Venice in peril. If it's ancient foundations crumbling, and literal hoards of tourists aren't troubling enough, Venice is now being genuinely threatened by the gargantuan cruise ships that pull up to the ancient city. So much so, that UNESCO has put Venice on its endangered list unless Italy permanently banned cruise ships from docking in…
Europe
Mother earth is heating up - dangerously - but so is the race to enable humans and animals to live in a world that will not burn to a crisp, like it seems now. We have the brains and the technology, but our will needs a kick in the pants. Fortunately, more and more evidence…
Europeans - and we include the UK here - generally tend to be ahead of the curve when it comes to things like healthcare, social security, immigration . . . and the environment. The UK has published its Transport Decarbonisation Plan. The intent to decarbonise all modes of domestic transport by 2050. Is that too…
The world is opening up again from the Covid 19 pandemic. We are slowly tip-toeing out into the light, but still with our minds on safety. One great option is to rent a camper and travel where you want to go. It will just be you, your family and maybe some friends, in your own…
If you've spent any time reading about The Netherlands, you'll know that the geniuses there have done amazing things in order for the country to keep its head above water. And that hasn't been completely recent activity: they've been at it for centuries, and they've learned a lot in the process. The video below goes…
Europeans love to camp. There are literally thousands of them dotted around the continent. Not only are they plentiful, they are usually in beautiful, if not stunning, locations and are a very cost effective way to holiday. You can enjoy all of the traditional ways of camping, including tents and resorts, but hiring a fuel-efficient…
The Covid pandemic is pushing for an evolution of the muster (safety) drill procedures on cruise ships. To avoid gatherings of large passenger groups in confined spaces and maintain social distancing, the cruise lines are now reinventing the traditional process, using technology and other innovations. Get ready for: Royal Caribbean’s Muster 2.0 Read more courtesy…
The Covid pandemic has wreaked havoc almost everywhere in the world . . . and has taught us some important lessons along the way. What we once took for granted has the possibility of slipping through our fingers - such as travel. But, with destinations slowly blossoming again for tourism , and travelers tentatively making…
If you have trouble standing on a chair to clean the curtains, then look away now. There is a "stairway to heaven" made of steel cables and it is the highlight of a climbing tour of the Donnerkogel, in Austria's Salzkammergut resort area. The 43-meter long sky high ladder is stretched over an abyss some…
There are few cities that are as appealing (and to some, daunting) as Moscow. It's history and "reputation" precede the city itself. But it would be a big mistake to miss it. Moscow is bound to be a special one. From the multicolored spires of St. Basil’s Cathedral to the sturdy red walls of the…
We love camping, and we love campervans even more, especially when they're the smart new models - good on petrol, good on space, good on the environment. We're also really happy to welcome our new affiliate friends, CamperDays.com Their portfolio includes up to 20,000 rental vehicles that can be booked directly in 24 countries on…
... just to tear it down, and mess it around? The Italian city that destroys itself: Here it was – the Catholic guilt. My fear of judgment, which had lain dormant for years since my schoolgirl days, now rose in my throat as I waited for the priest to exit the Church of Santo Gemine…
Some need that little extra push, or perhaps a bit of "what for." If you know someone who would benefit from some sharp-as-a-tack, quick-as-a-whip, stiff upper lip education, there can be no better place than in London. Home of stern educators such as Mary Poppins, Martin Chuzzlewit, Mr. Tomkinley, Melissa Wackles . . . the…
Well, not exactly, but we wonder if this will become a thing as airlines start to react to the climate situation. "Lufthansa is scrapping its shortest route, replacing the service with a bus. The route between Munich and Nuremberg is just 86 miles (138 km) as the crow flies. Lufthansa operates many domestic services across…
Oh, we go Ouigo! As if European rail wasn't as appealing as it is now, they've made it even better. High-speed train travel between Spain's most beautiful cities has no more reason to cost the earth, with Rail Europe opening ticket sales for OUIGO, Spain's new affordable train network. Prices can be as low as…
If you're into technology, or even futuristic films, you will no doubt be longing for the day when we can all have flying cars (I guess to go along with our floating apartments.) There have been many attempts at this kind of tech, but they never seem to go anywhere, pun intended. As you can…
INTERPOL. EUROPOL. SURVEILLANCE. EYE IN THE SKY. In early May 2021, a Belgian farmer hit international news when he moved a stone out of the way of his tractor, and accidentally shifted the French-Belgian border 2.3m into France. Or did he? Is it actually possible to move a border just by moving a stone? And…
We periodically write about Wales, in the UK. Most tourists think of England or Scotland as destinations in the UK, but you should really also give Wales a try if you haven't already. Why? Well, first of all, the countryside itself is lush and untouched. Wales has been able to avoid some of the creeping…
At the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains in northwest Azerbaijan, lies Parigala, one of the world’s most impressive archeological mysteries. The Azerbaijani name, Pəriqala, literally means Fairy Castle Carved into the nearly vertical face of a rock cliff, the centuries-old structure remains a mystery that hardly anyone knows anything about. The site consists of a…
Actually - this is what we meant by getting high. (Photo: Alberto Pinto)
With big success comes big responsibility - and big toys. The Boeing 747 BBJ is the world’s largest private jet. With only a handful of examples in the world, it’s a rare bird. Even rarer is the Parisian design house Alberto Pinto-designed…