Photo: Author Missile-riding cowboys, dead goat polo, and mountain yaks (that last one’s an entree). It’s time to take a closer look at the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek Unless you’re driving in from China or a neighboring ‘Stan, every Kyrgyz trip starts and ends in the capital,… Read More

It was in TimiÅŸoara that a week of protests led to the downfall of CeauÅŸescu. Twenty years on, this bright, culturally eclectic city proves there’s more to urban Romania than brutal tower blocks It’s fair to say that urban Romania has had its struggles as a tourist sell. Travellers… Read More

There aren’t too many places where public transport counts as a tourist attraction when you travel in Europe but in Russia I think the underground train systems qualify for two reasons. First of all, many underground metro stations in both Moscow and St Petersburg are like art galleries –… Read More

Crowd waiting for the astronomical clock to chime in Prague’s Old Town Square Photo: Carolyn Coles There are (usually) good reasons why certain attractions are on every tourist’s itinerary. But are big crowds reason enough to take them off yours? Old Town, Prague Prague has become one of the… Read More

An ancient trail linking Asturias and León provides a door to some of the most spectacular, least-known scenery in Europe After 20 years of living and travelling in Spain, I like to think I have a handle on the country and its people. Every so often, however, they can… Read More

The food at this seaside pub hits the mark but the recent refurb needs a few tweaks Dunwich is about as far east as you can go in England without ending up in the sea, which is exactly what did happen to the town many years ago. Once one… Read More

You don’t need to lug a tent on a long-distance walk in the Lakes – barn camping is just as fun, and you can even take your dog It’s so easy when they’re puppies. You stroll down the street and they come home exhausted. People stop and have conversations.… Read More

Snapping up vintage knick-knacks is hard to resist when you’re being driven around the city’s retro hot spots by two 50s-fanatics Sydney may be Australia’s stellar city, but Melbourne has always had the reputation for being its coolest: it’s diverse and bohemian with a vibrant underground scene and cutting-edge… Read More

On my recent visit to Munich before Christmas, I enjoyed a bracing walk that took my breath away – literally. This was a walk of the vertical rather than horizontal kind, up the many steps of St Peter’s Church tower just by Marienplatz, in the heart of old Munich.… Read More

Here’s what you need to know about catching the Dave Matthews Band as they tour through Europe this spring: do it. Easy, right? I caught the band a few summers ago in Southern California and it was a blast. This was due to both the show and the fact… Read More