The Peloponnese is a peninsula of myths and legends, ancient sights and civilisations that pre-date written history. It’s a land that covers over 21,000 square kilometres (8,000 sqm) and is located on the southwest tip of mainland Greece. Home to Olympia, Delphi, and the Corinth Canal, and a short distance from Athens, it’s a destination … Read more
Into the ocean I go, to soothe my mind and find my soul. I saw this quote once in a store in Europe and couldn’t get it out of my head. Except, for me, it wasn’t swimming that made me feel this way; it was unfurling my yoga mat – into the postures I go… … Read more
On 9 February 1961, four Liverpool lads – John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney – gave their debut performance at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. Over 60 years later, The Beatles remain as popular as ever. And nowhere is that more true than in the city of the band’s birthplace, Liverpool. As … Read more
It was late spring in the British Isles and after poring over the many cruise destinations offered by Swan Hellenic, I did the thing that surprised even me. I decided to explore my own country. Britain. By sea. Until now, my most common view over the British Isles has been by air as I leave. … Read more
In 1931, at a time when Britain was still effervescing from the roaring twenties, a gentleman named W.F. Swan set up a small family run travel business called Swan Travel Bureau. Over the decades, and together with his son, Kenneth, they pioneered a new style of adventurous expedition cruising that remains at the heart of … Read more
If you’re searching for local food for your trip to Puglia, you’re already steps ahead of most of the millions of foreign visitors who arrive in Italy each year. Just recently, strolling down a side street in Florence I had a waiter holler at me across the street: “pizza, pasta, spaghetti”. It was as though … Read more
Once upon a time, South London wasn’t a very desirable place. It was the part of London that was the home of asylums, prisons and taverns of ill repute. Little did our medieval ancestors know that with these ‘features’ they were laying the foundations for one of London’s most exciting tourist enclaves. Think of London’s attractions … Read more
Vietnam is nothing short of magical. A southeast Asian country that is one long stretch of coastline, you can expect everything from huge cities to swathes of beaches, dramatic islands and hill tribe communities. For me, Vietnam holds a very special place in my heart. It was one of the first countries I visited solo, … Read more
In 1372, work was completed on a tower in Pisa that would later come to be one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. That tower was the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Located in the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy, Pisa is a popular stop on most Italian itineraries. But what else is there … 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