The Spanish city of Valencia is a fun place to visit at any time of year. But for five days in March, something extra special takes place. Processions wind through the city streets, with thousands of locals dressed in gorgeous traditional costumes. Parties and concerts begin at 1:30am and last until the next day. Parades liven up the afternoons and fireworks light up the midnight sky. There is ... Read Full Article
Valencia, a City in Seven Markets
If you’ve been to Spain, you’ll know that life there is lived by night: evening strolls, late dinners and drinks in the cafés, tapas bars and nightclubs. To feel the real spirit of Spain, you must stay out late. However, there is one thing that gets even the latest night owls out of bed before noon: the street markets. Spain is renowned for its bustling mercadillos; stalls set up in the streets ... Read Full Article
Italy Can Mend a Broken Heart
For most of the summer, I was afraid to go to Italy. I was scared to hear the accent, to taste spaghetti Bolognese, to smell espresso. I worried that hearing my favourite Italian word, “Alora”, might send me straight over the edge. You see, I fell in love with an Italian last year. If this has happened to you before, I needn’t say more. If it hasn’t, let me fill you in: His name ... Read Full Article
Oktoberfest: Bavaria’s Excuse to Party Large
Welcome to Oktoberfest! Imagine it: 460,000 roast chickens. 400,000 sausages. 70,000 pork knuckles. 116 oxen. Dirndls, lederhosen, gingerbread cookies, oompah bands, beer chants and pretzels, and heaving breasts as far as the eye can see. Six and a half million people drinking nearly 7 million litres of beer. This year, the Opening Ceremony officially kicked off at noon when ... Read Full Article
Alpine Adventures in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Discover Lauterbrunnen Switzerland Lauterbrunnen brings out the adventurer in (almost) everyone I thought that Lauterbrunnen would bring out my wild side. But, it wasn’t until I was frozen in fear 20 meters in the air that it dawned on me: I’m not really an extreme sports kind of girl. Unfortunately, that realization did not change the fact that there were still only two options ahead of ... Read Full Article
Taste the Greatest Food in Europe in San Sebastian, Spain
You’ll have to just trust me on this one, but there’s no better cure for a broken heart than a good piece of beef cheek. When I left Ibiza last week, I was convinced that the rest of my holiday was doomed. How could I ever feel for another place the way I did for the White Isle? That had to be the peak; I figured I might as well cut my losses and go home. But then: a memory came ... Read Full Article
My Own Private Ibiza
It can hit you upon arrival, or sneak up after a few days; the realization that you have found one of the most exciting places of your life. For me that was Spain's Ibiza. You know right away when it happens. It’s something more than just liking the looks of a new destination. It’s when something in the spirit of a place speaks directly to you, where you walk around with eyes wide open in ... Read Full Article
A Visit to Lavapies, Madrid’s Most Diverse and Revolutionary Neighbourhood
While the rest of her country huddled around television sets to watch their national football team become the most successful of all time, Montserrat was sitting in a dark room in Madrid, with a 53-year old ex-Flamenco dancer, smoking hash. “Damn football,” she said. “It’s just another way to make us forget how screwed up our country is.” I met Montse last year in Colombia, where we were ... Read Full Article
Five Things You Need to Know About London
I love London and think you will too, if you give it a chance. The following Five Things You Need to Know About London, will, I am sure, win you over: It’s cheaper than you think It’s the stereotype that I hate the most: “London is super expensive”. Yes, it costs a fortune to buy a house, and you’ll hear locals complain about council taxes, fuel prices and the cost of parking. But unless ... Read Full Article
My Big Greek/Turkish Cyprus Adventure
The southeastern coast of Cyprus is stunning. Along its perfect, sandy coastline is where you’ll find the resort towns of Agia Napa, Larnaka and Limassol, which are renowned for their stunning beaches, fancy restaurants, luxurious hotels, and bustling nightlife. Tourists, mainly from Britain, flock there to party, swim and snorkel, and get a bit of sun. Unfortunately, all of that is about ... Read Full Article