Tag Archives: European Cities
Euro 24 Match Day 17 – Turkey v Austria
The final last 16 tie pitches together two footballing nations that are perhaps exceeding expectations. Turkey The founding father of modern Turkey was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. As the president of the newly formed Turkish Republic in 2023 Atatürk initiated a rigorous program of political, economic, and cultural reforms with the ultimate aim of building a […]
Euro 24 Match Day 17 – Romania v Netherlands
In 2011 I did an Eastern European train tour which started with two overnight trains – Budapest to Bucharest followed by Bucharest to Chisinău in Moldova. The latter train was hauled by a beast of a locomotive, whilst our first class sleeper featured net curtains and a plastic tree! Netherlands I travelled on the first […]
Euro 24 Match Day 16 – France v Belgium
This is the first heavyweight knockout clash between Mbappe’s France & De Bruyne’s Belgium. France On my last visit to Paris we did a side trip by train to Chantilly, home to a current racecourse and an ancient hippodrome complete with stables and horse show. There is also a fantastic chateaux, and of course eating […]
Euro 24 Match Day 15 – Georgia v Spain
Georgia I once took a train from Batumi in Georgia to Yerevan in Armenia via Tbilisi. Our 4 berth sleeper was to be shared by two ladies AND a blind cat. Spain Valencia is another favourite city of mine. Lovely old town, futuristic science park & golden beaches. Match Prediction – Georgia 0 Spain 3
Euro 24 Match Day 14 – Germany v Denmark
More neighbouring countries come head to head in the second knockout match as hosts Germany take on the Danes. Germany One of my favourite destinations in Germany is Cologne. A fantastic Gothic cathedral, the River Rhine and magical Christmas markets. I have been twice and plan to go again in the next year or two. […]
Euro 24 Match Day 15 – Switzerland v Italy
The knockout stage gets underway with a match between neighbouring countries. Italy A few years ago Mrs Wilbur and I did a train tour. In Italy we started in Bologna, moved on to Venice, Verona & Lake Como, before ending in Tirano on the Swiss border. Switzerland We then took the famed Bernina Express through […]
Euro 24 Rest Day Non-Qualifiers Part 2
Finland Having visited Finland a few times, in 2022 I did a Scandinavian train tour taking in Helsinki and Kemi before crossing the border into Sweden. Greece I love Athens but the Greek Islands win in the desirability stakes. Rhodes takes top prize for me. Gibraltar Can’t see myself ever going there so here’s a […]
Euro 24 Rest Day Non-Qualifiers Part 1
Andorra I went to the tiny country in 2019 using Toulouse in France as a base. Armenia I took a train to Yerevan from Georgia in 2015. We arrived on their Independence Day for a huge party. Azerbaijan Not technically in Europe but they entered the competition as UEFA members. I was there in 2019. […]
Euro 24 Match Day 13 – Slovakia v Romania
Romania My first visit to Romania was in the mid 90s when I went skiing in the mountains near the city of Brasov in Transylvania. It was the end of my skiing days due to a rather horrid crash, the effects of which I still feel today on occasions in my shoulder. On one foggy […]
Euro 24 Match Day 13 – Ukraine v Belgium
All teams have 3 points from 2 matches in this group, something that has never happened before. Ukraine In 2011 I visited the disputed territory of Crimea, then firmly part of Ukraine. We had a wonderful time, staying in Sevastopol and visiting the nuclear submarine base at Baklava and the Islamic town of Bakhchiseray. Belgium […]
