BELFAST NEED NOT PLAY SECOND TO NONE

The second-largest city in Ireland has plenty to offer to warrant inclusion in your itinerary. Think of Dublin and you think of grand Irish cheer and charm. Think of Belfast and you think of nothing but conflict. But is it warranted? In this piece for Expedia, I check in and find plenty to discover in…

IS CYPRUS THE NEW GREECE?

There’s nothing quite like Greece of course. In fact, there’s never any real replacement for one particular country when you get down to the details. That said – if one is asking for a little twist from the (currently) Instagram hotspot, without loosing that formula or sun, sand, sea and stunning history, then Cyprus is…

MORE THAN JUST AMALFI

Because of how famous it is, the Amalfi Coast is often thought as just a small stretch around the town of Amalfi itself. But in truth, there’s 50 km of coast to drive down, dotted with quaint towns, villages and hamlets each with their own specialties. If you need a guide on which of these…

BEYOND THE LITTLE MERMAID

It’s one of my all-time favourites – the originally dark story of the sacrificial mermaid may have had significant impact on my love life, but that’s a story for another day. Because of this, Copenhagen‘s iconic statue has always been a beacon for me when it comes to sights to see. It may not be…

THE -30 SIBERIAN FAIRYTALE

Friends know I love the cold. My ideal climate range is 0-20 degrees celsius, where I could sit out and be forced to down a cup of hot beverage quickly before it turns cold, and then hop around with a scalded tongue. Yeah I’m weird that way. But weird goes easier when you’re rewarded by…

MAKE IT COUNT – 7 SOUVENIRS THAT REALLY REPRESENT RUSSIA

Put those magnets down and back away slowly. As much as it’s tempting to get your souvenirs in one fell swoop at a gift shop, giving some thought to them can be a rewarding investment. Not only does it make you attach specific memories to each piece you select, but the stories and cultural references…

SANTORINI, GREECE: THERA NO BETTER SUNSETS

When it comes to travel brochures, claims can sometimes be just hype. Santorini’s sunsets are legendary – and luckily for good reason. While I’m not the sort to idly sit and watch our nearest star dip below the horizon, the island’s unique landscape and vantage makes this daily routine into a dramatic spectacle that you’ll…

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – GROTTA LOTTA WALKING

Day 8 – October 27, 2011 A chilly but less cloudy day dawned in Reykjavik. And I geared up for my potentially long walk to Grotta lighthouse. The walk was estimated by the tourist info lady to be 45 minutes, but I took an hour and a half eventually. Good thing I started fairly early,…

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – JUST IN TOWN

Day 7 – October 26, 2011 It’s a free day for me, as my companion headed for a half-day Golden Circle tour. I opted out as I wanted to explore the town a little more at a leisurely pace. After processing some tax refunds at the nearby Tourist Office (location +2), I was now free to explore the town. I decided to…