Streets in Chester, UK by Christopher John SSF

Wander the city walls

When you first get to Chester, one of the best ways to get your bearings is to take the 3km walk around the city walls. Erected during the Roman period for defensive purposes, the city walls give Chester its nickname of “The Walled City”. Although Chester’s walls have been rebuilt during their history, they form the most complete city walls of any British city. As you walk the walls you can be stood in the spot where history was made – for instance, King Charles observed a civil war battle from the walls – and take in the structures incorporated into the walls; you will probably be familiar with pictures of the Eastgate Clock, built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. If you are keen to learn more about Chester’s history, join one of the guided tours of the walls, to find out more about its interesting past. For anyone with limited mobility who would like to see the whole city, a tour aboard the only remaining operating open top vintage bus from 1924 comes well recommended.

Visit Chester’s cathedral

There has been a church on the spot where the cathedral stands for the last 1000 years – initially a Saxon minster before the Benedictine abbey was built. As you walk round this impressive building, you can marvel at the Norman arches, Gothic columns, wood carvings and stained glass windows. Chester’s cathedral is one of the best examples of a Medieval monastery in England and the garden in the cloisters is equally splendid, hosting ferns, exotic bulbs, springtime flowers, majestic trees and herbs. The plants themselves are not the only attraction, but the way in which the cathedral garden is designed and the “Water of Life” sculpture by Stephen Broadbent that is sited there.

Chester’s Cathedral, UK by David Merrett

Sit in the amphitheatre

Located near the River Dee, Chester’s amphitheatre is the largest in Britain. In 2004 and 2005 excavation by English Heritage and Chester City Council uncovered two amphitheatres made of stone. In one, access to the upper seats is by way of stairs at the rear wall, while in the other the seats in higher tiers were reached by vaulted staircases. The two buildings not only differ from each other, but from other British amphitheatres indicating how important Roman Chester was. Various musical and theatrical events are periodically hosted at the amphitheatre, so if you are lucky enough, you might be able to coincide your trip with one of these performances. Discover more about Roman Chester at the Grosvenor Museum, where you can also learn about the local natural history and geology, as well as home life from the seventeenth century to the early twentieth century and art work.

Potter along The Rows

The Rows are unique to Chester. They are part-timbered balconies, which give rise to a second row of shops above those at ground level. You can find these second level shops along Watergate Street, Northgate Street, Eastgate Street and Bridge Street. If you are looking to buy something more unusual for yourself or a gift, you are likely to find exactly what you are after in the many independent stores located in The Rows. Also take the time for a coffee or lunch at one of the cafes in The Rows, before you set off to explore the rest of the city.

Claire writes about city planning and architecture on behalf of a landlord and property advice news site, Pro Buy To Let where thousands of landlords come every month for the latest news on property hot spots around the UK. Chester is surely one of those.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christopher John SSF

The city was established by the Romans as a first-century military base. It had a larger fortress than those built in York and other parts of the country, which suggests that Chester was meant to be the capital of Roman Britain. In any case, it was certainly a very important place, and some evidence of Roman Chester survives to this day. These include the remains of Britain’s largest Roman amphitheatre, and central Chester’s main street plan, which follows the same pattern that was laid out by its Roman pioneers.

Chester’s medieval past is more immediately visible today. This was a violent period in the city’s history, and the impressive wall surrounding Chester is evidence of this. First the Saxons, then the Normans built up its fortifications. The Normans further strengthened the city by constructing the castle, and they also carried out much of the early work on the cathedral. Today, Chester has one of the most complete city walls in Britain. Apart from a short section, the wall is virtually intact. It creates a certain feeling of calm within, and walking around the city wall is a fantastic ways to see Chester from a different angle.

Whatever aspect of Chester’s long history you’d like to learn more about, the city works hard to bring it to life for you. There are plenty of activities and attractions for children and families. These recreate moments in history, to help better our understanding of Roman and medieval times.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christopher John SSF

Walking through Chester’s streets, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s entirely built in the middle-ages. The shopping streets are dominated by black and white timber-framed buildings. They create a unique atmosphere. In reality, some of Chester’s buildings are medieval, but most are the product of Victorian reconstruction and revival. Authentic or not, it doesn’t really matter. The city’s streets have a wonderful charm to them.

Shopping in Chester is especially famous for what it calls the Rows. You won’t find anything else quite like these in Britain. The lower two floors of these typical black and white houses are usually commercial in purpose. The bottom floor is below street level, and there are steps leading down to the shops there. The first floor is above street level, and shops are accessed via a walkway. You’ll find all the big high street names in Chester, but the design of the Rows is much better suited to smaller shops. As a result, Chester has a thriving independent retail sector. It’s not just the atmosphere that’s unique, many of the shops are too.

When you’ve had enough of history and shopping, you won’t have to walk too far before finding somewhere to sit and have a bite to eat. Cafes and restaurants are all over the city. Sometimes they’re tucked away in quiet little courtyards, so look out for the signs. It’s also worth getting a map when you visit Chester. It’s a compact city, but it has some hidden gems. If you don’t know where to look, you might miss out on something special.

Written by www.globaltravelblog.co.uk

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The Romans founded the city in 71AD, naming the fortress town on the banks of the River Ouse Eboracum. It quickly became one of the most important cities in Roman Britain.

The name York came from the Viking word Jorvik, following their capture of the city in AD886. Even beyond the time of the Vikings York’s position by the Ouse and on the key trade route between London and Edinburgh meant is became a major transport hub.

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Although this slowly declined thanks to the rise of Hull to the east and Leeds to the west, the rise of the railways saw a revival in the city’s fortunes in the 1800s and in the modern era tourism and a reflection on its eventful and often grizzly past now dominates its economy.

Tourist attractions include York Minister, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, which is located in the city’s heart. The labyrinthine York Castle and the city walls also point to its ancient past.

The ‘snickelways’ and ‘shambles’ are two excellently preserved examples of the small, winding medieval streets of yesteryear, containing an array of shops and food places to while away an afternoon or two.

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There are numerous museums and galleries to satisfy your culture fix with the Yorkshire Museum, Jorvik Viking centre, the National Railway Museum and the York Art Gallery amongst others. The Theatre Royal, Grand Opera House and Joseph Rowntree Theatre also mean your evenings are well catered for too.

As it is a town centred on tourism it is no surprise that accommodation-wise York has enough to satisfy all tastes and budgets. This ranges from basic accommodation found at the City’s University to the luxurious Royal York Hotel, comparable with the finest London Hotels or Dubai Hotels.

The kaleidoscopic clientèle from affluent tourist to impoverished student also means there are varied eating options available, from budget cafes, traditional pubs and quaint tea rooms to the height of luxury and fine dining.

Many visitors to England struggle to make it beyond the boundaries of London, and if they do it usually isn’t to venture north. However, those that do head to York will be rewarded with a city that offers all the charm England can offer with the facilities to meet the needs of even the most picky of tourists.

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Famagusta was founded in 300 BC and its original name was Ammochostos – “burned down in the sand.” Large expansion of the city occurred in the late 13th century, when the first refugees settled here from the Holy Land. In this period, the first churches and mosques were built here in Famagusta.

Another boom came with Genoese and Venetians, and with their commercial potential. In 1571, Cyprus was controlled by the Ottomans. Today, the area of Famagusta is full of history and ancient architecture, but it also offers tourist services, beautiful beaches and romance. For sport lovers it is important to remind that Famagusta has quite a strong football team.

The city and surrounding worth a visit. Famagusta offers sights like the city walls with the most beautiful place of the Citadel, which offers a stunning view of the city.

You can also visit a mosque, Lala Mustafa Pasa Cami – former Cathedral of St. Nicholas from the late 13th century. As the whole Cyprus, also Famagusta boasts archaeological site – site of Salamis, where you can access gymnasium, baths, theaters, porticoes and the Basilica from 4th century.

Very interesting is also the district Varosha with Greek Cypriots that live here. During the occupation in 1974 lots of people leaved, and many people are still unhappy to see the abandoned houses.

To the north of Famagusta you can visit the church of the Apostle Varnavas. The church serves as the Museum of icons and the Archaeological Museum. Close to the church there is a small fishing village Bogazi located about 24 km north of Famagusta.

Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two British military bases on the island of Cyprus. Great Britain kept those two areas after the declaration of independence of Cyprus in 1960. Akrotiri is located on the southern island of Cyprus, near Limassol, Dhekelia is in the southeast of the island between the towns of Larnaca and Famagusta. Akrotiri has an area of ​​123 km². Dhekelia has an area of ​​130 km². In both areas there live more than fifteen thousand people.

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Right through the center of the city leads the line which divided Cyprus into two Republics. It is still the capital and largest city of both Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Even today, the Turks called the city Lefkoşa and the Greeks as Lefkosia. However at present, the situation is not so difficult as before.

What to see in Nicosia?

• Huge city walls that have been built in 16th century by Venetians to protect the city against Turks. The 4,5 metres thick wall used to have three gates. The Famagusta gate is now used as a cultural centre.
• The Archbishop’s Palace with a Byzantine museum
• Eleftheria (Freedom) Square – the centre of the city
• Mosques, e.g. the Selimiye Mosque – ancient church in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia

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What to see in Delf

• Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) – built in the late 14th century. The tower is about 109 meters high and from the top you can enjoy beautiful views of the city
• Delft’s Oude Kerk (Old Church) – built in 1246. The tower is 75 metres high.
• The Prinsenhof (Princes’ Court), now a museum
• City Hall
• The Oostpoort (Eastern gate), the only remaining gate of the old city walls, built around 1400
• The Gemeenlandshuis or Huyterhuis, houses the regional water authority Delfland since 1645 and was built in 1505
• Windmill (Molen de roos) – the last remaining windmill within the old defensive walls of Delft (originally there were 15 windmills)

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Lucca, Tuscany, Italy by Myrabella

The city of Lucca was founded as a Roman colony in 180 BC and its urban structure is a relic of the period of Roman domination. It has became the Free City-State in the early 12th century and has retained its freedom until 1847. During the reign of the Goths and Langobard, Lucca was the capital of Tuscany. In the Middle Ages, its importance has even increased due to trade with silk. Also now, the city is a huge luxury linen exporter. In the 14th century Lucca conquered Pisa, Pistorius and almost conquered Florence. However the period of decline came soon, the city still managed to retain its independence until the coming of Napoleon. Until the unification of Italy, the city was ruled by the Bourbons.

In 1805, Lucca was taken over by Napoleon, who put his sister Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi in charge as “Queen of Etruria”.

Cathedral of San Michele Arcangelo in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy by echiner1

Everything worth seeing in Lucca, you will find within the massive brick fortifications with gates and bastions intact, which are preserved in its original form. Walking on the ramparts that surround the whole city is really very interesting. To the centre you can get through the gate Porta San Donato, which takes you to the main Piazza San Michele. Upon it rises a magnificent church of San Michele in Foro, built on the site of the old Roman forum. It has a beautiful facade consisting of streaked marble. Furthermore, the church completed miniature balconies, blind arcades and imaginatively twisted columns.

Near the church of San Michele in Foro, the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini was born here, whose native home was remodelled into a museum. Also another cathedral Duomo di San Martino standing in Piazza San Martino boasts beautiful facade.

Great artistic importance is the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto stored in the sacristy. Ilaria was the wife of an important medieval ruler Guinigiho Paola.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro – Lucca, Tuscany, Italy by Kevin Poh

What to see in Lucca

• Piazza dell’Anfiteatro
• Piazzale Verdi
• Piazza Napoleone
• Piazza San Michele
• Duomo di San Martino (St Martin’s Cathedral)
• The Ducal Palace
• The ancient Roman amphitheatre
• Church of San Michele in Foro
• Basilica di San Frediano
• Torre delle ore
• Casa and Torre Guinigi
• Museo Nazionale Guinigi
• Museo e Pinacoteca Nazionale
• Orto Botanico Comunale di Lucca, a botanical garden dating from 1820
• Palazzo Pfanner
• Villa Garzoni

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Due to Italian history the people have the right for Piran bilingualism. Therefore, in the streets you can often hear Italian language. If you want to enjoy a truly memorable experience, do not forget to climb the steep streets to the city walls, climb to one of the fortified towers and walk through the walls. The magnificent view, that you can see of the historic center of Piran and Adriatic Sea, will keep in your memory for a long time.

Also the most demanding visitors will be satisfied in Piran as they can enjoy enormous array of delicious restaurants, cafes and tavernas with excellent Slovenian and Italian food with the offer of great local wines. Piran immediately adjacent to the town of Portoroz, a popular fast-growing and probably the most famous Slovenian tourist destination, full of fun and enjoyment for probably every tourist.

Piran’s first settlement dates back to the 7th century. As was common in this area, also Piran was ruled by Venice, which dates from the 1283. The main source of income has been mining salt in the salt fields Sečovlje, Strunjan and Lucija.

A major attraction is the water park Laguna Bernadine, where you can try a variety of water activities and attractions, swimming pools with hot and cold water pools for children, jacuzzi, Finnish and Turkish saunas and a range of massages. Water park is open all year round.

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