Articles written by Peter John Shearing

See London's famous landmarks with this tour of Trafalgar Square, taking in the art galleries, Nelson's column and some unusual and interesting sights.

Mar 1, 2012 - Peter John Shearing

The royal wedding on April 29, 2011 at London's Westminster Abbey will attract international public attention as Kate and Wills tie the knot.

Mar 28, 2011 - Peter John Shearing

2010 sees the birthday anniversaries of two Impressionists, the birthdays of three sculptors, an expatriate Surrealist and the 150th anniversary of a late-starter.

Mar 15, 2010 - Peter John Shearing

2010 sees the birthday anniversaries of the authors of such works as Treasure Island, Peter Pan and Dr Zhivago, and the 120th anniversary of a persecuted Russian writer.

Mar 15, 2010 - Peter John Shearing

Whether they bring a tear to your eye or make you laugh aloud, see if you and your Valentine can agree on whether these classic movies are worth the price of the popcorn.

Feb 2, 2010 - Peter John Shearing

An informed choice of wine to accompany your food will ensure an enjoyable meal and impress your partner with your knowledge of wine and gastronomy.

Feb 2, 2010 - Peter John Shearing

Not many people realize that Halloween, celebrated on October 31 or All Hallows Eve, is just one of an annual cycle of rituals that form the backbone of the Wiccan year.

Oct 9, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

It is important to take a little time to understand card and how to fold it properly because a buckled fold can spoil even the most beautiful Birthday card.

Jul 6, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Embossed peel-off stickers give an Easter card design an added professional quality, especially when it has a more complex construction than a single-fold card.

Apr 7, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Eggs are a common reminder of Easter and make ideal designs for homemade Easter greeting cards. Follow these instructions for a memorable Easter card design.

Apr 6, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Designing and making your own birthday cards allows you to tailor each one to the recipient's taste, and your own designs can express a more personalised birthday message

Mar 3, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Express your love for your Valentine by making them a card for Valentine's Day. Show your Valentine how special they are by following these simple instructions.

Feb 11, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Put the sparkle into your relationship with these unusual activities for you and your Valentine.

Feb 9, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Barack Obama faces a task of such magnitude that it surpasses any other faced by a President taking office. The question is whether Barack Obama is equal to the task.

Jan 12, 2009 - Peter John Shearing

Give your New Year's Eve Party a boost with party games that can be played and enjoyed by all, young and old. These fun games are perfect for breaking the ice

Dec 29, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

For many people the most joyful celebration of the year somehow gets buried under the burden of preparations, but it is important to think about the essence of Christmas.

Dec 24, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

How did the good fourth-century bishop St Nicholas become the jolly red-suited Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, that children are so fond of today?

Dec 23, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

There are many quick and cheap ways in which to create eye-catching Christmas gift tags, as demonstrated in this article.

Dec 12, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Christmas means glitter, and lots of it! It adds magical sparkle to the art of card-making, resulting in a subtle change of tone.

Dec 11, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Christmas bows play a leading role in festive designs, so it makes sense to take a little time to perfect your bow-tying technique with some Christmas ribbon.

Dec 11, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Stitching with a sewing machine is an incredibly easy way to create a unique Christmas card. Christmas trees, candles and bauble designs can be embellished this way.

Dec 10, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Embossed peel-off stickers add an instant professional quality to a Christmas card design, especially when it has a more unusual construction than a single-fold card.

Dec 10, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Bells are a sentimental reminder of Christmas time and make ideal motifs for homemade greeting cards. Follow these instructions for a memorable Christmas card design.

Dec 10, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Few are immune to the magic of Christmas, but no crafter can resist those tempting papers, ribbons, brads, eyelets and decals in their glorious colors, shapes and sizes.

Dec 9, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

There are several basic tools that are essential to handmade Christmas cards. It is wise to invest in some good-quality items, from which you can gain maximum benefit.

Dec 8, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

A clean cut, score and fold makes a big difference to the final result of a Christmas card, so follow these techniques to achieve a sound foundation for your card-making.

Dec 8, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Making your own Christmas cards allows you to give each one its own significance, and your own designs offer much more scope for personalised Christmas messages.

Dec 8, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Robert Burns (1759-1796) is Scotland's favourite poet. His popularity is acknowledged the world over on Burn's Night. Learn about his humble life and literary glory.

Dec 1, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Hogmanay is celebrated all over Scotland on New Year's Eve. This important Scottish festival boasts a burning clavie, Vikings, swinging fireballs and "first-footing."

Nov 24, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Shopping in Madrid veers on the touristy, especially around the magnet of Plaza Mayor, complete with a range of interesting finds in an atmosphere of bustling commerce.

Oct 24, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

The choice and variety of shopping in Rome is not in the same league as other European capitals, but for artisanship and handmade crafts, Rome doesn't disappoint.

Oct 3, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

In the late 17th century, in an abbey outside Reims, the monk Dom Perignon discovered how to put the fizz into wine. Enjoy his discovery with a Champagne tasting tour.

Sep 11, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Paris's Golden Triangle of haute couture on the Right Bank has great shopping opportunities. Fashion boutiques here have become hip with Paris's showbiz set.

Aug 29, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Paris is one of the world's top shopping destinations with over 25 million visitors a year. So what does Paris offer in terms of shopping opportunities?

Aug 29, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Éric and Sylvie run Éric's second hotel (he also owns the Familia next door) with their characteristic energy and eagerness to please: that friendly touch is here too.

Jul 11, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Imagination has triumphed in the charming 18th-century Hotel Louis II, often to dramatic effect (how about pink satin bamboo wallpaper in the lavatory?).

Jul 10, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

The Familia Hotel's two stars are outshone by the care and attention showered upon hotel guests by Éric Gaucheron, his wife Sylvie and his parents Bernard and Colette.

Jul 9, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

The Eiffel Park Hotel started life as a clean-cut, impersonal business hotel - and had a change of heart involving lots of Asian furniture and objets. What a change!

Jul 9, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

The recently redecorated Hôtel Kléber near the Arc de Triomphe and the Trocadéro now abounds in a mélange of Parisian curios that some may find a trifle overwhelming.

Jul 4, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Standing proud over the arches of rue de Rivoli, looking straight through gold-tipped railings to the Tuileries, the Hôtel Brighton is a true turn-of-the-century Paris.

Jul 2, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Paris is suited for strolling and taking in the local atmosphere without getting lost. The streets are well sign-posted which makes Paris ideal for exploring on foot.

May 27, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

For scenery alone, France is a prime location with such a divergent landscape that it's understandable how rural France has inspired generations of artists.

May 13, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

The name of Prague's Obecní Dum, Municipal House, hardly does justice to this resplendent palace of the people, Prague's foremost example of art nouveau architecture.

May 9, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

The highly decorative art nouveau style has had a major influence on art and much of it exists today. Learn more about what it is, its origins and where to see it.

May 2, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Prague offers a range of choices when it comes to booking the right hotel. From luxury hotels like the Hilton to hostels and pensions, Prague can cater for any budget.

May 1, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Prague castle, Prazský hrad, was built over a thousand years ago on a ridge stretching west from the River Vltava. Hotels in this setting offer great views of Prague.

Apr 28, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Find a luxury hotel in Malá Strana and retrace Mozart's footsteps around the cobble-stoned streets of hidden Prague. These hotels exemplify Prague's baroque legacy.

Apr 28, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

From antique shops to chic fashion boutiques, shopping in Prague is hard to beat. Don't miss the Czech crystal, the elegant Moser glassware or the Bohemian Garnets

Apr 21, 2008 - Peter John Shearing

Whether you're a backpacking student on a budget, an environmentally-aware tourist or a luxury traveller, InterRail provides cost-efficient train travel throughout Europe

Apr 14, 2008 - Peter John Shearing