Northern Europe
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Strömfors Bed & Bistro, Finland Review
Location: Strömfors Bed & Bistro is located in the centre of the idyllic ironworks village of Strömfors. The village was founded in the 1690’s and was a prominent industrial site rooted in the iron industry harnessing the Kymijoki River for its water-powered forges and mills. The site ceased operations in 1950 and today it is…
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Solo Sokos Seurohuone, Turku, Finland Review
The Solo Sokos Seurohuone Turku was voted Boutique Hotel of the Year 2025 in Finland so there was no better time to arrange a stay to experience the hotel for ourselves. This historic hotel holds quite a remarkable story as it can trace its roots back to 1928. Location: Solo Sokos Seurohuone is located in…
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Hotel Les Tanneurs, Namur, Belgium Review
Location: We chose to stay at Les Tanneurs on our weekend break in Namur and after taking the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels Midi, it was just a relaxing one hour rail journey through the Belgian countryside to our destination. From the station we then enjoyed a 15 minute stroll through the attractive…
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48 Hours in Hamburg: Exploring Germany’s Beautiful Port City
Hamburg is one of Europe’s most fascinating port cities boasting canals, grand architecture, lively waterfront districts and world class attractions making it the perfect destination for a short city break. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend in Hamburg, from Friday lunchtime arrival to Sunday afternoon departure. Friday: Arrive Friday Lunchtime Hamburg Airport is…
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Fraser Suites Hamburg Review
Location: Fraser Suites Hamburg is a luxurious five star hotel enjoying a prime location in the heart of Hamburg’s historic banking district. Housed in the beautifully restored Oberfinanzdirektion regional tax office building, the property is located just moments from the City Hall and many of Hamburg’s most recognisable landmarks. The area blends old-world architecture with…
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Scandic Gothenburg Central Review
Location: The Scandic Gothenburg Central is located in a port-inspired glass building overlooking the Göta Älv harbour inlet and within 15 minutes walk from Gothenburg Central Station. Arrival and check-in: We arrived into Gothenburg Landvetter Airport on a late evening flight and from outside the arrivals hall took the airport bus into the city centre.…
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Munich Christmas Markets Travel Guide: Experience Bavaria’s Winter Magic
Read on to learn about my recent weekend enjoying Munich’s Christmas markets. Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt: Standing in Marienplatz, surrounded by the Gothic facades of the City Hall, the square resembled a fairytale with its dozens of wooden huts bedecked with twinkling fairy lights. This is Munich’s oldest and most traditional market — and should definitely be a…
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Where to eat in Riga: The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Latvia’s Capital
Fine Dining Experiences Riga, Latvia’s capital, is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Between its art nouveau architecture and cobbled old town lanes lies a vibrant food scene that fuses Nordic precision with Baltic soul. Whether you’re seeking a Michelin-starred dinner, a romantic café, or hearty market fare, hopefully this guide will…
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Day Trip from Riga to Sigulda & Turaida: Castles, Bobsleigh & Nature
Just an hour away from Riga, the picturesque town of Sigulda and the nearby Turaida Museum Reserve offer a perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Often called the “Switzerland of Latvia,” Sigulda is nestled in the Gauja River Valley, with rolling hills, lush forests, and breathtaking river views. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or thrill-seeker, a…
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Why Riga Should Be Your Next Weekend City Break
I’ve recently returned from a long weekend in Riga, Latvia and absolutely enjoyed every minute of my time there. With its old town charm, art nouveau architecture and unique local experiences — from daily live music at Concerto Piccolo to a canal boat trip aboard the charming Darling, there’s something for everyone. Getting Into Riga from…
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How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway’s picturesque coastal city is the perfect destination for a weekend escape or short stopover while exploring the Norwegian fjords. Known for its colourful wooden houses, UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf and gateway access to the fjords, Bergen offers the perfect mix of old world charm and nature. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or…
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Eurostar Plus Review: Is the premium upgrade worth it?
Travelling between London and Brussels by Eurostar is a quick and convenient way to cross the English Channel as the train takes passengers seamlessly from one capital city centre to another. I’ve travelled on board Eurostar several times both in Standard and Eurostar Plus so decided to review the upgraded experience to see how it…
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Weekend Guide: Best things to do in Namur and Dinant, Belgium
Day 1:Getting there: Namur is ideally located for a weekend break. We opted to board an early morning Eurostar train from London St. Pancras to Brussels taking just two hours. From there, it was easy to transfer to a local train which arrived in Namur one hour later. For visitors preferring to travel by air,…
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Le Moulin de Lourmarin, Provence Hotel Review
Lourmarin lies in the heart of the Luberon in rural Provence and is listed among the most beautiful villages in the whole of France. I recently had the pleasure to stay at Le Moulin, a converted 18th century olive oil mill transformed into a boutique hotel in the village centre. Location: Le Moulin is located…
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Chateau La Coste: The Ultimate Day Trip from Aix-en-Provence
Chateau La Coste comprises an arts centre, sculpture trail, vineyard, hotel and restaurants and is a delightful place to visit for a leisurely lunch followed by a stroll through the vast estate. Getting there: Château La Coste is located within a 20 minute drive of Aix-en-Provence and 45 minutes from Marseille, making it a perfect…
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Exploring the east coast of Finland Part 2: Strömfors, Hamina and Kotka
The east coast of Finland lies within a 90 minute drive from Helsinki and makes for an ideal side trip from the capital and a chance to explore more of beautiful Finland either for a day trip or a short break. Once you arrive in the region the distance between towns and key sights is…
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Exploring the east coast of Finland: Strömfors and Loviisa
The east coast of Finland lies within a 90 minute drive from Helsinki and makes for an ideal side trip from the capital and a chance to explore more of beautiful Finland either for a day trip or a short break. Once you arrive in the region the distance between towns and key sights is…
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How to spend 48 hours in Turku, Finland
Short Break in Turku Most first-time visitors to Finland naturally head first to the nation’s capital, Helsinki, which is undeniably beautiful but if time allows, and especially for returning visitors, I’d highly recommend a short break in Turku. Located in the southwest of Finland, Turku is the country’s oldest city and is noted for its…
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Tallink Shuttle MyStar Helsinki-Tallinn Review
On our recent visit to Helsinki we arranged a trip on the flagship Tallink MyStar. As ferries depart up to seven times a day we opted to take the popular 10.30 a.m. service. MyStar entered operational service in December 2022 and has since been sailing on Tallink’s Gulf of Finland route between its homeport of…
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H15 Boutique Hotel, Warsaw Review
Hotel Review Location: H15 Boutique Hotel is located on one of the oldest streets in central Warsaw. The 19th century building has served as a grand private residence, a Soviet embassy, a headquarters for the Nazi party, and a prize possession of the People’s Republic of Poland. More recently this impressive building has been transformed…
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Martin’s Dream Hotel, Mons, Belgium Review
Hotel Review Martin’s Dream Hotel is located in a 19th century Neo-Gothic building that was the home of the Sisters of the Belgian Abbey before being converted into a church. Now a four star hotel, it retains many of the building’s original features which add to its charm. Location: The hotel is located in the…
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Aix-en-Provence: the ultimate travel guide
Aix-en-Provence is situated between the Rhone River and the foothills of the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. With over 2,000 years of history, the elegant old town is delightful boasting Provencal charm, historic sandstone buildings, narrow, car free streets and beautiful squares adorned by fountains. With over 250 gracing the city, fountains have become the emblem…
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Exploring Luberon: A Guide to the Most Beautiful Villages and Vineyards
Continuing my series of posts documenting my recent visit to the Luberon. Day 2 Morning drive to the hilltop village of Gordes I knew that Gordes was a hilltop village but nothing prepared me for my first enchanting view, it was so beautiful with its medieval stone cottages clinging on to the hillside. The centre…
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Exploring The Luberon, Provence
The Luberon is a natural park in Provence, with the Luberon mountain running its length and separating the north and south of the region. After reading ‘A Year in Provence’ by Peter Mayle many years ago I’d long wanted to explore this idyllic part of the south of France and in April this year I…
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