Mallorca Spain

#Mallorca_Spain
Mallorca (Latin for larger island) is one of Spains Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea & an interesting fact on why the waters here are so clear, the seabed are rich in sea grass which oxygenate & clarifies the water.
This stop brings me to the Capital City of Palma (430,000 citizens) & here is your per travel blog with ways to save money 
 
KeyTip;
The City Council has worked out a deal with local business owners to create Free Tour Palma which gets you access for either 1 or 2 hours free tours that all visiting tourists can take advantage of this great idea by the local government

 

Santa Maria Cathedral (groundbreaking was in 1229 & completed in 1601) is one of the largest Gothic Churches in Spain
 Some interesting facts;  the rosette has over 1200 pieces of colored glass plus you will see many gargoyles & grotesques on the churches exterior, which is decorative but also it channels away the rainwater
On Fridays there is free admission for the local residents so i bigger crowd.
 So keep that in mind if you so decide to buy a entrance fee, plus please remember there is a dress code 

Palma has over 300 days of sunshine per year with the average temperature of 21C (72F) hence why millions of tourists visit here each year

I am sure something profound was written on this wall but it is to weather-beaten to read, but knowing that the Romans founded this area in 2nd Century BC i am certain of that

Most of the cities architecture is of the Modernista & Art Nouveau created in the early 20th century 

One of 2,500+ restaurants serving fresh seafood, rice dishes & tapas plus a foodie fact; the spicy sausage sobrasada & sweet pastry ensaimada are not made or bought outside the island of Mallorca so better get your hunger ready 

Spanish & Catalan are the co-official languages here but what i noticed in the high tourist traffic areas there is a lot of English spoken 

Palma de Mallorca has earned the title......The Worlds Best Place to Live

Halifax Nova Scotia Canada

#Halifax_Canada
Halifax is the largest city (500,000 citizens) east of Montreal & it is the economic engine that drives this part of Canada with its transportation hub, many IT companies, head offices of large corporations, banking sector, shipyards, east coast Canadian Navy based here, tourism, etc
With five universities within the city centre & being one of the oldest areas in North America you have a great mix of youthful energy / history 

KeyTip; many things to see in this beautiful & walkable city are for free; The Boardwalk on the Waterfront, Central Library, Point Pleasant Park, Public Gardens, Art Gallery, Historic Properties, Old Town Clock and so on

#Halifax_Historic_Properties were constructed during the Napoleonic Wars as the local businessmen (Enos Collins for one) defied the blockade to bring American supplies to the British 
These properties helped made Halifax prosperous.... but not all the trading with these ships were legal, but also for smuggling & privateering
But this just adds to the rich history & stories as a seaport 😄

 

Some of the beautiful Victorian Homes located on Halifax peninsula

Located in the heart of the city is The Public Gardens that opened in 1867 ( read my blog on this amazing place)

Free one hour horticultural & historical tours during the summer season at The Public Gardens

Located at the southend of Halifax is Point Pleasant Park (190 acres) 
When the British left our area they sold the land to the Government of Canada who now leases it to our city for a ceremonial 1 Shilling ( less than one cent )
Today us locals use it for long nature walks, watching live theatre (Shakespeare by the Sea) our Bluenose Marathon runs some of its course through here, watching the mighty ships we receive enter our port ( one of the largest natural harbours in the World) and so on

You cannot miss on top of our city the Halifax Citadel Fort (4th version was completed in 1856) 
It was occupied by British forces until 1906 (who built all their forts same way) in a star shape so the soldiers would have angles for shooting their muskets & cannons,
so because of its defense setup the Citadel was never attacked

Also every summer the 78th Highland Regiment & Royal Artillery do reenactments of their drills, marching & also the noon day gun.... a tradition for over 200 years (it is loud)
 Plus all are dressed in the period correct uniforms so you are reliving history  

Opened in 1899 the Saint Marys Cathedral Basilica is a Gothic Revival design located on Spring Garden Road

Three city blocks of Barrington Street has now been designated a Historic Area preserving buildings like these.

The vibrant Halifax Boardwalk (4kms or 2.5miles) has everything you want; pubs, historic buildings, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic ( a must for you Titanic followers) shopping for local artisans or just strolling the harbour & taking in the salty ocean air   

A great mixture of old & new in Halifax in which any new development has to keep the facade of the historical building, but can add new sections to the top

Alexander Keiths Brewery is one of the oldest in North America ( 200+ years) 
This is a MUST tour, besides going through tunnels & having samples in a underground pub 😀
You will learn the history of Mr Keith as a Mayor of Halifax, Businessman & Freemason

We do get Tall Ship Festivals occasionally, so what better way for me to take a picture but in their elements.....Fog & Mist

Stockholm Sweden

#Stockholm_Sweden
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden & includes 14 islands plus 50 bridges located on the Baltic Sea

KeyTip; Stockholm is one of the most expensive cities in the World to visit, but well worth it as you will see with my pictures
As most cities it is very walkable to see Old Town, Street Markets, History & Art Museums, Rosendals Gardens, Kungstradgarden Park, Parliament Building, Churches / Cathedrals etc plus all free to do so
Finally you will need to know most businesses do not accept cash so bring that plastic

 

Because of its architecture the city is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North

After June 11th its daylight almost the entire day due to the midnight sun.
 But during the dark period of the year alot of locals take a vitamin D supplements & use therapy lamps to cope life without sun
Also because the summer season is short most of bars / restaurants are closed for vacation during this time  

Happy Hour in Sweden is called After Work......NICE

I always have my camera pointed north for the unexpected shots

Did you know that on Easter in Sweden the children dress up as witches & go Trick-or-Treating

People of Sweden like to stay in shape as exercise is a big part of every ones routine, so when walking the streets yourself you will notice larger numbers of people

Taxes are high here but all areas, streets & buildings are well maintained as you will see

I was up early for this picture to avoid any humans in my shot.......your welcome jajaja

Because of their concerns of the environment  the Swedish are great at recycling so buying secondhand is encouraged. So look for the local flea markets  ( loppisar ) if your interested

Stockholm was officially found in 1252 & soon became Swedens biggest city 

I must do while here is to visit some of the museums; Sansen , Vasa, Nordic, National etc

Did you know Stockholm is one third parks, one third water & one third city

Sorrento Italy

#Sorrento_Italy
Sorrento (from the Greek word Surreo meaning flow or come together) is a coastal town in southwestern Italy with a population of 16,000+
Now when i asked the locals in Naples about the Amalfi Coast they all agreed that it is a beautiful location but everyone also mentioned Sorrento
This area was first Greek then a Roman colony followed by the Goths, Longobards & Byzantines
Because of its mild climate many emperors (Claudius &Tiberius for example) plus rich patricians chose Sorrento as their summer residence (so because of this) they had roads & villas built, which is evident as we walk the streets here

KeyTip; So i listened & took the Metro at around 5 Euro from Naples (1 hour 20 minutes)
There is also a ferry that is faster but much more expensive if your traveling in a group ( 40 Euros PP )
 Finally they have walking tours listed at $50+ Euros PP, this is not needed as just continue to read this blog for information then spend an afternoon walking yourself

 

Vallone dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills)
Was at one time an operational flour mill until the 1940s when it was closed & abandoned
It was built in this location to take advantage of the water supply (that flowed underneath) that was needed to ground all the wheat & finally that operation moved to another location 
So now nature has slowly been reclaiming the area of this deep crevasse that was formed 35,000 years ago during an eruption 

The Greeks & Romans both built protective walls around the city & now it surrounds the Main Square of Piazza Tasso ( named after the poet Torquato Tasso 1544-1595)

Trying some samples........hey its hard work blogging for you people 😅

The ancient Greeks designed the streets to be narrow & intentionally positioned them to shade their citizens

The lemons grown here are considered to be the best in the world thanks to the mineral rich volcanic soil
So after your meal you need to drink some Limoncello ( digestif ) containing alcohol ,water, sugar & fresh lemon rinds

While in Sorrento you are near many historical archaeological sites you can visit;
 The Cave of the Sirens, Porta Romana, Museo Correale, Punta del Capo, Villa of Pollio Felice & Museum of Villa Fondi

Sorrento was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997 & while its not part of the Amalfi Coast it is a gateway to many other classic cities of Italy like Positano, Pompeii, Ravello & Herculaneum

In the Middle Ages some worked as fishermen  but others earned their money by being Pirates that would raid nearby coastal towns

Photo Opp.......waited until anything came through this tunnel, got lucky with a one highlight motorcycle

Legend has it the towns earliest history is related to the myth of mermaids which in Italy is known as Sirens
Folklore has it Ulysses heard the Sirens song as he was sailing past Sorrento & told his crew to block their ears & tie him up so to resist this alluring sounds

Sorrento is also known for crafting intricate designs using various types of wood, so not an expensive piece but certainly took skill to make this wooden watch that i picked up before i left this beautiful area

Heading back to Naples with lots of sitting available until we make the stops at Pompeii & Ercolano so be ready for that & Happy Touring 😃