Italy
Exploring Trani in Puglia
A lack of beaches means Trani is generally bypassed by many foreign tourists, yet this elegant little town was once an important trading port, second only to Venice in the Adriatic. […]
The Destination
Basilicata
Behind the scenes of James Bond and Matera
Matera was no stranger to Hollywood when the Bond circus rolled into town to film No Time to Die, the final instalment of Daniel Craig’s tenure as Britain’s super spy. […]
Emilia Romagna
From Rochdale to Reggio Emilia
Sitting at the crossroads of Italy’s main communications arteries, Reggio Emilia remains stubbornly below the tourist radar, despite its proximity to, and easy access from Modena and Parma. […]
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. […]
Alentejo
Six of the best in Alcácer do Sal
Alcácer do Sal is one of those Alentejo towns that is a sight for sore eyes, yet remains hidden from the gaze of mass tourism. […]
Galicia
Six of the best of Pontevedra
Pontevedra’s great charm lies in the maze of streets that make up its historic quarter. The network of narrow lanes is a labyrinth full of little interesting snippets to devour. […]
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. […]
Crete
Six of the Best of Chania
Somewhere between the White Mountains and the blue of the Cretan Sea resides an enchantress, so claims the official tourism website in rather evocative fashion. We wouldn’t disagree, which is why we’re sharing our pick of six of the best of Chania. […]
Alentejo
Eight of the most beautiful towns in Portugal
Marvão comes in at first position as it dominated our view for four months. Perched on a rock overlooking the golden Alentejo plains, this walled, Moorish town near the border with Spain is as stunning up close as it is from a distance. […]
Alentejo
Where is Portugal’s Costa Vicentina?
Where is Portugal’s Costa Vicentina? It seems like a simple question. But the answer isn’t as simple as you might expect. This week, whilst pulling together images for an article we’re writing about hiking in […]
Chile
Different ways to travel the Carretera Austral in Chile
Reading The Dictator’s Highway by Justin Walker transported me right back to the pot-holed, dusty main road which runs for 1240km from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins, connecting the north of Chile with the remote, […]
Europe
Things tourists should never do in Portugal
One such article on Portuguese website Portugaldenorteaasul, titled 11 things tourists should never do in Portugal hooked me in. After three years of getting to know Portugal, I wondered how these ‘things not to do’ would compare with our experiences. […]
Europe
If you go to Calatayud, ask for Dolores
Intriguing earthy, red-brick spires and towers almost camouflaged against a matching rock-face catch our eyes as we shoot past at 120kph. The town, mostly hidden in a gully, has been little more than glimpsed. But it’s enough of a taster to have me commenting “that looks like an interesting place” […]
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. […]
Europe
Travelling by train across Slovenia
Sitting on a wooden bench in the early morning sunshine at pretty little Bohinjska Bistrica train station – flower baskets hanging from wooden eaves frame pine-clad hills and the timber yard opposite – we’re old soldiers. […]