Tag Archives: European Cities
Euro 24 Match Day 8 – Poland v Austria
Poland Krakow is a very special city. At Christmas it is particularly wonderful with sprawling markets, vibrant decorations and atmospheric classical concerts. Midnight Mass at the St Mary’s Basilica will live long in the memory. Austria Whilst Vienna & Salzburg take most of the Austrian city plaudits, Klagenfurt am Worthersee is also well worth a […]
Euro 24 Match Day 8 – Slovakia v Ukraine
Slovakia The country officially came into existence on New Year’s Day 1993 after the amicable split of Czechoslovakia. In July 1992, Slovakia had declared itself a sovereign state and began negotiations with the Czech Republic to disband the country. Independence Day is celebrated on 17th July, the date of the earlier declaration. Vienna is actually […]
Euro 24 Match Day 7 – Spain v Italy
Two of my favourite European countries to visit go head to head in Gelsenkirchen. The heavyweights are both hotly tipped to win the tournament. Spain Of all the many fabulous destinations that Spain has to offer, Segovia is perhaps not that well known. With an awesome aqueduct and fabulous cathedral that’s quite a surprise. Easily […]
Euro 24 Match Day 7 – Slovenia v Serbia
The group underdogs meet in Munich. Formerly both part of Yugoslavia, it was Slovenia’s independence declaration in 1991 that set in motion the Yugoslav war and subsequent country break up. Slovenia Capital Ljubljana is a great place to visit for a short break. The River Ljubljanica runs through it with three particularly attractive bridges – […]
Euro 24 Match Day 6 – Scotland v Switzerland
Can the Scots bounce back from that German drubbing or can the Swiss make it two wins out of two? Scotland About ten years ago I walked up Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis. The views were spectacular, making all that effort very worthwhile. Despite it being June there was still plenty of snow up there. […]
Euro 24 Match Day 6 – Germany v Hungary
Fresh from their 5-1 thrashing of Scotland, hosts Germany take on the Magyars who started the tournament with a 3-1 defeat v Switzerland. Germany Munich is the capital of Bavaria, one of the wealthiest and most powerful regions in the German Democratic Republic. I have been several times, first in 1987 on my first inter-rail […]
Euro 24 Match Day 5 – Portugal v Czechia
Today’s post is all about famous bridges. Portugal The bridges over the Douro River in Porto are a fabulous sight in their own right. Throw in a vibrant riverside of fish restaurants, wine bars and port distilleries, and you get an enticing place to visit. Czechia Charles Bridge (KarluvMost) is easily the most famous bridge […]
Euro 24 Match Day 5 – Turkey v Georgia
Neighbouring countries battle it out in what could be termed a Black Sea derby! Turkey In 2015 I visited Georgia overland from Turkey. The journey started in Istanbul – the suburb of Pendik on the Asian side to be exact. This gave the opportunity to travel on the brand new Marmaray Line which runs 60 […]
Tuesday Train – Haydarpasa Station in Istanbul
Back in 2009 trains from the Asian side of Istanbul ran eastwards towards the Middle East. This is where we took the Dogu Express to Ankara before continuing on to Aleppo in Syria. Outside the station stood an old restored engine on some railway tracks, overlooking the Bosporus shipping. The station itself was a real […]
Euro 24 Match Day 4 – Austria v France
Austria Amazing cities & breathtaking countryside, Austria has much going for it. Salzburg is amongst my favourite cities anywhere in Europe. Amazing Christmas markets, a wonderful location surrounded by mountains and the meandering Salzach River winding through it. Add to that the Mozart sites (he was born and raised in Salzburg) and the settings for […]
