In Belgium's second city, you’ll find the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a fascinating 16th century printing shop, publishing house and residence. Antwerp, then a city of 100 000 residents, was one of Europe's leading cities for printing and typography, with 140 bookshops, printers and publishers. Among these, Christophe Plantin was [...]
Thumbing through photos, I'm reminded of a little memorial I once saw in the Engadin Valley. On Piz Nair mountain just above St Moritz, I spotted a glass box in the distance. Practically pulled over, I was. By a strong impulse. Curiosity - and something else. There was no way I was not scrambling over to investigate.
Trees! In my search for world heritage, the important places on the planet, those worthy of special protection for the future, I sometimes find myself in somewhat curious situations. This time, I am looking for trees. Beech trees, to be specific. Fagus sylvatica. Of course, [...]
Tivoli, 31 August 2017 Italy seems to be everyone's favourite country. People love the bureaucracy, the nepotism, the overtly corrupt politicians, the lack of equality and women's rights, the still living at home when they're 35, waiting for the parents to die so they can [...]
I'm a paranormal investigator. For the night. Well, no, I am not. Not really. I cannot even call myself a believer. But Victoria can. I've just met this blonde, fresh-faced Brit - from somewhere just north of London. She tells me she has degrees in [...]
'Defenestration,' he said, the stranger who came up to me as I leaned out the castle window. Or snuck up on me, rather. Silent as a panther he was. A tuxedo-clad panther, with grey eyes. Steel. Eerily magnetic. View from Prague Castle I must have [...]
Oslo 15 February 2017 When is it too late to let someone (strangers around a communal waiting room table) know you speak their language? Been sitting next to a French couple and I'm sure they wouldn't have discussed some of the things they have - [...]
