Malta Goes Dotto For 2008 Tourists
Malta has a reputation for good sunshine holidays in the Mediterranean - and a fleet of 1950’s Leyland buses that have become a recognisable part of life for the island’s visitors.
But now the island is investing in a safe and visitor friendly mode of transport for the 2008 tourists - dotto trains.
The trains are already an established feature in many European holiday destinations, but Malta takes her time, and comes nearly twenty years after the idea was first suggested.
The dottos are anticipated to be up and running for New Year’s day, and will be operating in the popular areas of St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra, all in the north of the island, and if successful will be also included in the south in areas like Marsascala.
The delay in introducing dotto trains to Malta is typical of the island and the attitude towards tourism - it seems to take years for an obvious idea to be implemented, and then it’s embraced wholeheartedly - with everyone wondering why they didn’t do it years ago. Another example is the introduction of low cost flights to Malta.
With a downward spiral in visitor numbers, the Maltese government finally relented to pressure from the Malta holidays industry and allowed low cost carriers to fly to the island for the first time last year.
Competition was keen between the airlines to take up the lucrative UK to Malta route, and Dublin based Ryanair was chosen over rivals easyJet to take up the route, and the island has benefitted this year with a sharp increase in tourists, reversing six years of decline.
Since then the island’s tourist authorities have finally waken up to the fact that competition in the skies could bring more benefits to the country than protecting her national airline, and new routes have opened between Malta with Germany, Spain and Scandanavia.
New official figures show that this year’s all important summer season has been the best in six years for Malta, reversing the decline in fortunes for the Mediterranean island.
The good news for Malta is that despite the increase in the number of tourists arriving on the island via low cost flights, the occupancy levels of hotels has increased from basic to 5 star, showing that Malta can appeal to all.
Further good news for Malta came from the figures for hotels and holidays with the news that while the number of arrivals from her traditional UK market rose by eleven per cent, the number of people from Germany visiting Malta increased by a third this year, adding strength to the holidays industry that has been reliant on tourism from one country in the past.
Both Germany and the UK have seen new low cost flight operators sucessfully applying to fly to Malta, and the increase in tourism can largely be put down to them.
2007 has been a turning year for Malta, with previously poor publicity turning to good press reports in the media overseas.
The dotto trains may be coming late to Malta, but as the low cost flights have shown, once they are up and running the island will be pleased to have them!
YourMalta.com provides news and information for holidays in Malta at http://www.yourmalta.com
Kensington Palace Explored
Go diagonally towards the Round Pond, up the slope, along the Broad Walk and left past the sunken garden which was created as recently as 1909. As you go look through the railings at the architecture. The east front to be seen beyond the statue of Queen Victoria at the time of her accession, by her daughter Princess shows the beginnings of Palladianism, with the central three bays projecting forward under a pediment.
The palace was the preferred London home of William and Queen Mary, who disliked the damp atmosphere of Whitehall, they saw it simply as a private retreat, not a palace and its modest aspect is the main source of its appeal today. It was also popular with George II and Queen Caroline, in whose time the gardens were developed. The architecture is restrained, and although Wren was involved he seems to have resisted opportunities for exuberance. The south front has been argued to resemble more closely the work of a Dutch architect, Jacob Roman who had worked for William in Holland.
The Dress Collection is met first on the tour, displayed in a series of rooms on the ground floor. Court dress is an extraordinary notion, consciously behind fashion, deeply hierarchical and arcane, and of staggering expense. On occasions it has been reformed such as when George IV simplified procedures on his accession in 1820, and in the 1920s but for coronations and similar big events, even today the designers and tailors have a field day. And everyone apparently enjoys either wearing or watching it.
The most recent powerful display of the phenomenon was given by Princess Diana, whose clothes we know were part of some wider statement. Dresses from her collection, and the Queens, are often part of the changing exhibitions.
No one had heard of Lady Diana Spencer when she married Prince Charles in 1981, but she soon became inescapably prominent. This occurred inevitably because of her natural good looks and her role as mother of the next heirs to the throne (William was born in 1982 and Harry in 1984). But it was reinforced by her own inconsistent response to the public gaze, partly delight, as her interest in being seen as a leader of fashion confirms, but also partly fear at intrusions into privacy.
The full iconic status of Diana developed only in the 1990s, firs. after her separation from Charles, part of some kind of inner revolution within the royal family whereby several celebrated marriages were dissolved and second after her tragic death in a road accident in Paris in 1997. This was followed by a short-lived but intense outpouring of national grief, during which flowers spread endlessly around the gates of Kensington Palace, where Diana had lived after her divorce.
Archy Ash writes for Property Helper ltd. a site aimed at where people should buy property and their Kensington property needs at http://property-helper.co.uk
Learn About the Cape Fur Seal
When you think of Africa & its incredible wildlife you almost inevitably conjure up images of endless plains, scattered with antelope huddling together under the deceptively disinterested gaze of the ‘king of the beasts’.
It may then surprise you to learn that Namibia is also home to more than half the world’s population of Cape Fur Seals. A population of approximately 1 million these intelligent and gentle creatures grace the cold Atlantic coastline of this desert dominated country.
They can be found almost anywhere along the 1,200 km coastline, but primarily are located in colonies dotted up and down the coast. The largest of these is the famous Cape Cross Seal colony, where December’s breading season can see populations in excess of 100,000!
Crammed onto the little beach a packed and noisy throng of barking mothers and lost, crying pups fight against the constant roar of the ocean for attention, this makes for a memorable - if smelly - stopover.
The females grow to about 90kg & have a life expectancy of about 20 years, while the males prior to breading pile on the pounds, growing to an immense 350kg. Once on land the males will often not eat for up to 3 months as they use up their reserves of stored energy to defend their harem of females against rogue male impostors.
The energy needed to survive this fast requires them to eat up to 14% of their body weight per day in the period leading up to the breeding season. This results in a total estimated consumption of 900,000 tonnes per year, which is 300,000 tonnes more than the whole Namibian fishing quota for the year.
This inevitably sets man against animal with annual culling still being a very contentious issue. Research though would indicate that only half of the seals diet is made up of commercially viable fish and their feeding has little to no effect on the bottom feeding fish stocks.
Still the Namibian Government has this year granted a quota of 86,000 seals to be culled, the majority of these being pups and the remainder being bulls, killed for their genitals which are sold in the Far East as an aphrodisiac.
Last week my family & I popped down to the coast to spend a little time learning more about these fascinating creatures. Our base was the resort town of Swakopmund, staying in the comfortable and homely Sea Breeze Guest House, but the real base for seal viewing is the port town of Walvis Bay, located just 30km south of Swakopmund.
Besides being Namibia’s main deep sea port, Walvis also offers a number of leisure based boating activities from catamarans to the very popular sea kayaking. We chose to travel with Mola Mola Coastal Safaris, one of the oldest and most reputable operators at the coast.
We departed the yacht club at nine for a three and a half hour trip in search of the seals and dolphins and we were not to be disappointed. No sooner were we away from the quay side than we spotted an old friend of Wally’s, our captain and vastly experienced guide for the day.
Sally the seal hopped aboard our shiny new motor launch with the ease of an acrobat, and with
the aid of a sardine bribe let Wally talk us through her layers of waterproof fur, whiskers and powerful flippers.
Our boat was soon joined by a school of Heavyside Dolphins, indigenous to the west coast of Africa and they jumped and raced our boat, fighting for space under the prow. We were also lucky enough to spot a group of Bottlenose Dolphins who also were good enough to put on a spectacular show of speed and athletic prowess.
Pelicans swooped over the boat, eager to grab a fish on the wing from Wally’s outstretched hand, seagulls whirled and a cheeky cormorant settled on the boat, waiting patiently for breakfast.
All this feeding left us feeling rather peckish too, so right on queue the fresh oysters, snacks and champagne were served, making for the perfect end to the perfect boat trip!
For more information about visiting Southern Africa please visit our website http://www.infotour-africa.com
Puerto Escondido - for Surfing, Hiking, Learning, and Living Well
Puerto Escondio, in Oaxaca, Mexico, sits on one of the most famous surfing beaches in Mexico. This was once a small fishing village even before the Spanish conquest, but it is now home to over 20,000 people. Thousands more visit each year to catch the gigantic waves off Zicatela Beach. Others come for the hiking, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, and learning opportunities - and for the friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
This beautiful town on the Pacific Ocean was occupied long before the Spanish conquest, but it became a prominent port at the beginning of the last century, and became a major tourist attraction and hippie getaway after Federal Highway 200 was built along the coast.
You can reach the city by plane, or drive there from Acapulco, which is 400 km to the northwest along the coast, or from Oaxaco, the state capital, which is 324 km north of Puerto Escondio. A flight will take approximately 45 minutes from Mexico City.
One of the nicest aspects of this town, in addition to the views of the sea and the attractive colonial homes, is the availability of a rich variety of housing and hotels. If you plan to visit the city to see if it’s the perfect place for your retirement, you can stay in a 4-star hotel or rent a rustic cabin, depending on your taste or budget.
The local restaurants serve the traditional Mexican cuisine, but if you want a taste of Europe or North America, you’ll be able to find a restaurant that caters to your needs.
You will be able to see the famous beaches as you walk along the steets in town. Zicatela beach is known throughout the world in surfing communities, because the waves are truly huge. If you don’t surf yourself, you’ll still enjoy watching world-class surfers challenging the waves.
For a calmer, more tranquil experience, visit Main Beach, where you can swim, fish or dive. If you are just learning to surf, this would be the place to get your feet wet before you attempt to tackle the giant waves on Zicatela beach.
For a bit of peace and seclusion, you can visit Playa Bacocho, which runs for almost 30 miles and is often completely deserted. The beach is sandy, and the waves are mild. Or visit Playa Carrizalillo, a perfect spot for swimming or snorkeling because the water is warm and calm.
If you visit the area long enough, you can find several other beaches in the area, where you can go boating, learn to surf or snorkel, or just hang out on the sand. International fishing tournaments are held in the area in February and November, and the waters are known for excellent fishing for sailfish, marlin and tuna. Dolphins and whales also visit the water off Puerto Escondio, and the black coral reefs are home to a variety of smaller, colorful fish.
There are many smaller towns in the area, and anyone interested in traditional Spanish architecture and churches will want to bring a camera. Marketplaces in each village sell the local handicrafts.
If you’re thinking of retiring anywhere in Mexico, you’ll want to know the language. Many Spanish language schools have been set up in Mexico for business travelors, tourists and potential residents. There is a Spanish language school is in Puerto Escondio, that offers much more than just spanish lessons.
If you stay at the Maress Spanish School a while you can learn about the local culture, take some painting or sculpture lessons, learn to cook some Mexican dishes, and even take salsa dancing lessons. Many people combine a few months of classes with a stay in the home of a local family, and totally immerse themselves in the culture of Puerto Escondio. If you decide to do this, contact the school - they will help you make arrangements for your stay.
Thinking about buying a house in Mexico for a second home or retirement? Find local real estate experts to help you find the perfect Mexican home, and to help you make your purchase safely and legally. Visit http://www.find-real-estate-in-mexico.com
A Look At What Kensington Has To Offer
This is a mundane name for a prestigious district, but the High Street is the spine of this walk. Kensington Palace is tucked away with astonishing modesty (compared with Buckingham Palace) and is all the more enjoyable as a result.
There are fine residential streets, two fascinating small museums of the 19C, a particularly leafy and underestimated park and some good shops. These ingredients add up to one of the richest (in two senses) walks in this guide. Note that Leighton House is closed on.
Travel on the Circle and District Lines can be frustrating but is necessary to reach High Street Kensington station, the start and finish of this walk. You emerge from the station through a modern shopping mall to blink in the High Street, with shops stretching away left and right. Opposite, the Bank Melli Iran occupies a compact, very domestic-looking 19C building, it was the Old Vestry Hall, a reminder that this was once the village centre, with the church towering behind.
Turn right. The first main block of shops you reach is the former Derry and Toms now divided into the usual chain stores but once second only to Barkers as one of the great department stores of High Street Kensington. It still has a roof garden, originally a popular feature and still worth visiting for its planting, views and protected birds. It is open occasionally via a separate entrance at 99 High Street Kensington.
Cross Derry Street and behold an even bigger emporium, John Barker and Co now divided up but still to be read as a single building in Parisian Art Deco style by Bernard George. The two thin towers with vertical glazing seem both confident and vulnerable, still conveying a past glamour.
Opposite is a nasty heavy Classical store, also built for Barkers but ten years earlier and certainly devoid of any glamour whatsoever: this is equally true of Richard Seiferts Royal Garden Hotel next door (1965), a slab and podium which manages to make Modernism seem vulgar. There are some interesting blocks on the south side.
Cross over into Kensington Gardens to visit Kensington Palace. There are two reasons to see the palace. First, it is important historically and architecturally with work by Sir Christopher Wren and William Kent, and the state apartments provide a fine tour. Second it is enjoying a growing reputation as a museum of royal dress, with both permanent and changing exhibitions.
Archy Ash writes for Property Helper ltd. a site aimed at where people should buy property and their Kensington property needs at http://property-helper.co.uk
Discover the Beauty of Bulgaria
Occupying the eastern area of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria is bordered by Romania to the north; the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, the Black Sea to the east and Greece to the south.
Geography
Bulgaria spans an area of 111,000 sq. km. The topography is extremely varied with large plains and lowlands to mountains, valleys and deep, fascinating gorges.
The Balkan ranges, also called the Stara Planina, Bulgarian for mountains, traverse the country from west to east. To the north of the Balkans and forming a major part of the northern border is a fertile plateau that runs right through and joins the Danube River. The Rhodope range in the southwest includes Musala Mountain, the highest point in Bulgaria. To the east of Rhodope and the south of the Balkans lies the Thracian plain. The principal rivers include the Danube, the Struma, the Marista and the Iskur.
Population
86.6% of the population of 8,428, 006 follow the Eastern Orthodox religion while 13% are Muslims. Bulgarian is the main language spoken here; other languages include English, French, Russian and German.
Climate
On the whole Bulgaria has a continental climate with four clearly marked seasons. However, the climate in the southern regions of the country exhibits a largely Mediterranean influence. The average annual temperature is around 10.5 C. In January the temperature could dip down to 0C, whereas summer temperatures hover around 30C; rarely going above.
Monetary unit: Lev
Economy
Under the Soviet-style economy of Bulgaria, almost all industrial and agricultural enterprises were controlled by the state until 1989. However, the 1990’s saw a market-oriented reform that was precipitated by a stagnant economy, massive foreign debt, an inefficient and obsolete industrial complex and shortages of energy and food as well as basic consumer goods.
Post World War II saw the industrialization of this traditionally agricultural country. Major industries include machine building, engineering, food processing, metalworking and production of electronics, chemicals and textile. Agriculture still accounts for over 20% of the gross national product with principal crops being wheat, barley, corn, vegetables, oil-seeds, fruit and tobacco.
People
The population of Bulgaria consists primarily of Bulgars, with a substantial minority of Turks. Though there are several smaller groups of Macedonians and Gypsies, in keeping with its historic claim to Macedonia, Bulgaria refuses to recognize the Macedonians as a distinct group from the Bulgars.
History
The first Bulgarian state, located along the north coast of the Black Sea was established in 635 AD. Bulgaria spent the first half of the 20th century marred by political and social unrest. Following the First and Second Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913, Bulgaria entered World War II, during which 30,000 Bulgarian troops were killed.
In the mid 1900’s communism emerged as the dominant political force and Bulgaria became a satellite of the Soviet Union. Democratic changes came about sometime in 1989 and the very first multi-party elections were held. There was a period of economic and social turmoil during the time that Bulgaria was trying to emerge from the throes of communism, which ended in a severe financial and economic crisis towards the end of 1996.
On March 29th 2004, Bulgaria became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and in 2005, its membership for the EU was approved, subject to the implementation of reforms. A coalition government was formed in June 2005, with Socialist Party leader Sergei Stanishev as the Prime Minister, after no party received a clear majority in the 2005 general elections. Bulgaria became a European Union member on 1st January 2007.
Sandra Lightowler is the owner of http://www.informationbulgaria.com the leading online information site for Bulgaria.
Spanish Beaches
Almost 350 days of sunshine, three thousand catalogued beaches and nearly 8,000 kilometres of coastline make Spain a favourite destination for those in search of sun and sand any time of the year. Spain’s beaches are safe, clean, easily accessible and environmentally friendly. These features are backed by the quality certificates granted to the beaches after assessing these parameters. Year after year, Spain continues to be amongst the countries that receives the most Q for Quality awards in Europe.
There are plenty of beaches to choose from, each of them unique and different from the other; unspoiled country beaches and crowded city beaches, some broad with endless stretches of sand, others tiny and almost hidden from view. Whilst every beach has a distinct charm of its own, there are certain spots that should be included in your must-see list; the never-ending sandy beach at Zahara de los Atunes; Vejer de la Frontera, a charming Moorish town set on the top of a hill; the pristine coast of Chiclana, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Chipiona, Conil de la Frontera and Rota; the Bolonia cove with the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia; Canos de Meca, where the Trafalgar lighthouse looks out over the horizon and the spectacular cliffs of Barbate.
The White Sandy Beaches of Majorca
Majorca, a privileged destination in the Balearic Islands offers you some of the most outstanding coves and beaches along 550 kilometres of coast. The crystal clear, clean waters are perfect for an assortment of water sports including scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing, surfing, sailing and fishing. Go towards the north of the island and you will be greeted by small, charming coves set between pine groves and cliffs.
The Year-Round Sunny Beaches of Cadiz
Windsurfing in crystal clear waters; exciting water sports; pine groves that reach down to the shore, fascinating little coves, gigantic cliffs that rise more than 100 metres high; sand dunes, and endless beaches of shimmering white sand along 260 kilometres of coastline, the Cadiz coast invites you to bask in the sunshine in summer and in winter too. Located in Andalucia, the Cadiz coast has several protected nature areas including sand dunes, salt flats, cliffs, pine forests and pastureland for rearing fighting bulls.
Sun, Sand and Culture on the Costa Brava
Occupying a large portion of the Catalonian coata, the Costa Brava entices visitors with its crystalline seawater, rugged cliffs, small coves hidden between rocky outcrops, underwater paradise areas, charming whitewashed fishing villages and nature reserves with untouched, green landscapes. Extending over 200 kilometres over the north of Catalonia in the province of Girona and with a rich history behind it, a holiday on the Costa Brava is awash with tradition and culture; monasteries and churches; archaeological sites and monumental sites.
Leisure and Luxury on the Costa del Sol
An average annual temperature of 18C, warm inviting waters of the Mediterranean Sea, endless stretches of spectacular sandy beaches and an abundance of luxury hotels and facilities make the Costa del Sol a playground for the rich and famous at any time of the year.
One Of Its Kind - The Basque Coast
The Basque Coast in northern Spain offers 252 kilometres of coastline washed by the Cantabrian Sea and dotted with landscapes in intense shades of green and blue. Mountains, cliffs, nature reserves and estuaries surround broad beaches of shimmering gold sand. The setting is perfect for kayaking, sailing and surfing.
Sandra Lightowler is the owner of http://www.askolive.com the leading online information and Business Directory for Andalucia Spain.
North Cyprus - Land Of Spectacular Beauty
Fabulous sunshine almost all year round combined with spectacular scenic beauty, pristine beaches and exotic foods make North Cyprus a much sought after destination. More popularly described as ‘A corner of earth touched by heaven’, tourists come to visit but are smitten forever and end up wanting to call North Cyprus home. All this, combined with good infrastructure, superior quality of construction and affordable real estate prices make North Cyprus a good place to by a vacation home.
North Cyprus offers property buyers that very rare opportunity of owning beach vacation-houses at very realistic prices. This is made all the more irresistible by the superb coastal motor way that links all the main towns as well as the continued investment in local infrastructure.
Buying a vacation house on the beach is a great way to accommodate family and friends who are holidaying in North Cyprus and are looking for a place to stay. If you own a vacation home on a beach in North Cyprus you can also rent it out to tourists who come to stay long-term in winter in order the escape the biting cold of their own countries. Whether you buy it for personal holidays or as a real estate investment, a Cyprus beach vacation home in just about any coastal location is a tempting proposition. You can sit back and watch your investment grow and increase even as you bask in the sunshine in this sunny paradise.
If you intend purchasing a vacation home in Cyprus you will have to first sign an agreement with the company that owns the selected property. You will then have to get the contract signed at a cost of L1.50 per L1000 of the value of the contract. Within a month of getting it signed, the contract is deposited at the Land Registry for the purpose of securing the Purchaser’s rights.
Foreign investors are required to furnish proof that they have sufficient funds in foreign currency to cover the cost of securing the purchase. This money should necessarily have been transferred to the Cyprus Central Bank from an external account. If you intend cash and are carrying it with you in person, you will need to furnish proof that you had declared the same at the airport. After obtaining approval of import from the Cyprus Central Bank, the same has to be furnished to the Land Registry prior to getting the Title Deed of the chosen property transferred into your name. An application also has to be made to the Council of Ministers for obtaining permission to own property in Cyprus.
Find properties in northern cyprus at http://www.sweetwaterbay.co.uk/
A Guide To Islington London
The finest aspect of Islington is its rich residue of Georgian streets and squares, and this walk takes you through all the best. But it also has more than its share of local entertainment, a fascinating collection of antique shops and a market, as well as a range of restaurants, pubs and cafes. Islington was poor until it was rediscovered from the 1960s, and some parts still are, but rich and poor seem to co-habit here in reasonable harmony.
Islington was always seen as a convenient point for access to town, in the 18C as a place to ride out for Sunday afternoon tea, and later as a pleasant suburban residential area. It possessed gardens and fine views of London as well as the burlesque New River and the beneficial waters of Sadlers Wells. Only in the 19C, after the railways did it become slummy.
Start at Angel station, where you emerge into the noise and bustle of Upper Street. Opposite, across the traffic-ridden carriageways, you immediately see an Islington characteristic, a raised causeway brining the pavement or sidewalk an amenity created when the streets were badly churned up by live cattle being driven to London.
Turn right. You soon reach the beginning of the fashionable antique market confusingly called Camden Passage. It makes its way north along what was the
old High Street, in a mixture of permanent shops with a particularly rich collection in the Mall, a former tramway transformer station and street market stalls, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Briefly turn off to the right at Duncan Street, down to Duncan Terrace and Colebrooke Row. These attractive, balanced 18C streets were developed to run either side of the New River, the aqueduct brought from Hertfordshire in the early 17C (see Chapter 29). There is no sign of the river here now its course converted under a pleasing garden.
Beyond, you see the Regents Canal emerging from its tunnel. To its left runs Noel Road, where playwright Joe Orton lived at no. 25 in the 1960s. Of more historic literary fame was Charles Lamb, who in 1823 moved into 64 Duncan Terrace with his sister Mary.
Lamb (1775-1834) was an essayist, letter writer and critic, and above all a Londoner. Born in the Inner Temple, he lived with his sister at various addresses in the centre of town and later at Islington, Enfield and Edmonton, where he died. He was a friend of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
William Haztitt, Leigh Hunt and others, and literature was his metier but he also endured a full working life as a clerk with the East India Company, taking, with delight, a pension in 1825. His writings can still be enjoyed in the Essays of Elia which in places, with his letters, can convey more powerfully even than Charles Dickens the essence of the city.
The next on the right off Upper Street after Duncan Street is Charlton Place, with a pleasing crescent down its right-hand side. The heavyweight building to be seen across Upper Street is the Business Design Centre.
Archy Ash writes for Property Helper ltd. a property portal helping people service their Islington property needs at http://property-helper.co.uk
A Walk Through Highgate In Camden
At the end of the antiques area is an authentically Victorian pub, the Camden Head (1899). To the left, Upper Street and Essex Road fork at Islington Green headed by a crumbling 19C statue of the chief promoter of the New River Sir Hugh Middleton by John Thomas (1862), with a shady garden behind.
Take the right fork up Essex Road: there are still a few antique shops here but they are down market by comparison with Camden Passage. Turn left at Cross Street. Here ascend the characteristic raised pavement passing cool and refined 18C houses on both sides. At Upper Street turn right we shall be back here later to see the opposite side of the road past the Town Hall (1922) in which you may be able to visit the Islington Museum Gallery, with some local history exhibits.
Then continue to Canonbury Lane on the right. Turning down it. take a look to the left down Compton Terrace (early 19C) long and dignified looking over gardens which separate it from Upper Street. In the middle of the terrace is the startlingly dominant Union Chapel, built for the Congregationalists by James Cubitt, showing Victorian religious self-confidence at its most extreme. It is now a music venue.
Going along Canonbury Lane you come almost immediately to Canonbury Square, an extremely handsome development of 1805-30 though with a too formal garden. It was severed by Canonbury Road, which was laid out at the same time. On the southwest side the houses are on a raised terrace with a palace front, which is Bedford Square.
Walk along the north side and cross Canonbury Road to locate at no. 39a Northampton Lodge a detached villa now housing the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art. It is essential to stop here for a coffee, at least, in the excellent cafe but more important to see the tine collection of Italian 20C art collected by the American Eric Estorick and his wife Salome. It is particularly strong on the fascinating and now somewhat frightening Futurist movement launched by Filippo Marinetti in 1909. Works by Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Lialla and Gino Severini are permanently displayed, as well as temporary exhibitions.
On the east side of the square looming up inescapably, is Canonbury Tower, the oldest building in the area, which formed the northwest corner of Canonbury House a manor house built on an ecclesiastical site reallocated at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The tower is perhaps mid-16C. There is still plenty of interior decoration of the period to be seen. Open only by a pre-booked weekday appointment.
Down to the right you can see Canonbury Place, with slightly sickly green stucco, and Alwyne Villas stretching down over the former gardens of Canonbury House. You could detour to the bottom to see Alwyne Road with big later Italianate villas overlooking the New River, now rearranged in a special riverside walk with Canonbury Grove (1820s) on the other side.
Archy Ash writes for Property Helper ltd. a specialist website for helping people find information on all of their Hampstead property needs at http://property-helper.co.uk