Denmark

I visited Denmark in 1992 with my family and returned in 1993.Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and has many famous landmarks not least of all the little mermaid of the Hans Christian Anderson story. Tivoli is an amusement park with many attractions and fantastic firework displays. The city of Copenhagen has the longest shopping street in Europe and most people have very good English.

Italy

We had a school tour to Italy in 1993. We travelled through Paris, Switzerland, Milan and Venice ending up in Lido de Jesolo. Milan was as I had heard a busy, bustling city with a constant buzz from people milling about. Venice was much more sedate and an experience travelling by boat from street to street. Lido de Jesolo is a tourist destination and has a beautiful sandy beach. Having taught Italians and visited the country I would love to learn the language and will someday.

France

Throughout my childhood we travelled to France on holiday and thus began a long love affair with the country. In 1986 we stayed in Carteret, in 1990 St. Jean de Monts and in 1994 Palymere. I studied French in school and university. My one dream was to be fluent enough to pass as a French person. In March 1996 I went to work as a Site Supervisor on a campsite near Saumur in the Loire Valley. It was hard work but a very worthwhile experience. I worked with Dutch, English and Danish people. The Loire Valley is beautiful, full of chateaux and vineyards. I hope to return some day.

The Basque Country

In 1997 I worked in The Basque country in Spain as a TEFL teacher. In September I went to the Basque Country for three months. I lived in a small village called Mutiku(pictured above) and taught English to all age groups and levels. The Basque Country is breathtakingly beautiful with mountains surrounding the golden beaches. San Sebastian is a very cosmopolitan city with an old quarter and long shopping streets. The Basque people are very friendly and identify themselves with the Irish and of course the struggle for independence. They speak Euskera(Basque language)and still maintain their traditional customs.