The capital of the island of Crete during the Neolithic era was Phaestos. But the small settlement of Gortyn grew and grew, until it eventually became a city that eclipsed Phaestos. During the Roman era, in the first century, it became capital of C
Too many islands ofGreece suffer from the effects of ‘kalimari and chips’ mass tourism. But, sometimes, you only need to take a short trip in a ferry or a kaiki to enter a different world altogether. The 29-square-mile isle of Leros is a good example
It’s that time of year again, as the stars head for alignment this Sunday at the Dolby Theatrein Los Angeles for the 86th Academy Awards. Spain has been represented in recent years by quite a few luminaries, including directors Pedro Almodóvar, Nés
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Spain has several superb ski resorts with outstanding slopes, excellent facilities and most importantly of all, really great snow. Here we’ll be taking you on a mini-tour of some of the best ski resorts in Spain – and there are quite a few to choose
It's apple harvest time, and it's another crisp Saturday night on Calle Gascona (below right) in downtown Oviedo, an old university city that's the genteel, postcard-pretty capital of emerald-green Asturias in north Spain, with happy-faced students
Read more…The ice hotel phenomenon, born in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden in the 1990s, has been gradually picking up steam (as it were) in the northern hemisphere over the years, with hotels built each winter in a half-dozen countries. At the moment, the world's northe
Rugged cliffs plunge into the sea, to the north; a lush forest occupies the central areas and miles of white sandy beaches stretch to the south. That is the small Danish island – palette (588 sq.km), Bornholm, in a few words. The island might be sm
Read more…I never really considered Lanzarote as a holiday destination. From seeing various advertisements, and hearsay, I’d formed the impression that it’s a tacky haunt for the package holiday sun-seeker, and not my thing at all.
But, a recent cruise stop c
Read more…Arguably more so than many other European cities, the high-profile, historic parks of the City of Light are unusually plentiful and famous - Tuileries...Luxembourg (right)...Bois de Vincennes... among hundreds of other lesser known ones. And not only
Not all that many people are fully aware that in a goodly chunk of the Italian Alps many people speak German as well as Italian. And that Teutonic flavor is evident in and around its gracious capital, Bolzano(known in German as Bozen, pop. 100,000),
When you join up with YL Tours, you're not just visiting Puglia as a tourist, you are participating as a local immersed in some of the many day-to-day pleasures of living in this region. YL stands for Ylenia, the wonderful Puglian lady who gracious
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If budget is a concern, and let’s be honest, when you’re traveling with friends rather than family, then consider one of the less expensive destinations for your ski holiday this year. Well, you probably won’t bump into the Beckhams, but the snow is
On our recent trip to Denmark, we spent a few days in Copenhagen. We did a kayak tour of the canals where we discovered that the Little Mermaid statue has a boyfriend...
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Walking upward on steep cobbled lanes through the village of Lugano Switzerland still enshrouded by morning mists rising from Lago di Lugano is certainly one of life's finer ways to get a workout. If you're up for even more climbing (or a short cab
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Historic Lecce, Puglia's principal city, is a superb home base for immersing yourself in the Salento way of life. Lodging choices ranging from villas to farmhouse stays abound but for a classic in-town hotel, treat yourself to a stay at the sumptuou
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Summer holidays may be a receding memory, but in Spain–and nowhere more than Iberia Airlines’ hometown Madrid–being back in the “real world” of work and bills to pay is still plenty sweet. It’s the season when local cultural events and the late-night
To most non-Spaniards, the historic city and region of Valencia is most famous for paella and oranges. There is, however, an incredible edible número tres you probably haven’t heard of.
Even though it’s popular throughout Spain, for whatever reason th
Sunbathing elbow-to-elbow with strangers does not exactly fit anyone’s criteria for a relaxing seaside holiday. But here’s the good news – there are still stretches of uncrowded and untrampled coastline along the azure waters of the Mediterranean. So
If you visit Vienna for the first time and are keen to get under its skin you face a challenge: a mountain of 'must-sees' that over the centuries have cemented the rock solid stereotype of the enchanting city of music, cakes and emperors. Should you
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