~ European adventures ~
Visiting the Arvo Pärt centre in Estonia
The Arvo Pärt Centre, located near Laulasmaa in Estonia, is dedicated to the life and work of the renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.
Nestled in a serene pine forest nearby to the Baltic Sea, the centre was understood to have been established in 2010 by Pärt and his family to preserve his personal archive and make his creative legacy accessible to the public.
Climbing up to the Gediminas Tower in Vilnius
Gediminas Tower, an iconic symbol of Vilnius, stands proudly atop Gediminas Hill, overlooking the city with a commanding presence. This historic tower is all that remains of the Upper Castle, which was part of a larger defensive complex built in the early 14th century by Grand Duke Gediminas, the founder of Vilnius.
The fascinating National Museum in Prague
Dinosaur bones, stunning statues, beautiful paintings, precious rocks, the National Museum in Prague is a fascinating place to absorb culture and history in a this unique part of Europe.
A night in Kernu manor, near Tallinn
Having spent the last few years exploring Estonia in a tent with a bike, 2024 seemed like a good time to sample and document more of Estonia’s rich history particularly the ample manor houses and castles!
Kernu Manor, is located about 35 kilometres southwest of Tallinn, and a historical gem with a rich past that reflects the country’s aristocratic heritage.
Inside the stunning Austrian National Library in Vienna
A recent trip to Vienna gave an opportunity to visit the incredible Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, ÖNB), the largest and most significant library in Austria, renowned as one of the world’s premier research libraries!
The Clementinium and astronomical tower in Prague
Having an interest in Space and the science, it seemed silly not see one of Prague’s biggest attractions in both of these subjects, the astronomical tower found inside the Clementinum.
Seeing the magic of illusions in Prague
The Illusion Art Museum in Prague, also known as the Museum of Illusions, is a captivating attraction that combines art, science, and psychology to create mind-bending visual experiences.
Exploring abandoned soviet missile bases in remote Estonia
Located some 25 kilometres from Rakvere, the Rohu rocket base was once a vital part of the Soviet nuclear rocket complex established during the 1960s, but now lies largely in ruins.
Finding the John Lennon freedom wall in Prague
A trip to Prague in 2024 gave a unique opportunity to see one of the John Lennon memorial Walls (there are others in Hong Kong, Barcelona and Warsaw) - a significant cultural and political landmark - located in the Malá Strana district.
Discovering a long-abandoned World War II Sea Mine factory on Naissaar island, Estonia
The sea mines factory on Naissaar island, located in the Gulf of Finland, approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Tallinn, is one of the island’s most intriguing historical military sites, reflecting its strategic military significance during the 20th century.
Experiencing the quirkiness of the ‘25 Hours hotel’ in Vienna’s Museums Quarter
As the name suggests, it offers a unique and eclectic experience, blending modern amenities such (as a gym, bar, sauna etc) with playful, circus-inspired styling – giving it a real dose of personality.
Seeing the beautiful Astronomical clock in Prague’s Old Town
A recent trip to explore and document Prague led us to the Astronomical Clock in Prague, a medieval astronomical clock located in the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic.
Looking over Riga’s stunning old town from atop St Peter’s church in Latvia
Wanting to explore more of eastern Europe travelled to Riga in Latvia, to see St. Peter's Church, a historic and architecturally significant building located in the heart of the Daugava River and the city's beautiful Old Town.
Visiting the infamous KGB cells in Tallinn
The KGB prison cells in Tallinn is a solemn museum dedicated to the history of the Soviet secret police, and its subversive activities in Estonia, which I decided to visit when I got to the country so I could understand more about the place I would be staying.
Exploring the stunning St Kinga’s chapel - over 100m below the surface in Wieliczka salt mine, near Kraków, Poland
An experience drawn straight out of an Indiana Jones film, (or a Tomb Raider video game for us millennials), when we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine, located near Kraków, one of the world's oldest operating salt mines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Touring the Estonian Museum of Architecture
Located in the capital city, Tallinn, the Estonian Museum of Architecture is a fantastic museum that explores the beautiful buildings of Estonia.
Founded in 1991 with the aim of collecting, preserving, and exhibiting materials related to Estonian architecture and urban planning, the museum is located in the modern Rotermann district, inside a characterful Salt Storage building, that was built in 1908.
Discovering the Suur Toll icebreaker ship in Tallinn
The remarkable Suur Tõll, Estonia's iconic flagship and a living testament to the country's maritime heritage. Anchored within the captivating Seaplanes Maritime Museum in Tallinn, this steam-powered icebreaker is a sight to behold.
Named after the legendary giant hero of Estonian mythology, Suur Tõll (Big Tõll) pays homage to the mighty Toell the Great, who once roamed the island of Saaremaa. Legend has it that Toell would hurl massive rocks, often targeting his archenemy Vanatühi or any foes threatening the people of Saaremaa.
Roaming around the Estonian Film museum in Tallinn
A great trip for digital nomads that work in creative industries is the the highly interactive Estonian Film Museum, a museum dedicated to the history of Estonian cinema. Located in Tallinn, the museum was founded in 2006 and is currently situated, near to the Estonian History Museum (Eesti Ajaloomuuseum) in the historic Maarjamäe Castle.
Finding ancient art at the UNESCO archaeological site in Paphos, Cyprus
The Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (Paphos) in Cyprus stands as a pivotal site, encapsulating centuries of history and cultural richness. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1980 underscores its significance as a treasure trove of ancient civilisation.
Exploring the UNESCO-listed Tomb of Kings in Paphos, Cyprus
The Tombs of the Kings is an incredible archaeological site near Paphos, Cyprus – that you might not have heard of.
Needing to travel back to London for meetings and to get planning for the first live Tales of Adventure events underway, I decided to come via Cyprus to get some brief respite from Estonia’s -20 winter and explore more of the island that I’d last visited some 12 years prior with 40 Commando Royal Marines during a summer of instability in the region.