Koper, Slovenia Koper traces its origins to the Roman town of Caprea. It was renamed Capo d’Istria when it joined Venice in 1278. The old city dates from this era and part of the ancient walls remain, including the Muda Gate, which was once the only way into the town by land. There are many fine buildings in the old quarter, including the Cathedral of the Assumption which was built in the 12th century. The main façade was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, while the interior was redecorated in the 19th century. The largest church building in Slovenia, the Cathedral dominates the central square in the old town.
On the south side of the Koper Square is the
Praetorian Palace, from the 15th century. It has recently been fully restored and houses the local tourist office – with its exterior stairway and elevated wings it is a fine example of Venetian Gothic. There are several attractive buildings in Carpaccio Square, named after the Venetian painter of the same name. In the middle is Saint Justina’s column, which recalls the local people who rose up against the Turks in 1571.
Korcula, Croatia The first known inhabitants of Korcula were Illyrian people, whose burial mounds can still be seen on the island. The old town is a typical medieval walled city, with round defensive towers and red-roofed houses in narrow lanes that spread off a central main street. The centre is dominated by a 15th century Gothic cathedral that was built by local masons and features delicately carved reliefs on the façade. Inside are two Tintoretto paintings. Marco Polo was said to have been born here and his house has been turned into a museum, one of several in the old town. The Town Museum has displays about Korcula’s history, with prehistoric artefacts and exhibits from the time when Dalmatia was part of Greece.
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia The capital of Sabah province on the island of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu has become increasingly popular in recent years as a base for exploring the lush rain forest and in particular the magnificent Mount Kinabalu. At more than 4,000m, this is highest peak on the island dominating the city skyline. It has over 800 species of orchid and more than 600 different ferns. The city has some interesting buildings, including the century-old Atkinson Clock Tower, which is built on a hill beside Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. It gives great views of all the main sights, including the nearby Sabah State Mosque, with its delicate grey walls and glittering domes. The State Museum combines a museum, botanical garden, zoo and a recreated Sabah village – all in the one place. Nearby is the Centre for Science and Technology and Sabah Art, with a building inspired by traditional longhouses. The six galleries have rich collections of local tribal artefacts.
Kotor, Montenegro Protected by steep mountains and fronted by the deepest fjord in the Mediterranean, Kotor is blessed with superb scenery and some wonderful architecture. Stari Grad, the old town, lies within ramparts that were built over a thousand-year period from around 800AD, and are now over 4.5km in length. The main town gate – there are three in all – is the Western Gate, built in 1555, which is surrounded by massive stone blocks. The magnificent Romanesque St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, consecrated in 1166, has a rich collection of paintings and gold artefacts, while the interior walls are covered with frescoes. There are several other splendid churches in the
old town as well as many other fascinating buildings. The Clock Tower in the Square of Arms was started in the 1600s, but an earthquake in 1667 tilted it towards the sea. Subsequent attempts to rectify this were
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undone when another earthquake in 1979 tilted it back: this time, it has been left at a slant. In the Square of Flour – so-named because of the flour warehouses which once lined all four sides – there are some superb gothic palaces built by local nobles.
Kralendijk, Bonaire Bonaire is one of the smaller islands in the Dutch Antilles and its capital, Kralendijk, lines one of the island’s many beaches, with lovely stucco houses, in pastel shades of pink, green and blue. Bonaire is surrounded by a protected Marine Park, which attracts scuba divers from all over the world. Tuna, blue marlin and sailfish abound here, as does every kind of seabird, including thousands of pink flamingos. Inland, Washington Slagbaai National Park also has flamingos, as well as dozens of other birds, iguanas, divi-divi trees and giant cactus. In Kralendijk there are lots of interesting shops selling jewellery, wood and leather products, along with great places in which to eat. The food is an enticing mixture. There are Creole dishes such as grilled spicy fish, goat stew and cactus soup and local versions of Dutch products, such as smoked meat and excellent cheese. The locally brewed beer is worth trying, as is the rich creamy hot chocolate.
Kristiansand, Norway Part of the charm of Kristiansand lies in its Renaissance style, particularly of the Kvadraturen Quadrant with its formal street plans and elegant buildings. In contrast, Posebyen is packed with tiny but very attractive traditional houses, dating from the 17th century when the city was founded by King Christian IV. The town also has some of the best beaches in southern Norway, while just offshore are small islands dotted with white houses, many of which have beautifully tended gardens. The Christiansholm fortress on the waterfront
dates from 1674: it has only been used once in anger, and is perfectly preserved, with great views out over the sea from the top of its two-metre thick walls. The tower of the Kristiansand Domkirke is also a great spot for seeing the town from above. As a building it is rather less attractive than the Oddernes Kirke, one of the oldest parish churches in Norway, parts of which date back nearly a thousand years.
Kuantan, Malaysia The fast-growing commercial centre of eastern Malaysia, Kuantan offers plenty to see and do. There are several stylish shopping malls in the centre of town, including the air-conditioned Teruntum complex. The most prominent building in town is the State Mosque, with its dome and minarets in pastel shades of pale blue and green. Nearby, the colonial Courthouse building contrasts with the ultramodern skyscrapers that surround it. Old Kuantan is worth exploring. There are some
lovely traditional places to eat (the local specialities are salted fish and fish crackers, which is the state’s famous delicacy). Also of interest are two Buddhist temples and an ornate Hindu temple.
L’Orient, France When merchants trading with India set up warehouses here in the 17th century, the location became known as L’Orient. Subsequently it developed as a shipbuilding centre. In the Second World War it was a U-Boat base and three massive reinforced-concrete structures were built to keep the submarines under cover: the base is now a museum. Close to L’Orient harbour is the Cité de la Voile (City of Sailing) a modern interactive exhibition and museum with 11 giant screens and audio-surround to recreate the sights and sounds of sailing. Nearby is the marine survey ship Thalassa, which is now a museum of oceanography. Across the bay in Port Louis (there are regular ferries) are the National
Maritime Museum and French East Indies Company Museum. They are both housed in magnificent 16th century military buildings.
La Coruna, Spain La Coruna is a delight for sightseeing, not least because of the broad array of different architectural styles. These range from a splendid medieval quarter to excellent modernist buildings, including multi- story houses overlooking the waterfront which have unusual glass-covered balconies. The Torre De Hercules, said to be the world’s oldest lighthouse, towers almost 60m over the shoreline. The climb to the top gives spectacular views over the town and its surroundings. The compact Ciudad Vieja – old quarter – is often
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referred to simply as “the city” and still has remains of the Roman wall that once protected it. There are tiny ancient churches here, such as the medieval Church of Santiago, as well as an impressive collection of galleries and museums, including the Museum of Sacred Art and the Military Museum.
La Goulette (for Tunis), Tunisia In architecture, culture and way of living, Tunis mixes old and new, traditional and modern, without much problem. In the well-preserved Medina, the traditional souk is a maze of shops in a vast covered building. Here it is possible to buy everything from dates and olives to carpets – directly from the weavers – leather goods, spices and ceramics: haggling is almost obligatory. There are dozens of coffee shops, but many are a male-only preserve: there are however wandering tea sellers offering mint-tea served from silver pots. The Bardo Museum, housed in a splendid French colonial palace, has substantial collections of mosaics and sculptures from Tunisia’s Roman past. It’s also possible to travel from the port to the ancient city of Carthage, built originally by the Phoenicians, then destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans. The ruins are spread through a residential area, but well worth seeing. The Antonin Baths are on the coast just below the presidential palace, and the Acropolium – next to the Roman Catholic Cathedral – is now a cultural centre. There’s a fine museum as well, displaying a range of finds from the area.
Laem Chabang (for Bangkok) One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia, Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis that’s busy, exciting and packed with interest. The Grand Palace, built in the late 1700s when the King moved the court, is a magnificent example of Thai architecture, which is also home to the Emerald Buddha – actually made from jadeite. Also worth seeing are the Temple of Dawn, the Tiger Temple, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Temple of the Golden Buddha. For a complete contrast, Jim Thompson’s House has a wonderful collection of art from throughout the region, collected by Thompson during his time in Thailand after the Second World War. There are lots of places to eat and drink in the city and it is worth taking time out to visit a rooftop bar in one of the many skyscrapers: relax and enjoy the stunning views. Lumphini Park is a fascinating mix of gardens and trees, not to mention street vendors, entertainers, joggers, kite flyers and families. And, for many visitors, it’s essential to go shopping: jewellery, electronics, photographic equipment and clothes are all available at amazing prices.
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was founded over 500 years ago and historical heritage is much in evidence in Vegueta, the oldest part of the city. At its centre are the twin towers of Santa Ana Cathedral. This was started in 1500 but not finished for almost four centuries, which explains the mix of Renaissance, Gothic and Neoclassical styles in its construction. In
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KOPER – LAS PALMAS
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