From mist-filled forests and vertiginous trails to cliff-edge campsites and cloud-level sunrises, Ines Luque uncovers some of Madeira’s wildest landscapes — and its quietest moments. Camping in Madeira is not the obvious choice. This Atlantic island is better known for cruise ships and cliff-hugging hotels than for tents pitched beneath the stars. But for travellers…
There’s a particular romance to arriving in Paris by Eurostar in mid-December. One moment you’re rushing through the Kent countryside, the next you glide into the heart of the city at Gare du Nord, stepping straight into a winter tableau and a city dressed for Christmas. Paris is one of those cities that never really…
On a trip to the beautiful medieval city of Krakow earlier this year, I felt compelled to visit Oświęcim—the town whose name became synonymous with the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau. Where most associate holidays with relaxation, this day trip demanded reflection. It summoned grief, anger, and a hollow ache for those who fell victim to the Nazi…
Crete has a way of capturing your senses before you even set foot on its shores. The scent of thyme and oregano drifts on the breeze, the mountains tumble into a sapphire sea, and time feels deliciously slower. Nestled along Crete’s north-eastern coast, the fishing villages of Elounda and Plaka may be small, but reflected…
From cliffside serenity to coastal adventures, this Italian gem will capture your soul. There are islands that impress you, and then there are islands that stay with you. Ischia, nestled in the Bay of Naples, is one of the latter. With its volcanic landscapes, thermal waters, seaside villages, and slow Mediterranean rhythm, Ischia is a…
January and February in England are the bleak months. The euphoria of the Christmas and New Years holidays is over, the temperature is dropping and there are still at least two months to go before one can realistically expect to see the first signs of spring. It was not without some relief, therefore, combined with…
When travellers think of visiting Denmark, Copenhagen is likely the first city that comes to mind. But, like many capitals across Europe, it’s hugely busy and expensive – especially in the summer season. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, you might consider Denmark’s second city. Three hours by train from Copenhagen, Aarhus…
If you visit a city well-known for making hardened-steel knives and swords make sure you don’t get stopped carrying a reproduction antique sidearm. Like most people, we do like to buy holiday souvenirs. The odd oil painting or restored cherub – and it was this which led us into a trap in Spain. The beautiful…
The old town of Salzburg is a musical box of delights If you were to capture a winter wonderland in a snow globe it would probably look like Salzburg with its sparkling year-round attractions for weekenders and holidaymakers. The old town south of the river is full of enchantment, especially at Christmas when markets abound…
A thousand sunsets. A thousand memories. A thousand heartbeats. Colours of red, blue, and gold streak the sky as the sun dips below the horizon…this is Santorini. Poets have written about it, and artists have tried to capture its beauty, but nothing quite describes the magic of this tiny Greek island, rich in history and…