I wasn’t sure what to expect from Sofia. It’s been a very pleasant surprise. Having been inhabited since 7000 BC, it’s a city with a lot of history. I enjoyed seeing how the different eras mix and come together to form this vibrant city.
St Sofia Church – the city’s namesake cathedral with the remnants of a 3rd century church below including roman mosaics.
I also stumbled into a retro car show. Pretty sure it included the largest collection of Ladas I have ever seen.
Located not far from the Paris city limits (where height restrictions wear off) is an area called La Defense. It has a history as a business centre dating back to 1958. According to Wikipedia: La Défense is Europe’s largest purpose-built business district, covering 560 hectares (1,400 acres), for 180,000 daily workers, with 72 glass and steel…
Being back in Greece is very much a breath of fresh air. Spending time walking along the water, exploring the many churches and enjoying the city.
Coming out of the shadows of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Tirana is a youthful feeling city with with one eye keenly on the future. Originally opened as a museum and conference centre under communist rule, the Tirana Pyramid had staircases installed on the outside of it and now provides great views across the city. The…
My day started with a quick 20 min train ride to one of the southern suburbs of Turin, where standing high on a hill was Castello Moncalieri and the lovely historical centre that surrounds it. Originally built as a fortress for the Savoys in the 1100s, it was turned into a “pleasure residence” in the…
Back on the Buda side to visit St Stephen’s Hall one of the opulent rooms restored after being bombed out in WWII, then being converted to more utilitarian spaces during communism. Over the last few decades Hungary has worked to restore the castle and its many past treasures.
