Located in southern Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula and on the border with Spain, Portugal is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and counts Lisbon as its capital, the destination being another short drive between layovers before a connecting flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. However, it is known for its beautiful beaches in the Algarve region. Much of its architecture dates from the period between 1500 and 1800, when the country maintained a powerful naval empire including Hill stations in Europe.
Russia
More than anything, Russia meant Peter the Great, whose name refers to the city of St. Petersburg, which he founded in 1703 and became the imperial capital for two centuries. It remains its cultural capital to this day.
Unlike sights, it is possible to visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, cruisers Aurora, Smolny Cathedral with a choir performance, Tsarskoye Selo Park and palace complex, which used to be the residence of the Romanov imperial family, the baroque Catherine Palace with ornate rooms and gardens of Catherine Park with greenery, the Church of the Savior on Blood, the St. Petersburg Artisan Market, where there were many models of Russian nesting dolls and cathedral onion domes for purchase.
Lunch was at a Russian peasant restaurant, followed by Russian Cossack entertainment.
Later-day attractions included the magnificent and vast Peterhof Palace, which actually consisted of several such structures commissioned by Peter the Great for Louis XIV to rival the Palace of Versailles in France. Palace reflections continued after lunch at the Summer Palace of Peter the Great and the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Spain
The Gateway to Madrid, Spain, with its constant hands-on family city tour, prompted a woman at my breakfast table one morning to ask, “Where do they all sleep at night?”
Important landmarks include El Retiro Park, the University District, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. Consisting of an area of 135,000 square meters and divided into 3,418 rooms, it is the largest workspace in Europe.
In the evening, the famous Spanish paella is irresistible.
However, contact with Spanish culture in Madrid did not end there. Several years later, after an exploratory trip to Barcelona in the north, one went south.
In the process, after the trip from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela, I was asked to enter the log sessions for the next trip.
Climbing the stone grounds of Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage city and one of the three Christian pilgrimage sites in the Middle Ages after Jerusalem and Rome, I entered the cathedral’s baroque conical facade, originally built on the remains of an earlier building. Buildings in 1075 and consecrated in 1211. Its finely carved stone openings open to large courtyards in the medieval walls of the old town.
The main attraction was a pleasant visit to the tomb of Saint James, one of the twelve apostles in the cathedral, in addition to seeing the Plaza do Obradorio and the Pazzo de Roxoi.
Later, a light breakfast at Café Casino, built in 1873 and now decorated with fine wood paneling and small tables, includes toasted croissants and ‘double’ coffee with butter and marmalade.
Marbella and Puerto Banus were on the list of places to visit on another visit and before the 45 minute drive from Malaga via Torremolinos and Mijas on the Autopista del Mediterraneo. After strolling along the marina and seeing the statue of Don Juan, enjoy another continental breakfast of hot chocolate and slightly sweet croissants in the sun at the round table overlooking the water at Salduba Bar in Puerto Banas.
Another walk – this time through Marbella’s pedestrian old town with its winding streets, cafes and shops – before entering the Capilla San Juan de Dios.
Switzerland
As a training center location for my other airlines, Zurich served as the gateway to Switzerland. However, sightseeing was also not included and included a walk around the Guildhall, Fraumünster Church, Swiss National Museum, Rathaus, Helmhaus, Wasserkirche, Grossminster Church, Kunsgeverbenmuseum and the Limmtquai which parallels the Limmt River. Go through the Good Bank and the historical part of the city like romantic places in Thailand.
Chocolate fondue, rosti and Swiss chocolate were definitely on the menu when they were there.
Outside Zurich, attractions include the Lake of the Four Cantons and Lucerne, a small town among snow-capped mountains known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, which includes the Chapel Bridge from 1333, as well as the 870-meter Museg Wall. The intricately carved cuckoo clocks that chimed from time to time were quintessentially Swiss.
