It has been an absolutely deep freeze chill across almost all of Europe so it seems a bit of a laugh to mention Sweden’s Kiruna Snow Festival. But since there’s no risk of there being a lack of snow for the festivities, I thought I would mention it :) This year’s festival is January 29-31. The festival is [...]
If you love the great outdoors, then Wales is your country and the Brecon Beacons in particular will offer all you could wish for in stunning scenery, walking, mountain biking, climbing, canoeing and many other outdoor activities. If you’re travelling on a budget or just prefer to get close to nature, then you may enjoy [...]
The Montenegrins tell a story about the creation of their country. They say that after God created the Earth, he looked down in his bag which had once contained all the birds, fish, animals, plants, water and the first humans who now populated his new planet. He noticed that in the bag there were still [...]
A few weeks ago I wrote about the spectacular cave paintings in France, often said to be the origins of art. For anyone interested in the other end of the time-scale, more contemporary art, and more comfortable settings, Paris is certainly the place to visit. This year, 2010, there are some great shows on the [...]
Skiing is not cheap, especially when you’re skiing at Chamonix in the French Alps. That means it’s necessary to try to save money wherever possible. Hostels are a good place to start. Le Chamoniard Volant is an inexpensive option just a short walk from the middle of town. In ski boots on snow covered roads [...]
Visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like stepping into Snow White’s village at Disneyland – only this is where it all started and here it’s all for real. On my first visit, as a seventeen-year-old, I joyously shouted, “Rothenburg looks like Disneyland!” I was immediately scolded by a German family member and told, “No. Disneyland [...]
A real surprise when I visited Poland was discovering how fascinating it was to visit Wolf’s Lair or Wolfschanze, the camp in northern Poland near Ketrzyn which was one of Hitler’s main bases during the latter half of World War Two. I was expecting a bland historical site, but it’s something much more. I stayed [...]
The island of Hvar is one of Croatia’s most popular tourist magnets, attracting both yacht-owning millionaires and budget travellers. It’s easy to fall in love with the island: sit by the marina, sip a cool drink as you watch spectacular yacht after spectacular yacht dock; find a stretch of beach to sunbathe and swim in [...]
The UK experienced some unusually extreme wintry weather at the start of January 2010. We live in Berwick upon Tweed in the north eastern corner of England, next to the Royal Border Bridge which carries the East Coast railway line over the River Tweed. Below is my pictorial diary of the period 4 – 9 [...]
Looking for a reason to head to Scotland’s Shetland Islands – a dark, often wet and cold place in winter? Well, believe it or not, at the end of January the Shetlands are one of the most happening places in Scotland as Lerwick plays host to Europe’s Largest Fire Festival: Up Helly Aa Up Helly [...]
