Tag: #traveldiaries

The Journey of Tintin

By Srinivas Krishnan

There are huge fans of Tintin and then there is me. I have read and re-read the comics multiple times, and still, it feels as if I am going on a new adventure every time I turn the page. Remarkably, Herge – the Belgian creator of Tintin – never left his native country while conceiving many of the Tintin adventures around the world.

He and his team scoured a staggering variety of books, newspapers and other print publications as research for the comics and the characters. Many of the characters in Tintin are inspired by real-life people, as well as cars, planes, landscapes, buildings, situations, etc.

 

Herge also pioneered the style of drawing called ‘ligne claire’ or clear line which has had a huge impact on modern art and graphic design while it influenced countless artists. To me, it’s Herge’s terrific characterisation is what stands apart, and yes, Captain Haddock is my favourite character.

As can be expected, I have all the comics, but a lot of memorabilia and stuff too, related to Tintin – including scale models of cars and planes, posters and books as well as four wrist-watches.

One of the most memorable Tintin-related experiences has been my visit to Cheverny castle in France, which is more famous as Marlinspike Hall! So yes, Tintin occupies a significant part of my life, and so he and his friends accompany me when I travel too. After all, he’s a globe-trotting reporter, isn’t he?

An Insiders View on Dubrovnik,Croatia

By Katija Calis

Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants. For many visitors Dubrovnik is King’s Landing, capital of Westeros (From HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones).

One little-known fact/trivia that everyone should know when travelling to Dubrovnik?

Visit Dubrovnik in winter time; Dubrovnik is mostly known as a summer destination, but Winter has a lot to offer!

 What is a must buy when in Dubrovnik?

You must buy the caramelized almonds & candied orange peel.

One takeaway after a visit to this region?

Filigree silver, gold or coral jewellery

What is your advice to first-time travellers?

Don’t miss the City Walls

Things  to pack when travelling to Croatia?

Sunglasses & hat are essentials to carry when travelling to Croatia.

One activity anyone travelling to this region should not miss?

You must go kayaking around city walls


The most romantic place to take a special someone to?

Visit the Porporela (pier Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour)

Where should anyone, travelling to this region, definitely get their picture taken?

One must take pictures from the top of Minceta fortress (City walls) / Banje Beach / Upper Cable Car station

The best place to have local food?

Konoba Tabak  is a good place to try out authentic local food.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend our readers?

Try out Lamb prepared under the iron bell; fresh oysters, “sporki makaruli” (a dish made of meat and pasta)

The best pub and best places to catch up for a drink?

La Bodega, Belfast Irish pub, Levanat Bar are some of the local pubs and places you must visit.

One place only the locals would know?

Open air cinema Jadran

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to this region and what would that reason be?

July / August as the temperatures are too high and it’s overcrowded

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival (10th July – 25th August); Winter Festival (December – January), St Blasius Festivity (3rd February)

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

On the top of Mount Srdj, upper Cable Car station, overlooking the Old Town of Dubrovnik

The best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Buza bar, seaside of the city walls

The things guidebooks will not tell anyone about Dubrovnik

There are plenty of small villages nearby that you should visit: do the road trip in the northern part of Dubrovnik (Orasac, Gromaca, Majkovi) and sample the real Dubrovnik’s life since it’s not all about the city walls.

How would you describe Dubrovnik in one sentence?

In one sentence, Dubrovnik is breath taking!

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