Entering Kosovo
I had been strangely excited about crossing the land border between North Macedonia and Kosovo. It had probably been more than a decade since I had last entered a country by road rather than by air....
View ArticleOhrid – The Pearl of the Balkans
During the free walking tour I joined in Skopje, the guide told us that Ohrid was his favourite place in North Macedonia. It didn’t take long to become mine too. Lake Ohrid and its historic city, one...
View ArticleA day in Skopje, North Macedonia
As I stood in Macedonia Square looking around, the only question coming to mind was “How many more statues can they fit in central Skopje?!”. I could count dozens within just a few hundred metres from...
View ArticleSerbia (3): Practical Info
Here is some information and tips that I picked up before/during my trip. Entry Requirements: Many nationalities, including those from the EU and UK, can enter Serbia visa-free for short stays of up to...
View ArticleSerbia (2): Novi Sad and Fruška Gora
I forgot my jacket on the morning bus that took me from Belgrade to Novi Sad. It was so warm that I only realised well into my walk along Bulеvar oslobođenja towards my hostel. As I sat down to eat a...
View ArticleSerbia (1): Belgrade
When the guys at work showed me a video of the Red Star Belgrade football stadium and its intimidating long tunnel from the changing rooms to the pitch, I joked “Oh I want to go!”. They laughed. Little...
View ArticleCoal Mine 3: a glimpse into Svalbard’s working past
In late June 2025 Norway closed the last coal mine in Svalbard, Coal Mine (Gruve) 7. This marked the final chapter in more than a century of coal mining in the archipelago. The end of an era in the...
View ArticleHiking through Bjørndalen
Bjørndalen lies just outside Longyearbyen. It’s a broad valley known for its rich flora and fauna, the place near town where you can spot Arctic wildlife such as the Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer and...
View ArticleAn evening hike above the Global Seed Vault
In the evening of my first day in Longyearbyen I joined a group tour1 on a short but steep hike to the summit of Blomsterdalen, above the Global Seed Vault. This was my real introduction to the Arctic...
View ArticleLongyearbyen, Svalbard: life at 78 degrees North
As the plane descended into Svalbard, I rubbed my tired eyes (an 11-hr overnight layover in Oslo airport, sleeping on a couch, doesn’t leave you too fresh!) and I looked out of the window. Snow-capped...
View ArticleRamadan in Sarajevo
It’s late afternoon and I’m standing in the courtyard of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the central mosque in Sarajevo and the largest historical mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Around me, a few...
View ArticleSarajevo war scars
They are on pavements, marks left by shelling then filled with red resin to represent the blood of the victims. The so called ‘Sarajevo roses’, symbol of resilience and remembrance. They are visible on...
View ArticleSarajevo Baščaršija
As I sit on a bench in Baščaršija’s bustling market square, savouring the last bite of my burek before heading back to the airport, I soak in the final view of Sarajevo’s old town. Baščaršija is the...
View ArticleSarajevo: where East meets West
What do you think of when you hear ‘Sarajevo’? The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which started World War I?The 1984 Winter Olympics?The harsh siege during the Bosnian War...
View ArticleHidden London: Aldwych disused tube station
If you live or work in London, you are most likely a regular user of the vast network of the London Underground. But have you ever wondered if there is more to it? Are there any hidden stories that you...
View ArticleFavignana and the tuna fishing industry
Favignana is not only renowned for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque landscapes but also for its rich history rooted in the fishing industry. As the largest of the Aegadian Islands, Favignana...
View ArticleExploring Favignana, a hidden gem
I was looking for a suitable destination for a sun-and-sea short break in the Mediterranean when a tiny dot on the map caught my attention: Favignana. Popular destination for Italians, this small...
View ArticleTrapani: history, culture and charm
I had never thought of Trapani as a destination for my first trip to Sicily. In reality I stayed in Trapani only as a gateway to/from the nearby island of Favignana. But I regret not spending longer in...
View ArticleIceland: A Land of Fire and Ice
Welcome to Iceland, a land of contrast and wonder. Located at the juncture of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, this is the world’s 18th-largest island, and Europe’s second-largest island after...
View ArticleJurmala and the Baltic Sea
As I got on the train, the old-fashioned seats made me feel like I had stepped back in time. But the journey was smooth and after 30 minutes and several stops I reached the small town of Majori, the...
View Article
![Various Artists – Old School / New School [iTunes Plus M4A]](http://i.imgur.com/GEFz815.jpeg)
![[Prime] Osprey Daylite Travel Pack 35 - Nightshift Blue $135 (RRP $199)...](http://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/87/976987l.jpg?h=1a642bba)
![Ruthie Foster – Just Say Yes (2026) [24-bit FLAC]](http://imageurl.xyz/images/2026/08/27/Ruthie_Foster-Just_Say_Yes-24BIT-WEB-FLAC-2026-ENRiCH.jpg)
