~ European adventures ~
Photosynthesis: seeing the Shepard Fairey exhibition at Fotografiska, Tallinn
Shepard Fairey's Photo Synthesis exhibition at Fotografiska Tallinn is a wonderful, intricate and impactful exploration of his artistic journey, running until March 2025.
Catching ‘The Mystery of Banksy — A Genius Mind: The unauthorised exhibition'
Despite not featuring a single Banksy original, we were excited to visit an unauthorised Banksy exhibition that’s been touring around Europe since 2021.
Seeing Warsaw from the top of the Palace of Culture and Science (aka the ‘PKiN’)
The Palace of Culture and Science, known as Pałac Kultury i Nauki (PKiN) in Polish, is a prominent skyscraper in central Warsaw, and one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Exploring a ‘Forest Brothers’ bunker in southern Estonia
The Ennuksemäe Forest Brothers’ bunker is a fascinating historical site located near Viljandi, Estonia. This bunker is significant as it represents the resistance efforts of the Forest Brothers, a group of Estonian partisans who fought against Soviet occupation after World War II.
Exploring Copenhagen’s eerie underground Cisterns
The Cisterns in Copenhagen, hidden beneath Søndermarken Park, are a fascinating and eerie underground space with a rich history.
Originally constructed in 1856, these massive reservoirs were part of Copenhagen’s first water supply system, designed to store and deliver clean drinking water to the growing city.
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.
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.
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.