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Where the Vikings Live
May 8th, 2013
Even if many of my relatives live there – all I know of Scandinavia is based on the tales and myths of my childhood. So when I took off to Stockholm and Helsinki, I had pictures of Pippi Longstocking, Moomins and fierce Vikings in my mind. Going on a plane never sounded good to me – not just because I’m a Railbooker. Getting up at 5 am did not make it better. Almost missing the flight because all transfers to the airport were cancelled didn’t either. Anyhow, after a ride with what must have been London’s best cab driver, I made the plane just in time.
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An Italy Less Travelled
May 1st, 2013
Neapolitans claim that Northern Italians live by the rules. Well, Neapolitans lives by their wits. What was once the greatest port on the planet is now a globalised inferno of Taiwanese scooters, Indian street vendors, Spanish castles, Arabian spices, French architecture and Roman ruins. Never has a city held a truer epitaph: Vedi Napoli e poi Muori – ‘See Naples and Die’.
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Sacred Cows, Aloo Gobi and the Maharajas’ Express
April 29th, 2013
When people think of India what do they think of? Poverty? Mayhem? Bad smells? Constant noise? Delhi belly? Me too! Well that’s all I’ve got on that one. Thanks for reading.
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Martin’s Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam – in Bruges.
April 22nd, 2013
Bruges really does have the best collection of historic hotels, which transfer you back to an era of decadence and drama. After a short walk along the picturesque Spiegelrei Canal, past a road of imposing properties and down cobbled streets, we finally arrived at the Martin’s Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam. The 13th century building was very imposing with large windows facing the opposite street across the canal.
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Belgium – Chocolaty and Mussel-Bound
April 19th, 2013
Those of you who have seen the film In Bruges know there are two different ways to look at Bruges. You can love it or hate it and it was about time for me to find out to which group I would be in. When thinking about Bruges I can’t help but think of the cliché: Chocolates, waffles, mussels and beer. But could a place really fulfil my expectations without Willy Wonka being involved?
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The Train in Spain is Better Than the Plane
April 9th, 2013
Two weeks of travelling by train in southern Spain and Portugal has rekindled my love of train travel. It’s a good few years since I travelled by train in Europe – in recent years, I’ve done it by plane, car, bus and cruise ship. For travelling between big cities, however, I don’t think you can beat trains for comfort and convenience.
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Footsteps in Flanders
April 2nd, 2013
My first ever Belgian journey began with a snowy Dover – Calais ferry crossing and a coach into Ypres. Ypres, or Ieper to the Flemish, is a lovely little town close to the French border, you definitely wouldn’t think it was the scene of so much destruction almost a hundred years ago. Ypres played host to some of the fiercest battles of the First World War, hence the workshop organised by Flanders Tourism in commemoration of the upcoming centenary. During my two and a half days in Ypres, I learnt about the Great War itself, visited memorials, cemeteries and former battlefields.
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Paris and its Arrondissements
April 2nd, 2013
Each time I go to Paris I become more intrigued by and in awe of this wonderful and eclectic city. This trip started with a comfortable and speedy journey on the Eurostar. The time quickly slipped away with the landscapes of England and France passing by my window. Being sat in Standard Premier class meant that there was a large selection of magazines and a satisfying breakfast was served which consisted of orange juice, tea and yummy fresh pastries.
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Parisian Café Culture
March 26th, 2013
Everyone knows how the café culture in Paris intoxicates and I certainly inhaled that atmosphere, spending an afternoon people watching. After catching an early Eurostar into Paris, we spent the day wandering around the city discovering quaint back streets and browsing in quirky boutiques. Although the sun wasn’t shining, we were able to appreciate the classical architecture whilst dodging the variety of vehicles (both on the road and eccentrically parked) around the city.
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700 Years of History in Flanders
March 25th, 2013
My wife Tiina and I really made the most of our time in Flanders; I had not been since childhood and Tiina only knew Brussels from one short visit. I am so glad that we could at least glimpse at 700 years of history during our weekend, starting before Rubens and finishing with MAS. Of course there was much we missed and which will tempt us back before long. The Diamond Museum and the Fine Arts one will surely draw the crowds as MAS has done.
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