We had heard a few, less-than-positive stories about the 5-hour bus trip from Tirana to Sarande, but we were not deterred. We knew the bus ride would not be a luxury trip, that the timetable was more of a suggestion than a schedule, and that the driver would likely stop along the way to chat … Continue reading If you want to know Albania, take the bus
Destinations
Nearly there Miss, and other such lies – Montenegro
This week we climbed a mountain. But first, let me explain the context. A few days ago, we hired our neighbour Nikola (who owns a taxi) to drive us to Budva. He’s an excellent driver and has lived in Kotor his entire life, so he was extremely knowledgeable and took us via the scenic route … Continue reading Nearly there Miss, and other such lies – Montenegro
Scooter mishaps, new friends and Nazis…. Kraków
Poland is our third ‘long-stay’ country, but this time, we’re spreading the love between three cities: Warsaw, Gdansk, Kraków, and back to Warsaw. To be honest, we were concerned that moving each week would be tiresome, as travel days (packing, transit, unpacking) can be unpleasant and time consuming. But to our surprise, the travel days … Continue reading Scooter mishaps, new friends and Nazis…. Kraków
Featured
We can Gdańsk if we want to…..
With apologies to Men Without Hats, ‘The Safety Dance’ has been our theme song for Gdańsk .…. We can Gdańsk if we want to We can leave your friends behind 'Cause your friends don't Gdańsk And if they don't Gdańsk Well, they're no friends of mine We continue to be amazed by Poland, and Gdańsk … Continue reading We can Gdańsk if we want to…..
Featured
Love at First Sight, Warsaw
I’ve never fallen for a city as quickly and completely as I have for Warsaw. Even the taxi ride from the airport, which usually displays industrial wasteland, urban ghettos and the raw underbelly of a city, was completely charming. Our apartment is small, but modern and clean. It has a comfortable bed, great water pressure … Continue reading Love at First Sight, Warsaw
Featured
At Cinque Terre, one wears linen
“I won’t be going to Cinque Terre wearing anything other than linen”, Rosco declares as we discuss our upcoming and rather ambitious day trip to Italy’s famous five villages.
Featured
Mamma mia! Basilica, zebra crossings & lost in space
I wander around, head in the clouds, chatting, pointing out all the pretty dogs (bel cane), looking for river otters, trying to decide if a building is in the neo-classical, renaissance, or baroque style, day-dreaming and taking photos. I let Rosco lead the way, and I follow behind him like a little lamb. No point having a dog and then barking yourself is there?
Featured
Turino – so much bull and so much luck
In one short week, we’ve grown to love Turino. For us, week numero uno has been about the river otters, and Aperol Spritz, and hot afternoon naps, and the song L’appuntamento, and the fountains. It’s the tree lined streets, the architecture, the parks, the numerous gelato shops and the cold waters of the Po River as it sweeps majestically through the city.
Featured
Three Failed Plans and a Party
Have you ever had an experience so amazing, so surreal, so astonishing, that you cannot believe it is actually happening? Our last full day in Spain will forever be embedded in our memories as one such day.It was meant to be a quiet affair comprising a stroll to the city, a nice restaurant for lunch, … Continue reading Three Failed Plans and a Party
The Musician and the wee Scottish lass
Our very good friends, Bob and Irene are a couple of sexagenarians (no, not that, they are aged between 60 and 69) who we met in 2017. Following a chance meeting while eating tapas at Mr Grumpy’s* (not his real name) we became immediate and firm friends. Despite the years that have passed and the … Continue reading The Musician and the wee Scottish lass
The Tepid Travellers 