European Destinations
As with any other continent, it’s often easy to forget that within its boundaries, Europe holds as much culture, history and diversityas any of its counterparts. From the desertscapes of Spain’s Almeria to the arctic awesomeness of Norway, or from the harrowing history of Berlin to the outdoor splendour of tiny Slovenia, there’s something for everyone.
Edvard Grieg’s Troldhaugen – in the home of Norway’s musical king
Click on this link, close your eyes and listen for a couple of minutes. What does the music make you think of? Even if you already recognise composer Edvard Grieg’s classic ‘Morning Mood’ masterpiece, there is no doubt this is one of those musical works of genius...
The Castle Garden of Malmö – an urban oasis
Less than 10 minutes’ walk from Malmö’s Central Train Station and even closer to the city’s famous Lilla Torg medieval square, lies a little enclave of ecological heaven which is easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. The Castle Garden, or Slottsträdgården, is an...
8 fabulous reasons to love Slovenia
Like a Europe in miniature, Slovenia packs enough culture, natural beauty, outdoor activity options and relaxation opportunities into its 20,000 square kilometres to keep the most ambitious traveller occupied. Here are my top reasons to feel the love for Slovenia.
Lilla Torg – medieval Malmö’s little square, in pictures
[easy-image-collage id=3326] ‘If you’re short on time, you’ve got to visit Lilla Torg first’, my fellow hotel guest advised, without hesitation, ‘it’s a beautiful little medieval square less than 15 minutes from here’. And I was indeed short on time. I had just...
From Fishermen to Fine Art – A Walk Around Old Stavanger in Norway
It’s an uncommonly warm and sunny September morning in Stavanger, Norway. The locals go about their daily tasks as visitors stroll around the harbour taking in the picture-postcard prettiness of it all. It’s not somewhere I had thought to explore, to be honest. When...
A Sustainable Road Trip in El Baix Empordà, Costa Brava
In the Catalan region of El Baix Empordà, history, nature and culture combine at every turn. So if you’ve been invited to try out a new state-of-the-art sustainable car on a mini road trip, this is the perfect destination to explore…
12 Things to Enjoy in Mojácar in the Early Season
I love the south-east of Spain at any time of year, but a recent post by a fellow travel writer struck a chord with me. In it, she mentions the benefits of visiting destinations in the low season, and it reminded me of my time living in Spain’s Almería province…
Folklore in the Netherlands | The Zwarte Piet controversy
Tonight, in the northern Netherlands, children everywhere (and some adults) are opening gifts in celebration of tomorrow’s Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) Day. This tradition dates back centuries, but in recent times, one little character has been creating a storm….
Cruising into New Territory – The Norwegian Fjords
It’s not that I have anything against water, but I’ve always been more of an over-lander or fly-driver when it comes to international travel. So tomorrow is going to be a case of in at the deep end (metaphorically speaking, I trust), as I head off on my first cruise...
Celica Art Hostel – Doing Time in Ljubljana’s Quirkiest Abode
Travel recommendations can be very hit and miss. Somebody’s ultimate luxury can be another’s pretentious overkill, and my road trip fantasies could easily be at loggerheads with your dreams of idyllic, palm-fringed beaches. So when a friend tells you that you simply...
