Cyprus may not be the first country to spring to mind when thinking about the world’s great wine regions, yet the production of wine on this Mediterranean island has a longer history than almost anywhere else in the world. Recent archaeological discoveries suggest the presence of vineyards on Cyprus as far back as 5,000 years [...]
Tromso – for the Northern Lights and so much more
2012 is proving a popular year to try and get a sighting of the Northern Lights. We are entering a period of increasing solar activity, which in simple speak means that the chance of seeing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) is better now than it has been for around ten years. One of the most [...]
A Brief Guide to Thassos
Thassos manages to combine all of the main ingredients of a typical Greek island (great beaches, charming villages, rich history, delicious food) despite its small size. Yet even with its obvious attractions it has retained a charm that has visitors returning year after year to its sunny shores. Here we take a brief look at [...]
Who can you trust?
I have a friend who advertises several properties that he rents out privately on some of the well-known European villa owners’ sites. He is retired so has plenty of time to reply to enquiries and to monitor exactly where enquiries are coming from and how his – and competing – villas are selling. He tells [...]
Geocaching in the Azores
Many of us might consider our holidays to be the perfect time to put away our computers and phones, and unplug completely from our routine lives. The advent of smartphones and ever increasing wifi coverage is threatening this gadget de-tox, with more and more people feeling the need to stay connected even during their time [...]
In pictures: the wonders of the Galapagos islands
The Galapagos Islands, around 500 miles off the west coast of Ecuador, are rightly regarded as a wonderful place to observe at close quarters some of the world’s most unusual species. Not only are the majority of the species found here unique to the islands but the absence of predators has meant that most animals [...]
Sicily – an island apart
Carthage, Greece, Rome, North Africans, Normans, Spaniards and Bourbons have all taken their turns as invaders of Sicily. Some would argue that even the Italians are perhaps no more than the latest group to colonise this fiercely disobedient Mediterranean island. As each culture’s influence has waxed and inevitably waned it has left a legacy in [...]
In the Alentejo on the trail of Vasco Da Gama
He is known as one of the great explorers of all time and is perhaps Portugal’s most celebrated citizen. Vasco Da Gama brought great wealth to the Portuguese crown through his maritime endeavours and his legacy is alive and well almost 500 years since his death. You can find bridges, football clubs, churches and even [...]
The Veneto: History, romance and spectacular scenery
Verona: “Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo?” we wondered as we gazed up at Juliet’s balcony in the historic centre of Verona. Alas, no Romeo, just Will, our fellow colleague. Piazza dell’Erbe: Verona, one of the most fascinating cities of Italy, is rich in Roman, Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Juliet’s balcony is located less [...]
A short break to the ‘world’s most appealing island destination’*
The archipelago of the Faroe Islands, consisting of 18 islands, is situated in the North Atlantic, halfway between Iceland and Scotland. This blog details my experiences, and highlights, during my recent visit to this island destination; I hope that you enjoy it. First impressions: The Faroe Islands are remarkably beautiful, rugged and green. They are [...]
Most recent Comments