Europe

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Stately? Not really.

Plump? Definitely.

Peter Fullam, that's me, came from the staircase on top of the Martello tower at Sandycove bearing camcorder and a map.

I reverently tip-toed around the stone gun platform on top of the tower to take in the view.

PISTOIA, Italy - A visit to the lively Wednesday market in the heart of this beautiful Tuscan city is like a trip back in time -- the colors, smells and tastes evoking images from Pistoia's 2,000-year history.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- In 1988, Dublin was bohemian and rough around the edges. A little bit scary, even.

In 1998, Dublin was cool and interesting, with a slightly cleaner and less gritty image.