Category Archives for "South Europe"

With over 500 wineries and a wealth of UNESCO heritage, visiting La Rioja reveals an authentic Spanish way of life.

From the gorgeous to the curious to the oddly confusing, discover and enjoy unusual things to do in Spain.

Half the thrill, for me at least, of eating in San Sebastian is the way in which you do so; the other half involves the flavour of the food itself.

NO8DO, NO8DO, NO8DO.

It’s everywhere in Seville. But what on earth does it mean?

Tapas isn’t a stereotype in Seville, it’s a way of life. You’d be hard pressed to stumble for more than about 100 metres without finding a place that serves up a plate of sliced jamon washed down with cerveza. Here’s how to find the best tapas in Seville.

With gentle salt spray, honeycomb rock and field after field of wild flowers, hiking the Ruta Vicentina revealed the secret the Portuguese have been hiding for years: the stunning Alentejo coast. Here’s an inside guide to the things to do on the Costa Vicentina, this untamed beauty at the edge of Europe.

Welcome to the city where orange blossom mingles with fountains in quiet courtyards while passion flames in the streets. Home to flamenco, inspiration for Carmen and the springboard for Columbus’ voyage to the new world, Seville never bores her guests. After half a decade living there, here’s my guide to the best things to do in Seville, Spain.

Scenic and sunny, Mykonos is the stylish party island of the Cyclades in Greece. And where do you go if you’re looking for luxury villas in Mykonos town? Travel experts Kinglike Concierge have the answer.

Menorca suffers from something called Spanish Myth Syndrome: the unshakable viewpoint held by millions back home that there’s nothing more to Spain than simple sunshine, sea and sangria.

I’ve written about…

Relishing a few days in the foodie city of Lisbon, I’d scribbled suggestions, pinned pictures on Pinterest, flitted hearts across instagram and whatever else we’re supposed to do in this social media age before taking our taste buds anywhere.

I had the additional perk of knowing not one, not two but three food writers familiar with the city and, quite literally, ran into a woman who wrote the book on travel and eating out in Portugal only a few weeks before.

Kalamata, you beauty, you. You’re not all about the olives. But they are some of the world’s best. With the towering green Taygetos mountain range, long seafront expanse and atmospheric old streets, it’s a wonder more people don’t know about you

For a taste of rural Greek life to sooth the soul, head through the olive groves, up the hill, and overlook the Gulf of Messinia.

Athens is an unusual city. With its eye-watering place in world history, the olive-soaked Mediterranean air breezing through and the Acropolis shining on a hilltop, Athens should be an easy city to fall in love with.

Yet alongside the romance, Athens packs in skyscrapers, traffic jams, urban grit and edgy street art.

And a visit there is all the better for it.

Zafra. The very name of the place intrigued me, so I was hoping for something different, something exciting and the Parador de Zafra…

Menorca threw several surprises my way when I visited. Wild flowers, for one, with fields flush with poppies, violets and periwinkles all dancing like hippies in the sun. There were bronze age settlements for another, and olive oil-soaked cheese, cured lovingly by hand and made from milk gathered freshly that morning.

When friends first ask about what they should see and do in Seville, I start with the traditional list. After that, though, we get down to spilling my true secrets. My tips and tricks for soaking up the seduction of Spain’s hottest city and living like a local in the heart of Andalusia.

A number of things are wrong. To begin with, I’m standing in a field surrounded by darkness, my mind pulling the duvet covers back over its head and mumbling into its pillow. Second, I’m…

Everything you need to know about shopping in Seville, including where to buy authentic Seville souvenirs

What to eat in Tenerife – Tenerife Food GuideWhat is typical Tenerife food? Forget jokes about Full English Breakfasts and fish and chips for a pound, the real cuisine in Tenerife stretches back over centuries.Your Guide to Food in Tenerife ​The Top 10 Foods to Try in Tenerife​ GofioBarraquitoRopa VIejaPuchero Roast Chestnuts  Almogrote Papas Arrugadas Tenerife Honey Tenerife Wine Mojo   […]

There’s no doubt about it: Seville is one of Spain’s most exciting cities, a place with intoxicating heat, history, architecture and food. From cosy hotspots in the centre of town to fortress-like luxury in the hills. Here are the best places to stay in Seville after years spent living there (and reviewing hotels for a living.)

Known for its sunny package holidays, the subtropical island of Tenerife hides its unusual things to do in plain sight. Unusual Things to do in Tenerife With two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and food, landscape and culture aplenty, Tenerife offers so much more than simply lying on the beach. And hardly […]

Venice has a tempestuous love affair with the world. Millions of adoring fans visit La Serenissima each year, lured by the sirens of the Adriatic. Perhaps I’ve spent too much time squashed on the London Underground, but…

 Unusual things to do in GreeceLooking for inspiration for wonderful and unusual things to do in Greece but tired of lists churned out by people who’ve never been there? Look no further! Here is a collection of beautiful, cultural things to do in Greece, peppered with a bit of soul and a lot of golden […]

Things to do in Porto  Ah, pretty city Porto, you beautiful place, you. All glowing in from dawn til dusk in a tumbly, jumbly terracotta haze and reflected Harry Potter glory. With your giant gondolas from the port trade, your azulejo tiles and your steep streets to a thousands scenic viewpoints, you wear your prettiness with a […]

Authentic Portugal These days, everyone is talking about things to do in Portugal and why you should go there now. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites, gastronomy, history, architecture, great beaches and whimsical creations and pastries, millennial Portugal most definitely is the new black.But before you skip on down to the list of things to do in […]

It all started with the police check last night.

Torchlight zig-zagged across the car and we huddled in the backseat.

“You are English,” said the policeman. “And yet you say you want…

 Deep beneath the scorched sun of the Peloponnese, the Eumelia luxury eco-farm comes from a couple jaded by politics who, quite literally, decided they wanted to get back down to earth.  The earth in question is red and dry and crunches underfoot. Rippling boardwalks surf across the dust to connect the five cabins to the main […]

If words like authentic and off the beaten track delight you, then you’ll love the rustic luxury of Villa Vager in the Peloponnese, Greece. This Villa Vager Review forms part of a series on The Big Greek Road Hop: Driving the Peloponnese. Find more about exploring this beautiful part of Greece over here.  Villa Vager […]

Pedro Martina’s sun-worn face lights up as he grabs my shoulder and points into the distance.
“Three of them are under the water now,” he says. It’s certainly not the first time Pedro has hunted whales…

Forget island-hopping through Greece: if it’s culture, natural beauty, beaches and a sense of discovery you’re after, it’s time to hire a car and hit the road through the Peloponnese. If it was good enough for the ancient gods and the Olympians, it’s good enough for you.