Palma De Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca, part 1.

Hey folks! 

It's been quite shocking week, long and tiring and no way I'm going to discuss any politic news on here :) Despite the fact that Britain decided to leave EU- we are going today to one of EU countries and it's going to be Spain. I want to share with you one of my latest trips- wonderful week in Palma De Mallorca :)

Mallorca - one of lovely Balearic Islands in Spain. Palma is probably the biggest city and very busy tourist center. As I know it was founded about 123 BC. 

In 17th-19th centuries it's been pirates heaven:)  I'll tel you about pirates a little bit more in my next post about my trip to Mallorca :) 

Old city streets are absolutely adorable. I.m totally in love from now and forever :) 

And of course I've found an old-old cathedral to wonder around :D 

So here it is- Palma Cathedral. The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma .

It was founded in 1230 and finished only by 1587. Not going to tell you much about it this time :)

I'll let you enjoy the view :)

Just need to mention one little detail which makes this cathedral absolutely unique -  my favourite Antoni Gaudi spent about 13 years working on this amazing place. In 1901 Gaudí was invited to take over the restoration project and unfortunately left a bit earlier than it was planned, right after having an argument with the contractor of the restoration project. 

Mallorca sandy beaches are definitely in top sandy beaches in all Europe. Then longest is probably Platja de Palma - about 4,6km long, has all possible facilities , and if you are planing beach holiday - it could be ideal place for you and your family :)  

Adorable old streets in old-old- and very old cities- is my passion :) I love those beautiful old streets full of memories in every city where I was- streets of old Tallinn and Helsinki, Stockholm and Kiev. Old streets in Greece, France and Spain are so magnificent and full of mystery that I can walk there for hours. 

Road cycling is very popular in Majorca. An international race for professional cyclists. Professional cyclists from all over the world comes here to train for races, championships. Our hotel where we stayed, was absolutely fully booked  by professional cyclists team from Germany and actually I was very impressed to find out that they were training for Iron Man World Championship 2016 :) 

And of course food! That what makes any holiday so enjoyable :)  Spanish paella and sea food, tapas, sausages and cheese  - that's all I need :) 

And if you really want to enjoy all that- you should definitely pop in to

 Mercat de l'Olivar- stunning market place of Balearic cuisine.

Lots of places to see, lots of 

things to do and lots and lots of sunshine to catch :D 

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One night in .. London?! :)

One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster

The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free.

:D

One night in London actually.  Late April.  

I love London. I even lived in London for a short time and I loved it.

 Big and beautiful. Busy and noisy. Full of contrasts. Every time so different. 

While having a walk all colors are changing so quickly:)

No need to tell you historical facts about London, Westminster, Parliament or Big Ben. I'll just show you a little bit of it :)

Good old Big Ben is absolutely stunning from any side :D 

First time I saw it about 12 years ago and since then I can't live without visiting The Elizabeth Tower or St. Stephen's Tower (depends how you like it ) at least twice a year :)

Little people in big city :) 

Giant in Cornwall :)

St Michael's Mount 

Cornwall. Magical place. Lots of history, Fantastic Jurassic coast. Amazing nature:) I'm absolutely in love with this place.

So yes, today we are going to Cornwall again :)

It's not the best weather to go there but still worth to see it:)

 "The grey rock in a wood" that how it sounds in Cornish language. So it's mysterious St Michael's Mount, one of tidal islands where you can walk to from mainland.

There was an old monastery build in the 8th – early 11th centuries but been destroyed in earthquake. And rebuild again. And met tsunami after Lisbon earthquake. 

Lisbon earthquake was so powerful that sea level gone 2 meters up in 10 minutes. And it was changing up and down for 5 hours! Wow that's a lot! 

Today it's a part of National Trust, amazing museum, little souvenir shops and cafeterias :) 

There is one legend that castle was build on island where lived an 18-foot giant named Cormoran with all his treasures. He was big and angry and people from village was so tired and scared of him so they found a hero - Jack, who killed the giant and when he came back home everyone called him

 "Jack the Giant Killer".

And it's always good to have a nice cup of tea with an excellent view :) 

Sunday with Agatha Christie. Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon.

Bigbury-on-Sea. 

Bigbury-on-Sea is very small lovely village on south coast in Devon and it's very special place because of fantastic tidal island in 250 meters- Burgh Island with amazing posh famous hotel right there.  

I was lucky enough to get there when tide was low so I could just walk to island and back.

As I was saying before- I have met signs of Agatha Christie before around South West coast and this one was actually my first one. Christie was born in Torquay, Devon and one small story about this town I already have in my blog :D

Agatha Christie loved this small village and loved to stay in this hotel. They actually still have her room and I suppose all decorations in that room are still same as it was at that time. Prices are quite impressive I would say :D One night stay in Burgh Island Hotel in Christie room will cost you about £450 per night . Anyone want to try to write crime novel this summer ?! :D 

(this picture is not mine :P)

Did you know that during the war years she worked in pharmacy in London at University College Hospital. That's why many of characters in her crime novels were poisoned :)

By looking at this view I can actually totally understand why Christie loved this place. And not only her I can say. Quite a few famous guest enjoyed this place.   This view can inspire anyone :D

Very long sandy beach is very popular in water sports fans. 

How did I found out about this place? Easy. Staff meeting at work :P Basically I just saw one very beautiful picture in magazine right before meeting start and it was Bigbury beach picture. So yes, staff meetings can be very productive :D

One on the best beaches, ideal for family holidays or just a day on the beach. 

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Hot August in Gdansk. Poland

Gdansk, Poland

Last summer I've spent about 10 days in Russia, in my home town - Kaliningrad, with my family, but this story is about one lovely city where I stopped for a few days on my way to Russia. 

Every time when I'm planning any holidays I always try to  stop somewhere for a day or so to see something interesting :) so this time I decided to stop in Poland because I've never been there and I heard a lot about beauty of their cities and great food :) 

Where do you usually stay when you're travelling? Is it hotels or apartments? 

Few years ago I found one website - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/- absolutely brilliant - homes or flats, rooms to let from ordinary people. Most of the times it's a way cheaper than hotel, but comfortable as your own place. So basically it feels like you are at home but in different country :D

And it's always an opportunity to meet great people and find some more friends which is really good:)

So this time I booked an amazing top floor flat in the middle of old town. View was absolutely stunning as you can see :P  

Lovely, lovely Old Town of Gdansk. 

Concatedral St. Mary’s is definite must-see place- over 500 years old, the largest temple in red bricks in Europe and more than 400 steps to the top of basilica. 

Take your time to go up, 400 steps are not that easy to go up :D 

But you'll be definitely rewarded for all those steps :)

Breathtaking view from the top of this glorious temple. 

Just look at this astronomical wall clock! It's almost 550 years old-can you believe that ?! 

Very nice city to spend a few days, lovely streets, smiley people (most of them) and of course brilliant food as I was expecting it to be :P 

This Old town is more than 1000 years old and I'm sure you will enjoy your stay there as I did :)

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Mount Batten and Firework

Mount Batten and Firework

It was Monday. Do you love Mondays? Probably not. Nobody loves Mondays, but I do. I do really love my Mondays because I have a day off and I can do whatever I want. 

So this Monday I had lovely walk in place where I haven't been before- Mount Batten. 

I live in Plymouth two and a half years and I love to walk in Barbican and on the Hoe and I always wanted to go to other side of the bay. This Monday I did it :) 

Long time ago it was a Royal Air Force station and flying boat base which was opened 1917. It was in use in both World Wars. During the Second World War it was proper target for German air forces. 

How to get there? Easy. Just get water taxi from Mayflower Steps in Barbican, Plymouth. Little pretty yellow boat which will take you to other side in 10 minutes :) It operates every day, all year round :) 

RAF station and flying boat base memorial :) 

Stunning view from water taxi on our bay :) 

This little red ferry goes to my most favorite place- little village called Cawsand. It's adorable little village on the coast. But I will tell you about it next time :) 

But do you love sailing as much as I do? I have such a feeling that I could stay on water forever :D 

There is also Mount Batten Breakwater which is not on these photographs. It's about 280 meters long and every year, in mid August it's closed for everyone because of  British Firework Championship.

Basically fireworks "shoots" exactly from breakwater. And actually Firework Championship is one of biggest firework shows- two days, two evenings full of 15-20 minute long sets from each competing group. Believe me or not, but when I was watching it- I felt myself as 5 years old child :D It's so exiting and beautiful! You definitely have to see it at least once! 

So! 16th and 17th August 2016. I'll see you there :) 

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