http://podtours.co.uk/podtours-bw-small.jpg Regular articles on sights to see, events to experience, and travelling around Europe. We look at castles, cathedrals, palaces - and back street bars and second-hand bookshops. en-gb 2005 and 2006 by Andrea Kirkby andrea@podtours.co.uk http://podtours.co.uk/ The subversive zone of medieval art - little figures of fable, proverb and everyday life in medieval manuscripts, stained glass and carving. http://www.podtours.co.uk/marginalia.html The architectural and decorative styles inherited from the Arabs in Spain - what to see and where to see it. http://www.podtours.co.uk/mudejar-architecture.html How to enjoy the rest of your stay - whoever wins. A guide to the ten cities in France that are hosting the Rugby World Cup. http://www.podtours.co.uk/rugby-world-cup-tourism.html Bruges was a major trading city of the Middle Ages, and in the fifteenth century, when it became a focus for the luxurious court of Burgundy, the streets seemed paved with gold. Even an exiled King of England turned up here to savour Bruges style hospitality. Follow our Podtour around the city and experience the life of medieval Bruges. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Bruges-podtour.htm The city of Ghent made its money from the cloth trade - and spent it on fine buildings. From the early Romanesque to the delights of the elegant Rococo, we look at Ghent's fine buildings and find out about the Guilds that regulated the town's trade and made its merchants wealthy. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Ghent-podtour.htm The Isle of Ely, in the middle of the waterlogged Fens, became home to a great monastery. When the tower collapsed in the thirteenth century, the monsk turned tragedy into triumph - building a unique octagonal lantern instead of a new tower. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Ely-podtour.htm France's best kept secret, the attractive city of Bourges has fine half timbered houses, merchant mansions, and one of the finest cathedrals of France. http://www.podtours.co.uk/bourges-podtour.htm Barcelona is two cities. One city inside the Roman walls, with medieval churches and palaces, and the medieval Jewish quarter - a city of twisting alleys and narrow streets. And then the city of Gaudi, of wide leafy avenues and eclectic, visionary architecture. Visit both with our two Podtours of Barcelona. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Barcelona-podtour.htm Is this England's most underrated cathedral? We dare you to step off the train and visit! http://www.podtours.co.uk/Peterborough-podtour.htm Purity, simplicity, and light are the key notes of this fantastic Gothic cathedral - the earliest masterpiece of the style. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Laon-podtour.htm There's more to Verona than Romeo and Juliet. We visit Romanesque churches, fine medieval monuments, a Roman theatre, and a bustling market place, and find out why the Scaliger tyrants were so hated they built a castle with a private way out of the city. http:www.podtours.co.uk/verona-podtour.htm Medieval architecture was never so ambitious. The builders of Beauvais wanted the highest cathedral in the world. They got it - but at incredible cost; it was never finished. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Beauvais.htm A new page of photos showing the labours of the months on Abbot Suger's facade of about 1140. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Labours-of-the-months-St-Denis.htm With well over a hundred cathedrals to visit, which ones should you choose? Andrea Kirkby's personal top ten - including a big surprise. http://www.podtours.co.uk/best-cathedrals-france.htm Tired of the bustle of central Paris? Just a few stops on the Metro and you can be away from it all! We suggest four very different destinations to give your Paris stay a bit of variety. http://www.podtours.co.uk/parisout.htm Catching a train from London but with an hour or so to spare between trains? We suggest some ways to while away the time, and get to know some of London's hidden corners. http://www.podtours.co.uk/londonhour.htm Save money without compromising on taste! How to find good local food on your European holiday. http://www.podtours.co.uk/cheapeats.htm Turkey with all the trimmings? Not if you're in Prague - or Stockholm - or Madrid! We take a look at what you might expect to eat at Christmas around Europe. Seven types of fish - or foie gras? http://www.podtours.co.uk/xmasgrub.htm The Ile de la Cite contains two of the greatest works of the French Gothic style - the imposing Notre Dame cathedral and the elegant Sainte Chapelle with its shimmering stained glass. Our Podtour (TM) takes you on a voyage into medieval France - but we start at an Art Nouveau metro station. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Parispodtours.htm The tombs of Emperors - mummies - plague pits and bonehouses; Europe is full of gruesome and macabre sights for anyone with a gothic twist to their soul. Ten of the best, and a few more. http://www.podtours.co.uk/gruesome.htm We've just launched three new Podtours (TM) of Florence, showing you the history, art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance. We've also put together some of our favourite 'off the beaten track' sights in the city. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Florencepodtours.htm The labours of the months are often shown in medieval iconography. Our guide, complete with photographs, shows how to recognise them, and how they differ from country to country depending on local agricultural methods. http://www.podtours.co.uk/Laboursofmonths.htm Salisbury is an unusual English cathedral - it is built entirely in a single style and is probably the greatest single work of the Early English style. We've just launched a Podtour (TM) of the cathedral which talks you through the building campaign, and shows you round the many excellent tombs and chantry chapels inside. http://www.podtours.co.uk/salisburypodtour.htm Bishop Bernwald went to Rome at the end of the tenth century - and came back with interesting ideas. Hildesheim hides not one, but two jewels of Romanesque architecture - and some unique metalwork. http://podtours.co.uk/hildesheim.htm How did England come to be the way it is? Why doesn't it look more like France? Podtours recommends books which explain the development of English towns and landscapes. http://podtours.co.uk/podtours-recommends.htm When the Hanseatic League was at its height, dominating north European trade in the high Middle Ages, Lubeck was its most powerful city. Its gothic brick buildings, dominated by the seven spires of its churches, form a UNESCO world heritage site. And it has a nice sideline in sweeties. http://podtours.co.uk/lubeck.htm We've just brought out a podtour of this magnificent and interesting cathedral - it's ready for download, free. http://podtours.co.uk/gloucester-cathedral.htm