Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland

Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles (160 km) off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland. At the crossroads of the North Sea and North-east Atlantic, Lerwick Harbour is Britain’s “Top Port” – the most northerly commercial harbour in the country. Lerwick takes its name from the Old Norse Leirvík, meaning muddy bay.

Lerwick, Shetland’s only burgh, had a population of about 7,500 residents in 2010 (although about half of the islands’ 22,000 people live within 10 miles of the burgh. 

Lerwick took a long time to grow. Most of the sandstone buildings on the waterfront date from the 18th century, although a few, such as 10 Commercial Street, are older. 

 

Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík is among the smallest capital cities in the world. However, it is Iceland’s largest city, with about 60% of the country’s total population. Reykjavík has grown into an important seaport and center of government and education with theatres, museums and observatories. It has the features of a modern, forward-looking society which are complemented by a close connection to beautiful nature right on the city’s doorstep. Interestingly, this modern city still chooses to use water from nearby hot springs to heat all of its buildings.

 

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

The Norse god of Thunder, Thor, lends his name to this capital city of the Faroe Islands, which is no surprise considering that it was founded during the Viking Era in 1,000 AD. Aside from it’s mystic heritage, Tórshavn is also distinct for being one of the smallest capitals in the world as well as being home to one of the oldest parliaments. The city truly comes into its own during the summer, with various festivals making the rounds here. The resulting atmosphere is welcoming and lively, making it the perfect place to visit during the summer sailing season.

Tórshavn’s more than one thousand year history is on full display at Føroya Fornminnissavn. This cultural museum in the city’s suburbs spans from the glory days of the Viking era to the 1920’s, and is a delightful contrast to the hubbub of the city’s center.

Holyhead, Wales

Holyhead is the largest town on the island of Anglesey and is perhaps known best for being a busy ferry port. However, visitors should also note that the town has a number of interesting attractions.

The town centre offers a number of good places to eat, a theater and a cinema. There are a range of places for the visitor to stay and Holyhead is often used as an overnight stop on the way to, or from, holidaying in Ireland or as a center for touring the island of Anglesey itself.

Around Holyhead there is excellent fishing, golfing and, of course, sailing facilities. Couple this with the wonderful scenery, walks and beaches and you can easily lose yourself and relax for a few days.

The area is also popular with birdwatchers.

Liverpool, England

Situated in north-west England on the wide Mersey River, Liverpool is the sixth largest seaport in Great Britain, and the nucleus of the metropolitan county of Merseyside. The City has a population of around 500,000, and forms an irregular crescent around the north-bank of the Mersey estuary, a few miles from the Irish Sea. Liverpool has a fine cultural and architectural heritage, with excellent museums and art galleries, and a world renowned philharmonic orchestra. Over 2,500 buildings in the City are listed as being of historic or architectural importance, and there is a splendid collection of Georgian buildings.

Liverpool grew in importance during the 17th century and developed into a wealthy and prosperous city. By 1807 Liverpool had become extremely powerful and was known as the ‘Port of Ships’, with the famous dockside frontage extending for 7 miles, one of the finest systems to be found anywhere. The landing stage is one of the largest floating quays in the world. Liverpool is also considered one of the greenest cities in Britain and has 2,400 acres of parkland and open space for people to enjoy.

It is a vibrant city with museums, theaters, clubs and restaurants, but Liverpool is most famous as the place where the pop group, the ‘Beatles’ began in the 1960’s. This has helped to make the City a premier tourist destination in northern England.

Port of Cobh, Cork, Ireland

One of the major transatlantic Irish ports, the former Queenstown was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. On 11 April 1912, Queenstown was famously the final port of call for the RMS Titanic when she set out across the Atlantic on her ill-fated maiden voyage.

Cork is a unique city in Ireland. It is the only one to have experienced all historical phases in its urban development. It is originated as a monastic center, and then the Vikings left their mark. It has been influenced by the Anglo-Normans, by planters, landlords and industrialists.

Strolling through the hilly streets of modern-day Cork, you will find you can’t escape the constant hum of music. It’s actually the citizens of Cork. Widely regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish, Corkonians have a characteristic sing-song-y cadence you’ll find everywhere. The city was the European Capital of Culture in 2005 and proved to the world that the locals have known all along – that Cork has a unique, diverse and extremely welcoming culture.

 

The Bailiwick of Guernsey, United Kingdom

The Bailiwick of Guernsey along with the rest Channel Islands, represent the last vestiges of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy. 

Capital is Saint Peter’s Port. Is an active harbor since Roman times with privateers, merchants and, more recently, vacationers dropping anchor here. Victor Hugo found inspiration here, writing several of his most important works in his seafront home. 

A typical example of Georgian architecture that dominates the old city is the ancient fortress, Castle Cornet, which stands in a prominent position at the entrance of the harbor.

The group of islands Guernsey, are self belonging to the British Commonwealth. The islands are governed by small local councils in each island. They have their own flag and local currency but use for their trades also British pounds.

Le Havre, France

The Le Havre is a city in northern part of France. It is the second largest port after Marseille. Located on the shores of the English Channel in Normandy, on the right bank of the river Seine and has canals at total length of 24 km.
The city also called "Ocean Gate". The strategic position in the English Channel played the most important role in its development.
This city has rich historical and artistic background. It considered the birthplace of impressionism hosts, at the Museum of Fine Arts Malraux, the second greatest Impressionist collection in France after Paris.

Le Havre

Le Havre

Le Havre

Le Havre

Reporto

As a child I remember myself dreaming of travels to the most distant parts of the world. Growing up, nothing seemed that this dream could become reality. However, I knew that this , one way or another would happen. Maybe because the… "Never is too late for anything", is an attitude for me.   Since travels were limited and always in line with my job leave, the only travel left was the mental journey. The National Geographic magazine adorn at least four double shelves in my library since the collection was started by the first issue was released in Greece until today. I traveled with them in remote places of the world; I have met specific cultures and have seen very close the biggest, smallest, strangest animals ... How far you can travel by dreaming...

 Over the years, another great love was growing slowly but steadily. My love for the sea. From summer to summer and weekend to weekend, the sea came to be almost unique destination, solid escape from routine. It was the place where I could reach the closest point to my real self. Near the sea I become a better person. Near the sea I can see everything more optimistic. Near the sea I can create. Near the sea I dream like nowhere else...

 “Conspiring universe”. This is the only way I can explain how my life has changed so drastically and now I can travel often and getting know what all those years I was dreaming of, through the sea routes. Traveling is no longer just a holiday but part of my daily life. A beautiful daily round full of all the shades of blue ocean and sky, smelling the sea and almost tasting the salt.

 These travels are not tourist ones. Besides, I never consider myself as a tourist. I didn’t want just to visit different places. I wanted to see the world, to see different things, neighborhoods, people, cultures, habits, commonness ... Of course it is also interesting to visit popular places, to get a picture with them and learn firsthand their history. Personally, I’m more interested in the diversity of what we already know. What I mean is, if someone visits Greece, can see some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Our islands, our archaeological sites, our history and our cities. Who would not be thrilled by a walk in Plaka, a performance at the Herodion or move around in Thisio and get on a wonderful ramble to the Acropolis? Who can deny that if you visited Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes will be filled with images that will remember all his life?

 But that's not all. Honestly, living in Greece in the 21st century, what a tourist sees does not representing correctly the original picture of the country.

The same of course applies to all countries in the world. There are always places for tourists and somewhere hidden behind them is the commonness of people, which, personally, I find much more interesting...

 In these few years of traveling, I have filled with videos and photos many hard drives and countless memory cards. I knew at some point I would like to talk about all of them. This is my archive, and I consider it as granted.

 From now on, with my camera on hand, we will travel all together.

Bon Voyage