Harry's Bar

Bar in Venice, Italy

More like a 1950’s hotel lobby than a bar, and always very busy, Harry’s Bar is still an irresistible institution. You will naturally want to order a Bellini, they were 15 Euro last visit, but then this is their birthplace! My tip would be to order a ‘Rogers’ second – pretty much a Bellini but with an extra shot of something and at only one Euro more it’s better value and very tasty. People talk of the old clientele (Hemingway, Capote and Orson Welles) the place used to attract and expect something grander, but they went for the atmosphere and because Harry’s is a Venice institution, part of the cyclical life of the place. It was opened in 1931.

The staff, in their white coats and black bow ties, are always charming and demure and will bring you a Beef Carppaccio, the bar’s other signature dish, in the same way that they have been since the place opened. Things here just don’t seem to change. My Dad swears he has been served by the same person at ten year intervals.

People supposedly come to try Bellinis but come back for the atmosphere, which apparently hasn’t changed since it was opened. It’s expensive. But you would expect that and it is somehow more of an experience than just a drink or meal.

Troy

Archaeological Sites in Marmara Region, Turkey

We know about Troy because of Homer’s epic poetic tomes in which he tells the story of Troy and Helen and the horse. Romantic and dramatic, she had the face that launched a thousand ships and armies of men fought for her honour. Sigh. Not like that these days is it girls.

This is mind, Troy was naturally a place I’m drawn to. Whether the story is true, or more likely an exaggeration (power not just beauty launches ships you know.), it was still a pillar of the ancient world and I’m fascinated when these great cities crumble and why. First thing I found was that there’s some dispute about whether the archaeological site is the same as the site of Homer’s legend. There were apparently many cities built on top of each other here (interesting in itself though), with Homer’s Troy being the 7th, the 6th having been totally flattened by an earthquake. The 7th is thought to have been destroyed by war which fits in with the rest of Homer’s story. And I’m not the only one who thought it would be nice to learn more about where this story took place – the first excavations took place here in the 1860’s and 70’s when the layers of Troy began to be discovered.

I was slightly disappointed by how touristy the site is now. At first I was excited by the wooden horse that has been built then I thought it was a bit showy. Walking around you can see that the site was excavated too early and not enough care was taken with it. My kindly guide backed me up here, they went for the bulldozer approach, thinking Homeric Troy was going to be the bottom layer, they knocked down a lot of interesting stuff to get to it.

What I fund out and really appreciate is that, not knowing whether it was myth, legend or history, it became popular for first Roman and later European princes and royalty to claim their ancestors were Trojans, so that Rome’s founders as well as Franks and the legendary Kings of the Britons were all supposed to be descended from Aeneas – who was Paris in the version most of us understand.

Jardin Exotique

Gardens in Monaco

Monte Carlo is awash with colour from the bright, wealthy hotels, blinding super yachts down to the blue harbour which shines in the sun like cut glass. Walking in the sun amongst the amazing array of exotics and succulents which line the cliff top in the Jardin Exotique feels like being on holidays.

Some of these cacti have thrived into mammoth sizes, some of the garden having had eighty years to grow, creating an almost otherworldly garden of strange shapes, textures and fleshy green colours. These plants come from all over the world to this plant heaven of plenty of sunshine and rain (plants can’t appreciate the view or that they’re in such fine company but they’re on display as if they can.). Grounds keepers say that there is always colour to the garden, the plants flower in different cycles. Naturally the cliff top view over the entire principality is worth it on its own.

Rialto Bridge

Monuments & Landmarks in Venice, Italy

Glorious, romantic Venice’s oldest and most graceful bridge done in white marble, delicate arches and pillars and crossing the Grand Canal at the Rialto Market. The final survivor in at long line of bridges on the spot - all of which collapsed - this is the first and last stone version - but in a similar shop lined style as its predecessors. The shops lining both sides of it supposedly bring in the revenue for its maintenance. Anything more I said would be superfluous - just look on the photo and admire…

Sistine Chapel

Art Collections in Rome, Italy

This famously and meticulously decorated chapel is best known for its Michelangelos and for being the site of the Papal conclaves where decisions about papal succession are made.

Outside it’s a plain rectangular brick building without any of the flounces and adornments you might expect of such an important building of the church - who generally err on the side of grandeur, but inside it is divided into divinely ornate sections for painting dramatic gold gleaming murals upon. The chapel has three main levels, akin to a brimming art galley, ground level is mostly hanging frescos loving the gold and silver, the middle level has two complimentary sets of paintings depicting ‘The Life of Christ’ and ‘The Life of Moses’ and the top level has the papal portrait gallery and a section for the ancestors of Christ, which is an extension of Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Like Mona at the Louve, there is more to the roof than the famous ‘Last Judgement‘, ‘Twelve Apostles’ and ’God Creates Adam’ . Divided into nine sections the roof depicts God’s Creation of the World, God’s Relationship with Mankind and Mankind’s Fall from Grace. Raphael was commissioned for the tapestries, and Boticelli, Ghirlandio and Perugino and their workshops also contributed to this truly astounding achievement in art.

Yes, you’ll have to queue, but this is one of the greatest displays of the genius of human endeavour and Michelangelo alone took about five years to complete his contribution to this amazing scene so I think you’ll cope with a bit of waiting.