Show Notes
The churches of Amsterdam are not always what they seem. One is more of a national memorial, another is an art gallery and concert venue. A third is a museum where you can learn the story of the hidden churches which opened in the 17th century and where worshippers gathered for over 200 years. The key factor is a date – 1578 – when an event occurred which changed everything: the Alteration. This episode explains what happened and then tours half a dozen of the city’s churches and explains what you can expect to find if you visit them today. Reading Suggestions Amsterdam A Brief Life of the City by Geert MakAmsterdam A History of the World’s Most Liberal City by Russell ShortoThe Invention of Amsterdam A History of the World’s Greatest City in 10 Walks by Ben Coates Links for this postThe BegijnhofThe Oude KerkThe Nieuwe KerkThe WesterkerkThe Noorderkerk St NicholasOur Lord in the Attic
More from City Breaks
This final episode in our Stratford-Upon-Avon mini-series revolves around all things theatrical. First, there's a little history on where in the town Shakespeare found his inspiration, then there are 'visits' to all three Royal Shakespeare venues as well as information on the company's museum of props and costumes. Whether you want to discover Stratford's theatres, see a play or learn more about life behind the scenes, all you need to know is here. Reading SuggestionsKnow-it-All Shakespeare Edited by Ros Barber and Mark RylanceThe Man who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell Links for this postThe Royal Shakespeare Company The 3 Stratford theatres RSC information on Shakespeare RSC Public costume hire The Play’s the Thing (exhibition) City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time!Check our website to find more episodes from our Stratford-Upon-Avon mini-series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions! You can e mail us at [email protected] if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode. That would be a big help!
Stratford-Upon-Avon has many charms – its Tudor ambiance, its riverside setting – but really there’s only one reason why it attracts up to 6 million visitors in a year. Shakespeare. And this episode is dedicated to places where you can 'find' him there today. There's a little biographical background, focussing mainly on his Stratford years and a run-through of five of the most significant places in his life which you can still visit today. As usual, there is much more detail on the podcast.
Ok, so Stratford-upon-Avon is not actually a city, but as a town which punches well above its weight historically and culturally, we’re giving it an honorary place in the City Breaks collection. This is the introductory episode, with a little geographical and historical context and an idea for a first get-your-bearings walk around Stratford. It will introduce you to Stratford's Tudor gabled houses, riverside setting, swans and boats and, of course, give a flavour of Stratford as Shakespeare's home town, where he was both born and buried and where he bought the town's second biggest house as a retirement pad. So, with no more ado and as the great man himself might have said, shall we wend? Reading SuggestionsStratford-upon-Avon Quick Trips by Cynthia AtkinsA-Z of Stratford-upon-Avon by Will AtkinsSecret Stratford by Nicholas FoggShakespeare The Biography by Peter Ackroyd Links for this EpisodeVisit Stratford-upon-Avon Guided walks around Stratford City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time!Check our website to find more episodes from our Stratford-Upon-Avon series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk We love to receive your comments and suggestions! You can e mail us at [email protected] if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode. That would be very much appreciated!
Both Vincennes and St Germain-en-Laye make excellent days out from Paris, or even half days as both can be reached by public transport in less than half an hour. Each has a magnificent castle to visit, plus a range of other cultural, relaxation and shopping possibilities. So this episode tells you how to get to each place, following up with what there is to see and do there, plus – bien sûr! – a few of the interesting historical snippets which will inform your visit.
This Paris episode covers two of the most beautiful châteaux in the Paris region. Both are easy to reach on public transport and both have fascinating stories to tell. We cover how to get there, what you can expect to see and make sure we cover the most interesting tales – François I’s show-off gallery, Napoleon’s refurbishment to impress the Pope and the party-to-end-all-parties which went ended in disaster and ruination.