I first saw the hexagonal tower you see in the picture through the morning mists on a trip to spa town Montacatini Terme a few years ago. Ever since, I'd always wondered where this massive tower was anchored. Well, we drove around long enough to find it recently. It's the Rocca Nuova ("New Castle," construction began in 1302) on the edge of the quaint little village of Serravalle Pistoiese, near Pistoia. Along the way we found a great restaurant.

And you'll notice we're looking down at the tower. Sort of. That's because we got to climb up a staunch metal staircase welded into a corner of the castle ruins. Free. Yes, if you dare to be different and head into the countryside with but a few scribbled notes crammed into your pockets, chances are you'll find lots of interesting and very old things to climb around on for free in Europe. Of course, when you go back home and tell people you've been to lovely Serravalle Pistoiese they'll look at you like you've lost your marbles and might possibly begin hinting at how awful it is that the only job you might consider without your marbles is that of politician. But it's all worth it, trust me.

And guess what? The castle remains include a hanging turret. There is nothing like a well hung turret. We have pictures.

Take a virtual tour: Serravalle Pistoiese and the Rocca Nuova.

On the flight over to Europe, I happened to watch the movie "Night at the Museum 2". Not a bad flick, quite entertaining actually, especially when you're stuck for 12 hours in Steerage Class on a modern sardine can bus-jet.

If you like the idea of history coming alive in the darkness of night at the museum, Basel has just the package for you:

Have you ever imagined that such bastions of security as museums might open their doors to the public at night? Leave their alarm systems switched off and fetch their treasures out of their dark store rooms? ~ Museum Night 2010, Basel, Switzerland

So, if you know someone who is traveling in Switzerland around the 22nd of January, this hotel and museum package offered by Basel Tourismus might be the ideal gift. You can also treat yourself, of course. Have dinner at a Guild Hall Restaurant and head over to the museum. That'd be some night!

More on Basel, Switzerland.

Just a few interesting facts and things that have been accumulating on the desktop recently. First, do you know where the largest living Creche in Portugal resides?

I didn't think you did, so here:

The walled Centro town (Portugal Regions Map) of Penela will offer Portugal's largest living Creche, with locals in the rolls of the family of Christ, Shepard, and onlookers, recreating the Nativity Scene in Bethlehem. The Living Creche is open to the public from December 12th to January 03, 2010...read more: Largest Living Creche in Portugal

Need a colorful description of St. Nicholas of Bari, the guy who started all this gifting stuff? Medievalists tracing the real legend find it quite a bit more entertaining than the white-washed version we've been handed. Here's a teaser:

In the most popular medieval version of his story, Nicholas is credited with bringing three children back from the dead who had been decapitated and pickled in a brine tub by a malevolent innkeeper...read more: December Saint's Calendar

And finally, where do you go to see that Garden of Flowering Lights you always wanted to see? Lyon, France has it: Fete des Lumieres.

More: Christmas in Europe, Christmas in Portugal

This view made the village of Heppenheim and surroundings look like like a well kept miniature. It was taken from my window at the Park Hotel in Heppenheim, a nice village to visit about a 45 minute drive south of Frankfurt, Germany.

Picture of the Week © 2009 by James Martin, licensed to About.com