Disneyworld

Disney World Resort Map

Disney World in Orlando, Universal Studios, CSI: Miami and the Everglades - it is all we think of when someone says Florida. When I, as a 10-year-old hemiplegic sufferer, heard this same word, it was Disney World that caught my attention!

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse
Statue at the Magical
Kingdom.

For many kids, it is to quote Walt Disney "a wish come true." A chance to see all your favourite Disney characters, I'm not afraid of admitting my favourite was Pluto the dog and being disappointed at not finding Simba or Winnie the Pooh, seeing as these two characters made up my early childhood. No, I refused to see Peter Pan when there as I'd watched it enough with two of my closest cousins enough to recite the story line backwards and by heart. Despite living my life around geology, environmental engineering and having a simple fireworks display being transformed into a quick scientific periodic table of elements once I reached high school age (thanks Mum! thanks Dad!), going to Disneyworld is, in my opinion, the better park to go to. Unlike Paris, California and Tokyo, Orlando has a lot more to offer and a lot more opportunities to explore.

Animal Kingdom!!

As the second resort park after the original in California, Orlando has expanded and developed into the largest resort, with the likes of the Animal Kingdom, EPCOT [Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow], Universal Studios and Disney Downtown being added onto the outstanding complex of the Magical Kingdom, with its landmark Castle and Walt Disney and Mickey statue. During my time there, I also saw everyone's favourite chipmunks Chip and Dale but didn't see everyone's favourite triplets, Hewey, Dewey and Louie.

Myself unafraid of showing my
disadvantage as no-one
cared about my
limitation.

 As a hemiplegic, it gave me a chance forget that I was different, especially when there was another hidden reason for my visit to the massive complex. My dad had a friend whose son was also disadvantaged and he wished for that boy to experience some kind of childish wonder in the word. As disadvantaged kids, there was a lot of pressure to see us both achieve well as we were definitely at the back of the pack when it came to our academic studies and how we saw the world. So, as the child who was going to this wish and dream come true place, I made a vow to enjoy it for us both and to bring him something back in return so that same boy could also live like a child for a time and to give us a time to forget that we were in the proverbial and stupidly named outcast group.

EPCOT!

This is why kids at some point should get to visit Disneyworld Resort, or even its sister complexes in California, Paris and Tokyo, for the wonder of Walt Disney's legacy can touch every child, whether they be able-bodied or disadvantaged, allowing them to dream and wish and fuel their creative imaginations.

Egypt

Valley of the Kings, Tutankhamun, Ramses I and II. All these great pharaohs and places all come to mind whenever we think of Egypt. But as a hemiplegic, it is often a matter of perspective whenever I visit these Northern African communities.

Map of Ancient Egypt.

Egypt as a whole is intriguing. With its surviving history going back as far as 2800 BC when the pyramids were built and its long list of ruling pharaohs, the entire country is seeped in so much history it makes Rome and Greece look like fools. But much like Rome and Greece it has its own version of mythology, these are just a few examples:

Osiris - the God of Death
Isis - his wife and the Goddess of Life
Anubis - jackal-headed god who was also a god of Death
Horus - falcon-headed God of the Sky.
Ra - falcon-headed God of the Sun.
Sobek - crocodile-headed god of Strength.

As with any Kingdom, Country or Republic, there has also been an extensive list of Kings or Egyptian Pharaohs as they were once known. Three of Egypt's chosen pharaohs stand out more than everyone else: Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Cleopatra. each of these monarchs ruled the same kingdom but in different ways. King Tut was the boy king - ascending to the throne as a boy of eight and ruled after his father until the age of 18. King Tut is, nowadays, the predominately most popular pharaoh for tourists to view. He is also fascinating to researchers and specialists in their field as it said that King Tut had a form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a disability/disadvantage in its own right as you are conflicted with uncontrollable shaking and an unawareness of what it is going on.

However, Ramses II and Cleopatra's rules weren't all sunshine and daisies either.

Museum of Cairo where Ramses II and
King Tut alongside their possessions
are housed. 

Ramses II's rule was one of wartime campaigns and reestablishing the same religions as King Tut's father Akhenaten for his grandfather Ramses I and his father Seti I. Having not been borne into royalty like Tut, Ramses came up with a new form of ruling, choosing the role as War General and blending it with the role of Pharaoh. If a Pharaoh cannot lead his men to battle, he has no need to be Pharaoh is the generally held view of the man who became to be known as Ramses the Great and Ozymandias. Recent depictions of Ramses, mainly through DC's Legends of Tomorrow, which has recently been aired on screen, also show him to be a wise ruler and unafraid of constructive criticism.

Myself - as a child seeing
how disability was treated in the
streets of Cairo.

Cleopatra's rule was much later than either of her predecessors and comes at a time when the Roman Empire was in danger of collapsing under the strain of a Civil War, which broke out after the assassination of Julius Caesar by Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius, who were the main masterminds of the entire events. In Shakespeare's two plays - Julius Caesar followed by Antony and Cleopatra, it takes us through two key time periods: the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of Egypt's Queen, who was also with Julius Caesar before having relations with Antony, which produced issue and secured the line of Cleopatra's succession. Cleopatra's rule lasted 21 years, but has become known to history as one of the greatest rules in Egypt's history as it gave way to a brand new era.

Map of Egypt Today!

Egypt is located in Africa's northern-most right bordering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is home to the life-giving River Nile, which in Ancient Egyptian times was used as the people's main trading route from Luxor to Cairo to Aswan and Karnak.

With the Nile running through it, Cairo has become symbolic with the modern era Egypt is slowly embracing, much like Giza and the Valley of the Kings has become synonymous with the the long history Egypt possesses. Cairo is a sprawling metropolitan city of over 20 million . Yet the sights of the dispossessed and disadvantaged is enough to to make you see their everyday struggles. As a hemiplegic and 11-years-old at the time of my visit, I felt extremely uncomfortable at the amount of sufferers there were in the streets and seeing their own disadvantages.. i could see they were struggling to get and yet, at the same time I was thankful, for the UK to have one of the top national health services in the world, who would do anything to ensure that what those people were going through would never happen to me.

Egypt's Capital City Cairo.

Pyramids of Giza and the Great Spinx

Likewise, Giza has stood against the tests of time and even after five minutes after arrival, it is easy to see why Giza easily became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and how its kept its status against the huge tests of time. As the burial place of Prince Khufu, it is the largest of the trio of pyramids that were built to represent and parallel the three stars in Orion's belt. The huge Sphinx only adds to the mystery of these two likenesses and important members of Egypt's society for them to hold such prominence in Egypt's landscapes. Both monuments make everyone seem small and tiny in comparison and hold a magnificently raw regalness most other monuments cannot boast.

This is why you should visit Egypt and Cairo on a city break holiday, because you will never regret seeing and visiting Egypt's Crown Jewels.

Flag of Egypt!

Athens

Flag of Athens.

Athens - the patron city of the Olympian Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, War Strategy and Arts, and one of the few cities in the world able to compete with Rome in terms of its long history and its association with the Greek myths and legends everyone today has heard of.

Flag of Greece.

As the stories tell it, Athens became known as Athens after a competition between Athena, who gave the city's people an olive tree, and her uncle Poseidon, who gave the people a salt-water fountain. As you can most likely guess, the people chose Athena's olive tree. As time moved on, people began symbolising this event and utilising it as a saying, "extending an olive branch." This saying symbolises peace and prosperity, as well as reconciliation after a brief period of two people, whose friendship had become damaged,as well as for family members who had become estranged over time.

The Acropolis, sat on a mountain of rock in the centre of the city and towering above it, was built in Athena's honour after she won patronage. Today it is one of the most breathtaking monuments, only matching that of the Roman Colosseum in its raw majesty, and the biggest tourist attraction Athens has to offer. As such, when the Roman Empire started to grow, and Julius Caesar became the first Emperor, it was rumoured that his wreath crown held the same symbolisation but in the context of a laurel tree, not an olive tree. Since then, it has been integrated into the Holy Roman Empire, been thrown out and become its own country, not acting as some principality to be lauded and exploited of its natural resources. Nowadays, the city and the surrounding areas (Delphi up in the mountains, which has its own link to the Greek deities so many out there believed were sat high upon Mount Olympus, listening to the humans prayers and wishes) are a booming tourist hotspot location, for their magnificent views, amazing cuisine and the sheer beauty of the city with the Mediterranean Sea behind it.

Map of Greece Today.

Yet, it is this deep rooted vast history that hooks you in from the get-go. As an Ancient History buff - never get me to understand Modern History, its too mixed up in politics and intrigue, give me ancient civilisations and myths any day - it becomes apparent that this history is vital to the Grecian history. Temples of the Greek Deities, now in ruins - depict that religion and faith used to be all a person needed to get through the winter months, for the Gods, particularly Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest and Agriculture, would never abandon them and refuse to gift the people, their devoted worshippers, their divine guidance and counsel.

List of the Gods and Goddesses
 Ancient Greece believed in.

In today's society, the Greek Gods in Greek mythology influence can be seen. Zeus in the law and justice sectors. It was Zeus' sacred animals, the Eagle, that decided and proclaimed Delphi as the 'Centre of the Earth' after the Eagles flew into one another and a huge stone (rock!) was dropped at the place they collided. Hades and Charon in the ancient and traditional pact of placing two gold coins, known as drachma, on the deceased eyes - to pay the ferryman. Poseidon in his domains of the Sea, the Stormbringer and as the Earthshaker. The Grecians mainly prayed to Poseidon when they journeyed on open water, praying for a safe passage, which can be shown in ancient texts like Homer's Odyssey and, more recently, the Percy Jackson Series, where Percy prays to his father to bring them home to New York after his unauthorised excursion to the Sea of Monsters. Hermes' symbol of power, the Caduceus, on doors and windows of hospital, which is also Apollo's influence in his capacity as the God of Healing. Both Gods were also remembered for assisting people on their travels. Hera, the Queen of the Heavens and the Goddess of Marriage and Family, as well as the Protector of Women and Heroes, is remembered mostly in people's wedding vows. Demeter remembered for her guidance in farming of wheat and barley. People thanked her for a bountiful harvest before the winter season, for which her pain of losing her precious daughter Persephone to her hated brother Hades, was believed to be the reason for the seasons of Autumn and Winter. These are just a few of the many ways in which the Ancient Greek Deities inspired, influenced and shaped the people's lives.

The Acropolis of Athena -
overlooking the city.

Athens itself is the Capital City of Greece, located on the Southern tip of mainland Greece, just above the island of Peloponnese, with its residents known fondly as the Athenians.

When I visited back in (season and year), I was determined to find out everything I could about the history of Greece, how the ancient civilisation which produced famous heroes like Jason from Jason and the Argonauts and their journey to retrieve the Golden Fleece, Hercules known for his 12 labours, Achilles, for whom the Achilles heel is named after for Achilles was dipped in the River Styx as a babe apart from his right ankle and foot, and Odysseus when they fought to bring Helen of Sparta, later as Helen of Troy, the wife of King Melenaus of Sparta, back home to Sparta after Paris abducted her. Odysseus was also later known for his 10-year journey back home, during which he kept being blown off course by the might of Poseidon, which took his name Odyssey after Homer, a Greek narrative poet composed his story and that of his families left behind in Ithaca (yes I have read it!). Perseus and his tale intertwined with that of the Gorgon Medusa (both Perseus and Odysseus are my favourite heroes, though I guess it would happen if you constantly read and reread the Odyssey and watched the 2010 movie Clash of the Titans, which tell the legend of Perseus, but with a major twist in the story. Finding all this information out, learning that though their stories became legendary, these people were just humans at the end of the day made me realise one major thing - I was holding myself back, using my disability of CP (Cerebral Palsy) as the reason for why. Hearing Achilles' story brought forth parallels between us. He had a weak bad ankle and I had a bad right hand and leg. It is his story and other stories of legends in their own rights with similar disadvantages that can help those struggling to come to terms with a life-long disadvantage. It is not something to be hidden, but something to utilise, a strength, not a weakness.

The City of Athens - a tourist hotspot everyone should visit.

This is why I highly recommend visiting Athens and Greece should you find yourself struggling to accept yourself as you are. Hearing of larger-than-life people with similar disadvantages can help you mentally and emotionally.

Why Bother with... Greek mythology

I first came to love Greek mythology after I visited Ephesus on a day trip whilst on a holiday to Turkey when I was about 11 years old. Everywhere I looked, I could see temples, standing tall and proud. The craftsmanship was so detailed; it made the buildings look brand new. In truth they were built around 550 BC, around the time that the Temple of Artemis – the central masterpiece of the whole site - was erected. It was easy to see how it would have looked in ancient times. I was in a state of disbelief due to how much is still standing. It’s a shining example of that old cliché – you really do have to see it to believe it.

You are guaranteed to love the inner secrets, full of history and stories. Myths and legends have a certain amount of truth in them and Greek mythology is no exception. It acts as an insight into a large piece of global history centred on and around Ancient Greek times. There are so many debates about where the mythology originated from, as there are very few surviving factual documents from that early stage in ancient history about Greek life. And yet, even though we don’t know much, the captivating stories give us a glimpse into what life was like. People never realise how much of an impact the mythology has on the world's history. Disappointingly, the only people who bother researching it are historians specialising in the Ancient World. Even then, they are hard pushed to know accurately what the lifestyle was like back then as there is little in the way of information dating back that far.

It is very easy to learn about Greek mythology. There are so many websites and books dedicated to the subject. I first learned it by having a Greek mythology Sticker book and Activity book. I had a lot of fun learning the myths this way as I got to stick the relevant stickers to each page and completing various activities – connect the dots, colouring, and word search. It was a lot easier to understand the myths and legends surrounding Greek history using both than sitting in a classroom and trying to learn from a slideshow PowerPoint presentation. 

As I was around three or four years old when I started, my best friends/older siblings offered to read the small stories attached when they were tasked to keep an eye on me. When they did, they tended to act out the characters and show me images of their symbols as it was what they were known for. It made me laugh like hell but it became clearer each time. Even from that first encounter, I showed a preference to three gods: Poseidon, Ares and Hermes; three goddesses: Hera, Hestia and Lupa; and three heroes: Achilles, Perseus and Jason. 

With the deities, I found I shared a characteristic they prized; stubbornness and determination (Poseidon), bravery and daring (Ares), mischievousness and practicality (Hermes), temperament and later grudge holding (Hera), independency and focus (Lupa), and never giving up and quick thinking (Hestia). Ironically, when they bought the Sticker and Activity books as presents for my good-ish behaviour (if you exclude the times I hid their work equipment in the break room!), they ensured it would feature the aforementioned figures. But as always at the top of the pile was Zeus, the Sky God and King of Olympus. 

Every mythological encyclopaedia page includes a rather large paragraph on Zeus, as his story is the most well-known. Breaking generations of tradition, I am leaving Zeus alone. 

Instead, I am going to champion my favourite Greek Deity and Greek Hero.

Poseidon: the middle brother of Zeus and Hades and one of the most overlooked Olympians. You hear about him only briefly when tour guides in Athens retell one certain myth. Athena and Poseidon competed for patronage of Athens, in front of the city’s population. Poseidon caused a saltwater spring to erupt from a hole he made with his powerful trident. Sadly, however the saltwater made the Athenians ill! Poseidon’s reputation and worth were washed away quicker than the emptying spring. Depicted as a strong man holding a trident (three-pronged spear, not a long-handled fork) and being the Sea God. He is as unpredictable as the seas under his control, with his favourite slogan being: ‘The Sea doesn’t like to be restrained.’ He is underestimated by his younger brother Zeus and Zeus’ arrogant children, who believe they are better than their father's siblings because Zeus happens to be the King. He’s like a swordfish, unassuming but powerful in his own right, though some have compared him to the Great White Shark. Not much is revealed about Poseidon in the myths and when he is commented on, he is imaged as a rule-breaker and troublemaker. One legend highlighting this is the myth of the Gorgon Medusa – which incidentally involves my second favourite hero Perseus. If you don’t know who it is – watch Clash of the Titans!

Achilles is known for being a fighter but little else. An immortal and demigod. His mother dipped him in the River Styx, holding tightly to his right heel. Big mistake there momma, you should have held him by the left ankle and repeated the process! The term 'Achilles heel' refers to a person's weak point and acts as a backhanded tribute to the hero himself. Unlike Zeus and Heracles, Achilles and his heroic effort in a battle between two major enemies the Kingdoms of Greece and Troy tends to be pushed to the side when compared to Heracles and his twelve labours. 

Greek Mythology continues today depicting modern day life combined with ancient history. Novels such as 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' series by Rick Riordan enthrals modern teenagers today as they find themselves fascinated by a world that blends fantasy and history together in a seemingly effortless way.

Greek mythology is a link into the past, with the remains of a thriving community we see today. Ephesus shows the remains of a time-forgotten empire. Greek mythology may have virtually disappeared from the archives, but it will never be forgotten. What started as a spark of interest in my early years has bled into how I view ancient history as a whole.

Like many others, I have been pulled into their complex world of factual fantasy; somewhere between the two will lay the truth. But most of us will probably never find it. 

Blogger Note: This piece was inspired by a day visit to Delphi whilst on a city break holiday in the City of Athens, for Delphi is considered to be the place the Gods declared as the centre of the world after Zeus' two eagles met and dropped a stone onto Delphi's location from a great height.

Friendship

Friendships - hopefully we all have them. Some are good, some are destined to fail, and some friendships are so strong they last forever.

People have friends all around them; sometimes they are not what they seem. Behind that smile, is there really a trustworthy friend at all? They could be fickle, spiteful, and rude; but you do not see that side of them. Maybe you just see the smile. Do not trust these ‘friends’ with your deepest secrets. Those same secrets will be spread around the school by next morning. These friends are only your friends because they want something in return. Money, good grades, popularity … even blackmail material. You see it all the time. They will befriend you while you are worth something to them. After, they find another classmate to befriend. You’re better off breaking friendships with these people early on before you end up getting hurt by their actions and words. Forget the “What ifs” and the “Only ifs” as all they do is cause pain and anger. Trust me, I should know. I went through five years going through this whilst in senior school. If it does happen, you end up becoming isolated, frosty, spiky and standoffish. You end up building thick walls around yourself to protect your mental stability and emotional state. 

You are not alone.

Don’t go through the same cycle year after year making failing friendships. Don’t be one of those people who always needs to act cool and wants to be with the “in-crowd”, and not seen with the “school outcasts”. Remake old, and build new friendships with the people you know you can trust. People who aren’t going to stab you in the back at the first chance. Those friendships are something you can cherish. It’s better to have two or three true friends instead of 10 artificial ones. We can only go on for so long without best friends; they are a part of a support system. Those are the people you trust everything with. Your secrets. Your history. Your regrets. Everything. Don’t be afraid to let them in. They are not about to gossip to others about everything you have said; they have more respect for you than that. So don’t panic. Best friends like that are for life. Some of those friends may become your brothers and sisters in all but name and blood; they are the people that you talk to about problems that you are too embarrassed to tell your family. 

You are not alone.

The first time I felt like that was 14^th October 2003, a couple of months before my seventh birthday. Every other day after school I used to go to my parents company in Congleton and spend the next three hours completing my homework and then playing around the office with my four ‘brothers’ and ‘sister’. They were my best friends, my second family, and my secondary support system. They helped me to deal with my differences, compared to everyone in my year; as I am disabled I felt like an outsider. Some of my ‘friends’ used this against me every other day and made me feel like I should have never been born. My real friends gave me a chance to live my life. I still think of them as my siblings now, 11 years later. That’s the beauty of true friendships; the more time you spend with them, the closer you get.

It’s not just me either. There are lots of other teenagers in high school, experiencing the same thing. Going through life, making friends and being ditched by those same friends. It’s not a nice feeling. It leaves you despondent, demotivated, and disappointed with life. “How would you feel if that was you? How would you feel if someone you cared about was experiencing that type of life?” It’s the worst feeling in the world. No child in school should ever feel alone. No child should have to put up with … deal with that kind of bullying. Losing friendships can lower a child’s self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-value. Until they feel useless. This leads to other major issues such as lack of trust, commitment, and a total fear of rejection. Is that what you want to happen? Do you want those children or teenagers living life as adults suffering from unresolved issues and not having the strength of will and mind to overcome them? It doesn’t matter if they appear physically fine. It doesn’t matter if it affects their school workload. It doesn’t matter if it affects their home life.

What matters is these young adults and children are suffering emotionally and psychologically. It’s time to ask yourselves this: “Why should we have to deal with this every single year? Why should we have to suffer a lifetime of loneliness when we have done nothing to deserve it?” It takes a lot of bravery and strength to admit something is wrong. It took me three years to finally gain the emotional, mental and physical strength to speak up. With every individual, it could take them days, weeks, months, even years to overcome that fear of speaking out. 

You are not alone.

But there is something everyone can do to help. If you know someone who is in this precarious situation, don’t just stand there and watch from the sidelines. There is one thing you can do for them and that is to give them hope. Be a friend to them. A true friend. All it takes is one conversation. Just the one and the results have an impact on their lives. Encourage them to join online communities, social groups, and volunteer sessions. Spending time around others in the same situation can give them the bravery and strength to deal with their lives to the best of their abilities.

Always remember: You are not alone.

Blogger Note: This piece was inspired by the friendship between the Scandinavian countries Norway and Denmark.

Costa del Sol, Costa Dorada and Gibraltar

You’ve decided you wish to visit the extraordinary golden coastlines of Miami, Florida or Queensland, Australia. Well what if you had more accessible and cheaper, but just as breath-taking, alternatives because there is. The Costa del Sol, Costa Dorada and the beaches of Gibraltar in Spain.  



View of Costa Del Sol from the air.

Translated as the Sun Coast, this shoreline has been under infrequent but long ownerships and incorporated into their many Empires. From 218 BC, it was ruled by the Roman Republic, which used the Costa del Sol as a transit port for the Via Herculea, which also boosted the economy and culture of the cities dotted along this ancient oceanfront. Centuries after the decline of Roman power, the trade industry dominated the source of income in the Malaga province in the 18^th Century. Since then, the Costa del Sol has been introduced to and see the benefits of the tourism industry. The region is situated in the south of Spain between its two younger sister coasts, Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) and Costa Tropical (Tropical Coast) along the Mediterranean. Along this renowned coast, there is the city of Malaga itself, the capital of the province with the same name. The city was founded in the 6^th Century BC whilst under the rule of Ancient Carthage but received its name during the leadership of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire from 218 BC. With a populous of over 569, 000, the city is the sixth largest in the whole of the Spanish Kingdom.

Map of Gibraltar.



Rock and City of Gibraltar -
an Overseas British Territory.



Near to this coastline is the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, located on the southern tip of Spain. Known in Grecian mythology as one of the two Pillars of Hercules, after he created the Strait of Gibraltar, this section holds an importance not many people are aware of. With a population of 32.2 thousand nowadays, Gibraltar also has a long distant memory intertwining with that of Carthage and Romans. However, Gibraltar has always remained under British sovereignty during and after the fall of the British Empire, which was reaffirmed during the referendums of 1967 and 2002.  

Flag of Gibraltar.

Unlike its two fellowships, Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) is a relatively medium sized coastline included within the province of Tarragona and the region of Catalonia, between Cunit and Alcanar facing the Spanish island of Ibiza, Malta and Mallorca. One of the many metropolises on its doorstep is Salou. With a population of just under 26.6 thousand, the history has a long past as a port city for the Greeks and Romans, but it also regained its infamy in 1229, after James I of Aragon departed Salou’s harbour to conquer the Balearic Islands to create the Kingdom of Majorca. Because of the increasing tourism industry, Salou’s main attractions are the Costa Dorada, the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Monument of Jaume I and the Fountains of Font Iluminosa.

Costa Del Sol Map.

Costa Dorada Map.

In 2012, I visited the Costa Dorada and the city of Salou in the Autumn Half Term School Break with my family. Once we arrived, it was a whirlwind of “visit this place, visit that place.” But I enjoyed the holiday as it was – a simple holiday with a raw breath-taking view of the Mediterranean Sea, broken up by the Balaeric Islands, which could be seen in the distance from the rocky crevices and soft sand beaches at the shoreline. The Costa Dorada is the personification of that image in your head of a cloudless sky,

View of Costa Dorada.

magnificent coast with a natural sense of awe and an endless horizon. These contrasts and simultaneous compliments that of the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar shorelines. These two coasts I visited two years after, in 2014 on a separate trip to see the Costa del Sol in its entirety. Whilst the Costa Dorada has the raw magnificence of a rugged shore, these two smooth, gentle beaches really are staggering in their individual perfections and are definitely, from a writers viewpoint, the scene of many character reflective scenes and sections in a story, with the Strait of Gibraltar drawing your attention to the output of Morocco and the African Continent. With the Rock of Gibraltar in the background and the Strait of Gibraltar in the foreground, the local shoreline is unquestionably and categorically the place where you can lose yourself and all the built up stresses for a while until that burden of work is replaced with a sense of content and belonging. As a part of Spain, the Sun and Golden Coasts, including Gibraltar despite it being a British Overseas Territory, have a very easy acceptance about them, allowing those disadvantaged to relax and enjoy their holidays, not intruding with uncomfortable questions about anything they perceive to be different.

Have you come to your decision yet? These three Spanish awe-inspiring coasts or the more expensive versions over across the Atlantic and on the other side of the world? You may find yourself surprised with what you find on the European continent, closer to home.

Alhambra, Nerja and Barcelona

Are you seeking an adventurous and relaxing city break on the continent of Europe? Well, Barcelona may be your ideal holiday destination, with the Alhambra in Granada a place to visit should your holiday be in Southern Spain!

Map of Spain -
showing Barcelona and Nerja.

On paper, Barcelona sounds like the same old boring European city, but that couldn't be further from the truth. With a population of 1.6 million, and with the nickname of 'City of Counts', Barcelona is filled with historic wonders like the Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia and the Coloumn of Christopher Colombus. Built, sometime before the 3rd Century BC, one of the legends dictates that the father of Hannibal, Hamilcar Barca, founded the city and named it Barceno after his family the Barca's. However, since the 12th Century, Barcelona became a political powerhouse when Ramon Berenguer IV married Petronilla of Aragon (the same Aragon as the first of Henry VIII's six wives Catherine of Aragon - the mother of Mary Tudor) and their titles were merged by their son and heir Alfonso II of Aragon when he ascended the throne in 1162. Located on the north-eastern shore of Spain and deep within the crevis of the Municiple of Catalonia, Barcelona is the third most sought after European city holiday break destination.

Nerja.

Likewise, Nerja has all the markings of an historical town developed into a city. With a much smaller population of 21, 000, Nerja is the permanent address to the Balcon of Europa, the Nerja Aqueduct and the Church of El Salvador. However, unlike Barcelona, Nerja was built during the peak of the Roman Empire and its dominance of all the territories surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. They built three settlements, including Detunda, which is now a large archaeological site with seen remains. The area was later taken by the Arabs in the early 8th Century, during which the town was given its original name Narixa, which translates as 'abundant spring.' Nerja is situated on the southern tip of the Spanish Kingdom along the Costa del Sol.

Palace and Gardens of Alhambra.

In contrast to both of these modern-day cities, Alhambra is not a city by the standards through which we view cities today but is one in its own rights. Built and completed by Yusuf I and Muhammed V, Sultan of Granada in the 1300s, the Alhamra reflects the cultures of its makers and their influences. The Alhambra also shows its intended usage as the ideal place for refugee artists and intellects as the whole place incorporates natural site qualities with man-made structures and gardens. In each set of buildings, there is a quality about the place which leaves both residents in the nearest metropolitan area and tourists alike breathless at the centuries-old craftmanship which stands against the test of time. This wonder is located in the centre of the county of Granada, in southern Spain and is a magnificent complex to behold and visit.

Barcelona - View of City
from Parc de Guille,
its mosaic masterpiece. 

Flag of Barcelona.

Barcelona remains stuck in my mind and has done since I experienced its natural wonder in 2010, whereas Nerja, unfortunately, doesn't quite remain as clear as I visited the town six years previous in 2004. The Alhambra also remains stuck in my mind as a potential muse for my writing as a setting for my characters in case I wish to write about them as something different than what they are currently. This was because my visit to its magnificence was more recent in 2012. As a hemiplegic, I noticed a lot of differences in how I was treated in Nerja, but a lot more in Barcelona. The residents treated me as an everyday person going about my normal day. Yes, they asked me questions, more leaning on how I find Barcelona from a tourist point of view. But there was zero questions about my disability, no uncomfortable questions and no close analysing scrutiny. Spain, and Italy now I think about it, have a very easy acceptance about them, allowing those disadvantaged to relax and enjoy their holidays.

If you're worried about either of these three locations not being up to scratch, don't worry as these are bound to blow all of your expectations out of the water.

Sicily

Mount Etna.

Looking for a stand-alone Italian district that's not on the Italian mainland, which is a perfect holiday destination for those craving a step-back from a busy city work life. Sicily is the answer!

Rising to prominence from 750 BC onwards when the Greeks began to inhabit the island, Sicily started to become profitable and thrive on the olive and grape importing and exporting businesses. From there, a significant part of Greek culture on the island included Greek religion (the Greek gods and goddesses residing on Mount Olympus), and many temples were built throughout Sicily, including several in the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento. Afterwards, Sicily was embroiled in three wars and military strategy as the claiming prize. Syracuse became desired by the Athenians, who set out on the Sicilian Expedition during the Peloponnesian War, which also became the Athenians downfall. Later on, in the Second Punic War, the Cathaginians attempted to take back Sicily, aided by the famous Greek mathematician Archimedes, who was killed by the Romans in 213 BC. 50 years before, Greece had begun to make peace with the Roman Repubilc, with the Roman's wishing to make Sicily its first province. In today's society, it can be compared to the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, both written by JRR Tolkien, with the Hobbit being set 60 years before LotR. However, unlike these two classics, Sicily was in for another rough ride in the tides of war. Sicily served at a level of high importance for the Roman's as it acted as the empire's food pantry. The period of history during which Sicily was a Roman province lasted for around 700 years. 

Official Flag of Sicily. 

Map of Sicily - showing the major
towns and cities.

Sicily is located within the confines of the Mediterranean Sea, just off the south-western tip of Italy. It is also the largest island in the area. As such, it has a Mediterranean style climate, which is suitable for growing its vast array of crops of citrus fruits and other stereotypical tropical foods like olives.


Home to Europe's Mount Etna and Stromboli, Sicily also boasts the cities of Taormina and Catania. These two cities hold an importance in Sicily's vast history under the rules of the Romans, Greeks, Arabs and Spanish. Taormina is, in my opinion, the more exquisite of the two as it is the place to forget worries and stress but is a city that sticks in your mind from its raw magnificence. This major province of Italy is also the permanent residences of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, including Villa Romana del Casale and the Necropolis of Pantalica. These sites, coupled with these two cities shows the global stage that, despite its links with Italy, Sicily is not to be ignored and rated as second class to its older brother. 

When I ventured to Sicily, ten years ago in 2008 with my parents, I was unsure that it would measure up to the likes of Italy only for me to be happily surprised. Sicily is very much its own country in its own right with its own political system, legal system and separate architectures and culture. To say it's copying Italy is an offence to the wonder that is the province of Sicily. The country has a raw wildness to it that Italy doesn't and couldn't have. During the break, I travelled to Taormina and everything I'd read beforehand couldn't hold a candle to the sheer scale and beauty of some of the archaeological and cultural sites. As a hemiplegic, the same acceptance I'd received on the mainland, seemed to have travelled to Sicily and their own views of what the words 'different' and 'disabled' mean. there was none of the hidden prejudice and discrimination I would later come face-to-face with in high school but open acknowledgement of: 'she sees the world from a different perspective and this makes her unique.' The place is a haven to try new things from another country but also incorporates that sense of belonging of home. 

View of Taormina from the theatre on the high hill.

With this in mind, if you're wanting an Italian holiday then Sicily is where you need to go. 

Rome and Sorrento

Italian Flag as we know it today.

Every Ancient History and History buff knows about how the Roman Empire has shaped how we see the world we live in today. But do you know about the two most influential peninsulas, which helped form that time period of World History.

The Eternal City of Rome's official flag -
showing the legend of Lupa
(the Mother of Rome) and the Wolf Twins
Romulus and Remus. 

Sorrento's Coat of Arms.

On paper, Rome and Sorrento are the same type of city. They both hold a Cathedral and they both have the attractions from the same era. But these two cities are vastly dissimilar.

Nicknamed the 'Eternal City', Rome is the important city and the heart of the Roman Empire we all know and love. Built in 735 BC by the Wolf Twins, Romulus and Remus, Rome became the powerhouse of the Western Empire, including the Roman Empire. As the legend states, Romulus and Remus founded the city but after a bitter argument between the pair, Romulus became the first King of Rome after his brother Remus was killed. This bloodied founding lay down the history of Rome once the Roman Empire was established. During this time period (509 BC-1453 AD), Rome became the central hub of the Mediterranean Sea empire. With the motto of the Republic being shortened to the SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, there is no doubt this Empire can and will be able to boast being one of the greatest empires in existence. With Emperors such as Julius and Octavius (renamed Augustus) Caesar at the helm, these remains of the Roman Empire are still remembered today.

Sorrento City Map.

Rome's City map, displaying all the
attractions and sights.

Sorrento has less of a bloody history through revenge and war and more of a history through natural phenomena. With Mount Vesuvius, and the destroyed remains Pompeii and Herculaneum as the main attractions with the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast coming up as a very close second, Sorrento is always on the map for a good city break or for a proper holiday, especially with a population of 16.5 thousand. Known for that fateful day of 79 AD, Sorrento has its history intertwined with that of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Everyone on holiday in Sorrento visits those three places during these visits as everyone knows the story of Vesuvius' most famous eruption. But that does not mean, the town itsef should be overlooked. Sorrento has a huge variety of authentic Italian cuisine and materials - even architecture - for everyone to enjoy. The Port of Sorrento alone boasts a visit from Jamie Oliver himself. And yes, whilst it is busy at night when all the small businesses and restaurants are open, the town very much gives of that small Italian town ambience that is very much missing from small English towns and villages. Sorrento is also home to the Isole Sirenuse/Li Galle (the Island home of the three peaceful Sirens in the Odyssey, where Odysseus ordered his men to tie him to the ships mast so he couldn't go over board.)

Today, Rome is known as the Capital City of the Kingdom of Italy, located on the western side of the country, crossing the timeless Tiber river and built on seven hills: the Aventine, the Caelian, the Capitoline, the Esquiline, the Palantine, Quirinal and Viminal Hills. The city is in the centre of the Lazio Peninsula, which borders the Tuscany and Campania regions.

The First eight Emperors of the
Roman Empire as we know it
in History.

Likewise, Sorrento is one of the most visited cities in Italy and known throughout the world not because of it being on the political stage but the Tourism stage. The city is on the western part of the Campania region, which also shares borders with Lazio and the Basilicata regions.

Rome holds the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain alongside the Vatican City and Roman Forum. Each one of these can be found in the central district of the City of Rome with the Vatican City a little further away to ensure the peace of the Roman Catholic religious schedules. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum were built in the same two-decade period of 70-89 AD whereas the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, which depicts the three Greek/Roman titans of water Oceanus, Abundance and Salubrity with the Geek mythological Prince of the Seas and Oceanus' grandson Triton rides a chariot in the foreground, were much later additions, having been built in the 18th Century. but these two additions also adds to the mystery and wonder of this undying historical city.

Rome's famous Colosseum - where they
held Gladiator fights and shows when
Rome was the centre of the Roman Empire at
its peak. 

Meanwhile Sorrento is the home of the Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and its closeness to the town of Amalfi. Together, these two stunning locations brings a depth to the city not known for its own achievements in the history books but that of its neighbouring attractions. But, with the later supplement of Sorrento Cathedral, Marine Grande and Museum Correale, Sorrento is every bit the city which keeps going despite adversary.

Myself with my 'hidden'
disadvantage in Rome at one
of the many Fountains -
sorry I can't remember of the
top of my head which one.

When I visited Sorrento back in 2000, all I was interested in, as are most three-year-olds, was seeing how much mischief I could get into without my parents noticing. As a Cerebral Palsy - right-sided hemiplegia sufferer, which despite what people is a quite common disability to have, which also has a side which manifest similar to ADHD tendencies - this happened a lot during the trip. One memorable aspect was my insistence on being as close to Vesuvius' crater as I could and forever running off to explore Herculaneum. Though for the most part, it didn't seem like much, Sorrento has become a place I wish to visit again just to retain the memories of what I saw the first time around but never understood. So, when I visited Rome in 2013, I gained some of that wonder back, but this time with the understanding and knowledge I had on hand pertaining the Roman era and its mythology. Now that I have visited the town for the second time in my life, I can certainly ascertain why mostly everyone converges on this one town. The view over the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast are a wonder to see in person. And despite the large amount of scooter traffic on Sorrento's roads, it is one of the most beautiful places in Southern Italy.

The town of Amalfi from the air -
it gives its name to the Coast it is sat upon.

The town of Sorrento from the water -
it is a popular town to reside in on a holiday
in Southern Italy.

With the Colosseum and Vesuvius playing a part in this timeless age of history, Rome and Sorrento are a definite holiday destination.

Northern Lakes

The Three Lakes being depicted within
distance of one another.

Everyone envisions visiting a small Italian town on the shores of a crystal clear, blue lake. If this is what you're after, the Italian Lakes are the perfect spot for a quick, short break from the stresses of the city and work life. With the Italian Lakes, you can take your pick between three of the country's favourites: Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore.

Lake Garda is the largest lake out of the three and stretches from the city of Verona (where Shakespeare's Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet had their ill-fated romance) in the south-east, Brescia in the south west and Trentino in the north. The history of the Lake as a military outpost and battlefield spot is a long one from the years 268 AD to 1943 when the Axis Powers used it as a nexus for military operations and communications for the Germans during the Second World War. The city that most stands is Limone Sul Garda on the North-Western shores of the lake. The ambience of the place allows you to relax and makes every advantage over the panoramic scenery and depth of the mountains and the lake itself. Limone also prides itself on its authentic Northern Italian cuisine, which is a definite must to try.

Panoramic View of Lake Como.

Panoramic View of Lake Garda and
Limone sul Garda.

Panoramic View of Lake
Maggiore and Isole
Superiore.

Lake Como is very different by comparison. As the third-largest lake in the area, after Garda and Maggiore, it is also the deepest and allows tourists from all over the world to experience life from a very dissimilar perspective. Como is also the most benefitted lake from the tourism industry with its plethora of holiday villas and spans, rugged landscapes and wildlife. Mostly being known an as ideal holiday resort for the aristocracy and wealthy since the Roman times, Lake Como brings a raw beauty that can never be seen in everyday life. This can be seen in the many works of literature, television shows and works of art that feature the lake and/or the cities on the lake shores. One of the town/cities thriving from this trade and setting galore is Menaggio on the Western shore. Menaggio was founded and conquered, like most of the Northern towns and cities, by the Romans in 196 BC. Since then, it has expanded and developed into the atypical North Italian town it is today.

Lake Garda Map.

Lake Maggiore Map.

Lake Maggiore, however, holds a contrasting sort of beauty when compared with the other two. In Italy, it is the second-largest lake, only second to Lake Garda, but it also happens to be the largest lake in Southern Switzerland. Bordering the Italian provinces of Lombardy and Piedmont as well as the Swiss district of Ticino, Lake Maggiore holds the sort of soulful resonance you get from coming home. It is not the stereotypical lake, instead making itself more appealing with its dotted islands.

I visited Lake Garda first during the summer of 2009 and stayed at Malcesine during the trip. This gave me, oddly enough, a time to reflect upon the direction my life was taking me whilst drinking in the magnificent views of the lake and mountains behind it. Since then, I have craved to use it as a muse and setting for my pieces of writing. As a hemiplegic writer, the inspirations were endless since at the time I really truly wanted to show Italy as a place where disadvantaged and disabled young adults and children could relax and enjoy their holidays.

On a second trip to the Northern Lakes years later in 2014, I was given the opportunity to explore the exquisite waters of Lake Maggiore when I stayed at the town of Stresa. I only remember the the town simply because of how close the Islands, Isola Bella and Superiore were to the town. This, like Lake Garda before it, gave me more of an insight into the lives of the Italian people and how life in towns differed drastically from the life of the people residing in cities. Unfortunately, I have been unable to visit Lake Como but from what I have heard through the mouths of friends, Lake Como should have a pride of place on everyone's bucket list.

By and large, the Northern Italian Lakes are the perfect places to explore, relax and enjoy the simplicities of life.