Destinations

Whatever our reasons for Brexiting, only a wrong person would question the cultural offerings of Europe. Separated by a bridge, a river or most often an imaginary line, each country on the continent brings with it a richness of history, outlook and beauty – and when I discover there are four countries surrounding one serene lake, well, I’ve hit the Europhile's jackpot. Around 260km in circumference, Lake Constance is flanked by Austria, Germany and Switzerland, with the curious country of...

Tell an Italian you’re going to Genoa, otherwise known as Genova, and the response ranges from surprise to unrestrained shock. Compared to Italian delights nearby – the still beauty of Lake Como, the buzzing life in Bologna, the culinary delights in Modena – Genoa is seen to fall short in tourist attractions. “It’s not beautiful,” a well-meaning Italian will implore, comparing it to the rustic charm of Tuscany. That’s partly because Genoa, Italy’s busiest port town, has only begun to...

Isn’t London Marylebone a wonderful train station? Buried among the charming terraced houses of Lisson Grove and a stone’s throw from Lord’s Cricket Ground and the famed Madame Tussauds it is probably more famed for being one of the stations on the Monopoly board than being a major London terminus. But what it lacks in thoroughfare it gains in character, and it was with a spring in my step that I bordered the 17:50 Chiltern service to Oxford early one...

By Caroline Howley The mighty Danube slices cleanly through the centre of the city, divorcing rural, residential Buda from its hip urban neighbour, Pest. The elaborate landmarks of the riverbank shimmer, reflected in the water: Buda Castle, sat high on its rocky foundations; Liberty Bridge’s giant green girders towering over the retro trams that pass below; the intricate spires of the neo-gothic parliament buildings piercing the clear azure sky. The castle and its banks are a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site,...

By Pat Levy There’s an allure to Greece that can’t be found anywhere else. But put aside the sun-kissed islands, beautiful as they are, in favour of relatively undiscovered places on the mainland and accessible via modern, uncongested highways which make our overcrowded motorways look so last century. The place is the Peloponnese and the more precise spot is Costa Navarino, the realisation of a dream of a local fisherman turned shipping magnate who spent his later years buying up...

If you plan on visiting some of the capital's most famous cultural attractions you will need somewhere fitting to rest your head, and after a busy day in this exclusive slice of west London there's nowhere better than The Ampersand hotel. Nestled between the V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museums and the Royal Albert Hall, the Ampersand has it all on its doorstep. And if that wasn’t enough the French Institute is a stone’s throw away. This grand hotel dates back...

If I told you this hotel was once lauded the worst in Britain - would you believe me? All you would need to do is cast your mind back five years and remember the popular fly-on-the-wall documentary The Hotel. The Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay is THE hotel. As my partner and I walk into the reception area - part of me is desperate to be met by madcap former owner Mark Jenkins - however what we were met with was...

Denmark - The country of full of bicycles, where you can get to experience the Vikings lifestyle, enjoy millions of gastronomic alternatives, bike rides around Copenhagen main streets, get lost in their fairytale castles under a hyggeligt (cozy) atmosphere. Sara Lopez, a Spaniard living in Denmark, shares with us the most interesting places in this country. In general, one of the most special corners of Denmark is its capital: Copenhagen, where we can find the  most enjoyable colorful places: Nyhavn...

It’s true; Europe really does have a destination for every occasion. No matter whether you’re looking for a fun-filled escape or want to go on a stylish honeymoon, you can find the ideal location closer to home than you think. You don’t have to travel half way across the globe to find amazing beaches and crystal clear waters. If you plan on travelling around Europe, be sure to complete the new e111 application form to ensure you can receive reduced...