Istanbul

Opened in 1837 with some 12,00 graves, the First Cemetery of Athens is a peaceful spot in the middle of Athens not far from the ancient Agora. It is seems to contain one of the biggest collections of marble in the city. The graves are certainly large and elaborate. Not far away is the Panathenaic…

Two different galleries – both for shopping rather than art. Starting with Gallerie Vivienne a covered set of shops dating back to 1826. Next up, Galleries Lafayette, probably the largest department store known outside France. I took a guided tour that allowed access an hour before the store opened to learn all about the history…

The Acropolis (high city) is very much the centre of Athens figuratively and literally. Standing for 2500 years on a rocky outcrop it has endured through the centuries. In more recent years they have opened its own museum which is useful in better understanding the site, its history and the decorative elements that were part…

A former railway, turned into park, two and a half stories above ground. Just across the river near the Gare D’Austrelitz is this interesting building. Though the clouds were rolling in, there was still some time in the afternoon to get a few external shots of the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens.

Invalides is a complex which includes an army museum, the Cathedral of St Louis and the Domes des Invalides, containing tombs of significant French figures. It has also maintained its longstanding function as a retirement home for former soldiers. Its gold dome is visible from many parts of the city. It is most notably, the…

Less than a minute’s walk outside my apartment, it was market day today. I had seen the no parking signs go up the day before and they don’t mess around here in Athens. I was a huge market spanning several closed streets with endless fruits and vegetables, the occasional olives, nuts and dry beans. From…