FOR EDITORS

We are just back from a mega-trip to Europe , the UK, and Scandinavia, where we cobbled together four famils and a couple of nostalgic family side-jaunts. 
Here is a brief run-down of what was a fabulous, but exhausting few weeks. No wonder we groan when our friends ask 'did you enjoy your holidays?'.

Just click on the images to view the enlargements and use the L & R arrow keys to navigate the enlargements.

THE VSOE The VSOE – Venice-Simplon Orient Express from Venice to London, Including Vienna made it a romantic V(IP)-trip. Agatha Christie complained of bedbugs on her initial OE journey decades ago, but we found caviar – not in the bunks, though. On the tables. The guards of the VSOE are wondrfully attentive and efficient The lounge car is very plush, complete with live music to relax by. Passing through the beautiful countryside of western Germany - views from the VSOE The cuisine on the VSOE is superb and very fresh. They pick up provisions along the way. Fine, intimate dining as the countryside of Europe slips by. This luxury train cruises comfortably at some 160 kph.

Venice We explored Venice first and turned up some foodie haunts - going beyond the tourist parameters of 'glass and gondolas' – and finding island dining, and the Venetian version of tapas. The Grand Canal is a very busy waterway, the lifeblood of the city The beautiful cathedral of San Marco in St Mark's Square. Venice is famous for its theatrical masks Gondoliers preparing their craft for another day of touting for tourists on the canals Old buidlings rise out of the water in one of the most amazing cities in the world. In peak season the city overflows with tourists. The narrow canals can become quite congested, but nobody seems to mind

Vienna In Vienna it was the Ss of cuisine - schnitzels, sausages, sachertorte and strudel – and a round up of where you must eat in 48 hours. This beautifully restored old bus is a great way to tour the old city of Vienna Heldenplatz Square - dedicated to the victory over Napoleon with statue of Ludwig Andreas von Khevenhüller. Interior of the catherdal of Vienna Heldenplatz Square at dusk The National Library Heldenplatz Square - dedicated to the victory over Napoleon with statue of Ludwig Andreas von Khevenhüller.

Northumberland Zipping up to the north-east of England we rediscovered my ancient history (well the rellies who departed from there 160 years ago) and did some sleuthing as well as being smitten by the loveliest countryside in Britain - Northumberland.  It is mid-summer in Northumberland and the canola is in full bloom , adding rich colour to the landscape The Mayor opens the Hotspur fesitval in the castle town of Alnwick Much of the countryside is under cultvivation, with picturesque farms dotting the country side, most with their own farm cats. Durham Cathedral has been voted as Britain's favourite building. It is quite majestic Rural scene just west of Hexham The country lanes and tiny villages are captivating

Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle has well and truly come of age, with lots of events and art galleries, and great shopping – plus the secret of it all: the friendly Geordie welcome that won us over completely. The bridges of the River Tyne at dusk Newcastle is justly proud of these grand Georgian building in its main street. Street sculpture, Newcastle. The Tyne Bridge, with a clear resemblance to its big brother in Sydney The elegant Millennium Bridge over the Tyne with an evening rainbow. The Angel of the North symbolises the strength of this coal and steel city. Hardly to be described a beautiful, it has a strange appeal in its stolid, no-fuss design.

Farne Islands A side-trip to an island of birds found us up close and personal (too personal, thanks to all the birds that pecked my uncovered head) with multitudes of seabirds - including, it seemed, most of the 60,000 puffins that live there. Lindisfarne Castle on the coast south of Berwick Upon Tweed. The sheltered fishing harour of Seahouses Puffins with a good catch for the day. A breeding colony of puffins on the Farne Islands Artic terns are very effective dive bombers when protecting their young The harbour in the tiny village of Craster

Copenhagen Copenhagen, next, Mary's town. Just how does this lovely little clockwork country stay so smart and just work  so well? I can share some insights. Tall ships in the famous canal of Nyhavem Strøget is the most popular arcade in the city. Great for shopping and listening to buskers. Large open square and fountain in Strøget. Copenhagen is a very green and clean city with thousands of locals preferring to travel via pushbikes. Nyhaven, colourful, incredibly popular and always busy. The Royal Palace, Copenhagen

Turku and Tallinn Finally, Turku and Tallinn. Ever heard of these cities? You will, as they are to be the joint European Capitals of Culture in 2011, and each is a story of its own: Moomins and markets, rock concerts and accordion wrestling in Turku, Finland; and, just across the Baltic Sea, thousands of performers in song and dance festivals in Tallinn, the medieval, and now-liberated capital of Estonia. View of the walls and town of the old city of Tallinn Young folk enjoying the spirit of the day in The Tallinn music and dance festival. The beauty of ethnic dancing in the song and dance Festival, Tallinn The beauty of ethnic dancing in the song and dance Festival, Tallinn The energy of the Turku rock festival Anastasia, a young girl selling postcards on the walls of Tallinn

 

 

This is just a degustation of what we can offer - but if anything especially catches your interest, please let us know. Gordon can send galleries of pics for any of these and I can expand with other angles and more information if you'd like.

It's a tough, rough world in publishing and freelancing at present, but we'd love a chance to work with you on something mentioned here – or anything else we have covered recently. Do check my website www.sallyhammond.com.au
or browse Gordon's galleries on www.gordonhammond.com.au

If you have an idea for a destination or a topic, please run it by us.

Cheers for now,
Sally (& Gordon)