Blog

Moscow of the 1990s – a personal account

Jan 9th, 2020 | Geoff Winestock

A visit to Moscow, like many great cities, offers a chance to immerse yourself in its fascinating, tumultuous history. Moscow is unusual however because you can get a feel not just for the distant past, the medieval world of Ivan the Terrible or Napoleon’s campaign of 1812, but also for...

A potted history of the Rhine and its art

Dec 18th, 2019 | Dr Nick Gordon

The Rhine is home to an exceptional number of museums, castles, gardens and beautiful architecture, from Charlemagne’s Aachen, through the cathedrals of Strasbourg and Cologne, to modern masterpieces, themselves often filled with…well… more masterpieces. The density of cultural heritage along the Rhine is the result of a fascinating history that...

Scotland’s Orkney Islands: Of Storms and Stones, Of Trees and Treasure

Dec 16th, 2019 | Michael Turner

Here in our village in the west we are little regarded. The lords of tilth and loch are quarrying (we hear) Great stones to make a stone circle. They come here from Birsay to take our fish for taxes. Otherwise We are left in peace with our small fires and...

Arts and Crafts in Morocco, through the ages

Dec 6th, 2019 | Sue Rollin

A highlight of any trip to Morocco is its rich and diverse heritage, underpinned by vibrant cultural traditions, a fascinating religious history, and unique gastronomy. In this article, archaeologist and historian Sue Rollin explores three aspects of Morocco’s arts and crafts, from ancient bronze sculptures, to colourful zillij mosaic tiles...

The secret musical life of Lake Como

Nov 22nd, 2019 | Royna McNamara

“I do not know a district more clearly blessed by heaven. In the midst of this friendly nature, man can breathe freely, the harmony of his relations is not disturbed by gigantic proportions, and he can love and enjoy because he does not seem to do anything but take his own...