I finally make it to Chislehurst Caves, and find an intriguing mix of pseudo-archaeology, WWII forebearance, and music history. Introducing Chislehurst Caves Let’s start by getting one thing straight. Despite the name, Chislehurst Caves aren’t caves. They area instead man-made tunnels and caverns, excavated as chalk and flint mines. The first mention of the mines, […]
The historian in me was most excited about Malta’s Neolithic sites. With so many options to choose from despite Malta being a very small country, which ones should visitors prioritise? A Guide to Malta’s Neolithic Sites Long time readers know I love archaeology. If there is an archaeological site within reach during a holiday, I […]
Our final stop in Malta, the Wignacourt Museum includes art, objects, extensive tunnels, a church, and a site of Christian pilgrimage. A Final Stop in Malta The time has come for us to bid farewell to Malta. My trip there was a memorable one, and absolutely packed with cultural highlights. We learned about the history […]
The site of St Paul’s Cathedral has been the heart of Mdina since before it was Mdina! What better place to start getting to grips with Malta’s historic capital? A Daytrip to Mdina: Where to Start? In my last post, I described a daytrip to Mdina and Rabat, covering a bit of history as well […]
Get to know Gozo’s capital, Victoria, and the many museums of its imposing and historic citadel. Getting to Know Victoria (Ir-Rabat) In my last post, we looked at ways to spend 48 hours in Gozo, Malta’s second-biggest island. The pace of life is slower here, but there’s still plenty to see and do, from archaeological […]
The only Inquisitor’s Palace in the world that’s open to the public? How could I not stop by for a visit? A Final Stop in and around Valletta We have been busy over the past few days! I wrote a post introducing Malta and exploring some of the options for culture lovers. We then did […]
Fort St Elmo spans centuries of history, even predating Valletta. Aim to spend at least half a day here to explore the fort and National War Museum thoroughly. A Final Stop in Valletta We bookended our recent trip to Malta with stays in Valletta. For the first couple of nights we stayed in the Old […]
An imposing building in the middle of Valletta’s Old Town, the Grand Master’s Palace is a great place to learn about the history of Malta from the Knights Hospitaller onwards. To Begin With, What is a Grand Master? In my last post, we visited Malta’s National Museum of Archaeology. I love archaeology, so that was […]
Waddesdon Manor is glorious at Christmas, and just within reach of London as a daytrip destination. Waddesdon Manor: a Perfect Christmas Outing My path to Waddesdon Manor was a rather serendipitous one. I’ve now lived in London so long that I rarely have the energy for the types of daytrips I once embarked on. But […]
Monte Gibralfaro dominates Málaga’s skyline, and forms part of its coat of arms. What better place to get your historic bearings in this important Andalusian city? Making the Most of a Weekend in Málaga A recent trip to Málaga was my second. My first, a few years ago now, was part of a road trip […]
