Killarney National Park, Ireland

Killarney National Park is the first national park established in Ireland in 1932. It has Ireland's only native herd of Red Deer and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. The park is of high ecological value because of the quality, diversity, and extensiveness of many of its habitats and the wide variety of species that they accommodate, some of which are rare. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981.

Ross Castle

Blarney Castle and its Stone, Ireland

Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland.

The Blarney Stone is a block of Carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the ‘gift of the gab’ (great eloquence or skill of flattery). Full version of the legend at http://geowonderland.blogspot.com/2015/02/legend-of-blarney-stone-ireland.html 

The stone was set into the castle in 1446. The castle is a popular tourist destination in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the stone and tour the castle and its gardens.

 

Waterford Crystal, Ireland

Waterford Crystal is a manufacturer of crystal. It is named after the city of Waterford, Ireland.

In June 2010, Waterford Crystal relocated almost back to its original roots, on The Mall in Waterford City. This new location is now home to a manufacturing facility that melts over 750 tones of crystal a year. This new facility offers visitors the opportunity to take guided tours of the factory and also offers a retail store, showcasing the world's largest collection of Waterford Crystal.

 

 

Pembroke Castle, Wales

Pembroke Castle located in Pembroke, West Wales, is a medieval castle and a birthplace of King Henry VII of England, founder of the Tudor Dynasty.

The small town of Pembroke consists of the castle and one main street as a tourist attraction. What you see in the pictures is pretty much it.

Brief history: Pembroke Castle stands on a site that has been occupied since, at least, the Roman period. The first castle was founded in the 11th century.

Eventually the castle and the earldom were presented to Jasper Tudor by his half-brother Henry VI in 1452. Tudor brought his widowed sister-in-law, Margaret Beaufort, to Pembroke where she gave birth to her only child, the future King Henry VII of England (born 1457).

Pembroke is a historic settlement. On both banks of Pembroke River to the west of the castle there are many remains of early activities: the buildings of Catshole Quarry and the rare vegetation. The North Shore Quarries are relatively complete.

 

 

Cardiff Castle and a Fairytale Wedding

Cardiff, the capital and the largest city in Wales, has one big feature to offer, which is Cardiff Castle. It is an interesting castle and worth visiting. As you enter the castle you are being welcomed in the native language, which means nobody knows what is being said. The sense of humor of the expert guide is fantastic. The interior of the castle is very interesting, but photography is not allowed.

On the opposite side of the castle, you can visit Wartime Shelters, which are pretty remarkable. The tunnels were created as air-raid shelters during the WWII. The audio narrative creates a war time atmosphere with sounds of bombs and sirens.  

Next to the entrance to the right, there is a café, where you can view Roman walls. The atmosphere of the café with those amazing ancient walls is impressive.

You can also have a fairytale wedding at the castle.

View of the reconstructed Roman wall

More info about the castle: http://www.cardiffcastle.com/

Bath - More Than a Spa Town

From all the cities I’ve seen in England, Bath has made the biggest impression on me. The architecture, the gardens and the atmosphere of the old Roman baths and the Jane Austen celebration is extraordinary.

Jane Austen lived in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and it is celebrated with Jane Austen Festival. This year, 2015, the date is set for September 11^th – 20^th, with Grand Regency Promenade on Saturday September 12^th. More info at: http://www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk/ 

Brief history: Bath, in south-west England, became a spa in AD 60, when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon. It became popular as a spa town during the Georgian era, leaving a heritage of Georgian architecture crafted from Bath Stone. Bath became World Heritage Site in 1987.

 

 

 

Stonehenge - One of the Most Famous Sites in the World

Going from London to Bath, Stonehenge is a bit out of the way, but it is worth the detour.

The entrance fee covers the headset. There is only one way to go around the stones. The numbered route accompanied by the narrative history of the site is a pleasurable walk. It’s up to you how much time you take at each narrated stop.

Brief history: Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, Southern England. Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC.

Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England.

The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1986.