julian A anderson

Almaty, Kazakhstan

 

I first visited Almaty in the early 1990s not long after the country became independent. My most enduring memories were the dark streets after the lights were switched off at night, the stunning mountains emerging from behind paint peeled blocks of flats and the sudden 20 degree drop in temperature, that meant I could need little more than a tee shirt and jeans in the morning and be making my way back to the hotel in snow in the afternoon.

The Medeo ice skating rink is worth a visit just for its location. http://www.almaty-kazakhstan.net

 

 

Füssen, Germany

 

Füssen is a little town on the German-Austrian border and because that part of Austria is narrow, it is possible to have breakfast in Germany,  lunch in Italy, an afternoon walk in Austria and be back home for dinner. Most people will probably go to this part of Germany for Neuschwanstein Castle, but the town is well worh a visit . Füssen is one of my favourite places in the world. http://www.romanticroadgermany.com/fussen

 

 

Hopa, Turkey

 

I visited the Turkish port of Hopa for a trade exhibition. Then it was a functional port rather than a typical tourist destination and for that reason, perhaps provided a flavour of what some might describe as ‘real’ Turkey.  However, the countryside surrounding the town is stunning and the people are amazing. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/hopa

 

 

Noril’sk, Siberia

 

This is definitely not a tourist destination even if you were allowed to go there. Foreigners were briefly allowed in during 1990s. It is supposed to be one of the world's most polluted towns and the ever present smell of burning is something that can take months to shake off. Neither can it be described as pretty but Noril’sk does provide a visual summary of the 20th century’s darker history.  http://www.amusingplanet.com

 

 

Stour Provost, UK

 

Is a typical Dorset village that was as much a part of my childhood as the village I grew up in. My grandmother lived close by and we would often visit the one and only shop on our return from our long walks. Duncliffe was another regular destination and the Oak, now a private house, was the place where I first got out of my head on scrumpy.  http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk