Made up of 50 independent countries, Europe is certainly one of the most exciting and varied continents on the planet and a popular travel hotspot with visitors from all over the world.
Despite the small size and close proximity of many mainland European countries, Europe is just about as diverse as you can get, with each country and region boasting its own unique and distinctive culture, history, landscape and cuisine.
Whether it’s been island hopping in Greece, hiking the peaks of the Swiss Alps, tobogganing in snowy Austria, traipsing through the colourful tulips in the Netherlands or eating my way around the cities of Belgium, I’ve had more than my fair share of exciting adventures all across Europe.
Europe is also a great destination to visit throughout the year, from the sandy beaches and picturesque villages of the Mediterranean coast which are perfect for a summer vacation, to the wintery snow-covered towns of Scandinavia and numerous magical European Christmas markets.
While you’ll find individual categories for the countries in Europe I’ve visited and written about most – UK, Italy, Spain and France – below you’ll find more general European travel inspiration, including some of the other places I’ve visited including Portugal, Netherlands, the Greek Islands, Belgium, Poland, Finland and Switzerland.
Verbier is a Swiss mountain town and modern hub that sits high up in the Alps. It has grown out of strong sporting roots and still now an active lifestyle is embedded in the culture. Many-a pro athlete choose Verbier as home base, the great outdoors a playground for activity and extreme sport both in … Read more
If I asked you what there was to do in Austria in winter, what would be the first thing that came to mind? For most people, it would probably be skiing or snowboarding in the snowy Alps. And don’t get me wrong, Austria does have many fantastic ski resorts and slopes for skiers of all … Read more
I hate the cold, which is why so many of my friends and family were surprised to hear that I was going to Lapland. When I explained that I’d agreed to the trip at a New Year’s eve party, AFTER midnight and a barrel-full of wine, my decision made more sense. But in the cold … Read more
If I asked you to think of Verbier in the Swiss Alps, you’d probably conjure up images of snowy scenes, days spent skiing and evenings huddled around log fires or packed into a bar indulging in some late night après-ski. But what happens when the thaw starts, the ski-season ends and Verbier’s winter tourists go … Read more
Porto is the city of queues. I didn’t expect that to be the opening line of this post. Before I visited Porto, everything I’d read about the city was described using a list of superlatives. Historic. Medieval. Rich. Romantic. Grand. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Porto is absolutely all of those things. And then some. … Read more
Wondering what are the best Eastern European Christmas markets? In this post, Stefan Pidruczny of StefanRTW gives you the inside scoop… Eastern Europe is a great place to visit all-year-round but the cities come alive during the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday. Almost overnight the quaint and quiet old town squares transform into festive … Read more
Place a glossy travel mag in my hands and I’m as happy as the proverbial pig in sh!t. Page after page, I love pouring over pictures of cerulean seas and cloudless skies. But here’s the thing – those pictures of those destinations are no more real than the images of celebs in Vogue. Airbrushed and … Read more
I love an indulgent foodie (and drinkie) weekend break and with my 40th birthday presenting the perfect excuse (and my messed up knee preventing me from jetting off to Hawaii), I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate than Brussels where chocolate, fries, mayonnaise, waffles and Belgium beer were all on the menu. As … Read more
“It’s ugly, isn’t it?” I looked at my guide, Bas, and he nodded, a big smile on his face. He wasn’t offended, because I guess he knew what was my next comment was going to be. “Ugly, but cool. Very, very cool.” Bas nodded again; his smile hadn’t waiver. We were talking about Amsterdam Noord, an … Read more
When I want to take a trip, I book a ticket, pack a bag (a small one at that) and go. And then I look at my friends with children and watch in awe at the planning, packing, cajoling, refereeing and excitement containing that goes on when they, likewise, take a trip. And that’s not … Read more