On a sunny day in Lucerne, the author explored the town's historical sites, including defensive towers, the Lion of Lucerne, and the Glacier Garden. Highlights included the Hofkirche, picturesque old bridges, and art galleries featuring works by Picasso, Klee, Kandinsky, and Chagall, showcasing the evolving world of contemporary art.

The author reflects on a trip to Lucerne, Switzerland, recalling their visit to the Lion of Lucerne, a monument honoring Swiss Guards. Travel offers valuable lessons about history and self-discovery.

In Bregenz, a demonstration occurred advocating for a school strike against the Austrian government's ban on headscarves for girls under 14. Navigating the city was challenging due to poor signage, but many tourist sights were found, with Martinsturm in the Oberstadt being a charming highlight amid picturesque old buildings.

Bregenz, Austria, is located on Lake Bodensee. After exploring the area, including a cable car trip offering stunning views, the author expresses a desire to revisit Lindau.

Lindau offers a charming experience with its scenic views, a Picasso exhibition showcasing ceramics, and a collection by Hundertwasser. Don't miss the stunning sunset over The Bodensee from the lighthouse.

Lindau, located across the Bodensee from Konstanz, offers ornate towers, diverse churches, and a town museum with world-class art. The puppet theatre features an upcoming performance of The Magic Flute, and popular cruise excursions attract many visitors.

During the holiday season, Konstanz is bustling with activity. The town is historically significant as the site where Jan Hus, a Czech national hero, was executed in 1415 after being condemned by the Council of Konstanz. Visitors can explore the charming old town and its notable landmarks, including the Powder Tower.

Today I traveled to Konstanz, Germany, located on The Bodensee, where there’s no formal border crossing due to the Schengen area. The lake was bustling with water sports and leisure boats. I explored the old town, admiring the churches and the unique black cat sign at Haus zur Katz. More updates tomorrow.

I visited Stein-am-Rhein, admiring Rathausplatz's mural-covered buildings and charming architecture. Early visits enhance the experience with softer light and fewer crowds, making it a worthwhile destination.

A train arrived on time at Lake Constance, allowing a quick journey to Neuhausen Rheinfall. There, the impressive falls, a cataract spanning twenty-three meters, were viewed before returning to Schaffhausen's picturesque old town.

The Abbey Library in St Gallen, founded by monk Gallus in 612, showcases the influence of monasteries on Western culture. It features ancient books with surprising topics and requires visitors to wear large slippers while exploring.

I traveled by train from Zurich to St Gallen, arriving slightly late. St Gallen is a quiet city known for its circular old town, cathedral, former monastery, and unique oriels, reflecting local architectural competition.

Zurich West, often overlooked by tourists, offers a more authentic experience away from main attractions. The Fraumunster church, featuring the notable Chagall Windows, remains open on Mondays.

Zurich West, often overlooked by tourists, offers a more authentic experience away from main attractions. The Fraumunster church, featuring the notable Chagall Windows, remains open on Mondays.

The train trip to Zurich takes just fifty minutes, with easy access to the city from the main station, which has no ticket barriers. Travelers should note Museumstrasse's location relative to Old Town hotels. Hiltl is a recommended vegetarian restaurant with a buffet-style system for selecting and paying for food.

From Solothurn to Basle via Olten.

Solothurn, regarded as Switzerland's most beautiful Baroque city, features stunning Italianate buildings and well-preserved streets from the 17th and 18th centuries, including St Ursula's cathedral. The charming old town boasts colorful fountains, a Middle Eastern restaurant called Pittaria, and the bar Solheure, ideal for a scenic drink by the River Aare.

Solothurn, known for its Baroque architecture, is accessible via a suburban train from Berne. It joined the Swiss Confederation in 1481 and housed French Ambassadors for over 250 years.

Berne, Switzerland's capital, exudes charm with its UNESCO-listed old town, where tranquility prevails amidst few vehicles or sirens. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of the River Aare, observe brown bears, explore various museums and galleries, and admire the Bernese Overland. It is a delightful destination for leisurely strolls and exploration.

Berne, Switzerland's capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its busy streets, fountains, and clock towers. It is easily accessible by train from Fribourg in 23 minutes.

Freiberg/Fribourg offers an adventurous walking experience with numerous steps, staircases, and bridges connecting defensive towers. Key highlights include the narrow entrance to the Pont du Gatteron and a scenic walk to Loreto Chapel, which provides stunning city views. Funicular tracks are present but non-operational, emphasizing the area's hilly terrain.

The author traveled from Geneva to Fribourg via Lausanne, noting that some train carriages can lead to different destinations, which travelers should verify. In Fribourg, the pleasant atmosphere is overshadowed by a significant number of smokers, making outdoor dining uncomfortable due to their entitlement and frequent smoke breaks.

A 25-minute train ride from Lausanne to Montreux reveals musical history; Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" was inspired here, and statues of Freddie Mercury and Charlie Chaplin celebrate their legacies, drawing many visitors.

I visited CERN on Tramline 18, touring the Synchrocyclotron and the Atlas Research Centre. Our guide, a doctoral researcher, discussed the matter-antimatter discrepancy from the Big Bang.

For a scenic Swiss trip, take a CGN boat from Lausanne to visit Vevey, Montreux, and Chillon Castle. The journey to St Gingolph and back takes about three-and-a-half hours. The ferry quays are near the Lausanne-Ouchy metro exit, and the Olympic Museum is a short walk from there.

On a hot day in Geneva, highlights included the popular Jet D'Eau, a visit to the United Nations, and the International Red Cross Museum, which reflects on humanitarian efforts and rights during wars, particularly since the 19th century.

Traveling from Heathrow to Geneva involved using the EES system, which captures a photo and fingerprints for unregistered users. Passport control follows to verify EES registration and documents.

I highly recommend the refurbished Jewry Wall museum in Leicester, showcasing ancient Roman mosaics like Neptune and Peacock, previously discovered in local basements and now preserved for visitors' admiration.

Leicester City suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Oxford United. However, the day was brightened by visits to Abbey Park, known for its historical ruins, and Victoria Park's WWI cenotaph.

On Day 3, I explored Loughborough, visiting its Bell Foundry, Great Central Railway, Queen's Park's carillon tower, and memorials for Covid victims and military history.

The holiday began with a flight from Vancouver to Heathrow, followed by travel to Leicester, where I enjoyed real ale and vegetarian pie at The Globe pub.

This is another one of those stories where a figure in authority has asked the Police Judiciaire in Paris whether they can 'borrow' Maigret to investigate, in his own style, a murder.

Coot Club follows Dick and Dorothea Callum, friends of the Swallows and Amazons, as they learn to sail from expert Tom Dudgeon in Norfolk's Broads. They face challenges from reckless boaters disrupting wildlife. Together with Mrs. Barrable, they embark on a journey to Norwich, testing their sailing skills against various obstacles.

This novel starts in 1897 when an insomniac character with a surname of Graham is about to throw himself off a cliff on the pretty North Cornish coastline

The novel centers on George Follansbee Babbitt, a conformist real estate man in Zenith, struggling with emptiness despite career success. His life takes a turn when his wife and daughter leave, leading him to explore affairs. Ultimately, he rekindles his relationship with his wife during her illness, gaining perspective on life.

In the English Lake District, the Walker children sail a dinghy named Swallow and encounter local girls Nancy and Peggy Blackett, who sail Amazon. A rivalry unfolds as they explore an island for stolen treasure. Their adventures intertwine with Uncle Jim, known as Captain Flint, living on a houseboat.

The book "Travels Through History: Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, and Loughborough" is on sale from July 29 to August 5, 2026. The narrative explores the Great Central Railway, featuring unique station themes, steam locomotives, and historical decor. It highlights various stations, local attractions, and special train events enriching the journey experience.

The book "Travels Through History: Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, and Loughborough" is discounted from July 29 to August 5, 2026. It discusses Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1215, which limited royal power and laid the groundwork for justice and accountability. The subsequent Charter of the Forest was issued in 1217 to further protect commoners.

The book "Travels Through History: Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, and Loughborough" is discounted from July 29 to August 5, 2026. It highlights Samuel Johnson's significant contributions, including his Dictionary of the English Language, and discusses his life, literary works, and lasting legacy, notably captured in James Boswell's biography.

The book "Travels Through History" is discounted from July 29 to August 5, 2026. It discusses the Battle of Bosworth and the recent discovery of King Richard III's burial site in Leicester. Richard's reign, though brief, was noted for progressive policies, including laws that improved transparency in land sale and introduced jury reforms.

Maigret is unofficially 'asked' to investigate a case where a young man has been mangled by a train, but there are suspicions that he might have been dead prior to the train running him over.

Every few pages I'd stop and try to think about the 'Blade Runner' film.

Bohumil Hrabal's collection features fourteen short stories highlighting ordinary people's experiences amidst significant events, particularly focusing on the tragic death of motorcyclist Hans Baltisberger at the 1956 Czechoslovak Grand Prix.

The Time Out Market at Oakridge Centre in Vancouver features twenty food and drink stalls, offering diverse cuisines, and attracts large crowds, especially during lunchtime.

Willa Cather knew the frontier life as a young girl and she used this experience to write this book.

The Time Out Market has opened at Oakridge Centre in Vancouver, easily accessible by public transport. The concept originated in Lisbon in 2014.

Josephine Tey's mystery novel revolves around Brat Farrar, who impersonates Patrick Ashby. The reader discovers his true identity early on, but the characters' gradual realization is cleverly executed. The book falls short of five stars due to its horse-related content and the implausibility of the name "Brat" for such a deception.

According to the book, the Most Dangerous Game of all is another man with a gun…

A Clergyman's Daughter, George Orwell's second novel, follows Dorothy Hare, who cares for her clergyman father in Suffolk. After rejecting Mr. Warburton's advances, she faces hardship, experiencing life as a destitute in London. Eventually, after a tumultuous job as a schoolmistress, she returns home, where her father seemingly ignores her absence.

The book narrates the journey of a small ship and her sister, Terror, exploring the Arctic while seeking the North-West Passage. It's a well-researched maritime mystery for adventure enthusiasts.