Missouri - Elegant St. Louis

No trip to Missouri would be complete without seeing St. Louis – prime city of the state - and its famous Arch celebrating St. Louis as the “Gateway to the West”. Astride the Mississippi, St Louis is a joy to visit. The most perplexing aspect is which of the many attractions to visit. I chose three of the most popular sights. Firstly the great Gateway Arch (1^st photo). This stainless steel architectural masterpiece is the icon of the city and arguably of the State itself. It blends history (there is an excellent museum and giant screen film devoted to Lewis and Clark) with the modernity and symbolism of the Arch itself. I ascended to the apex 630 feet above the Mississippi River in a tiny elevator pod: magnificent views, but not for the claustrophobic!

For the grown up in me a visit to America’s largest brewery, the Anheuser- Busch Brewery was a must. Home to Budweiser, the tour of this huge complex was entertaining and informative –from the Clydesdale horses to the mysteries of the brewing process (2^nd photo). For the kid in me, a visit to the Saint Louis Zoo was great fun including a train trip and a sighting of my favouritely named animal, the elusive Bongo (3^rd photo). My stay was capped by a night at the Hyatt Central Station Hotel, an impressive and hugely successful conversion of the former St. Louis Union Station (4^th photo).