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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

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,

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

Tiradentes, the Brazilian tooth-pulling freedom fighter

Mention the name of Tiradentes to many Brazilians and they will probably tell you with great pride about one of their national heroes. Tiradentes is considered the first significant player in the fight for independence from Portugal, a struggle that would last over 30 years before the

Discover the Koster Islands, Sweden’s Secret Hideaway

However highly you value your own geographical knowledge, unless you happen to have been there it is highly unlikely that you will have heard of Sweden’s Koster Islands. Don’t worry; many Swedes are blissfully unaware of this rarely visited pair of tiny dots off their country’s west

Winter in Portugal: the perfect escape

As we approach the longest night of the year the temperature, just like the remaining leaves on the trees, keeps quietly falling. The sun is becoming a rare sight while the wind whistles around the window frames, reminding us not to venture out without our layers of

Focus on Ecuador: 5 travellers share their experiences

This week we take a closer look at the many attractions on offer to those who travel to Ecuador. While most visitors to the country still use it as a stopping point before heading out to the Galapagos Islands, an increasing number are discovering just how much

On the trail of Gerald Durrell in Corfu

One of the first books I remember reading at secondary school was My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. I have to admit to finding the book a bit of a struggle at the time. Even though I was the same age as the author at

The inside guide to the best of Stockholm

Stockholm has long been a popular choice for a European short break. It offers visitors the chance to explore its old historic quarter, admire its many miles of waterways and enjoy the long summer evenings when the sun barely dips below the horizon and it doesn’t get

Exploring Crete and the Minoan civilisation

Crete has long been one of the most popular Greek islands for holidaymakers to visit. With many miles of great beaches and known for its superb seafood, a holiday on Crete offers the necessary ingredients that many folks seek for their sunshine break. But if ever a