Emilia Romagna
Six of the best in Parma
To get a feel for the place, head to Strada Farini early evening and do what the locals do, order an aperitif, sit back, and soak up the atmosphere of a great Italian city. […]
Search Results for Austria
Checking In
Could do better, review of Quinta das Vinhas, Madeira
We love small, semi-rural hotels in historic buildings, especially ones set in a vineyard overlooking the ocean. Quinta das Vinhas in Estreito da Calheta, a workaday village on the Madeiran hillside, ticked many boxes. With […]
Slovenia
24 hours in Piran
As first-time visitors to Piran, what immediately struck us was how it felt more Italian than the towns we’d passed through/stayed in during our travels around Slovenia. […]
Travel Talk
What is Slow Travel?
We’ve been working in the Slow Travel business for over a decade, helping create Slow Travel holidays around Europe and writing guides to accompany them. But that’s just a decade since there was a label attached to what we do. […]
Food & drink
Local food isn’t always fabulous
Other country’s dishes, irrespective of what they involve, are invariably presented in travel articles as though they’re all exceptionally tasty just because they are authentic. […]
Devon
A Shocking Return to Walking in Britain
“Lower! Lower!” Jack’s commands assault my ears but my back refuses to bend any further. If I squat, I get the “That’s it!” approval but then I can’t move forward. I decide to just go […]
Europe
Spotting the Cultural Differences
One of the areas where it’s easiest to spot cultural differences is food & drink. Living abroad, and travelling for work, has taught us that British palates aren’t any fussier than other nationality in Europe. […]
Equipment & Accessories
The Hiker’s Picnic
It doesn’t matter whether hiking in Spain or Portugal, Italy or Austria, the filling you’ll find in the picnic made by the hotel is likely to be the same … […]
Hiking
Rest and be thankful on hiking routes
There comes a point on longish hikes when your body, or common sense, tells you it’s time to hit the pause button, to park your bum for a short while to rest legs and back. […]
Portugal
Cycling, what is it good for?
I like the thought of cycling that involves effortless pedalling along flat country lanes passing rows of vines, or alongside a gently rolling river, the warm sun kissing my face; a soft breeze caressing glowing skin; a bottle of wine, loaf of fresh bread, and a round of cheese in the wicker basket… […]
Travel Talk
Travel dreams or travel nightmares?
Travel is enlightening in many ways, mostly positive ones but not always; what were once romantic notions have been smashed to smithereens on the harsh rocks of reality; exotic dreams painted by travel industry marketeers laid bare by first hand experience. […]
Hiking
A wake up call, pondering mornings on the trail
Pull on a pair of hiking boots in the morning and an anticipatory thrill zings through the laces at the thought of what unexpected treasures lie ahead on whatever dirt track/forest path/rocky road leads into a promising distance. […]
Europe
Spellbound in the Logar Valley in Slovenia
We change into light walking clothes and head deep into a glacial valley renowned for its beauty in a country where scenic splendour comes as standard. It is completely enclosed by mountains – on two sides are conifer-clad slopes, behind us are high meadows, ahead tower the saw-toothed peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. […]
Austria
Europe’s just desserts, ten standout puddings
My least favourite part of a meal is dessert… unless there is something which awakens the sweet-toothed child that slumbers within. And there regularly is, no matter where we travel around Europe. […]
Hiking
Why pay for specialist travel guidebooks and holidays?
It’s a convivial gathering, eight of us around a dining table at a rural hotel in a converted farmhouse. The food has been plentiful, the wine flowing. As the evening progresses we get to know one another better and tongues loosen. […]