Travel Stuff
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Portuguese Adventure – Lisbon
It’s nearly eight years since my first trip to Lisbon, so after five days in the Algarve it seemed a good time to visit once again. I had originally planned a luncthime departure from Lagos but that would have wasted a good afternoon when I could be seeing some of the Portuguese capital. Trains here…
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Portuguese Adventure – Portimao
The sun is continuing to shine across the Algarve. In fact, as I write this in August 2026, the whole of Europe has been experiencing one of its longest ever dry spellls, with record temperatures in many places. Thankfully, things have calmed down to a rather agreeable 25 Celsius as I head to Lagos station…
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Portuguese Adventure – Sagres
Portugal’s Algarve may best be known for golfing holidays and beach life but it’s also great for exploring at your own pace, with smaller towns connected by a good public transport network – although planning ahead is a good idea. So having been based in Lagos for a couple of days, it seemed the right…
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Portuguese Adventure – Lagos
Arrival Raul likes fast cars and motorbikes. He enjoys taking a risk. But it’s hard to do these days with a wife and daughter, and a second child on the way. Which may well explain why he’s working as a transfer driver on Potugal’s Algarve. It’s my first trip here, and I’m pleased with things…
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Verona and Lake Garda – On the water
Italy’s lakes are stunning, and getting to them is remarkably easy. The nineteenth century first attracted visitors from Germany and Austria, and later it became the temporary home of the writer DH Lawrence. Being from Nottingham, I decided to read his collection of essays written around Lake Garda. Twilight In Italy is considered by some…
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Verona and Lake Garda – a train to Trento
While Verona has plenty of its own charms, it gets busy in the Summer. And on this trip it’s also been hot, with temperatures around 35 Celsius. Thankfully, there are lots of smaller and quieter destinations to be reached by public transport, and Italy’s rail system is usually efficient and easy to use. Juts don’t…
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Verona and Lake Garda – 48 hours in Verona
It’s not yet 10am but already the temperature is almost 30c. On the whole, Verona is a walkable city, but I decide to firstly take a bus from the southern end to the northern part. And it doesn’t disappoint. The oldest bridge and the oldest church The Santo Stefano church sits just next to the…
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Verona and Lake Garda – Arrival
Some may disagree, but I would argue that no matter where you go in Italy, you will find beauty. It may be in the architecture, the landscape, the cuisine; but for me, it ultimately comes down to the people. And having discovered the beauty of places like Tuscany, the Cinque Terre and Trieste, I’m ready…
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North to South – Marseille to Barcelona
It had been almost two weeks since I set out for Bodø in Norway, and today was the final leg of the trip – some 521 kilometres from Marseille to Barcelona. Cross-border rail services between France and Spain are frequent, but booking a ticket can sometimes prove to be a challenge if that service is…
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North to South – Basel to Marseille
Basel, in Switzerland, is well connected to many places, but in some cases getting out involves hopping over a border. Today’s 750 kilometre journey meant a short 30-minute journey to Mulhouse in France, before continuing to Marseille on the TGV InOui service. I’d managed to get an earlier train than planned which meant hanging around…
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