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Steven Cronin's Articles Display Category|Title|Newest|Oldest Stonehenge Sunrise Amid the enigma and bewilderment that enshrouds a small part of Salisbury in England’s green and pleasant land, I stood in awe to witness one of the great wonders of the world. Before me stood five thousand years of history, a mystery dating back to the ancient Druids and cultures long since lost to the passages of time. Silhouetted against the pre-dawn sky, Stonehenge stood proud in the gloom, its pillars united as one structure, forged from the hand of man five millen... It’s Time To End The Reign Of The Football Cheats It’s Germany 2006, another World Cup and another outrageous exhibition of diving, gamesmanship and just downright cheating. The time has come to call a halt on this scandalous behavior and restore the image of the beautiful game. Sepp Blatter ordered referees to come down hard and keep the lid on unruly players. The problem is the cheats have seen this as an opportunity to take advantage of the hard-line approach. By diving and conning the referee they know they can ... Travels Through Cyprus The old goat herder stands before his flock. Stick in hand, he bears the look of experience. His beaten old hat keeps the sun off his unshaven face. His weathered trousers have seen better days and wear a belt, crudely tied around his waist. His braces are actually two of the elastic straps you use to tie your luggage to the car's roof rack. As the sun beats down on the plains of Agia Marina he herds his goats to pastures new and another day of contentment. When your... The Lighthouse Hotel, Llandudno, United Kingdom Providing panoramic views across the Irish Sea, the Lighthouse hotel is a wonderful maritime relic offering accommodation of a rather unusual nature. Built in 1862, the Lighthouse warned the passing ships of the dangers of the North Wales coastline, offering safe passage for many a brave seaman. These days the Lighthouse is more interested in its guests than the passing sailors, converted during its lifetime from a great beacon into a guesthouse. The hotel resides on... In Pursuit Of Miller's Landscape I have always been a great admirer of the artist John Miller. His simplistic coastal landscapes are a wonderful escape from the rigours of city life in Birmingham. But what of the subjects of his work? Were they just figments of his imagination or did these places actually exist? Since buying my first print 'Estuary', his worlds have always seemed a beautiful Utopia, scenes of unrivalled natural beauty, somewhere I wanted to be. Eventually I discovered his work portr... Travels Through St. Ives, England A little old man stands at the edge of the harbour. He always stands when he works. In his left hand is a photograph, a commission to keep him busy for the next few days. He holds his brush in his right hand, masterfully transforming the canvas in front of him into someone's dream painting, an image to take pride of place on their lounge wall. Every other stab of the brush he stops and takes a step back, checking his judgement. Behind him lie several pieces of previous ... City Breaks In New York City When Henry Hudson arrived in 1609 few could possibly have anticipated the legacy he would leave behind. From humble beginnings, New York City has developed into the greatest metropolis on the planet. Far from the crime ridden cesspit portrayed in films from the 1970s, New York has cleaned up its act. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised at the new found order and obedience within the present city. Few places can compare for modern human spirit, depicted perfectly in t... Travels Through Lake Garda, Italy “Your bill sir,” the waiter whispered with a gentle murmur of broken English. He spoke with a smile. He either expected a tip or had just broken wind. The consequences of the latter were too grim to bear so I settled up quickly and retreated to the waterfront. Lake Garda glistened in the moonlight, perfectly still but for the faint ripples from passing boats. Illuminations danced like fireflies upon the open water, enticing you into the lake to view the town from a differe... City Breaks In Paris Paris is simply the city that has it all. From its birth on the banks of the Seine in 52 BC as Julius Caesar continued his conquest of Europe, the City of Light has always commanded a captive audience. Paris is synonymous with iconic landmarks. There’s nothing quite like watching the Eiffel Tower light up on a beautiful moonlit night, reaching out to the stars and beyond. Many first time travellers to Paris arrive via the rather underwhelming Eurostar train terminal. Bu... Traveller’s Tales From The Cornish Coast Of Britain They say the light is clearer in Cornwall, washed of impurities by the barbed Atlantic winds. Free of pollution, the small village of Mousehole draws artists from all corners of England. Amateurs and professionals alike delight in capturing the character and make-up of this beautiful Cornish community. I took the B3315 south from Penzance and headed for Mousehole. The road stretched along the coast, a narrow passage of twists and turns and steep inclines. Tall trees lined ... Memories Of Disneyland Paris The harness forced me rigid in my seat. The pressure across my chest momentarily took my breath away. Fixed in position the only things I could move were my hands and feet. My heart raced at least twice its normal rate as we inched towards the starting point. Anxiety began to swell inside me; I could feel my stomach turning. A deep fear within was urging me to escape and free myself from this unknown. As apprehension hit the zenith, loud rock music started blasting from tw... Traveller’s Tales From The English Coast A placid air had swept through town and once again the bay was a picture of calm. Children played upon the shore as the gentle waves lapped about the beach. Gulls swooped overhead, their merry chatter a sure sign that spring was in the air and warmer times here for all. Across the bay a narrow strip of sand had defied the tide and stood as dry land. Hundreds of seabirds took refuge, safe from predators. A whole community chatted amongst themselves, discussing the options f... Memories Of Barcelona It was just soddin’ typical I had the seat with the broken air blower. Beads of sweat ran down my face as the temperature approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The smell of body odour had got progressively worse from the moment we departed for the Catalonian capital of Barcelona. To be honest, I was one of the main culprits; my shirt had stuck to my back and needed constant peeling to allow some air circulation around my body. “We’ll be stopping in about ten minute... 5 Days In Amsterdam All was still. Around one hundred people had settled in the rest room for the overnight ferry crossing from Hull to Holland. It was pitch black and the only sounds were the faint humming of the engines and the odd snorer. All the seats had been snapped up so I found myself lying in a vacant space on the floor with a couple of mates trying to get comfortable. About five minutes had passed and I could feel myself about to drop off. You could hear a pin drop. Then my mate ... Traveller's Journal: Snowdonia National Park - Day 5 If there was one thing I had noticed from my travels around Wales it was the extensive use of the Welsh language. The people of Wales are extremely proud of their country and rightly so. The language helps Wales keep its identity. Many are resentful of English domination and prefer the idea of more independence. But one thing was for sure. No one could deny the natural beauty of their country and the warmth of its people. The A4086 to Betws-y-Coed may have been slow progre... Traveller's Journal: Snowdonia National Park - Day 4 For the first time this week Llanberis awoke bathed in sunshine. The gorgeous weather had stirred more than most from their beds at the Royal Victoria Hotel. The breakfast room was buzzing with activity. Despite my early start I still could not catch a seat in the conservatory and the magnificent views of the village. Once more I took my table with the four walls for company and tucked into some hearty cereals. I skipped the traditional English breakfast. Though nice, it c... Traveller's Journal: Snowdonia National Park - Day 1 The road branched right into a trail named on the map as Llanberis Pass. In my experience anything labelled as a Pass meant spectacular scenery and a tinge of excitement stirred within me. What began as a gentle shower was now a torrential downpour. As I progressed through the valley the walls rose steeply and threatened to engulf me. At one point they rise almost vertically to nearly two thousand feet. It's easy to find a sense of claustrophobia surrounded by these imposi... Traveller's Journal: Snowdonia National Park - Day 3 I cannot recall the moment I discovered my fear of heights. I can remember falling from the top of a bunk bed once whilst on holiday as my sister slept on the bottom. I don't think that was the defining moment, though I'm sure it played some part in developing my phobia. But one thing was for certain. I knew I couldn't come to Llanberis without a journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. "Did you go on the mountain train?" they would ask. "Er, no," I would reply rather m... Traveller's Journal: Snowdonia National Park - Day 2 The Royal Victoria Hotel sits at the head of Llanberis Pass, near the foot of Mount Snowdon. Its elevated position provides wonderful views over Llanberis village, reminiscent of a wise old headmaster appraising his class. Sandwiched between the two lakes of Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, the hotel is an excellent base for exploring the wild terrain of Snowdonia. I awoke to another gloomy day. The rain had continued through the night and showed little sign of letting up. A... The Hidden Tourist Attractions Of Rome Countless words have illustrated the Colosseum, and its fearless gladiators; the Pantheon, and its gateway to the gods; and the Roman Forum, once heart of the mighty Roman Empire. But what of the hidden tourist attractions of Rome and those that receive fewer column inches? For a taste of the macabre try the Capuchin Crypt, the original haunted house. Ghoulishly decorated with the bones of long dead monks, the Crypt is sure to leave a lasting impression. Those monks pri... Landscapes Of England: Brean As a child I can remember thinking of Brean as the most boring place on earth. The bright lights of Blackpool were much more exiting. Countless arcades and video games would ebb away your time, as well as your money. The possibilities were endless. Age helps you appreciate the finer details in life. Suddenly Brean had become a beautiful stretch of coastline boasting windswept sand dunes and several miles of golden sands. So the funfair may have grown and its visitors go... Landscapes Of England: Hayle The sea roars, whipped into a frenzy by the Atlantic winds racing across the bay. The waves look good today, surfers will be out for sure. Come rain or shine, these boys are dedicated. You can taste the salty spray as it draws you towards the water. The familiar smell of seaweed was home. I knew I was back. The Cornish town of Hayle sits in the far southwest corner of England, near the midpoint of St Ives bay. It lies approximately 10 miles north of Penzance and is part... Landscapes Of Scotland: Glencoe Glencoe’s spring sky looked bleak; wrathful clouds glared, threatening imminent showers. Columns of light penetrated the cloud, stood as sentinels guarding entrance to the sweeping valley. The scent of springtime was in the air; a new harvest was approaching. Animals all around were preparing their nests for new siblings and a busy summer. The echoes of songbirds and their merry tunes sang throughout the valley; the season of courtship was upon us. A crisp breeze was a ... The Ancient Sites Of Rome For 3,000 years Rome has stood at the forefront of civilisation. The might of the Roman Empire brought great wealth and prosperity to the city and its allies. Rome became a treasure trove of extravagant architecture and monuments. As fortune smiled down on Rome, their riches established communities endowed with ornamental landmarks, many of which stand to this day. At the core of the once mighty Empire, The Roman Forum was the heart and soul of government. Originally a ... Italy: The Art Of Good Living Most people’s perception of Italy is that of style, a country whose taste for the good life is matched only by its panache. The food is full of flavour, created with a desire to serve nothing but the best. Variety is the spice of life; kitchens all over the country try to outwit one another with new recipes, each one tastier than their neighbours. But what drives the Italian people is their passion, their zest for life. Nowhere else is life lived with so much enthusias... Standing On The Shores Of Loch Ness Locked in the vaults of Scottish legend lies an enigmatic stretch of water famous the world over. Within the wells of Celtic folklore, the mystery of Loch Ness has baffled scientists for decades. Loch Ness sits in the north of Scotland, near the town of Inverness. It forms part of a series of lochs running from the Irish Sea on the east coast, over to the North Sea on the western shoreline, almost dividing the country in half. Loch Ness is the deepest body of water in t... Vienna: City Of The Arts On the banks of the Danube, Vienna and its population of over 2 million people bask proudly in their cultural heritage. Vienna’s love affair with the arts stretches back centuries and helped make it today, Austria’s number one tourist attraction. A romantic imperial city, Vienna bears the hallmarks of a capital steeped in history, beautifully contrasted by its modern infrastructure. A city of music, Vienna was home to some of history’s greatest composers. Mozart, Beetho... France: On The Road Paris, the city of love and a thousand other clichés, still holds a certain mystic. But no matter how many written words this great city has commanded - however familiar this town may appear - Paris will always remain an enigma, a magnet for millions of visitors from around the world. Paris carries an enchantment that you cannot always put your finger on. We perceive Parisians as chic and stylish, forever setting the trend. But there is more to this country than just it... Venice: The Floating City For a millennium, Venice has provided inspiration for artists and writers. This coveted city is made up of 118 islands linked by 453 bridges. Each corner of town exhibits individual architectural magnificence, the city combining as one to form a spectacular theatrical stage set. Beautiful churches adorn the banks of the Grand Canal as she snakes her way through the city. This main artery is at the centre of a myriad of canals running throughout the town. The lifeblood o... Spain: Bullfights And Sangria A cocktail of bullfighting, flamenco and sangria, Spain is a country blessed with rich history and culture. Add beautiful beaches and warm climate, and it’s evident why Spain is the world’s second most visited country. The demise of Franco opened Spain to a curious world. A booming tourist industry allowed the country to grow, revealing its history and way of life to an interested planet. Each town revels in its individual brand of architecture, none more so than Barcel... The Grand Canyon: Life In The Gorge An eagle swoops overhead, its vast wingspan silhouetted against the morning sun. A trained eye surveys the land below, anticipating any sudden movement. Deep in the canyon beneath, the Colorado River runs its relentless course through Grand Canyon National Park, carved through the ages by this vein flowing through Arizona. As the sun climbs the morning sky, flooding the valley with light, the ground temperature rises and the creatures of the valley begin their daily quest ... Dartmoor: England's Last Great Wilderness Given National Park status in 1951, Dartmoor sits in the south of county Devon, southwest England, and covers an area of 365 square miles. Almost half the park is swampland, a haven for wildlife and those wishing to escape the rigours of city life. Dartmoor Forest, owned by the Duchy of Cornwall since 1307, is a former royal hunting ground and makes up the vast majority of the region. The grass and heather moors are littered with hefty granite boulders scattered amongst th... 10 Must-dos When In Dublin Few places around the world lend a friendlier hand than Dublin. The Emerald Isle offers wonderful hospitality, complemented by its warm and friendly hosts. A cosmopolitan city, Dublin is rightly proud of its rich heritage, but also presents a modern face in keeping with contemporary culture. 1. Trinity College Housing the Book of Kells, a near two century old manuscript written by monks, Trinity College is Dublin’s oldest university, built in 1592. 2. Christ Church C... Journey To Ullswater Ullswater lies in the northwest of England, amidst the charm of Lake District National Park. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, the Lake District has inspired many a young poet and artist. But in the eyes of many, Ullswater is the jewel in the crown. My journey began on the shores of Lake Windermere, England’s biggest expanse of water. Winter was merging into spring and a crisp breeze ran across the shoreline. A distinct smell of dinner drifted from the restaurant b... Help Us To Save Orang-Utans From Extinction Several decades ago orang-utans totalled hundreds of thousands and flourished in their natural habitats of southeast Asia and China. Today numbers of these beautiful creatures total less than 50,000 pushing them perilously close to extinction, and human beings are directly responsible. Orang-utans spend most of their time in trees avoiding natural predators such as leopards, crocodiles and tigers. Unfortunately, the trees have become victims of the logging trade – vast reg... 10 Must-Dos When In Bruges A timeless spectacle, Bruges is a charming city full of medieval flavour. Its architectural treasures lure the eye, revealing a city of rich history. Serene canals and tight cobbled streets seize your imagination, enticing you to explore more and more. 1. Markt Square Watch the world go by in one of the Markt Square’s multitude of cafes and restaurants. A vibrant open area, relax with a coffee as the rat race scuttles around you. 2. Basilica of the Holy Blood Upon hom... 10 Must-Dos When In Brussels At the hub of European politics – Brussels is the cosmopolitan capital of bureaucracy. But when freed from the shackles of red tape, this compact capital of Belgium is a fascinating fusion of profound historical curiosity and contemporary living. 1. The Grand-Place Brussels’ central square is the focal point of activity for locals and tourists alike. The heaving markets are bursting with souvenir-seeking bargain hunters. Look out for the town hall (Hotel de Ville), a magn... 10 Must-Dos When In Amsterdam An enticing fusion of ancient and avant-garde, Amsterdam is a beautiful city of creative legacy. Take a walk along the cobbled streets and serene canals and you can seem a million miles from the vibrant nightlife on every corner. 1. Dam Square Dam Square is the hub of the city and located on the site of the original Amstel dam. The focal point of the Square is the Royal Palace. Originally the town hall, it became regal following Louis Napoleon’s crowning in 1808. 2. An... Visit The Sand And Surf Of Watergate Bay The coastal road from Newquay snaked its way eastwards atop the high, craggy cliffs sculpted by the relentless Atlantic Ocean. Suddenly the road dipped and wound steeply towards sea level. Cars were parked everywhere; almost all had surfboards strapped to their roofs. This was Watergate Bay. I turned into a car park and waited at the entrance. Just to my right a small, open camper van laid dormant. It had certainly seen better days and judging from the bodywork wouldn’t tr...

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