Italy, with its rich history and breathtaking landscapes, is a land of vibrant festivals that capture the essence of its culture. From the iconic Carnival of Venice to the thrilling Palio di Siena, these celebrations are deeply woven into the fabric of Italian life, preserving heritage and fostering community spirit.  Welcome to  Italian Festivals: The Ultimate Guide. Festivals in Italy are more than events; they are vital cultural expressions, showcasing the nation’s love for festivity. This ultimate guide explores the most iconic and unique Italian festivals, offering a glimpse ..read more

We Head to Rome to See ‘The Boss’ This is one in a series of blog posts detailing our 10-county trip around Europe on trains, buses, cars and ferries.  All the posts highlight what we got up to (hopefully without the boring bits) along with some tips and helpful overviews should you wish to visit the destinations. In this post, we move from Abruzzo in Italy to Rome. You can see all the posts from this trip here. In our minds we had always had Rome as the end point of this trip around Europe, where we had tickets to see Bruce Springsteen – but it wasn’t really the endpoint as we, obviou ..read more

Bangkok, a city that perfectly marries the ancient with the contemporary, offers an unforgettable escape for mature travellers. With its rich tapestry of culture, history, and modern-day vibrancy, Bangkok promises a unique blend of excitement and serenity. This guide is your key to unlocking a full, enriching experience and making the most of your 24 Hours in Bangkok. Designed for the seasoned traveller, here’s our concise blueprint to immerse yourself in the city’s best, from majestic temples and bustling markets to tranquil riversides and gourmet delights. Let’s discover how to make ever ..read more

Welcome to a journey of exploration and wonder! A bucket list for retirees – a compilation of dreams, aspirations, and must-see destinations – becomes especially poignant in retirement. This golden phase of life opens up a world of opportunities, unshackled from the binds of a 9-to-5 routine. Imagine walking the cobbled streets of Paris, soaking in the vibrant culture of Barcelona, or gazing in awe at the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Retirement is not just a time to relax; it’s an invitation to explore, to immerse oneself in new experiences and create memories that transcend the ordinary ..read more

The world, as we all know, has changed in recent years and so has tourism, many people no longer feel comfortable joining the throngs of holidaymakers that have previously swamped the Italian hotspots on the streets of Venice, Florence and Rome.  Many travellers now want to leave the crowds behind and find the more unique places to visit in Italy that the majority of tourists have not yet discovered.  Italy like all the countries of the world have these in abundance, so lets seek out some of the unique places to visit in Italy.  Although a few of the places mention ..read more

Taking the Bus Through Croatia and Dalmatian Coast to Split This is one in a series of blog posts detailing our 10-county trip around Europe on trains, buses, cars and ferries.  All the posts highlight what we got up to (without the boring bits) along with some tips and helpful overviews should you wish to visit the destinations. This post focuses on Croatia and Dalmatian Coast.  You can see all the posts from this trip here. As mentioned in the last post, Zagreb, unfortunately,  was simply a hub to get to our next destination, so after resting up for the evening we headed do ..read more

Grand European Tour – Sittin’ in the Railway Station… Got a Ticket to My Destination…Mmm This is one of a series of blog posts detailing our 10-county trip around Europe on trains, buses, cars and ferries.  This one focuses on Zagreb to Slovenia.  All the posts highlight what we got up to (hopefully, without the boring bits) along with some tips and helpful overviews should you wish to visit the destinations. You can see all the posts from this trip here. Our next stop was Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.  This was only ever intended to be a quick stopover on the way to Ljublj ..read more

We Take to the Waves on the Split to Italy Ferry This is one of a series of blog posts detailing our 10-county trip around Europe on trains, buses, automobiles and ferries.  All the posts highlight what we got up to (hopefully without the dull bits!).  Along with some tips and helpful overviews should you wish to visit the destinations. In this episode, we take the Split to Italy ferry. You can see all the posts from this trip here. On arriving at Split, we made our way to our overnight accommodation, this time in the south end of the town, a little away from the sea and less tour ..read more

Grand European Tour – Setting Sail For Korcula This is one in a series of blog posts detailing our 10-county trip around Europe on trains, buses, cars and ferries.  All the posts highlight what we got up to (without the boring bits) along with some tips and helpful overviews should you wish to visit the destinations. This post focuses on our trip on the Dubrovnik ferry to Korcula Island. You can see all the posts from this trip here. With over a thousand islands dotted along the Croatian coast, there was plenty of choice when choosing an island getaway.  To be honest, Korcula (Kor ..read more

Grand European Tour – 2 days in Dubrovnik, Or How We Split From Split and Head For Game of Thrones Central This is another in a series of blog posts detailing our 10-county trip around Europe on trains, buses, cars and ferries.  All the posts highlight what we got up to (hopefully without the boring bits) along with some tips and helpful overviews should you wish to visit the destinations. This post focuses on our 2 days in Dubrovnik. You can see all the posts from this trip here. The following day, we took a final stroll around Split and then along the promenade, cases trundling behin ..read more