On the approach to Sweden’s capital, my ferry rolled past islands dotted with log cabins, leading out to the occasional town or village. The Stockholm archipelago consists of 30,000 islands, breaking away from the mainland as they stretch eastwards. This means that, when taking the ferry from Helsinki or Aland (a Finnish archipelago of autonomous […]
Author Archives: Claire
This is Åland: a Swedish-speaking, demilitarised archipelago that’s part of Finland. I’d wanted to visit for ages — mostly because I had so many questions. Why is it Swedish-speaking? How autonomous is it really? And why can’t any country have a military presence here? I travelled here by overnight ferry from Helsinki, and a couple […]
25
Jun
Jun
From 1961 to 1989, the Berlin Wall physically and ideologically divided Germany’s capital. For 28 years, a fortified barrier ran through the city, separating families, splitting transport networks, and symbolising the Cold War divide between East and West. Today, remnants of the wall and the infrastructure around it are preserved in museums, parks, and restored […]
20
Jun
Jun
Thinking of skipping the plane and taking the sleeper train from Paris to Berlin? Here’s what it’s actually like to travel overnight on the ÖBB Nightjet. The Paris to Berlin Nightjet: route overview The sleeper train departs Paris Gare de l’Est at 19:12 and arrives at Berlin Hauptbahnhof at 08:26 the next morning. It operates […]
17
Jun
Jun
Paris has been at the centre of European politics, revolution, and resistance for over two centuries. This post highlights six key days that reshaped not just France, but the world – and shows you exactly where to go if you want to follow the story on foot (like I did in this YouTube video). It […]
30
Apr
Apr
I’ve passed through Zaragoza countless times on my train travels around Spain. I knew it was the fourth largest city in the nation – but I’d never heard of anybody visiting. So on our recent trip to Spain, my partner and I decided we would visit Zaragoza – and see if it was worth a […]
17
Apr
Apr
Glitzy skyscrapers soar into the the sky, golden beaches are lapped with bright blue waters, ancient ruins crumble and the sun shines for most of the year. The Middle East is home to some of the world’s most dynamic cities – where luxury, history and modernity are seamlessly intertwined. Here are 12 cities that capture the […]
29
Mar
Mar
Tourism in Vietnam is taking off, big time. And it’s no surprise – the South East Asian nation has something to offer everyone. It has a rich culture, temples, a complex history, amazing food, beaches, mountains, caves… I could go on. Whatever reason you travel for, I guarantee you’ll find something you love in Vietnam. […]
13
Mar
Mar
If you’re visiting Jordan, I bet you’ll have one spot on your must-visit list – Petra. One of the Seven New Wonders of the World, this ancient city is remarkably well-preserved, with Nabatean, Roman and Bedouin influences. Carved into the red desert rock, it’s enchanting. But, as it’s such a vast, well-visited site, there are […]
11
Mar
Mar
I recently spent two weeks in Jordan, and I have so much to share! Is Jordan worth visiting? I think yes, absolutely – I absolutely loved my time there. There are a few things to think about as well, so let’s dig into the reasons to visit Jordan AND considerations when planning a trip. Reasons […]