Pelisor Castle

Pelisor Castle

On a day trip to Pelisor Castle, we discover this beautiful and fascinating complex in the heart of Transylvania. Tucked into the lush forested folds of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, in the regal Peles Valley near Sinaia, lies a lesser-known treasure.… Read the rest

Transylvania Day Trip

Transylvania Day Trip, Bran Castle

A Transylvania Day Trip is incomplete without a trip to Bran Castle. Better known as Dracula’s Castle, this is the quintessential Romanian destination. However, there is more to Transylvania than chasing the elusive Count Dracula, with Peles Castle and the beautiful town of Brasov not to be missed.… Read the rest

Oller del Mas

Oller del Mas

Oller del Mas is a captivating winery nestled in the picturesque countryside near Manresa, about an hour’s drive from Barcelona. I’m on a tour with Viator, having just come from the morning at Montserrat and everyone is ready for some tasting, combined with tapas.… Read the rest

Peratallada

Plaça de les Voltes, Peratallada

Peratallada is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval architecture in Catalonia. After a visit to nearby Girona this morning, it’s been a beautiful drive through the countryside to get here.

As we approach from the car park, crossing a bridge and into the town, it becomes apparent the closer we get that this place is special.… Read the rest

Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schloss Hohenschwangau

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

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a real-life fairytale, visiting Neuschwanstein Castle should sit high on your bucket list. Perched dramatically above the village of Hohenschwangau in Bavaria, this iconic white castle rises from a rugged hill with the Alps as its backdrop.… Read the rest

Kodra Restaurant

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

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

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

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