The Ashes cricket series, contested between England and Australia, is one of the world's great sporting rivalries. Lord’s Cricket Ground in London holds the original urn and, even if you can't get your hands on match tickets, it's possible to take a look behind the scenes within the famous venue.
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In the Greek town of Ouranopolis I’m drawn to the window of an attractive, smartly designed shop selling soaps, natural products and religious icons. Even to my unschooled eye these icons look to be of far better quality than those that I saw minutes ago, on sale near the jetty.
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Every three years a number of the world’s leading young classical music conductors travel to the German city of Bamberg. Last month, from 7 to 14 June, the fourth International Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition was held.
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The attractive German city of Bamberg is the third largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site in the European Union and its cathedral holds the tomb of the only pope buried north of the Alps. However, culture and history can wait, I came here for a beer.
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The Monument to the Discoveries is today as just as much a part of the Belem landscape as the nearby Hieronymites Monastery (the ‘Mosteiro dos Jerónimos’ as it is known in Portuguese), the ornate Manueline structure which is today classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The Western Australian Cricket Association, known throughout the cricketing world simply as the WACA, is one of globe’s great sporting venues. Australia regained the Ashes here, by beating England in the third Test of the 2013-14 series.
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The Portuguese capital is chic but, in places, charmingly shabby and, if you know where to look, you’ll find a lively fashion and design scene in Lisbon.
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The Casa das Historias Paula Rego - the ‘Paula Rego Houses of Stories’ - is an eye-catching centre for the display and appreciation of contemporary art in Cascais, 30km (20 miles) from Lisbon.
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Portugal’s history, like that of all nations, is peppered with significant dates. The 1st November 1755, for example, is infamous as the day the Great Earthquake struck, resulting in fires and tidal waves that destroyed much of Lisbon and wreaked significant damage on a several other towns and cities.
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Over recent years Greece has taken a lot of stick about the way it has managed its economy. For all the shortcomings regarding macroeconomic management, Greeks certainly know how to be outstanding hosts and make their guests feel welcome.
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