A visit I made to Naples in 2012. Since then fast trains have been introduced throughout Italy, making a direct train trip from the UK a sensible proposition. Details below. Naples has fabulous churches, palaces, galleries and ancient squares. It is set on the world’s greatest bay, and against one of its most exciting… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel
Rotterdam’s revival – how direct London trains are boosting Netherlands’ second city
Feb 2020 news… Direct trains from the Netherlands to London will start running from April 30, 2020. Eurostar initiated a service from London to Amsterdam and Rotterdam in 2018. However passengers in the return direction have to change at Brussels and pass through passport control. The UK, French, Belgian and Dutch Governments have now agreed for checks… Continue reading →
Hidden treasure Olomouc and its connection to greatness
This small Moravian city boasts high elegance, deep history and architectural treasures to match Prague’s (two hours by road and rail), but without the crowds. It has palaces, fine old churches and townhouses. There is a pungent local cheese and a very political clock. This week I came across Olomouc, unexpectedly. The Czech Republic city,… Continue reading →
From the Beatles to le Carré – the lure of lively Hamburg
Hamburg, the green-blue gem of North Germany, spangled with parks, lakes and canals, was chosen as one of the New York Times’ 52 places to go in 2017. Introducing the city, writer David Farley listed the latest things – Zaha Hadid’s meandering promenade along the Elbe, the 19th-century Warehouse District, given Unesco World Heritage status in 2015. The… Continue reading →
Linz shines after European Capital of Culture spotlight moves on
The Austrian city of Linz, midway between Vienna and Salzburg, refuses to be overawed by its two bigger neighbours. It was European Capital of Culture in 2009, and has a fine legacy, in a state of the art opera house. It has also a sparkling museum of the future. The famous Danube runs through it…. Continue reading →
In praise of low season Florence – galaxy-class treasures in Renaissance city
Florence provides one of the most rewarding of European city breaks, It has the universal and eternal appeal of great art and architecture. I hope that erecting barriers will not make it harder for us to see and appreciate such places. This article is based on an article I wrote for the Mail on Sunday, following… Continue reading →