Catholicism permeates everything here in Porto, Portugal. In its native context – total, monumental, and all-encompassing – it seems a completely natural reflex, articulated through architecture as well as artistic output.

It offers the last word on everything, with the monopoly of cause.

An example of how this works – in Igreja dos Clérigos, or The Church of the Clergymen, there is a quote on the wall that explains how, given God creates all, including the faculty of artistic expression, the artist cannot help but express the glory of the divine.

The Rialto bridge is one of the landmarks of Venice. It's a magnificent piece of architecture.

We crossed this a lot, as we explored the twisting mediaeval streets of this most unique city.

A local myth, directly aimed at tourists like me, suggests this is the outcome of a demonic pact.

New Orleans is famous for a lot of things – foremost among these is its particular expression of Voodoo.

This was one of the things that struck me about New Orleans on previous visits, and now, with a deal more supporting knowledge, I was keen to learn more about.

I'm also frequently surprised at the degree to which this, and other religions in this family, is misunderstood, misrepresented, and maligned, particularly within media.

On our first full day in New Orleans, we start with brunch and cocktails at Jeff Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29. This is one of the pilgrimage points of the modern tiki revival.

In short order, my lovely and intrepid wife and I find out why. After several cocktails, and taking a delicious and potent zombie cocktail to go (due to New Orleans' curious rule about being able to drink while walking to the next bar), we end up at a riverboat.