This year I decided that my NYE celebrations would be very low-key as my Iceland trip and the run-up to Christmas has been pretty expensive, so I decided to hold back for New Year.
My parents moved to lovely Looe…
What to Pack for Iceland in Winter
There is a common saying amongst Icelanders that goes like this: ‘If you don’t like the weather in Iceland, wait 5 minutes’. The point is this: Iceland’s climate is changeable, and this makes it difficult to pack for. Expect to …
My 5 Travel Highlights of 2013
At the beginning of 2013 I had no travel plans. I had just moved to an expensive apartment in Stockholm and expected a light travel year similar to 2012. But, as is often the case for me, it turned out …
The Jim Thompson House, Bangkok
When I was a student we used to visit a restaurant called Jim Thompson’s. It was an Asian fusion restaurant that was well known in my university town, not only for good food, but also for its beautifully exotic furnishings; …
Jökulsárlón: Finding Icebergs on the Beach in Iceland
Incredibly, I had not heard of Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon, until a week before I left for Iceland. Of course, I knew that Iceland is full of beautiful scenery and that there is a very good reason that it is …
Searching for the Northern Lights in Iceland
Driving deeper into the Icelandic wilderness the excitement on the bus was tangible: the atmosphere quickening with anticipation at every twist of the winding road. People clutched their cameras and stared at the opaque blackness beyond the windows; waiting for …
Taking a Dip in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
Steam rising from the milky blue water of the Blue Lagoon is probably the most iconic image of Iceland for many people. Indeed, it was one of the things that I knew I simply must do while in the country.…
An Afternoon in Iceland’s Golden Circle
There are two reasons why I wanted to visit Iceland: spectacular scenery and the Aurora Borealis, so when I found cheap flights to Reykjavik I didn’t hesitate to book them.
Initially, I wanted to hire a car and drive around …
Discovering Lovely Looe, Cornwall
In British English the word loo is a colloquial term for the toilet, so when my sister and her husband announced that they were moving to Looe—pronounced in the same way—they received a few sniggers and giggles.
My initial impression …
Boating In The Rain on Lake Bled
In May I wrote a post outlining my intended travel plans for the summer. Stunning Lake Bled in Slovenia was to be the glittering pinnacle of my trip. It was the place that I was most looking forward to; …
Visiting the World Trade Center Memorial
I haven’t written any posts about my trip to New York in January 2012. I don’t really know why not. I think maybe it’s because New York is just so familiar to everybody that it’s hard to find anything new …
Finally, a beach! Hostel Adria in Split
After our brief and not particularly enjoyable stay in Dubrovnik, we travelled to Split. Currently there is no train that connects Dubrovnik with Split, so less than 24 hours after arriving we found ourselves back in Dubrovnik bus station …
Burned Out in Dubrovnik
Holding a crumpled map in one hand, and a bottle of luke-warm water from which I was stopping to take a mouthful every few minutes in the other, we staggered up the steep road—my backpack now seeming to weigh twice …
Finding Peace And A Warm Welcome in Mostar
Pension Isa, our guesthouse in Mostar, is located in a narrow alleyway just off the main street, which is not very big itself. It is a tiny, unassuming alleyway, very easy to miss unless you are looking for it. The …
Belgrade and Sarajevo: Cities Divided by War
In the summer of 1992 I was a happy and carefree 13 year old. I spent long and sunny days playing with my friends. I cheered loudly when Andre Agassi beat a little-known Croatian player, to claim the Wimbledon title.…
Belgrade: A Surprising Culinary Delight
After spending a few relaxing days in Timisoara, we booked a train to Belgrade – a city that we initially visited due to its convenient location en-route to Sarajevo.
It was a lazy Sunday and we arrived around noon.
The …
The Past and Present of Timisoara: Romania’s First Free City
Timisoara was a detour on our trip. We were travelling from Budapest to Belgrade—a direct route, but I simply couldn’t be that close to Romania—my favourite European country—without stopping by for a few days.
I’m a history nerd, and
…
Boats, Bridges, Baths and Bars in Budapest
Is it just me; or do all the cool things to do in Budapest begin with B?
Budapest is one of the most easy-going cities in Europe, everything seems designed to encourage relaxing and chilling out. And that is exactly …
Couchsurfing in Vienna
It all started with a status that I put up on the Runaway Brit Facebook page.
“Couchsurfing: Yes or No?”
Before long I had received 31 comments, by far the most comments I have ever received on one status. I …
Visiting Ephesus: A Taste of History in Southern Turkey
The ruins of Ephesus lie merely 20 kilometres from Kusadasi, the seaside city on Turkey’s sun-drenched south coast where I was relaxing for a few days after a busy week in Istanbul. It is a popular destination, particularly amongst …