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Amsterdam is not your typical city, it does have lots of character and what some may consider a racey city with constrasting aspects such as the culture and the relaxed ambiance, the art and the architecture. Perfect for any cultural travel itinerary!

But if you want to know what I mean exactly by “racey”, “contrastig” and “relaxed ambiance” you definitely want to keep reading!

The Intriguing City of Amsterdam

Many people are drawn to visit the Netherlands because of the infamous city of Amsterdam; it scares some, appalls others, and intrigues many. Nevertheless it is a city filled with unique experiences.

But what makes Amsterdam so “one of a kind”? And most importantly, how does it go above and beyond the norm to overcome ingrained societal stereotypes?

The Bike Culture

Within a few moments of arrival visitors will notice that biking is more than just a hobby in the city. A legitimate bike culture exists within the city of Amsterdam.

Roads are lined with extensive bike lanes, there are cheap rental places left and right, and concrete bike parking policies are enforced around the city.

This bike culture provides great benefits to the city and its people, including increases in health and wellness among residents and decreases in pollution levels.

For the most part, Amsterdam is a rather flat so getting across the city is usually not a very difficult task and the mostly mild weather provides ideal biking conditions, even for business professionals.

The intriguing city of Amsterdam, bike culture. Photo: Elsa Thomasma.

In general, it is estimated that over one million bikes inhabit the city’s streets on any one day, easily more than the number of cars.

For visitors, renting or purchasing a bike can be an ideal way to get around the city affordably, while experiencing the local culture fully. Riding through the streets among locals and tourists creates a splendid, almost childish, experience.

Many foreigners may be surprised to see the majority of bikes are in the traditional Dutch style and have backpedal breaks similar to most bikes for small children, adding to the experience; in any case, it may take a little brushing up to get the hang of riding the traditional Dutch bikes, though modern bikes are also quite widely available.

Alternative Drug Policies

Within the city of Amsterdam use of certain drugs is apparent, accepted, and legal. When walking from one street corner to the next it is hard not to pass by a store selling marijuana infused suckers, tins of magic mushrooms, or salvia seeds.

Even the most innocent looking store often sells pipes in the back room for tobacco or pot leaf adorned key chains near the checkout. With all this drug paraphernalia at their fingertips, foreigners would expect a huge drug problem in the city among locals, equipped with gangs, crime, and violence. However, this is far from the truth.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city, saturated with Dutch culture, historic brick buildings, and lazy canals. It is far from a reflection of a typical inner city with a high rate of drug use.

Instead the open minded, free-use drug policies create just the opposite. Yes, visitors may come to the city to have new experiences not available so openly at home, and yes, there may be individuals who drink too much just like in any other city.

But overall locals use the drugs responsibly and nonchalantly, so if visitors choose to indulge they should be very aware of their limits in order to adhere to local expectations.

When peering in shop windows or looking at a coffee shop menu the differences between Amsterdam and other European cities is clear; but when strolling down a typical alley or street Amsterdam is just another historically-engrained city in Europe.

Amsterdam, Dam Square. Photo: Elsa thomasma

Extensive Canal Systems

From nearly any point in the city a canal can be seen, it makes for both confusing and helpful navigation, considering many of the canals look exactly alike yet they still act as a stable landmark.

Hundreds of canals exist across Amsterdam, historically used for transport of goods throughout the city. Presently, locals drive boats through the canals as a pastime, tourists see the city by canal boat tours, and some residents permanently reside in houseboats lining the canals.

The extensive canal system makes it quite easy for locals, and foreigners, to use the canals for public transport to and from various destinations around the city. Acting as canal ferries, boats leave at regular times from particular dock points, allowing passengers an eco-friendly way to get around the city.

Boat. Photo: Elsa Thomasma.

A Taboo Income

Any foreigner visiting Amsterdam inevitably stumbles upon, or curiously explores, the Red Light District, which encompasses many street blocks at night and is the largest of its kind in the world.

The term Red Light District refers to strings of windows where women stand behind after dark, literally marketing themselves to locals passing by or tourists in disbelief. Many people see this district as completely derogatory towards women or as a promotion of prostitution.

But for the most part the tourist side of the Red Light District remains harmless, especially to foreigners, and can be quite entertaining at times.

Though prostitution is legal in the city and highly regulated, illegal prostitution activity is still regularly prosecuted and overall it is still a moderate social issue for certain populations.

Legalization does allow participating women to receive work permits, which means they have certain labor rights and receive more legal protection. Gradually the city government is closing down brothels or windows that don’t abide by the laws, and as a whole they are becoming more strict on the business.

Artistic Influence

Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, all of these major classic artists have original works of art in Amsterdam. There are replicas for sale on almost any city block or displayed in the nooks and crannies of local establishments.

Van Gogh has an entire museum dedicated to his work, and any-level art enthusiast can find beauty and amazement within the gallery walls. The Rembrandt House Museum is a must see for art history buffs, displaying not only his works of art themselves but the locations where he created them.

The Rijksmuseum displays all types of art work from antique china, hundred year old Dutch gowns, and intricate models of history’s ships. Art is also apparent in the city’s architecture, tall, lean brick buildings dot the streets each, with some unique touch setting it apart from the others.

From the exterior the EYE Film Institute is literally eye catching, and the interior is filled with a plethora of viewing pleasures from the past and present.

Whether for a weekend or a semester, Amsterdam, infused with history and modern day wonders, will satisfy any travelers curiosity for the land of the Dutch while exposing them to every entertaining quirk the city has to offer.

Author Bio

Elsa works as Content Manager of GoAbroad.com‘s Asia Office and spends her free time managing her community center through a local NGO and helping people rebuild their lives.

Visit GoAbroad’s Jobs Abroad in the Netherlands Directory

Then Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the islands last November and the article not only got postponed, but it took on an entirely different approach.

When we spoke again we agreed that it would be wonderful to know how including the Philippines in your travel itinerary at this point in time could benefit the islands in their recovery.

Here is a heartwarming peek into Filipino culture and how they’re slowly moving past the disaster.

The Philippines: Culture, recovery, tourism and the future of a breathtaking island nation

The Philippines is a hidden gem amidst the crystal blue waters of the South Pacific, thousands of uniquely formed majestic islands.

In November 2013, the largest storm in the history of the world ravaged across the central region of those precious islands, killing thousands, destroying many more homes, and leaving millions in devastation.

In the after math, the nation is faced with the enormous task of rebuilding the lives of all those affected and restoring the beauty that once attracted tourists to the region, as well as make up for the economic losses sustained there.

Tacloban City from the air, two months after the storm. Photo: Elsa Thomasma.

How Filipinos deal with tragedy

Filipino culture strongly emphasizes resilience and optimism, the people are not easily shaken by life’s challenges; these characteristics have been the nation’s saving grace in the wake of the disaster.

The locals hardly left any time for mourning and sorrow, and instead they have pushed forward with unbelievable courage and strength, fighting to regain the lives they once had.

Hours after the storm individuals began rebuilding their homes, washing their clothes strewn about the streets, and preparing food to provide them with the energy to search the city for surviving friends and family.

Rural village entirely devasted by the typhoon (this is the community where I built an evacuation center). Photo: Elsa Thomasma.

Despite an overwhelmingly apparent level of shock among the faces of survivors hours after the storm, there was, and still is, and air of progress and hope; a great desire to move forward and overcome the numerous losses.

Individuals, families, and communities have bound together, working hard to provide one another with the necessities and the ability to survive each day.

Families living in homes with lesser damage welcomed those who had lost everything. Strangers helped those with injuries travel to the hospital for essential treatments.

Even the smallest amount of food was shared among many, distributing the burden of unknown future supplies.

Rebuilding a nation

Things have changed drastically since the typhoon in November 2013, but the islanders are still in need of a great deal of help to fully rebuild and recover.

The typhoon was incredible is size and strength, yet the majority of the Philippines’ islands remain untouched.

Individuals from these areas came in flocks during the first month, bringing essential goods and supplies, seeking out surviving relatives and friends, and eventually trying to organize large scale relief efforts.

A market moving towards normal operations post-typhoon. Photo: Elsa Thomasma

They shared valuable information from the outside world with survivors, settling their curious, confused minds by enlightening them on the true scale of the storm and the pending relief efforts.

Two months later, the same individuals that flocked to the region are now able to return to their normal lives, though they continue to assist survivors by contributing to the nation’s economy and attempting to launch their own regional fundraising and donation collections.

How travel can help the Philippines

In this same way travelers can contribute greatly to rebuilding the nation by venturing to one of the naturally wonderful islands that are still very much present across the nation.

The islands welcome travelers from around the world to bask in the golden rays of sun while peacefully melting into the white sand beaches and hospitable culture of the Philippines.

Tourism can help the Philippines rebuild from this tragic storm, by bringing in much needed revenue while at the same time introducing internationals to the exquisite splendor of the Philippines.

Each island offers travelers something different, hosting a variety of geographical features.

Visitors can spend the morning sailing the Pacific Ocean or cliff jumping into crystal clear, aqua waters, and spend the afternoon getting a massage within inches of soothing waves on the shore.

There are islands ideal for those seeking adventure, from white water rafting to rock climbing and zip lining, such as Palawan or Davao.

Cliff jumping. Photo: Elsa Thomasma.

Remote islands offer visitors complete seclusion from the outside world, a place to disconnect from all worldly complications and enjoy nature at its finest (just ask a local and they will be able to share all the secret getaway islands).

More frequented islands have complex chains of resorts for couples and families, where nearly every activity is available, especially the islands of Cebu and Boracay.

Traveling to the Philippines, specifically, has many added bonuses too, affordability, a genuinely hospitable, friendly culture, consistently pleasant weather, and convenient forms of transportation from one place to the next.

Breathtaking landscapes. Photo: Elsa Thomasma.

Before you go to the Philippines

There are a few things foreigners should know before coming to the Philippines:

1. Everything and everyone runs on “Filipino Time”, so remember patience is a virtue, expect everything to come as it may because promptness is NOT a virtue in the Philippines.

2. Filipinos love to eat, and subsequently you will love to eat Filipino cuisine. Staple dishes always include a touch of garlic, soy sauce, onion, and vinegar, homemade cooking is a must.

3. Honesty and helpfulness are engrained at birth in the Philippines, expect the utmost level of assistance when you are in need of anything from anyone (and remember it really is honest help so no need for wariness).

4. Locals never take life too seriously, so enjoy it, don’t fight it!

5. Foreigners are intriguing to many Filipinos, so don’t be surprised if children call out to you shouting “hello!” or asking you your name.

Gorgeous beach in Boracay. Photo: Elsa Thomasma

Volunteering in the Philippines

Once introduced to the fun-loving Filipino culture, it is more than likely that visitors will also feel compelled to give back to the Philippines by donating some of their precious time to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan or volunteering in other needy regions of the country.

There are relief operations all around the country, but volunteering on the island of Leyte, which was most greatly destroyed in the storm, will surely provide individuals with plenty of ways to help the nation recover.

In the Philippines, hard work and leisure mix perfectly.

Author Bio:

Elsa has been traveling to the Philippines since 2009. After building a community center in a rural village in 2013, she decided to move to the islands permanently.

The city where she chose to relocate was at the center of Super-Typhoon Haiyan’s destruction, so she is in fact a survivor herself.

Elsa works as Content Manager of GoAbroad.com‘s Asia Office and spends her free time managing her community center through a local NGO and helping people rebuild their lives.

Definitely Philippines is an incredible place to visit, and now it is even more poignant to get there, learn from their culture and help them rebuild their home.

Now I want to hear from you: What is one aspect of Filipino culture you wish your own culture had?
Have you ever been to the Philippines before? What struck you the most?

Share your comments in the field below or join us in Facebook!

Today I’m going to share with you 9 no-brainer tips that I’ve used myself (and you can too), to protect your relationship and have the trip of your dreams next to the guy/gal of your dreams!

Does that sound good?

Is travel with your spouse really all that hard?

Well, even though the famous Tom Cruise’s “you complete me” line in Jerry Maguire had many of us sighing in romantic bouts of breath, in reality, you are really two very different people.

When it comes to travel, you may have different expectations and travel styles, different physical energy, different tastes in food and different interests.

Like I said in my last article, traveling with your Honey can cause stress if you don’t consider my 6 recommendations before your trip (if you haven’t read them, I suggest you do); but there’s also stuff to do while enjoying that eye-opening awe-inspiring cultural trip.

So here are 9 things you can do to make your trip memorable:

1. Choose a private room

Traveling with a partner does have advantages like cutting costs in half by booking a room for two.

I am not personally the kind of traveler that would stay at a hostel with shared rooms and bathrooms, (not even traveling solo).

But if you are, a trip with your spouse is the occasion to book a private room and enjoy a relaxing, unwinding evening after a grueling day of walking around a new city.

If you can splurge a little, you can even get a room with a nice hot tub at a great price, and well… prepare for the next day in your cultural travel itinerary of sightseeing and exploring the city!

2. Each is responsible for their luggage

First rule of any cultural traveler: pack light. Second rule of any cultural traveler on travel with their spouse: you are responsible for your luggage.

Now, this one goes especially for you, my lady traveler. Yes, he is the guy, but that doesn’t mean he is your lackey.

First of all, edit your luggage to bring as little as possible. That may very well mean a lot less than you think you need right now.

Secondly, make sure you only carry hand luggage: a carry-on bag and one purse; that’s it.

Editing and cutting back on items will ensure that you are able to carry your luggage around and that you are not burdening your hubbie with it.

3. Be mindful of hunger, restroom needs and tiredness

Three things that can put anybody in a foul mood: being tired, being hungry and having to go to the bathroom.

The best advice I can give you is to be flexible and understanding with your spouse (or travel partner) while on your trip.

You should have discussed these matters before departing and tried to come up with solutions or code signals for when the experience is really turning into the unbearable.

You know yourself, so share with your partner the best ways to deal with you in these stressful situations.

Research online where restrooms are located and where they are not and plan accordingly. Also schedule enough time to sleep and rest in your cultural travel itinerary.

As you’re in the middle of your travel with your spouse, make sure to pack a few snacks to eat along the way if there are no restaurants nearby.

4. Try to stick to your cultural travel itinerary and bring navigational tools

Well, of course, I’m all about the travel itinerary and if you’re reading this, it means you are too. Having a pre-designed travel itinerary allows you to be in the moment instead of planning on the go.

If your spouse is more of the spontaneous kind, compromise and negotiate your next moves. In any case, having good navigational tools can save you the stress of getting lost.

Have a printed map at hand, or bring your GPS device along.

5. Beware of local customs

Make sure to do your research in regards to local customs for couples.

PDAs (public displays of affection) are against the law in some countries and in others it’s frowned upon.

In some countries (like some Islamic countries) male/female couples are assumed to be married; people may ask you if you are married or not.

Wearing your wedding rings can put locals at ease and prevent some embarrassing or potentially dangerous situations.

It’s not uncommon for locals to ask how much a man wants for his girlfriend and offer payment.

Find out about the dress code and how men and women act towards each other as a couple and towards strangers.

Leticia, Amazon Jungle, Colombia.

6. Include romance in your travel itinerary

Yes, you want to see it all; yes, you’ve been dreaming about this trip for a long time; but don’t forget that you are here with the person you love.

Make time to just be with each other, and if local customs allow it, use this opportunity to get closer and get to know each other better.

Romantic destinations such as Paris are perfect to express your amorous side!

Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA.

7. Keep a sense of humor

Look, mishaps will happen, you’ll embarrass yourselves in front of the locals, or one of you will get scolded for slightly touching a tassel in a grandiose palace (like it happened to me).

Keep a light mood about it, go with the flow and laugh it off! Don’t let minor things spoil your fun!

8. Don’t discuss sensitive issues while on vacation

Even if the two of you are working some issues out, your cultural travel experience is not the best place to discuss them.

Give yourselves some space to enjoy the experience, take a break from the tension and to breathe some new air.

The trip itself can give you an entire new perspective on things and you’ll have plenty of time to solve things back home.

9. Be flexible

… and roll with the punches. Sh*&t happens, particularly when you’re in a new place. Things don’t always go according to plan.

And to us planners, that can set us off in a fit of rage.

But let me ask you: is it worth it to ruin this time with your spouse?

You are together, just regroup, reset and move on.

Now here’s what I want you to do:

First, if you enjoyed this article, pass it along to someone who might benefit from it or share it using the icons below.

Second, go to the comments and tell me: What’s the best thing about travel with your spouse?

What is something new you learned from this article that you’ll implement the next time you go on a journey with your soulmate?

When you’re passionate about cultural travel, having somebody to share that with is even better! But can you and your spouse stand the test of an intense cultural travel itinerary?

It may not be as easy as it sounds… love may not be enough to stop you from driving each other crazy.

Of course, when I say “spouse” I also mean, boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancée or significant other.

Now, these tips can also apply if you’re traveling with your sister or your best friend, so take what applies to your case and start dreaming about your next travel itinerary.

Why is travel with your spouse different?

Even though these are the people we love to death, our partners usually know how to push our buttons; and in travel some leadership and control issues may arise.

As with any relationship, assuming that we’ll go together and everything will be perfect “just because we’re in love”, is unrealistic and even childish.

The best way to truly enjoy travel with your spouse or partner is to communicate effectively, plan ahead together and share responsibilities.

In this two part series I will be discussing what you need to do before your trip and during your trip in order to preserve your relationship, have the experience of a lifetime and even bring you closer to your Honey.

Step 1: Understand your travel styles

Have you discussed travel with your spouse before? Are you the nerd who’s into cultural travel while he wants to sleep in a tent hanging from a mountain? Or does he get bored by museums while you can’t stand to go out to check the local clubs?

It’s not that you can’t travel if your styles are radically different; but it will definitely be more challenging.

As with many things in relationships, you need to negotiate and compromise a little, to accommodate both of your tastes and passions.

If you happen to share the same travel styles, you are SO lucky! You may already agree on most of the things you want to see and do.

Washington National Mall.

Here are a few questions you can discuss with your partner, in order to determine the points you need to negotiate:

• Are you into 5 starts hotels or hostel is fine?
• Are you the kind of traveler who likes to plan, or would you rather just wing it?
• What happens if something doesn’t go according to plan?
• Do you like to go quickly through exhibits and places or do you like to take your time to digest all the information?
• Do you like to get up early and avoid crowds, or would you rather sleep late and start your sightseeing later on the day?
• Do you have to go everywhere together, or can you do some activities each on their own?
• What’s your attitude toward money? Are you trying to stick to the budget or is the urge to splurge allowed?

Try to find areas of agreement and areas where both need to compromise a little.

Step 2: Compare travel wishlists

If you don’t already have your personal travel wishlists, I suggest you each create one. Then, you can compare and see where you match and where you don’t.

You should take the time to listen to the reasons the other person wants to visit a certain place that may not interest you. Most likely they know something you don’t, and you can both enjoy a trip there!

You’ll get to know each other a little better and get closer by sharing your passions.

Finally, you can even create a joint travel wishlist of the places you want to visit as a couple and start visualizing which trips you want to do in the future.

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris.

Step 3: Decide on a destination

Now it’s time to start making some choices for your next romantic (or not) getaway. You could each, for instance, assign a grade from 1 to 5 (5 being the highest) to each place.

Then you can then compare again and see where you both agree, discuss pros and cons and come to a decision.

Step 4: Establish ground rules

Once you’ve both made up your minds about a destination, you need to make an objective assessment of your travel styles and quirks and what to do when tension arises.

Look, cultural travel with your spouse can be demanding! You can become stressed that you may not arrive to the museum on time, you may be annoyed by the crowds, or worried that you can’t find a restroom quickly enough.

It’s best if you brainstorm possible scenarios that could cause tension and bickering between you, and come up with solutions, so that you know ahead of time how to support each other.

• For instance, is one of you much more active and athletic than the other one? How much physical activity will you be doing? Decide how many hours you expect to walk every day.
• And what will happen when one of you is too tired to continue? Establish some actions that you can take.
• How will you handle unexpected events that may affect your cultural travel itinerary? Decide how you’ll regroup and adjust and what your attitude will be.
• How will you react when your spouse wants to spend extra time on something you’re not so interested in? Research alternative activities.

Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Step 5: Decide on a cultural travel itinerary

I have 3 key insights when it comes to establishing your itinerary:

a. Compromise: There are things that will excite you both. Some may not. You both need to compromise a little, so that each has the experience they dream of. It’s all part of being a team!

b. Plenty of time to execute: Give yourselves enough time to reach the places you want to visit and achieve the goals of the day. Being rushed all the time is no fun and can cause tension.

Remember to plan with an abundance mentality: you will come back.

c. Don’t be afraid to be separated: The truth is you DON’T HAVE to do everything together. In my last trip to New York with my husband, we didn’t have enough time to visit all the Met, so we decided to split.

We agreed on a time when we’d meet again at the lobby and we both had our iPad and iPod touch ready to chat with each other if need be.

We even sent each other pictures of neat things we were seeing along the way. Nowadays technology makes it all easier. The point is you can figure out a way to maximize time by not always being together.

Step 6: Work up a budget

Discuss and negotiate your travel budget and allocate reasonable amounts to all aspects of travel like food, transportation and even shopping.

Be very clear on how much strain you want to put on family finances; you don’t want to go broke because of your next cultural trip. Be smart, save in advance and spend frugally while on your trip.

And remember to purchase travel insurance for both of you and consider it into the budget.

That’s it, this is all the prep work you need to do before your trip, to ensure that it will be a fulfilling and wonderful adventure with your mate.

Travel with your spouse doesn’t have to be stressful or annoying! Meet me next time, when I’ll speak about the actual trip!

What about you? Have you traveled with your spouse before? Let me know how it went!
In the meantime, share your comments in the field below or join us in Facebook!

If you missed it, I highly suggest you go back and read it!

Today we have part 2 packed with more heart-opening stories and experiences and some very useful travel itinerary recommendations.

So we’ll begin with question 11:

11. How should a traveler prepare before his/her trip to India?

If someone wants to have a more in depth cultural experience in India (and not just a relaxing resort holiday or a quick trip to see the Taj Mahal), than I would definitely recommend traveling through some other developing countries first.

India can be overwhelming for the first time visitor, so it will help the traveler to already have some experience navigating places that are very different from what they are used to.

Also, I’d read some books and watch some movies about India in order to learn something about the country’s history, culture, and people before arriving.

That bit of mental preparation can go a long way when someone is suddenly thrust into a very different environment than what they’re used to.

Also, women who visit India, particularly if they physically stand out as very Western, would be wise to prepare themselves for the difference in cultural attitudes toward their gender that exist in much of India.

In order to both be respectful of local culture and to attract less unwanted attention, packing loose fitting, conservative clothing is essential.

The planning supplement to the e-book goes into greater detail on how to prepare for a trip to India.

Ancient ruins in Hampi.
Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

12. What are some real dangers to watch out for?

Before I address this, I’d like to say that dangers such as what I am about to discuss exist in many places in the world, and are not unique to India.

However, India’s intense crowding and resulting competition for economic resources can amplify their presence here.

That being said, it would be wise for the first time visitor to be aware that scam artists do operate in areas popular with tourists, and that the visitor will almost certainly be approached by at least one of them.

Some will try to persuade you that all the trains are full, and then attempt to convince you to hire a costly personal driver to take you around the country. I know many people who have fallen for this trick.

Or they might tell you that your train has been delayed or cancelled, and then whisk you over to a tour agency where you can be sold overpriced bus or plane tickets. I myself nearly fell for this one.

Also, as I hinted at before, women would be particularly wise to consider the signals that they give when speaking with local males, as these signals might be interpreted by the receiver in a very different way than how the sender intended.

Plenty of Western women that visit India don’t have negative experiences, however, so it would be unfair to generalize. But this is still something to definitely be aware of.

On the flip side, dangers that exist in many Western places are much less pronounced in India. For instance, the threat of violent crime is much lower in Indian cities than in a typical American city.

Also, one needs to keep in mind that for every person who could be perceived as a danger in India, there are thousands more who are sincere, thousands more who will immediately offer you genuine friendship, and thousands more who would go to great lengths to help you in a time of need.

13. What do you want the regular western traveler to know about India?

That India is a more diverse country than anywhere we have ever experienced.

Although we may consciously try to avoid doing so, we all inevitably end up associating the places that we have not visited with a particular object: for instance, Spain might be “flamenco“, South Africa might be “safari“, or Japan might be “technology“.

None of these are fair representations, and with India, any simple, preconceived associations that we hold are totally invalid.

There is as much or more diversity in India than exists in all of Europe. That is a big part of why India is such a special place to visit!

The sun sets over Rajasthan’s blue city, Jodhpur.
Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

14. Would you recommend going solo or in a group?

It depends on the person. If someone has not traveled solo before, India is definitely not the place to start.

However, don’t let this stop you from coming: it is incredibly easy to find other like-minded travelers to join up with once you have arrived. For women this is especially recommended.

Also, being in a group can be very helpful to keep yourself emotionally grounded in the face of so much new information to process.

Groups can also be great for giving one a break from having to always “be in the driver’s seat“: constantly making decisions on where to go, where to stay, where to eat, and how to deal with unfamiliar situations.

On the other hand, those of us who travel solo are offered opportunities to connect with locals to a degree that simply does not exist for those who travel with other people. By virtue of being alone, you are almost forced to be extraverted and engage more with your hosts.

In addition, your hosts are oftentimes more likely to engage you and seek a personal connection if they perceive that you have less immediate social obligations.

Personally, I love the freedom that traveling solo offers: the freedom to do what I want, when I want; to go where I want, when I want; to spend time with who I want, when I want.

But it all depends on one’s personality, and just as importantly, the travel experience that they have had before coming to India.

A cow meanders through Varanasi’s old city.
Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

15. Is there anybody who should not go on a trip to India?

If someone has visited a developing country (or countries) before and has primarily negative associations with their experience, than India is probably not the place for them.

One has to have a relatively thick skin to jump from their comfort zone in the Western world to such an unfamiliar place, and that is why I recommend “testing the waters” in other developing countries before starting out in India.

However, I believe that humans can adapt to anything given sufficient time and motivation, so if someone really has their heart set on coming to India before visiting anywhere else, than I would wholeheartedly encourage them to do so.

Just prepare yourself as much as you can before you come.

16. Aside from the Taj Mahal, what would be your top 5 not-to-miss sites?

Even though I traveled across the country for four months, I only saw a fraction of the incredible sites that exist within India.

But of the ones that I saw, these are the five that I’d highly recommended, in no particular order.

The Jain Temple of Ranakpur: This awe-inspiring sanctuary in central Rajasthan is supported by well over a thousand intricately sculpted marble columns, no two of which are alike.

The Surreal Landscape of Hampi: The hills are made up of giant boulders in this stunning area of Southern India. Throw in the ruins of an ancient civilization into this otherworldy landscape, and you have a place that is totally unique on Earth.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar: The spiritual home of the Sikhs, who make sure that a visit to the Golden Temple is an unforgettably welcoming and stunning experience.

The Blue City of Jodhpur: My favorite place to visit in Rajasthan. Ascend to the striking Mehrangarh Fort at sunset and enjoy one of the greatest views in India as a city full of indigo-painted homes gives off an ethereal glow in the fading light.

The Beach of Varkala: Stunning fifty meter high cliffs rise up behind this beach in the Southern state of Kerala, and they make a perfect place on which to relax and watch the sun set into the Arabian sea.

Golden Temple of Amritsar.
Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

17. Give us a sample travel itinerary of your favorite city in India

I enjoyed so many places that I visited in India, it is hard to pick a favorite! But I would have to say that Mumbai was the most fascinating city that I went to, as it is such an astoundingly cosmopolitan place.

If someone had never been to Mumbai before and had one day there, this is what I’d recommend that they do.

• Exit your Colaba-district hotel and walk over to the legendary Leopold’s Cafe for a hearty breakfast.
• From there, make the short walk over to the famous Gateway of India.
• After posing for a few pictures, stroll down to the neighboring dock and take the tourist boat over to see the Elephanta Caves, where ancient, stunning sculptures of Hindu Gods are chiseled into stone.
• Have lunch at one of the numerous outdoor restaurants on Elephanta Island, then catch the boat back to the city, marveling at the impressive Mumbai skyline.
• Walk west across South Mumbai, past pristine examples of Victorian architecture such as the Mumbai High Court, until you have arrived at the sea.
• From here, walk for a few minutes up the popular pedestrian path next to Marine Drive, then hop into one of Mumbai’s vintage black and gold taxis and tell the driver to take you to Haji Ali Mosque.
• As you ride, admire one of the world’s greatest collections of Art Deco architecture that passes by you on your right as you wind up Marine Drive.
• Tip your driver, and hop out to join the others streaming onto the causeway that leads to the islet of the Haji Ali mosque.
• Buy some delicious snacks, and shop for colorful jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs that are offered by the numerous vendors that line the entrance to the causeway. Make your way over to the mosque, and explore this exquisite example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Stay and relax until sunset, as here you’ll have a perfect view of the sunset.
• Take a taxi back to Colaba for dinner in one of the neighborhood’s many fine restaurants, where you can sample spicy and savory food from all over India.
• To finish off the day, leave the restaurant and make the short stroll over the renowned Regal Cinema, where you can catch the latest Bollywood blockbuster with throngs of enthusiastic fans.

Typical scene at a train platform.
Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

Ok, so that’s the end of this two part series about a trip to India. Wasn’t it incredible?

If you’re interested in previewing and purchasing Adam’s book, go to his website, where it’s available in hardcover, paperback and e-book (which includes the free How to Plan a Trip to India supplement).

Again, I have no affiliation with Adam’s book, I just want to share his amazing work.

Now you tell me, did you think you knew India before?
Have any of these questions contradict what you thought was true?
Leave a comment in the field below or join the conversation in Facebook!

India is one of those destinations that both intrigue me and make me very apprehensive; and I regret to say I have never been there; I hope to one day create a travel itinerary for it!

In my view India goes from the raw experience of human survival, to the extravagant display of art and tradition in Bollywood movies and local festivals.

From the incredible jaw-dropping architecture of temples, to the simple and rustic structure of the ashrams.

Adam and I had been corresponding for a couple of years because I’ve borrowed a few of his amazing pictures before. But this time, he had something new to show me!

In his travelogue book Adam presents some of the many faces of this immense and diverse land, how he experienced it head on with all its intensity and what we are missing if we choose to stay ignorant about it.

Fire Dancers of the Bikaner Camel Festival.
Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander.

Adam’s e-book includes a free How to Plan a Trip to India digital supplement, with all the basics and practicalities of any journey to this amazing land.

In this interview I asked Adam a series of questions about his trip to India, so he can help us appreciate and understand this magnificent country and know what it really is like to travel there.

Here we go!

1. Why does India both intrigue and make us westerners apprehensive?

I think that in the Western imagination, India represents the ultimate in both the exotic and the unknown.

Culturally, there are probably few places on Earth that are more different from the Westernized world than India.

Although the rapid advance of capitalism in the country is slowly changing that, I believe that its safe to say that culturally, much of India still provides significant contrast to much of the Western world.

So, depending on the person’s point of view, that can either be intriguing or make one apprehensive.

2. How did your trip to India come about?

Before arriving in India, I had already been (nearly continuously) backpacking around the world for over 2 years.

While on the road, other travelers often asked me if I’d been to India. They always had strong impressions of the place.

So, it seemed a logical step to visit the country, as I was already sure that a trip there would be full of discoveries. And I was right!

3. How do you decide where to go in India?

Deciding where to go was relatively easy: I just consulted my lonely planet guidebook and talked to other travelers.

Millions of people visit the country every year, so there is a well-trodden tourist path through the country.

Also, I took climate into consideration, as I started in the North during Winter and then followed the warmer weather southward.

4. How can you navigate India? When do you use a guidebook and when do you use a local guide?

Although some people prefer using guides, I myself rarely did. I primarily relied on my guidebook.

To taxi within cities I usually relied on tuk-tuks: auto-rickshaws that are the backbone of inner-city transport in much of the country.

To get around the country I almost exclusively relied on India’s extensive train network. Checking schedules and buying tickets is easy thanks to the website www.cleartrip.com.

Sometimes I would be waitlisted for a place if the train was full, but almost inevitably I would make it on the train. Canceling tickets through that site is also very simple.

On the rare occasion when I desired to get a ticket at the last minute, I’d try to take advantage of the specially reserved tourist tickets that are sold at some of the major train stations.

Train travel in India is a great value for a Westerner, and the beds in the more luxurious (but still very affordable) coaches are perfectly fine for overnight journeys.

I go into much more detail on this topic in the free planning supplement to the e-book.

Elephanta Caves of Mumbai. Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

5. What will we find in India? What will surprise the regular westerner traveler about India?

Any person can find anything in India, and that is part of what makes the country so special.

Whether you’re looking for a chilly Himalaya mountain retreat, a spiritual escape, a beautiful beach, or an immersive cultural experience, it all can be had here.

There is so much diversity in the country that it would be unfair to generalize about what a typical traveler can expect to find.

However, there are two things that the western traveler will likely observe in most places that they go: it will probably be more crowded than what they are used to, and spirituality will be interwoven into the daily lives of nearly all of the locals that they come across.

Surprises happen every single day for a Western visitor.

A friend once told me that if you sit in a crowded intersection in India for thirty minutes and intently observe everything that is going around you, you’ll see more in those thirty minutes than you have in your entire life.

That sense of constant surprise is what makes visiting India both exhilarating and, at times, overwhelming for the Western traveler.

6. How can a normal person make sense of the strong contrasts in Indian culture? How to put together the temples and Bollywood? How to put together extreme wealth and extreme poverty?

Well, in the few Bollywood films that I’ve seen there is often an undercurrent of (or at least a nod to) spirituality, so that doesn’t necessarily contrast with the temple-filled landscape of India.

But if one is inclined to see material wealth as opposed to spiritual wealth, I would argue that, in a country where so much poverty exists, it makes sense that the escapism provided by its film industry would often portray idealized worlds of material comfort.

I’m not an expert on Indian history, but I do believe that both the country’s colonial history and its very recent status as an independent nation state play a large part in the disparity between the rich and the poor.

In addition, the legacy of the Hindu caste system has to be taken into consideration, as it institutionalized social and economic inequality for centuries, and this cannot be overcome overnight.

But on the whole, I think that the huge contrasts in Indian society can be attributed to the wide differences in history, language, geography, and culture that have naturally evolved in a place that now has over a billion people.

Young girl in Hampi. Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

7. How will a trip to India change the westerner traveler?

Well, the first requirement is to come to the country with a brave spirit and an open mind.

Without these qualities, I think traveling anywhere won’t necessarily influence self-change, and this is especially true for the foreign visitor to India.

At the same time, I believe that people ultimately find what they are looking for. Many foreigners come to India in the hopes of growing spiritually, and they can certainly achieve that here.

On the other hand, some just want to party or relax at a resort in Goa, in which case they will be changed little.

But for anyone who stretches themselves more, who keeps an open mind, they will have plenty of opportunity in India to experience whatever personal transformation that they seek.

8. You had some experience with Vipassana meditation at a meditation center. What was that like? And are you still meditating?

That was one of the more unique experiences that I had in India. For ten days, I and a hundred other participants didn’t speak a single word to each other, and silently meditated for over ten hours a day.

I felt as if I was sampling the life of a monk (although monks typically do speak!) It was a really incredible feeling to quiet down all of the background chatter in my mind, and learn to focus all of my attention inward.

It was also very, very challenging and required a lot of discipline.

Ten-day Vipassana courses are offered all over the world. I would like to attend another one when the circumstances are right. For several months after the course I was meditating for over an hour every day.

I still meditate from time to time, but could definitely do it more often.

9. Do you think a trip to India could bring more inner peace and tolerance in the world? How?

I think that with the right mindset, traveling anywhere can give the traveler more inner peace and make them more tolerant.

When we see that the narrow circumstances in which we have lived our lives are just that, narrow circumstances, than our former ignorance and extremist viewpoints can start to erode.

Because India is such a different world for many Westerners, than perhaps yes, a visit to India especially has the potential to promote inner peace and tolerance.

However, it all comes back to the visitor’s mindset: if they are passing judgment upon everything foreign that they come into contact with, positive change will not result.

10. What are a few of the most memorable experiences you had in India? Would you go back?

Many of my most memorable experiences came from attending local festivals. Indian culture is so unbelievably rich, and countless festivities are held all across the country, all year long.

Depending upon the festival’s popularity with foreign tourists, the Western visitor may find themselves one of just a handful of outsiders present. This in itself is definitely a unique experience!

I would love to go back to India. There are so many things that I didn’t get to see or experience on my first trip, I feel like I could spend another four months in the country and not even do half of what I have in mind.

In particular, I would love to spend some time up near the Himalayas, as I have heard that those areas are absolutely spectacular.

Boy in Varkala. Photo: Adam Taylor Smith, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander

Let’s end it there for today, but stay tuned for part 2 of this incredible interview, there is so much more to come such as safety recommendations and the top places to visit! A not-to-miss continuation!

In the meantime, let me leave you with this thought:

I think in the end my apprehension has to do with the things I would have to face about myself if I went to India; my own prejudice and my own concept of what’s “normal” and “acceptable”.

But isn’t travel about challenging one’s beliefs and seeing the world through a different lens? Isn’t it about stretching one’s own limits and experiencing unexpected things?

If this interview has sparked your interest, you can preview the first part of the book or purchase it as hardcover, paperback or e-book (which includes the free supplement) at his website.

I am not affiliated with Adam’s book, I just think it’s a gorgeous, heart-opening read.

Were any of your fears about India dispelled here? What other questions do you have about India?
Leave a comment in the field below or join us in Facebook!

In the end, my purpose is to help educate and bring history and art to life through my message and the information I provide.

Why? Because in this way, travel experiences become meaningful and unforgettable and can, in my view, potentially contribute in creating a better world for everybody.

Which is why I get so excited when I find people who resonate with my viewpoint and who actually validate what I’m doing.

So I thought I’d take a moment to let you know that I was interviewed twice in September, for two very prestigious sources.

GoAbroad.com

The first interview that I want to tell you about was conducted by Elsa Thomasma, Content Manager for GoAbroad.com, a company that coordinates educational trips and volunteer opportunities abroad.

She invited me to participate in an interview that covered how my travel philosophy and theirs are very similar and how what I’ve said about travel being a key part of education is part of their message too.

I was much honored and very excited to be able to share my vision with such an important institution.

You can read the interview here.

Pete Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show

The second interview was on the air, I was invited to participate in one of the segments of the Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show which airs every Saturday.

Peter and I discussed my recent three-part article about the 17 Travel Expenses You Didn’t Count On.

Peter had some very concrete examples and I had a blast in the interview, though, granted, I was so nervous! It was my first time being interviewed live!

The interview aired on September 14^th, and you can listen to the audio here (fast forward until the 12:35 minute time tag).

Or if you’d like the shortened version, you can listen to my segment only, here.

Ok, I just wanted to share with you these two amazing opportunities that I had this month; I hope you enjoy them!

Now it’s your turn! What did you think of the interviews?
Leave your comment in the field below or in Facebook!

Since the gothic style started in France, we must talk about the most representative of gothic cathedrals in this country.

We’ll do just that in this article and the next so that you can include them in your next visit!

First we’ll explore a bit of the ideas behind gothic and then we’ll visit each cathedral one by one.

I am always fascinated and in awe of sacred places and how people have make the best efforts to provide these spaces with the best architectural design and the most lavish decorations.

Striving for the beauty of these spaces to either please their divinity or become a vehicle for introspection and meditation of the worshippers.

The beginnings of the gothic cathedral

As explained last time, gothic was a stylistic movement that aimed to bring more light and more airiness to buildings, opening up the space and lifting the ceiling to the heavens.

Saint Denis Basilica Cathedral, interior.

With more power and more money coming into the big cities, patrons offered the necessary funding for the numerous building campaigns that some of these churches underwent.

And that’s the first thing you need to understand, is that some of these churches were not built in one go, but rather in different times, which affects how much gothic elements they ended up having.

We’ll start with the Basilica of Saint Dennis, here we go!

Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis

Built in the early gothic style, the Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis is said to be the first gothic masterpiece, though not all of it could be construed as gothic per se.

Saint Denis Basilica Cathedral, interior.

A brief history of Saint Denis

Saint Denis was a bishop sent by Pope Fabian to spread the word of Christianism in France in the 3^rd century AD.

Because of his activities, Saint Denis was decapitated by the Romans at the top of the hill of Montmartre between the years 250 and 270 AD.

Legend has it that the corpse of Denis picked up his head and walked over to the current site of the basilica, to mark the spot where he was to be buried.

He became the patron saint of France and his statue can be seen in the façade of Notre Dame Cathedral, as I showed you in the past article.

Saint Denis Basilica Cathedral, rosette.

Building campaigns in Saint Denis Cathedral

A small chapel was built on the spot and it became a pilgrimage site.

In the 6^th century, Dagobert I, the king of the Franks created the Abbey of Saint Denis, a Benedictine monastery.

In 750 AD a campaign to build a basilica was started under Charlemagne who was present at the time of its consecration in 775 AD. Later in the 9^th century more renovations were made.

In 1135 the then appointed Abbot Suger friend and confidant of French kings and Abbot of St Denis begun the most famous building campaigns which introduced the gothic elements we see today.

The first phase (1135-1140) dealt with the west façade and the porch, while the second phase (1140-1144) dealt with adding a bigger choir and its radiating chapels.

Saint Denis Basilica Cathedral, facade.

The façade incorporates some elements of gothic, though not necessarily in a unified program.

But the choir certainly is the masterpiece that Abbot Suger intended to create.

Abbot Suger

Abbot Suger is actually quite famous for being one of the pioneers of the gothic and justifying the major expense of his building campaigns by attributing them to divine calling and the advice of the priests.

His rationale was that the Carolingian church was inadequate to hold the pilgrims and that the beauty of the light through the stained glass windows, the decorations and the lavish ecclesiastical objects helped to transport him to a higher spiritual state through meditating on them.

He was actually very keen in being remembered for posterity and he had himself depicted with inscriptions above his head on both of the windows at the axial chapel of the Virgin, behind the choir.

Imagine, nearly 1000 years ago, this Abbot stood on this very spot, contemplating his image on the window, seeing his vision realized!

Saint Denis, axial chapel of the Virgin. Notice the figure of Abbot Suger on the left side, in the middle panel of the lowest row of stained glass panels, to the feet of the Virgin Mary in the Annunciation scene. He’s wearing brown monastic robes.
On the right side, notice Abbot Suger on the lower right side panel in emerald green ceremonial robes, presenting a stained glass window.

Saint Denis, Abbot Duger in the Annunciation scene. Photo: Flickr Nick Thompson
Notice the inscription above his head “SVGERIVS ABAS”.

Abbot Suger under the Tree of Jesse, offering a stained glass window.
Notice the inscription above his head “SVGERIVS ABAS”.
Photo: www.paradoxplace.com

Features of Saint Denis

The façade originally had two towers, but the tower on the left was struck by lightning in the 19^th century and had to be removed.

Go behind the choir to stroll through the ambulatory and see the magnificent vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.

Saint Dennis as a whole doesn’t boast the unity and harmoniousness of the gothic style that we’d see later on in other cathedrals, but it is very interesting to see how the romanesque and the gothic blend together.

Saint Denis is known as the Cathedral Royale because it houses the remains of nearly every French king and since the 10^th century until the French Revolution in the 18^th century.

A visit to the crypt is a must to see the different tombs of the royals, most notably those of King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette of Austria.

Tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Highlights

• The two figures of Abbot Suger on the stained glass windows of the axial chapel, the one on the left in the scene of the Annunciation wearing simple Benedictine robes and the one on the right offering a stained glass window, dressed in ceremonial robes.
• The rosette window above the porch of the cathedral.
• The vaulting in the ceiling of the ambulatory.
• The statues of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
• The tomb of Catherine de’ Medici.
• The cenotaphs of the Bourbon rulers, especially Louis XIV.
• The heart of Louis XVII, the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette who died in prison at the age of ten.
• The tombs of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
• The archaeological crypt.

Saint Denis. The embalmed heart of little Louis XVII.

Practicalities

The Basilica of Saint Denis is located to the north of Paris, outside of the city. You need to take the metro (Line 13, Basilique de Saint-Denis stop) to get there which can take 30 to 45 minutes with walking time.

View Larger Map

The official Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis website is promoting a “game of observation” contest that will end on October 5^th, 2013 with prizes for 70 participants.

Visitors to the Basilica can use their digital cameras, smart phones or tablets to enter the game which includes a walkthrough the crypt, the choir and the different tombs. Click here for the contest rules.

Beware that unlike many Catholic Roman churches, Saint Denis is not open at the crack of dawn.

Opening times for visitors to the non-worship area are 1 April to 30 September : 10 am to 6:15 pm, Sundays 12 to 6:15 pm. 1 October to 31 March: 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays 12 to 5:15 pm. Fee: €7.50

Beware that the Basilica of Saint Denis is a functioning church (as well as a national monument), so be respectful of the masses and religious events that may be going on.

Here’s a map of the tombs:

Saint Denis Basilica Cathedral. Map of the tombs. Image: uk.tourisme93.com

Here’s more practical information.
Learn about the guided tour, audioguide and self-guided tours.
Learn everything there is to know about Abbot Suger, in this Metropolitan Museum of Art (in New York) free publication.

Saint Denis is truly one of those not-to-miss spots in Paris from two very important views: the beginning of gothic architecture as a stylistic movement and the burial place of many of France’s monarchs.

Have you been to Saint Denis before? Did you know that even though it’s considered a masterpiece of the gothic style, it’s not entirely gothic?
What do you think of the architecture of this amazing cathedral?

Share your comments in the field below or join the conversation in Facebook!

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And it would happen that I really couldn’t tell whether a church was gothic or not. Some look kind of like… the same, don’t they?

Well, no more. I went and did the research and now I’m going to teach you how to recognize a gothic cathedral.

But first…

What is a cathedral?

Ok, so a church is a building used for Christian public worship. A cathedral is a church that contains the seat of a bishop, which means, it is the central church in a district (or diocese) that is supervised by a Bishop.

The new bells of Notre Dame de Paris on public display in the nave in February 2013, before being hung in the towers of the cathedral.
Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Copy and paste the following link to go to the original source page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedrale_Notre-Dame_de_Paris_nef_nouvelles_cloches.jpg

What is “gothic”?

The term “gothic” refers to a style of art and architecture that developed during medieval times, in the second half of the 12^th century in France (later expanding internationally).

In actuality the term was coined in the 15^th and 16^th centuries during the Renaissance, by Italian historians, to name a style that they were rejecting, so at the time, it was a derogatory term.

The style was named after the Goths, a group of Germanic tribes that sacked Rome and destroyed the Roman Empire.

In its day, the style was called “the modern style” or the “French style”.

As intellectual life was begun to concentrate in the cities, patrons started to fund the construction of churches and monasteries, as well as other buildings like castles and private homes.

Reims Cathedral facade. Photo: Wikipedia, Traveler100.
Please copy and paste the following link to go to the original source page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ReimsCathedral-01s.jpg

What is a gothic cathedral?

Romanesque architecture was introduced during the first part of the Middle Ages, between the 6^th and 10^th centuries.

It featured massive structures, slit windows, semicircular arches and very thick walls. Gothic evolved from this style, becoming much more decorative and refined.

Gothic cathedral design aimed at having more light in the interior space of the church, a nave that would rise up to the heavens and beautiful and decorative vaulting that would support the structure.

Magnificent stained glass windows in Sainte Chappelle in Paris.

In other words, light, height and vaulting. But combining the three of them in one single building was a very difficult feat.

Most of the very characteristic features of gothic cathedrals stem from these three objectives.

Yes, contrary to popular belief, gothic didn’t mean dark and grim. Gothic architecture actually strived for more light, more color from stained glass windows, more space, lifting the human spirit.

The dead giveaway of a gothic cathedral is the pointed arch, but there are other architectural elements.

Pointed arches and rosette in Notre Dame in Paris.

Gothic architectural elements

There are key elements present in most gothic cathedrals, though some may depart from the basic design in one way or another.

Floorplan

Gothic cathedral basilica floorplan. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Lusitania, with alterations by TTaylor. Please copy and paste the following link to go to the original source page http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_schematic_plan.PNG

Narthex
Entrance area, parallel to the transept, but generally smaller.

Nave
The big central aisle in the middle of the building.

Aisle
Spaces on each side of the nave, separated from it by a colonnade.

Tower
Gothic cathedrals generally have two towers flanking the entrance.

Apse
The apse is the rounded end of the nave. It may happen that the choir sits there as the diagram above suggests or it may happen that the choir sits at the crossing.

Ambulatory
The circular passageway behind the apse, that gives access to the radiating chapels behind.

Chevettes
The radiating chapels behind the apse, many times used for worship of saints.

Interior space

Interior (and some exterior) elements.
Image: passport2design.com Original source: nvcc.edu

Ribbed vault
There is a rib on top of each vault, which gives the design a lighter feel compared to the regular groin vault of the Romanesque, achieving the objective of lighter vaulting in gothic architecture.

Clerestory
A line of windows on top of the aisles, which allowed for more light pouring in from the outside through the stained glass, achieving the objective of light in gothic architecture.

Triforium
It is a small walkway on top of the aisles, originally reserved for nuns or women. Sometimes it had stained glass windows as well.

Pointed arch
The very signature of gothic design.

Piers
Which act as the main support of the nave.

Exterior elements

External elements of a gothic cathedral.

Buttresses
These are external structures that give support to the walls of the cathedral. By placing these structural elements outside, the interior space is freed for contemplation.

Often buttresses are very decorative, they are always hugging the exterior wall, directly attached to it.

Flying buttresses
On the other hand, flying buttresses are detached from the exterior walls and are connected to the buttress and the wall by an arch.

Flying buttresses are one of the most characteristic features of gothic cathedrals, giving them a sort of skeletal appearance and a weightlessness that contrasts with the heaviness of Romanesque churches.

Pinnacle
Pinnacles decorate the tips of buttresses with a spire.

Rosetta window
The round window that is located in the middle of the façade and is decorated with stained glass.

Pointed tympanum
The tympanum is the large symmetrical sculpture above the entrance to the church. In the case of the gothic cathedral, it’s encased inside a pointed arch recess.

Jamb figures
A series of high relief sculptures that adorn the sides of the doors.

A note about sculpture

Detail of the tympanum of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Notice the blessed to the right of Jesus and the dammed to his left, being pushed and shoved by a few demons?
Click to enlarge!

Let’s remember that most people couldn’t read and write in the Middle Ages, so art —in the form of painting and sculptures— was the way in which the church would “educate” people.

So if you see closely, you will find sculptures of Eve giving the apple to Adam, or the blessed marching to the right of Jesus, while the dammed march on his left.

Ok, so now you have enough information to determine if a church is of gothic design or not. I’ve been to a few gothic cathedrals and chapels and the quality of light truly inspires you.

The fantastic flying buttresses and the elaborate sculpture give gothic cathedrals a very unique aesthetic. I am glad many of them are still standing and working today, despite the challenges in light, height and vaulting.

I will soon be sharing some examples of amazing gothic cathedrals, to watch out for that.

Now it’s your turn: Can you recognize gothic elements in a church near you?
What was the last gothic cathedral you visited? What did you think of the design?

Share your comments in the field below or join us in Facebook!

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