Sorting out travel insurance is probably the most mundane aspect of planning your holidays. Nonetheless, I make no apologies for writing about it, as if things go tits up for you while abroad, you’ll be grateful that you put in these hard yards now to do some proper research. I’ve been around the block (and the globe) enough to know that not all travel insurance is...
Recently, from my home base in Vienna, I boarded a train to Brno, Czechia (the Czechs want you to call it Czechia now, not the Czech Republic). Before arriving I knew nothing about it, other than it was Czechia’s second largest city after Prague, and that it was fast developing a reputation as a foodie’s paradise. That was all I needed to know, so boldly...
I often ask the question “is ___ worth visiting?”. Well, nowhere that I’ve written about so far is worth visiting more than Warsaw, the capital of Poland. This city is all about resistance, renaissance and grit, and I’m a fan. It’s a place that carries on no matter what, and is flourishing in this 21st century into the capital city that’s it’s never been...
Lisbon is a city renowned for the diversity of its local neighbourhoods. From the shopper’s chic Baixa and Chaido, to the romantic’s old town Alfama, and the night owl’s grittier Bairro Alto. Deciding where to stay in Lisbon is probably the most important decision you’ll make, besides perhaps when to visit.To experience the side of the...
While the days of travelers cheques are thankfully well and truly behind us, traveling internationally still brings with it the hassle of managing different currencies, and avoiding ATM and foreign exchange fees. If you still travel using your high street bank account and card, then you’re probably losing hundreds of dollars, pounds or euros to your bank with...
For many reasons, Vienna in December is a place that all Christmas lovers need to experience at least once in their lives. Whether you’re munching on a sausage at one of its famous Christmas markets, or warming up in a grand Viennese coffeehouse, the city’s culinary scene thrives in the colder months. Winter in Vienna is also the perfect time to up your...
If you’re visiting a new country, and you’re planning to rent a car and drive there, top of your list of things to do should be checking whether or not you need an International Driving Permit. Suffice to say, it’s a complicated matter, with different rules, regulations and variations depending on your home country, where you’ll be visiting...
Taking a ferry to Holland from UK is a great way to explore mainland Europe, especially if you want the freedom to bring your own car. The Netherlands borders Belgium and Germany, and is within a few hours drive from France too, making it the perfect gateway to much of Europe. England to Holland ferries operate year-round, with many offering convenient overnight...
For anyone who’s already visited San Sebastian, the question posed in the title of this post, ‘is San Sebastian worth visiting?’ will seem all too obvious. For while Donostia, (as it’s known in Basque) might not be the easiest to get to, nor the cheapest destination, it’s undoubtedly worth your time. Once you arrive, you’ll find yourself in...
As with any new country you visit, the car rental requirements in UK, as well as the driving norms and rules, differ from what you’re probably used to. But don’t let this fact put you off hiring a car though, as it’s a great way to explore at your own pace, especially if you plan to visit some of the most beautiful, yet remote parts of England...