Tag: independent travel

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

This mad dog is back from Florence! So, what is Florence in high season like? After seeing to the killer migraine and draining a few humongous blisters, I now want to tell you all about it. Is Florence in high season a good idea? As 

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

What can you realistically expect from a Day Trip to Wadi Rum?

When I planned my little winter sun trip to Jordan, I didn’t plan on visiting Wadi Rum.  My priorities were on Petra, catching some sun in Aqaba and viewing the Desert Castles east of Amman. So I simply ran out of time. However, after seeing 

A Day Trip to Abu Simbel – tricky but possible!

A Day Trip to Abu Simbel – tricky but possible!

Who isn’t interested in ancient Egypt? Or, should I ask, monumental, mind-blowing Egyptian temples? It’s just a shame one of them is so deep in the desert of southern Egypt. There’s not much around it, and  it takes real effort to visit. I’m talking about 

West Bank Banksies, Walls and Sweet Child Jesus: a Day in Bethlehem

West Bank Banksies, Walls and Sweet Child Jesus: a Day in Bethlehem

Bethlehem: I looked everywhere in my 2011 Bradt Guide, but couldn’t find it. What’s going on with Bethlehem? No wonder… Bethlehem is in the West Bank, one of the three Palestine Territories in Israel. It took me  a little to figure that out – being ignorant, 

Two Days in Samarkand: What not to miss (Part Two)

Two Days in Samarkand: What not to miss (Part Two)

I had the opportunity to fulfill a big dream, thanks to an unexpected week off work and the end of the Uzbek visa rule in March.  And I had to act fast before this gift of extra time was to be booked up. Quickly I 

Two Days in Samarkand – what not to miss (Part One)

Two Days in Samarkand – what not to miss (Part One)

My impromptu Silk Road trip to Samarkand and Bukhara lasted six days, including two long flights, and time was a bit of an issue. What to do if you have limited time, want to see everything, but don’t want to spend a ton of money 

The Easy Route into Albania

The Easy Route into Albania

This autumn, we fancied a bit of sun, good food and culture for little money. Would we find it in Greece again? Looking at the cheapest available flights for the last week of November, we found flights to Corfu, Venice and Bari for around 100EURO. 

The Pillars of Hercules: Easy trips from Gibraltar

The Pillars of Hercules: Easy trips from Gibraltar

Would you think of Gibraltar as a to-go place to learn sailing in the sun? Perhaps, if you are from the UK but otherwise? Croatia, Turkey, Portugal and Spain all spring to mind for super nearly all-year round sailing holidays, but Gibraltar? Well, deeply entrenched 

Hotel Review Marble House, Athens: perfect for an autumn culture break

Hotel Review Marble House, Athens: perfect for an autumn culture break

Last October, I went to Athens to catch a bit of sun. We spent three days in Athens and three days on Aegina Island. In Athens, we stayed at the Marble House Hotel. We could not have wished for a better hotel: quiet, friendly, individual, and 

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Yes, yes, listicles are so great, and lovely for SEO. So I am going to write one, too. It’s not gonna be great, but I promise it will be an easy read.  It might provide you with some useful inspiration about what to do and 

See Armenia the easy way: Day Trips from Yerevan

See Armenia the easy way: Day Trips from Yerevan

Armenia is a relatively small country.  It makes good sense to base yourself in Yerevan, even if you are planning to tour the country. Day trips from Yerevan may be easier, more comfortable and more budget-friendly than trying to do a tour. Why? Many sights 

New Year, New Travel – what will 2018 have in store?

New Year, New Travel – what will 2018 have in store?

Yeah yeah, typical, writing this thing about travel plans when half the year is almost over. And I have no excuse. Does this happen to you, when your plans, great and totally practicable in January, become a bit woozy in February, then change again later, 

Athens without the Crowds: 10 Tips to enjoy the Classic City

Athens without the Crowds: 10 Tips to enjoy the Classic City

Athens is great! Almost year-round sunshine, close to the Mediterranean Sea, safe, brimming with ancient history and museums full of artefacts. The food is excellent, and many people speak English. But this means it is extremely popular, and do not let the recent Greek economy 

Volcano to Kailua-Kona… back round the other side of Big Island

Volcano to Kailua-Kona… back round the other side of Big Island

We’re half round the  Big Island, and just another three days until we return hone to very early nights and frost, and yet  we’re just been away from home a week – that’s what happens when you start a new job and move house. We better 

Greece in Autumn? Yes, please!

Greece in Autumn? Yes, please!

Greece is a wonderful place to visit out of season. In fact, Greece in autumn is son wonderful that I’ve been to Greece in the months of October well into November again and again. Autumn in Greece is still warm You know, that time when