The joys of island hopping with strangers Greek island hopping is a talking point at the moment. Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey has inspired a new generation of classicists, and (probably) swelled the tourist traffic to Greece. But when my editor asked if I would like to join nine strangers on a yacht tour […]
Walking in Berlin: Tiergarten and Schöneberg
Victory Column Views, Shopping and ‘Cabaret’ Berlin’s Tiergarten’s main avenue has the Brandenburg Gate at one end and the Siegessäule Victory Column at the other. It is not unlike The Mall in London; although the dense woodland of the Tiergarten is more like a forest than a park. On our second day walking in Berlin, […]
Provence – Arles and the Camargue
Van Gogh, Pink Flamingos and Bullfights Our second article exploring Provence looks at Arles, the city of Van Gogh, and the neighbouring Camargue region home to the famous white horses, pink flamingos, black bulls and cowboys. Arles Situated on the banks of the mighty River Rhône, Arles is one of many towns and cities in […]
First visit to Funchal, Madeira
Where to go, what to eat, and what to buy Madeira has always had good weather, but it is having its time in the sun. Trending and trendy as a holiday destination, it draws a diverse range of visitors from young people and couples seeking adventure to families and retirees, all enjoying the island’s dramatic […]
Provence – The Essential Guide
The Luberon – The Spiritual Home of Provence This is the first of a series of guides to Provence in southeastern France, a region that borders Italy to its east, has the Mediterranean Sea as its southernmost boundary, and the river Rhône to the west. Popularised in the UK by the author Peter Mayle in […]
Madeira Wine – A Beginner’s Guide
The taste of Madeira Dancing in a lagare (trough) of grapes, arm in arm with new friends, a band playing in the vineyard, I felt as if I was in a dream. As we trod the grapes beneath our bare feet, the juices ran off into a large bucket, and soon the first glass of […]
Ski resorts for a short break
Top resorts in Europe for a short ski break If you are longing to be in the mountains but can’t spare a week’s holiday, check out our suggestions for a short ski holiday. It is easy to add a day or two onto a weekend to get the most out of your free time. I’m […]
A short ski break in the Davos Klosters mountains
Davos Klosters mountains – superb skiing in a stunning Swiss setting Davos is the highest city in Europe, 1,560 metres above sea level. Located in the Graubünden Canton in Eastern Switzerland, this Alpine city is famous for hosting the World Economic Forum as well as being a centre for active leisure activities, skiing being one […]
Gastronomy in Madeira
A dive into the food culture of the Pearl of the Atlantic One small fishing village in Madeira is central to three of the island’s iconic culinary offerings. From the pretty port of Câmara de Lobos come espada, espetada and poncha. Once I tasted all of these, I could appreciate not only the dishes themselves, […]
One day in Berlin: Tempelhof, the DDR Museum and TV Tower
Exploring Berlin by U-Bahn, Boat and Tram with a teenager Berlin in August was a revelation. Not pristine, not empty, but somehow calmer than London in peak tourist season. It felt tidy and organised, with well designed infrastructure. With many Germans on holiday, Berlin felt spacious, with lower levels of traffic and more green space […]