Schloss Hohenschwangau is a picturesque castle located in the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in Bavaria, Germany. While it is famous for its stunning architecture and scenic surroundings, Hohenschwangau is often overlooked in favour of the more famous Neuschwanstein.… Read the rest
Kodra Restaurant
An early morning walk and then a visit, en route, to the delightful Ardenica Monastery, sees us arrive in Gjirokaster for a late lunch at Kodra Restaurant. Perched high on the hill in the old town, it is currently raining and so, a lazy lunch seems the perfect way to await finer weather.… Read the rest
Dalt Vila
Ibiza dawns blue and warm, just the way I imagined it to and after a morning at the beach enjoying Ibiza’s blue sky and water we head into Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s old town or ‘upper town’, the walled historical centre from the Middle Ages.… Read the rest
Torre de Belém
This stunning tower, the Torre de Belém, stands on the banks of the Targus river in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is a landmark dating from the 16th Century. It is a ceremonial gateway to the city and officially a fortification that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers.… Read the rest
Lisbon
The hop on, hop off tourist bus operators practically mob us as we emerge into Lisbon from the cruise terminal along Av. Infante Don Henrique. However, we have our day more or less mapped out and we grab a taxi and head straight for the Tower of Belém.… Read the rest
Schloß Schwerin
If fairytales were to have a birthplace it must be Schwerin. Even from a distance, just laying eyes on their impossibly beautiful castle makes me feel like a princess, or at least, like the world is full of hope and beauty.… Read the rest
Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano
The incredible Renaissance castle, Castello Odescalchi, sits in the heart of Bracciano and has borne witness to centuries of change. As we arrive in Bracciano on the first leg of our Summer Holidays, it greets us, presiding over the piazza as we unload our bags, the boys too tired to notice, me bewitched and speechless at the sight. … Read the rest
On the Road to Hluboká nad Vltavou
Leaving Karlovy Vary behind us, we are on the road to Hluboká nad Vltavou and its stunning Chateau amidst the rivers, forests and fields of Southern Bohemia. Actually, our destination is Cesky Krumlov but after a few hours in the car we are ready to stretch our legs and as calm our nerves.… Read the rest
Loket nad Ohří and Mariánské Lázně
After a bit of a lazy start this morning we head out to explore some more castles and spa towns in the West Bohemian area of the Czech Republic. We have Loket nad Ohří and Mariánské Lázně in our sights.
Loket nad Ohří
Surrounded by a loop of the river Ohří, this tiny town almost becomes an island.… Read the rest