially Gilio and Rossi, and various alleys that will lead us there and take us around.For those travelers who love to get away from the shops and stroll through quiet residential alleys, Siena offers many more possibilities.These little byways are your gateway to enter the authentic side of Siena.22:48 The Duomo CathedralThe great cathedral of Siena is the Duomo, just a few minutes’ walk from the Campo. It is one of the world's most beautiful and intriguing churches. It's a must-see on your visit, loaded with astonishing architecture, sculpture and paintings. More than just a religious structure of the Duomo is the economic symbol of wealth, international trade and cultural influences. 27:47 How to reach SienaGetting from Florence to Siena is very convenient by taking the SITA bus. Their bus station is right in the heart of Florence, across the street from the main Florence train station.
Christmas Markets in Strasbourg, Colmar, and Alsace Wine Villages, France denniscallan 2021-12-18 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.Christmas Markets in Strasbourg, Colmar, and Alsacee Wine Villages, France.Strasbourg, France, has one of the world's oldest Christmas market, going back 450 years and it has been happening nearly every year since then. Christkindelsmärik, meaning "Market of the Christ Child" normally draws 2 million visitors, one of the major events of the year in Europe.Photographed before Covid. This year, markets are open in all these places.See the official website for the Strasbourg market here:https://noel.strasbourg.eu/en/and Comar noel-colmar.com/en The Christmas market in Colmar, France is among the nicest that we've ever seen in Europe. The Christmas market here is one of the liveliest and most interesting.The market has ice skating, gift shops, crafts the kiosks, and with beautiful canals running through town. You’ll see beautiful Christmas lighting, especially at twilight.Christmas markets of three wine villages in Alsace, France including Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé are wonderful to visit during the holidays in December. These villages come to life with festive decorations, music, food, and many people shopping in the festive atmosphere. The wines of Alsace are world-famous especially white wines, the Rieslings, the Gewurztraminers and other varieties of white wine. Kaysersberg is a typical village name reflecting the Germanic heritage of this eastern region of France. We also visit an old castle up on a mountain, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, originally constructed back in the late Middle Ages.Walking through the historic villages at twilight is a thrill, with the natural light of sunset in the background and Christmas lighting up the streets and shops. And how about some wine tasting? After all we’re at the wine villages and it's a great opportunity to sample their local variety of wines.
Monticchiello, Tuscany, Italy denniscallan 2021-12-09 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.We are in Tuscany, Italy, visiting little, such tiny village that you've probably never heard of. It's Monticchiello, another one of the charming hill towns that are so beautiful. And this place is quite special, because only 200 people live here.It's a medieval walled town that dates back to the 13th century, just a few miles away from Pienza, very charming.The village is less than 200 meters wide and yet has numerous little lanes and old stone buildings that make it very attractive – a fun place to explore for at least a couple of hours, or stick around longer for a meal in one of those great restaurants we will show you later.It's up on the hill, surrounded by olive trees in that classic Tuscan style, with old buildings throughout the village.Park your car outside, down below town, and then walk up the gentle hill to get into the village, which is surrounded by a green park with some pretty trees showing fall colors. We're here in November.Two towers are among seven still standing at this old medieval fortified wall around the town, protecting St. Agatha's gate that dates back to the 13th century. It's the main gate leading into the village.There is no single most-important thing to see, so the idea is, take a walk throughout the little village, because the entire ensemble is one of the best-preserved old towns in Tuscany. Very little development or changes have happened in recent centuries.It's a small town, and we have a short movie, but you will be surprised at how much there is to see, including some amazing gourmet restaurants, and places to stay. We also found a friendly cat in the Gothic church. It's a destination to put on your list.The first time Monticchiello is ever mentioned in any historic document was during the tenth century, but it's likely people lived here back in the Etruscan and Roman eras.The Middle Ages were a turbulent time here, with warfare and competition between the nearby cities, so little Monticchiello was aligned with Siena for its protection, until Florence took control later in the 16th century.This small fortified hamlet was like a castle, with its main tower, Torre dell Casserol, the keep of the castle where the Lord lived, tallest among the other 16 towers in those days, shown here inside the white circle.
Pienza, Tuscany, Italy denniscallan 2021-11-25 | travel videos & photos at: townsofeurope.com with text, maps & links.There is something exquisitely special about the small Renaissance towns of Italy, particularly here in Pienza, which is the birthplace of Renaissance town planning.It was created here because an important local aristocrat became Pope Pius II, and decided to build up his hometown into this artistic treasure, which has had some influence on urban planning all around the world.From above, we see the harmonious compact form with the two principal buildings, the palace of the Pope and the Cathedral next to it, built around the central piazza.Pope Pius II was a member of the Piccolomini family, a noble lineage that included yet another pope and many other bishops, dukes, and generals, seen here and a series of paintings he commissioned from pink to Ricci oh.It was his idea to build this town the way we see it today in a Renaissance style. They say it's the first, Renaissance, planned town.Piazza Pius II or "Pio Due," is the central focal point of the town, and the largest building of course is his personal palace, designed in the Florentine style by his principal architect Bernardo Rossellino.The palace is much bigger than the adjacent Cathedral.Another prominent building on the piazza is the town hall, the Palazzo Comunale, with its graceful loggia on the ground level, and crenellated clock tower rising high above, with the popular Café La Posta right next door.They're open from 7 o'clock in the morning, so drop in for a cappuccino or espresso to start your day.And then later it becomes a bar and pub, right up until 10 PM.The main street of town is Corso Rossellino, and it goes right through the piazza, extending from one end of town to the other, with gates at both ends, with the protective wall going around it and that main street running throughout and the Piazza Pio in the middle.Pienza is located in Tuscany, about two hours away from Florence.Corso Rossellino, the main street of town, exhibits, some basic Renaissance-style features, including the human scale, the mix of residential and commercial, and the smooth, wide paving with a gentle curve to the lane. And notice the façades of the buildings do not jut out at odd angles. They present a more even and harmonious alignment, embracing the daily activities of life in a beautiful setting.The main creative activities that were building the Renaissance were happening in Florence at this time, with the famous painters and sculptors hard at work, and construction of the Florence Cathedral.While Pienza is given the special credit as being the first town created with an overall Renaissance style, as a model of humane city design.Some of the side streets lead off to small open green spaces, functioning like neighborhood parks, with benches, potted plants, and nicely paved lanes with homes all around it.At the edge of town you'll come across some vistas of the Val d’Orcia that looks something like a painting, with its green rolling hills and vineyards off in the distance.As evening settles in, the scene turns golden and the town remains open for business, so this is a great time to be out walking.You'll always be tempted to have a look at the little side lanes as you go by. We'll see more of them later.Curiously, the main local product for sale here, that you definitely want to explore, is pecorino cheese. It's from the sheep grazing in the wonderful, green pastures all around the town producing a sheep milk with a special aroma. Pienza is considered the capital of pecorino cheese.And you'll also find a nice variety of local wines to go with it, such as here at Marusco e Maria.They create many variations including Marzolino, Magnifico, black di Grotta. You can get it mild, dry, or spicy.You also find some traditional crafts being made, such as by this weaver who's creating some very colorful fabrics that would make a unique gift to bring home.Continuing along the Corso, we're approaching one of the fortified gates that enter the town.Pienza had a medieval history before it became transformed into the Renaissance gem that we see today.
