The stories that bring a destination to life
Welcome!
When I left University and planned to leave my home country, Australia, and travel to Canada, my grandmother told me: “Now your education will begin”.
From Canada my travels have taken me to live in
the USA, UK, Italy, France, and Germany.
Education is a lifelong occupation for someone with unending curiosity. But sharing travels with another- and the learning that comes with it - lets you relive the magic and the adventure. Memories allow you to look back on shared experiences, shared laughter, and shared friendship – revisiting the moments and the people who have helped build your life.
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I have lived in other interesting places and have travelled to many more - always with one constant companion: a camera.
My long-term travelling compatriot, my friend Balu, the Chow Chow, has departed this life leaving a very empty space. As you will see in some of the pages, he travelled from a puppy, always glad to support me.He tehrefore still deserves a space on these pages as they are all set in the times when they were experienced.
Much has changed over those years, but the sense of adventure and curiosity about the hidden stories that help define a place remain.
My goal is to share with you some of the discoveries that have given such character to my own travels.
Perhaps here at Discover Interesting Places you may enjoy a new perspective on some old favourites – or discover somewhere new.
It may be that you join me as an armchair traveller from wherever you are reading this, or by going there yourself to make your own memories.Your own photos and stories record them: I look forward to some of you lodging your own stories here on the “Fellow Travellers” pages.Just send me an email and we can work on it together.
Meanwhile - come with me.
Share my adventures.
Meet some interesting people.
Join me as we make our discovery of place.
Smile at the whimsical, ponder the philosophical – but travel with me lightly – for we have many places to enjoy together.
I hope you will be fascinated, captivated, charmed – and make some memories of your own.
Come back often. There are always more interesting places to read about – updates have lagged in the last little while from the one a week that used to add to the portfolio of memories, but pages are once again returning to a regular schedule in 2025.
Without me travelling any more or taking any new photos, my existing library is enough for us to travel together to somewhere new every week …and I am always travelling and somehow capturing a small insight into the soul of the places where I go.
France is currently filling my camera with delights!
I hope you will be a constant and welcome visitor.
My name is Paquita Lamacraft.
Join me.
I’m glad to have you as a travelling companion.
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Content:
- Ukraine Support
- How you can support the people of Ukraine
- contact me
- Please use my Contact Me form for any request. I will be delighted to respond as soon as I can.
- Author Profile
- When change is your native habitat, it often comes with travel opportunities sought and unsought. Here is the profile of the author of discover-interesting-places.
- Quotes from a thoughtful traveller
- A little gift book for all who love to travel and appreciate why travel often imprints our lives with its most vivid moments- even from an armchair.
- Other books by Paquita Lamacraft
- Paquita Lamacraft has also written on growing your business by empowering your own people. With a Foreword from the head of Agile Strategy Lab, Purdue University School of Engineering - a great handbook.
- Paquita Lamacraft interview
- Upon request:- Paquita Lamacraft interview 'Up Close and Personal' from the Sunday Supplement on regional personalities
- Paquita Lamacraft Pompidoo Personality
- Paquita Lamacraft: In exchanging Etihad mileage points for a stylish red Pompidoo camera bag, I had the added benefit of being asked to agree to a Pompidoo Personality Profile. Here is the article.
- Upcoming Destinations
- So much to explore. What will be the next destination to be discovered on Discover-Interesting-Places.com? This page is where you find out what is being prepared!
- Interesting Website links
- In doing research to create the right setting and background to the interesting places to which we travel together, here are some sites I enjoyed along the way - and hope you will too.
- Porsche Days 2012 Zell am See, Austria
- The 2012 celebration of 60 years of Porsche Car Clubs was the first of a planned annual gathering of some of Porsche’s finest in the Porsche family hometown of Zell am See, Austria
- Porsche Time Trials Zell am See 2012
- At Porsche Days 2012 the line-up of Porsches on the last leg of the Time Trials gave rise to a gallery of Porsche vehicles not often seen together, including the 914,977.987, 933, 956C and GT27.
- Porsche Concourse d’Elegance Zell am See Austria
- A Concourse d’Elegance for Porsche vehicles at the Austrian airport in in 'Zell am See', the home town of the Porsche family, was part of celebrations of 60 years of Porsche Car Clubs.
- Rovinj Croatia
- Rovinj:In Croatia on the clear waters of the Adriatic, with a temperate Caribbean climate, this is one of the loveliest places in Istria, which the Romans called the magic land.
- Bleigiessen Free event in London England
- Bleigiessen-One of London’s best free events: Varying hues of a waterfall, the wonder of the unexpected, charm of mass lightly suspended - Thomas Heatherwick’s 'Bleigiessen' in the Wellcome Trust Museum
- Bloomsbury London
- To explore Bloomsbury in London is to travel through streets made familiar by the characters of literature. Here, the legacy of extraordinary lives of former residents colours the present.
- The British Museum London
- A bastion of Britishness, the British Museum traces the heritage of civilisation and is fascinating even to the non-museum buff
- London-Twinings Tea goldsmiths and clipper ships
- This unlikely association of famous tea, fast clipper ships, coins of the realm, investment banking and the Fleet Street print trade reads like an adventure story
- Holkham Bay North Norfolk Coastal Walk
- At Holkham Bay, a trail through groves of different pines and evergreens on the North Norfolk Coastal Walk emerges onto the best beach in England
- Eiffel Tower Paris
- Discover the Eiffel Tower in Paris - and part of it in New Orleans
- Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
- Discover the many aspects of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
- Tower of Notre Dame Cathedral
- Climb the Tower of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, meet the Gargoyles and take in the views.
- Trocadéro views in Paris
- Walk amongst the park sculptures and be enchanted by the fountains, watch the skateboarders and discover one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
- Paris angels
- Discover some Paris angels, bells, and fountains and through their stories find Paris richer
- Paris for Food & Cooking Utensils
- Paris and food are almost synonymous. Where better to shop for cooking utensils?
- Paris Theatre
- Paris Theatre: Paris is not a place, it is a play, an experience. It is a place to wander and to gather stories for your suitcase of memories
- The charm of Paris
- Even in winter Paris can charm - its appeal is without season
- Père-Lachaise Cemetery Paris
- The Paris Père-Lachaise Cemetery is the final resting place of people whose lives impacted history, of poets and playwrights, of dreamers and fighters – and also of the ordinary person
- Paris Tuileries Gardens
- From clay pit to Florentine Garden and palace, to a garden modeled on Versailles, the Tuileries Garden in Paris today owes much to several generations of the same garden designing family.
- Hôtel-Dieu - Hospices de Beaune
- Known now more for its famous charity wine auction, Hospices de Beaune is a place of beauty and its charity hospital works have continued since the 1440’s
- La Cotinière - Île d’Oléron
- The most productive fishing port in the Charente-Maritime region of France, La Cotinière on the island of Oléron is a beautiful place to enjoy great food
- Rules of Oléron - Admiralty Law
- Admiralty Law is based on marine rules called the ‘Rolls of Oléron’ enacted by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 13th century. They make fascinating reading.
- Saint Denis d’Oléron France
- On the lovely island south of La Rochelle in France sits a small jewel: Saint Denis d’Oléron
- Boyardville Island of Oléron
- In France, on the east coast of Île d’Oléron, the small port and marina at Boyardville is a great place to enjoy the island’s seafood
- Oléron Oyster Route France
- Home of France’s best oysters, the oyster trail on the island of Oléron reflects grinding work and art
- Mont St. Michel
- Mystical, a triumph of engineering and a delight to visit, Mont St. Michel in Brittany France has wonderful off-the-main-path alleys and terraces to explore.
- Neuschwanstein Castle
- An escape from reality, Neuschwanstein and the other castles designed under the direction of King Ludwig II of Bavaria have left a legacy to his nation and to the world
- Hohenschwangau Castle
- Hohenschwangau - the castle whose use of legend to theme the castle decoration inspired the more famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Hohenshwangau
- Hohenshwangau grew up as a service town for the construction of the castles of Kings and their needs - but it retains serenity and a very special charm.
- Hotel Müller Hohenschwangau
- At the foot of Neuschwanstein Castle Hotel Müller treat you as if you are the first guest they have ever welcomed
- HohenschwangauCastles in Autumn
- Having seen posters of Hohenschwangau Castles in Autumn, the colours looked artificial. However in real life they exceeded all expectations.
- The castles of Hohenschwangau
- More than just a pretty face: Neuschwanstein Castle has links to a seismological survey and turbo-charged engines
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most visited cities on Germany’s Romantic Road and setting for many fantasy films
- Carnival in Mainz Germany
- Carnival, Karneval, Mardi Gras, Fasching or Fastnacht:by whatever name, the carnival in Mainz is political, passionate & great fun
- Carnival mass Mainz Germany
- Carnival Sunday in Mainz Germany: about 2000 people all in costume attend Carnival mass in a thousand year old cathedral
- Mainz Carnival in Germany
- Mainz Carnival in Germany: On the Monday before Lent begins, Mainz is a city in costume
- Mainz Carnival Germany Costumes
- Carnival Costumes in Mainz, Germany: a riot of creativity and political satire.
- Childrens Carnival Parade Mainz
- Mainz: in a city that has been a centre of innovation for centuries, including Gutenberg’s printing press, the Mainz Childrens Carnival Parade celebrates creativity
- Bergamo Alta Italy
- Winding streets wide enough for two donkeys to pass, towers, plazas and chapels – Bergamo Alta, Italy, draws you to discover its history and its soul
- Streets of Bergamo Alta Italy
- To dine or shop along the streets of Bergamo Alta in Italy is to experience a shift to a more relaxed approach to both – and to experience that rarest of commodities – authenticity
- Italian 'castle'- Castello di Clanezzo
- Close to Bergamo in Italy lies a castle hotel that where you can experience some luxuries of old, be pampered in the spa – and take a zig zag walk to the river below
- Venice arriving by water ferry
- Arriving on a ferry transfer from the airport at sunset means travelling through molten waters to a dream of architectural variety and grandeur that flots under a golden cape
- Luxembourg City
- Landlocked yet powerful, central to the EU, the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a living picture-book giving little indication of its power and infleunce.
- Luxembourg historical buildings along Avenue de la Liberté
- Across the Pétrusse Valley, the Adolphe Bridge in Luxembourg brings you one of the most prestigious avenues in the world: Avenue de la Liberté
- Alicante
- Lazing on the Mediterranean coast and with 360 days of sunshine, Alicante is friendly, relaxed and a haven from less favourable weather elsewhere.
- Bonfires of St. John Alicante
- Kindled on the Summer Solstice at midnight 20th June, the Fires of St. John in Alicante burn ceremoniously & madly on 24th – with fiesta unending between.
- Alicante Hogueras Museum
- Each year, the winning statue of the Bonfires of St. John in Alicante is saved from being ignited and burned to ash – to be installed in the Hogueras Museum.
- Mallorca Port de Pollensa and Banyalbufar
- For the traveller who prefers to experience a Mallorca that is less popular with the madding crowd, Port de Pollensa and Banyalbufar are havens on the northern coast.
- Portugal Cork Forests
- Portugal’s Atlantic coast and its fringing cork forests form a timeless partnership.
- Audubon Zoo New Orleans
- Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is home to more than 2000 animals. It's not your average zoo and much loved by all who treasure the simplicity of childlike wonder and delight.
- New Orleans Jazz Funeral
- Mourning a life lost, celebrating a life lived, and acting on the belief in a here-after: the New Orleans Jazz Funeral is a mark of highest respect by those left behind.
- New Orleans Mardi Gras
- Despite 12 days of parades (planned & spontaneous) leading up to the big parade itself, New Orleans Mardi Gras is more than an event: it is a symbol of the spirit of a vibrant, creative city
- Mardi Gras Dog Parade Krewe of Barkus New Orleans
- If ever there is a place where every dog has his day, it’s the New Orleans Mardi Gras Dog Parade
- New Orleans Marathon
- Whether you run the scenic route through the French Quarter, Garden District and Audubon Park, or take a more relaxed approach, the New Orleans Marathon is unique
- The French Quarter New Orleans
- With its Spanish and French influence imprinted on its architecture, exotic antique shops and galleries, the French Quarter of New Orleans seduces you with a unique character that always call you back
- New Orleans tribute: A Creole Mass
- The Creole Mass is a uniquely New Orleans story: A man saved from death, an exceptional gift of musical talent, a promise to God, and a chance meeting:
- New Orleans Performers
- The city might be known mostly for Mardi Gras, music and good cuisine. But there are a lot more contributions to the culture of New Orleans.
- More New Orleans Performers and Musicians Clinic
- If you think New Orleans music is just jazz, then you need to go and explore some more.
- Still more New Orleans Performers
- Not all of the performers to inspire in New Orleans are musicians. Meet some here.
- Cienfuegos Cuba
- Still an important Cuban port, Cienfuegos was once known as “The Pearl of the South” and has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site - its former grandeur still visible..
- Agricultural Fair-Cuba
- On the outskirts of Havana, the agricultural fair gives insight to real non-urban life: Cuban horses, bulls, cowboys, cowboy boots, fine saddles, produce and freshly cooked, tasty take-aways
- Art of Dominoes in Havana, Cuba
- The game of Dominoes is an art – which in turn inspires art: a visit to the craft market in Havana results in a collection of domino boxes
- Havana back street rambles
- Havana back streets: decay, restoration, and personality
- Havana Capitol Building
- The Havana Capitol Building - reflecting grand dreams of liberty
- Classic Cars in Havana
- Classic cars in Havana that are kept running with innovative repairs, add character to the city
- Creative transport in Havana
- Apart from the classic cars as taxis, there is a lot of other creative transport in Havana
- The Malecón Havana Cuba
- Fish and philosophy on the Malecón in Havana
- Havana Angels
- A Tale of Havana Angels and of Sarah Bernhardt, Mazzantini, and passion
- Havana Grandeur: restored and unrestored
- The grandeur of Havana has style – whether restored to former elegance or wearily slumbering in the sunshine
- Havana political demonstration
- Havana political demonstration - The art of politics in a political demonstration on the Malecon
- Havana street water-skiing
- Spontaneous Havana street water-skiing in a rainstorm
- Parrandas and pedlars in Remedios Cuba
- Will the sparrow hawk catch the rooster or will the rooster have his day? Each Christmas Eve during the Parrandas festivities, the people of Remedios decide the winner.
- Two Churches of Remedios Cuba
- Reputed to be the second oldest Spanish settlement in Cuba, the lovely town of Remedios is the only town in Cuba to have two churches at its centre.
- Sancti Spíritus Cuba and its historical figures
- Not a major tourist destination, the colourful city of Sancti Spíritus Cuba celebrates its past, and has a lot of appeal for those who just want to absorb everyday life.
- Markets and performers in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
- The young performers and those with wares to sell in the street market reveal much of the personality of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
- Palacio Cantero Museum Trinidad de Cuba
- A tribute to the power of personality and extravagance, Palacio Cantero in Trinidad de Cuba is a wonderful discovery.
- Trinidad de Cuba
- Trinidad de Cuba had been described as beautiful. I found it more a place seeped in history and full of character(s) with great locals’ haunts.
- Almendares River and Voodoo in Cuba
- The Almendares River is believed to have special powers for Cuban voodoo - and its magic wraps around you in Almendares Park not far from Havana
- The Cuban Approach - the art of letting go
- The Cuban Approach is an adventure: it is an adventure in travelling one month with no plan on the backroads of Cuba; it is an adventure that shows how to deal with death and loss, and in developing the art of letting go.
- Backroad travel in Cuba
- Travelling the backroads and tracks of Cuba gives insight into everyday life in rural communities
- Bay of Pigs Cuba
- The Bay of Pigs in Cuba: A coral coast, a diver’s paradise, underwater caves, and multi-coloured fish that cast a spell of 'slow' on you.
- Guamá resort Zapata National Park Cuba
- Designed by Fidel just after the Revolution, Guamá is meant to re-create what a Taíno village would have been like - and is now a thatched resort.
- Viñales in Pinar del Rio Cuba
- Viñales in Pinar del Rio Cuba: Cuba unadorned - and a tobacco farmer’s passion for life
- Kerkouane Tunisia
- Lying on the east coast of Tunisia, the ruins of Kerkouane are the only known example of a Phoenician city of the time of the Punic Wars –over 250 years BC
- Dar Sebastian Hammamet Tunisia
- Frank Lloyd Wright thought it beautiful, Rommel used it as his HQ and Churchill wrote his memoirs there: Dar Sebastian in Tunisia is now an empty shell echoing a fascinating past
- Hammamet Tunisia
- Hammamet in Tunisia has become a tourist mecca of a type that blots out much of what drew the rich and famous there in the 1900s – but there is still beauty to be found
- Doha Old Souk
- It is a new interpretation rather than genuinely old– but the Doha Old Souk definitely has character and style
- Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
- Discover why the elegant Emirates Palace is much more than simply one of the most sumptuous hotels in the world - and a fine place to indulge in quiet luxury.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a place of contemplation, elegance and stunning design
- Abu Dhabi Desert riding the dunes
- Riding the desert dunes Abu Dhabi on the edge of the 'Empty Quarter' in Abu Dhabi by 4WD is both exhilerating and terrifying.
- Afternoon Tea at Burj Al Arab Dubai
- Any hotel that awards itself seven stars has a reputation to live up to – and afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab is a great way to explore this Dubai icon.
- Dubai Creek
- To take a water taxi at sunset on Dubai Creek is to catch a glimpse of the contrast between old and new in Dubai – and it is a magical way to end a day
- Madinat Jumeirah Dubai
- Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai: A 40 hectare fantasy (nearly 99 acres) full of canals, luxury hotels, restaurants, a recreated souk and a turtle sanctuary
- Singapore Cheng Ho Cruise
- It is seems to be no longer possible to take the Singapore Cheng Ho Cruise named after master navigator and diplomat Zeng He
- Hidden Sydney
- Remote, yet just a ferry ride from the city here is Hidden Sydney
- Tokyo Fish Market Tsukiji
- At the Tokyo Fish Market Tsukiji you can discover types of fish you’ve never seen, wonder why the vendors are not electrocuted, and be fascinated by the tuna auction.
- Omiya Bonsai Village Tokyo
- Just outside Tokyo is the Omiya Bonsai Village – a place where you can roam thousands of miniature forests and wonder at the visual poetry of this ancient art
- Tokyo Tower
- Guarded by dogs of legend, housing a wax version of Jimi Hendrix and Leonardi da Vinci and 5,000 fish, the Tokyo Tower is an aging but rather loved icon of Japan
- Kimonos, Kobe Beef and Kabuki in Tokyo
- Tokyo: Japanese cuisine, costume, and Kabuki Theatre: perhaps the longest running soap operas in the world
- Traditional Balinese Village Wedding
- A traditional Balinese wedding is an occasion for all to celebrate and your attendance is an honour – but dealing with the wedding feast can require some diplomacy
- Bali rainforest exploration by 4WD
- Bali rainforest exploration by 4WD: a little seen side of this beautiful island
- Village of White Herons in Bali
- Village of White Herons: In 1965 herons arrived in their hundreds in the Bali village of Petulu . Are they really the lost souls of those in the mass graves after bloody massacres written out of Indonesia’s history?
- Puerta del Sol New Year
- One of the top 10 places in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve: Puerta del Sol Madrid. Eat one grape per midnight chime till the golden ball falls.
- Dresden Christmas Market
- Reputed to be the oldest event in all of Germany, the Dresden Christmas Market is actually a gathering of Christmas Markets, each with unique character – here are some.
- Trier Christmas Market
- Trier is the oldest city in Germany and the Trier Christmas Market has a spectacular setting that draws visitors from the surrounding region – and the world
- Munich Christmas Market
- Even on the day before the Munich Christmas Market opened there was much to see around the Marienplatz – and to demand a night visit a few days later
- Munich Night Christmas Market
- The Munich Night Christmas Market is a mass of colour, people and festivities – and spreads through surrounding streets and squares
- Rüdesheim Christmas Market
- Rüdesheim is one of the most romantic of towns among many romantic towns on the stretch of river known as The Romantic Rhine – but at Christmas it is spectacular.
- Madrid Christmas Market
- The Madrid Christmas Market in the Plaza Major is as much about preparations for the pranks of Holy Innocents Day as it is about the Nativity.
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- Discover Interesting Places records my travels and its moments, places, their stories and their images. This is where we can tell your tarvel stories too.
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