The Bells, The Bells of Jura
When you wake in your hotel room in the beautiful green mountains of the Jura, in Eastern France, you may hear, for the first time,...
Maribor Slovenia – wines, gastronomy, bikes and hikes – travel review
Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe. Small it might be but it has natural beauty, with mountains (Slovenia’s highest mountain, the three-peaked Triglav,...
Rennes – second capital of food (or is it third?) – travel review
Rennes Market, in the Place des Lices, is there every Saturday, and is considered to be the second- or third-largest in France, depending on whom...
Burgundy – Chardonnay, Charolais and Cloisters – travel review
Archaeological evidence suggests that viticulture in Burgundy started as early as 200 AD, and later the monks and monasteries were to have an important influence...
Porto – Harry Potter was born here – travel review
Yes, it’s true, dear reader! The boy with the lightning scar was conceived and born in Porto. This city is also known as Oporto and...
Portugal – A world of flavours – travel review
It’s true that many British tourists are regulars on the beaches of the Algarve and they will say they love the country. Yes, they enjoy...
Rijsttafel in The Hague – travel review
I love The Netherlands and am an unashamed supporter. It’s an oft-disregarded tourist destination even though it’s easy to get to from London. Short breaks...
Heidelberg – Elegant and Sweet – travel review
Heidelberg is picture perfect, well preserved and a working town. There are alleys, boutiques, cafés, restaurants, stunning churches, statues and history at every turn, but...
Fontenay Abbey – travel review
Late spring in Burgundy. The banks of the canal were festooned with the colours of wild flowers: the blue of cornflowers, the blood red of...
A Citrus History of Sicily – travel review
Sicily is a large island just off mainland Italy. It has a variety of landscapes and the imposing Mount Etna which has donated volcanic soil...
Markopoulo recommendations: Attica’s food, wine and welcome – travel review
I love Greece. It’s the warm people, food, and (you might be surprised to hear) award-winning wines that are still so sadly overlooked. Yes, this...
Nederlands Fotomuseum – Images In The Gallery Of Honour Of Dutch
Nederlands Fotomuseum Reveals 99 Iconic Images In The Gallery Of Honour Of Dutch The development of 180 years of photography On 9 June, the Nederlands...
Harley and the Holy Mountain: Through the Heart of Greece to its Soul
What a wonderful read! It’s only May and I sense I have already found my ‘Book of the Year’! Harley and the Holy Mountain: Through...
Flowering Netherlands – More than Tulips
We love those fresh Spring colours of tulips which are synonymous with the Netherlands. It’s not a native of that small northern country but it...
Mauritshuis Fleeting – Scents in Colour
An exhibition of romantic perfumes and foul odours in the 17th century The 17th century saw Mauritshuis as a residence and hotel for VIP guests....
Zeeland, land of salt and sweet!
The Netherlands has so much to offer. Many of us think we know about this small but perfectly formed country. Well, we had that weekend...
Gouda – a cheese for all seasons – travel review
We have many cheese choices in specialist shops and even our local supermarket. Gouda can easily be overlooked. It seems to have been with us...
Nederlands Fotomuseum opens Gallery of Honour of Dutch Photograph
On 21 January 2021, the Nederlands Fotomuseum in Rotterdam will open the Gallery of Honour of Dutch Photography, where 100 photographs will be on display....
Royal Delft – Living History
Delftware or Delft pottery, also known as Delft Blue, is a term now widely used to describe the instantly recognisable Dutch earthenware. Most of it...
A Dog of Flanders in Antwerp – travel review
‘A Dog of Flanders’ is a novel by English-French author Marie Louise de la Ramée and was published under her pseudonym “Ouida” in 1872. It...