Samaria Gorge lies in the west of Crete, close to Chania, and runs along the River Omalos, between the region known as theWhite Mountains (Lefka Ori) and Mount Volakias. It is Europe’s longest gorge, stretching out for 16 kilometres, and reaching al
All Discussions (435)
Off the beaten path in Cyprus: Avgas Gorge
Avgas Gorge, on the western coast of Cyprus, is a magnificent fissure in the limestone cliffs. It lies in an unfrequented part of the island where tourists rarely went.
At the time of my first visit, I lived in Yorkshire. So, my first sight invited c
Read more…Off the beaten 'chemin' in Paris: Bastille area/Marché Aligre
Paris is famously full of world-famous sites we all know and love. But please also try to squeeze in at least a couple of great, very local experiences, as well, such as 11th/12th-arrondissement neighborhood surrounding the Place de la Bastille. Onc
Sitges, Spain a gay classic for summertime play
Summer is here, and that means Sitges is in full swing for the season. Of the myriad little fishing-villages-turned-beach-resorts along Spain's Mediterranean coast, this is the one nearest and dearest to the heart of gay men and women across Europe a
Kitesurfing in Tarifa, Spain
The small fishing town of Tarifa in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia has about 17,000 inhabitants, is located in the farthest southern corner of Europe and acts a as a balcony overlooking Africa, situated only 14 kilometers away. Tarifawelcomes abou
Hungary's pungent pride and joy: paprika!
I've been experimenting more than usual with spices recently, and so pungent Hungarian paprika has been very much on my radar, bringing back memories of a three-week stint in Hungary several years ago. This spice is used in cookery throughout much of
Read more…When Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands became the battleground of the gods
Sometimes when you watch a lousy movie, the only compliments you can muster are about the scenery. For many people this was the case with the 2010 remake ofClash of the Titans, widely criticized for the quality of the 3-D graphics as well as the dub
The bucolic pleasures of Switzerland's Appenzell
It is a massive understatement to say that the Appenzell region of Switzerland has character. Appenzell is exactly how you hope the German part of Switzerland will be. Well-known among the Swiss as the most traditional area in the country, its inhabi
Read more…Greek Island-Hopping
There are at least 2,000 islands in Greece, only a few more than 200 of which are inhabited. And especially from May through October, lots of travelers love to hop from one to the other, with the help of ferry services that connect most, from the lar
What makes Kolymbithres Beach on Greece's Paros island so sexy?
The cradle of classical culture may boast some impressive old stone buildings indeed, but certain other old stones out on the Cyclades island of Paros provide one of the more memorable backdrops forGreece's other main draw: its beachy, sun-drenched i
Eating Indian in Bristol
If you are ever in Bristol, England and crave scrumptious Indian cuisine, then a visit to the old Bristol Stock Exchange is in order. Located in an old 100 year plus old structure, the old home of the Bristol Stock Exchange, is now the home to Bri
Read more…Driving the Via do Infante in Portugal's Algarve
Portugal is a popular summer destination, mostly due to its great weather and amazing beaches. It also doesn't hurt that this southern European country makes for a relatively economical holiday. If you are driving in the Algarve this summer, there a
Read more…This weekend's Feast of the Redeemer in Venice
One of Venice’s most popular festivals is now underway: the Festa del Redentore. Ermanno, one of our local guides in Venice, calls this his “favourite festival of the year” (as it is for many Venetians!) and he’s taking time today to share a bit of |
Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, and Spanish cuisine
With its romantic Mediterranean flair, rich cuisine and millennia-old history, Spain has captured the hearts of many – including world-famous Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow. There’s no denying that the 36-year-old celebrity has had a long love af
Read more…driving in Italy, what is a 'ZTL' and why should you avoid it?
Italy is a great summer destination, bringing together amazing weather, world-famous food, and countless cultural treasures. If you hire a car in Italy for the summer, there are some things you should know, the most important of which is that there'
for wine-lovers, it doesn't get much better than visiting Burgundy
The self proclaimed “land of fine art and living” is much more than a wine region in central France. In the minds of many wine aficionados, Burgundy produces the world’s most drinkable wines in the world.
A trip to Burgundy is a step back in time. Th
Discovering Italy's Dolomites with mountain climber Reinhold Messner
Italy is often associated with good food, romantic piazzas, Roman ruins and turquoise beaches – few know about the majestic mountains that run through Italy. From the Dolomites to the Apennines, the peaks of Italy boast dramatic heights and grandeur
unusual hotel bars in Paris
Pleasant and sociable, bars are great places to unwind in after both a day’s work or a day of leisure. Paris is no exception to this trend, with chic or offbeat establishments that never fail to amaze. The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau has cre
Read more…a Denmark primer
According to an international survey, the Danes are the happiest bunch of people on earth! Is it the eclectic mix of charming cobble stoned streets and cutting edge modern design, or the right to use the word ‘fairy tale’ freely (and most importantly
5 top reasons to put Vienna on your bucket list
My ex boss recently asked me a good question: ‘I am trying to convince a group of friends to visit Vienna Austria. We are planning our annual city trip. My friends love the good things in life and like culture. Which tips would win them over for a
Read more…