Where I Have Been

Where I Have Been

Hi everyone.

So, I have been away for quite a while and I wanted to write this little update to just let you all know where I have been.

Basically, my A-Level exam and coursework deadlines have come and gone, and in the months that i've been away I have been revising and doing work for them. I felt like I needed to spend as much time as I could in preparation for my exam and doing work for my BTEC courses, meaning something had to take a back seat for a while. Blogging was one of these things, unfortunately.

However, I am now back and ready to begin blogging as much as I possibly can! I'm on summer holidays until August/September when I start University, but I will be studying Journalism and blogging is a great extra-curricular activity for my course. I will begin to regularly post on all of my blogs again and I can't wait for you to read them!

Alanah

Amazing Things To Do In Amsterdam

Amazing Things To Do In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is probably my most travelled to location. It's one of those cities that has so much to offer and so much to bring you back, and it perfect for a little weekend city getaway. The cities world renowned tram system is an easy way to travel from place to place, such as the busy night life and restaurant area of Leidseplein, to the serene atmosphere surrounding the museums in Museumplein. Listed are my current favourite things I have experienced in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Dungeons

One of the first places I went to in Amsterdam was the Amsterdam Dungeons. Prior to my first visit, I had never been to any branch of the attraction, so I wasn't completely sure what I was in for. I can be quite a wimp when it comes to jump scares and such, and it took a lot of convincing to get me into the building, however it was definitely worth it.

I would say that this is an attraction that anyone who isn't uncomfortable with some scares and mild horror could enjoy and have fun at. The company does recommend an age of 12+, however, many go with their own judgement. The 80 minute show offers an insight to Amsterdam's history, but puts an exciting twist on it to keep you immersed throughout, rather than having a boring history lesson.

In total, I've visited the Amsterdam branch twice, with a few years gap in between, and the show has retained the amazing quality. Unfortunately, I discovered that they have removed the roller-coaster ride that was featured at the end of the show which guided you out to the gift shop and exit. This was quite a disappointment for me as I really enjoyed it the first time because, like all of The Dungeon's rides, it still had a story with it. 

Van Gogh Museum

I'm quite an artistic person, so naturally I'm drawn to art museums. I love spending hours just slowly admiring beautiful works of art. While art isn't always everyone's taste, I think everyone can definitely appreciate masterpieces.

Van Gogh is probably by far my favourite artist. He was extremely talented and very underrated during his time. Going to the Van Gogh museum was a big dream of mine and it was quite extraordinary seeing pieces, like the Sunflower series, in person. You can also learn about Van Gogh's life through the years on each floor of the museum.

One thing I really love about museums, especially art museums, is that the featured collection will change, so you can return and experience seeing different pieces. I've been to the Van Gogh museum twice and during the second time I visited, I was lucky enough to see in person the most recent discovery; Sunset at Montmajour.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this museum both times I have visited and would recommend it to not only big Van Gogh fans, but anyone, even someone with minimal knowledge of Van Gogh.

Rijksmuseum

Located in Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum's grand exterior is enough to intrigue many travellers to enter through its doors and explore. Offering a variety of exhibits, from portraits and sculptures, to fashion and furniture, there's something everyone could be interested in.

My personal favourite exhibit in the museum is The Night's Watch by Rembrandt. The sheer scale of the piece is amazing, on top of the attention to detail Rembrandt had when painting it.

The museum has so much to offer and is a good way to spend an afternoon on holiday, however, you definitely need to take a couple of breaks to sit down. With as many exhibits as it displays, the museum has 3 floors which are quite large with a lot to see, so you'll definitely be darting from room to room to see everything.

Flower Market

Holland is known for its tulips, and what better way to view flowers than Amsterdam's floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt. Founded in 1862, it is the worlds only flower market and includes 15 florists and garden shops, as well as souvenir shops.

Flowers are one of natures most beautiful creations. Walking alongside the market, smelling the gorgeous scents and looking at the vibrant colours is a wonderful little treat if you're passing by the area. 

Boat Tours

Amsterdam offers a variety of boat tours, guaranteeing you will see the beauty of the whole central city, including areas you might not want to walk to on foot. Most tours are 1hr+ to ensure that you see all the sights, such as the Anne Frank House, the Magere Brug, and even the replica VOC ship Amsterdam from the city's seafaring times.

A boat tour is certainly a good way to be able to see a variety of beautiful sights and can hep you scout out where you want to visit next in the city. You can take beautiful pictures from the boats as they are a smooth ride and have a clear view.

Simply Walking Around

Of course, there is no better way to experience a city than walking around it yourself. Strolling through the many streets and back roads, discovering little hidden treasures, or popular sites, is a great way to see the city in full. If walking isn't your favourite thing, you can also hire bikes from stands located all over the city and take a leisurely bike ride through the streets.


In this post, I have only mentioned a few of the many sites out there. I personally have never been to the Anne Frank House or Madame Tussauds (however I will one day), meaning I couldn't comment on how good they are to experience. I have visited the Stedelijk museum, however I am not a large fan of modern art. I would recommend visiting if you are into modern art, however, as the museum offers a good variety of exhibitions and a quaint cafe.


All images are sourced from Google Images and all credit given to the owners/creators of the images.

Naples National Archaeological Museum and Solfatara

Naples National Archaeological Museum and Solfatara

Our last day exploring Italy was spent learning the history of the country through artifacts displayed in the Naples National Archaeological Museum. The museum features a range of displays including preserved statues and recovered mosaics, as well as coins and other objects like utensils and vanity objects found during excavations. Models of Pompeii at its prime offered an insight to the building styles back then. Helpful information pillars provided context about various paintings exhibited which was interesting as it gave you a little idea about what life was like. Be warned however, behind the metal bar gate is the museums brothel display section!

On to Solfatara, a shallow, dormant volcanic crater that still releases sulfurous fumes and steam. From the opening area of the site, the volcano is a little bit of a trek away. Don't be put off though as it is surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery approaching, and around, the volcanic area. Another warning however, this site is not for those with a weak stomach. Due to the sulphur, the air is filled with a strong rotten egg smell. Most find it bearable, but if you're like me, I recommend bringing a scarf to cover your nose and mouth. Coming back from the volcano, the site offers a sweet, little gift shop that also sells ice cream which you can enjoy outside admiring the view from a bench.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Italy. It is one of those countries I could revisit many times and still have so much to see. If any of you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to go, I guarantee you'll fall in love. I'll return one day to see more sites definitely!

Vesuvius and Pompeii

Vesuvius and Pompeii

Our second day in Sorrento began with an early start. We were straight on the bus as soon as breakfast was finished, making our way to trek up Mt Vesuvius. The volcano is most well for its eruption in AD79 which destroyed the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It is currently dormant and the site was declared a national park in 1995, allowing visitors to climb to the summit. The tiring walk is certainly worth it for the view below and the opportunity to see the crater. sensible walking boots are highly recommended.

After eating lunch at a friendly pizzeria on the road down from Vesuvius, we headed for the site of Pompeii. The city was covered with volcanic ash from Vesuvius which solidified around the city to become rock. Many perished trying to escape and were trapped under the ash with their home. Walking onto the site sent a strange, almost eerie shiver down my spine. A large amount of the buildings are well preserved, but still show the devastation it all suffered. Casts of human bodies are displayed in glass containers, positioned in the way they died, some sleeping, some running. The thought of a whole city ruined in the blink of an eye is chilling when you walk among the remains and makes you value where you live.

If you're particularly interested in History, experiencing the city first hand is definitely worth it.

En Route to Sorrento

Sorrento

After a couple of amazing days in Rome, we woke up early for a long bus trip to Sorrento. Sorrento is a gorgeous town just south of Naples and Pompeii so naturally we were excited to arrive. The journey was a five hour long bus ride so obviously not much happened. Before we arrived at our hostel, we made a stop to visit the site of Herculaneum, an ancient costal town that, like Pompeii, was devastated by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

The site of Herculaneum is actually a good few metres lower than the majority ground level, but it's easily accessible via stairs and a ramp. A lot more of Herculaneum is preserved compared to Pompeii as it was hit last by the lava and mainly covered by the ash clouds. We didn't have a tour of the site so we were mainly exploring and discovering things like mosaics and rooms for ourselves. One thing that was made very clear by the buildings was that the people in 79 AD were much smaller than present day, as the doorways were only about 1.6 metres tall. Definitely a place to visit for anyone interested in historical sites.

Once we left Herculaneum, we made our way to our hostel in Sorrento. The hostel had a stunning view from its roof top garden of the Bay of Naples and the mountainous areas surrounding it. After snapping a few pictures of the sunset we settled in for the night in the comfy accommodation.

Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon

Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon

Our second day exploring Rome was spent walking to a few of Rome's most notable sights. We started off with the Colosseum, the most famous structure of the day. Entering at the bottom, we all climbed the stairs to the uppermost level you could access. The view was thrilling, panning the whole circumference and being able to see the network of tunnels and cages that were underneath the ground where the lions were kept for shows during the Roman times. Definitely a location to go mad with panorama shots!

After we ate lunch, which you can get at many local shops for a good price, sandwiches and pizzas ranging from €3-€5, we made our way to the Spanish Steps. The fastest way to get around Rome as a traveller has definitely got to be the metro, with a 75 minute ticket being just €1.50, so as long as you know your stop it's definitely worth it. We arrived at the Spanish Steps to find them unfortunately very crowded, but that didn't affect us seeing the beautiful design of them. Going at a quieter time of year could mean your experience is better.

As the steps, fountain and Pantheon are fairly close to each other, we decided to experience Rome's streets and walk from the steps to the Trevi Fountain. There are many souvenir stands so if you forgot to buy someone a gift, don't worry as you can easily pick one up when walking from place to place. Many artists have been catching on to the new trend of spray paint street art where they use various stencils and lids to create gorgeous, detailed pictures, a lot of the artist being scattered along the streets showcasing their work and creating new pieces on the go as passers by watch and buy. I had heard of the beauty of the Trevi Fountain and was eager to throw in a coin for luck, to find that it is currently under restoration till Autumn 2015, so if you want to see it when you travel, don't book your holiday for before then, otherwise you'll be moved on by guards and won't see the fountain in it's glory.

Ice cream was desperately needed after the disappointment, and Italy is famous for it's amazing ice cream. Making our way to the Pantheon, we sought out an ice cream shop and bought some, enjoying it in front of the Pantheon. Even though the Pantheon isn't as popular to see as the others, it still has interesting history and is worth it to see the stunning architectural design of it.



Vatican City

Vatican City

I recently returned from a cultural visit to Italy with a group from my sixth form. It was my fourth time visiting the country, but I still got to experience places I hadn't before. The next few blog posts will be sharing my trip with you, each sight at a time, from both Rome and Sorrento.

Our first proper day in Rome was spent enjoying a guided tour of the Vatican City. Our tour guide took us almost everywhere, some places unfortunately being shut to the public currently. One of my favourite spots we walked around was the Cortile Della Pigma, a beautiful courtyard type area. It has a sculpture in it called Sphere Within Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro.

The whole city is absolutely stunning, with intricate art work and breath taking architecture. I would strongly recommend visiting if you find yourself in Rome, whether for religious reasons or soaking up some culture, it's certainly an experience.