Travel Stuff
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Platform Zero
Railway stations can be places of inspiration, not least at the start of an epic journey. Who can fail to be awestruck by the stunning restoration of St Pancras in London, or it’s newly refurbished neighbour? The sweeping interior of York always makes the hairs on your neck stand up. Then there’s Stockport. In February.…
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Bus-ted
2014. The year when I’m trying to fool myself that I’m getting fitter. No, seriously, I am. I’ve started walking to work most days. Well, when I’m on a day shift, that is. And only to work. Because I’m fundamentally a bit lazy and don’t like hills much, I get the bus home. But travel,…
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Service : An art form
When it comes to the hospitality business, service is one of those things that’s so easy to get wrong. Of course, it’s a highly subjective matter. But many establishments could learn a lot from Gio’s in Manchester. Sandwiched between major entertainment and conference venues, its location couldn’t be better. And although it was extremely busy…
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A class of their own
Ahh, the joys of First Class travel! Whenever I can afford it – and always when there’s an offer on – I opt for a first class ticket on the train. But I’m starting to wonder why I bother. Up until a couple of years ago, the seat table in first class would be laid…
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Highway to… Somewhere.
One of the easiest ways to get around Dubrovnik, beyond the Old Town, is by bus. And for about £3 you can buy a ticket that lasts all day. Where to go with that ticket is a different matter, as I enquire at the travel kiosk by the Pile Gate. “So it’s 30 Kuna –…
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A Palatial Performance
There’s no doubt that I love live music, and on my travels I’ve seen gigs in some pretty unusual settings. If I’m being honest, I prefer small back street bars where you can mix with the locals and soak in the atmosphere. So for tonight’s performance, I feel right at home. If not a little…
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All That Jazz
Things you don’t expect to see in Dubrovnik 1. A NATO-sponsored Jazz Ensemble. I’m not sure it’s worth even attempting to add to that list. But you won’t be surprised to learn that the story starts in an Irish bar. It turns out that the band have just arrived in town for three days of…
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Andrea’s Adriatic
It’s an early start today – a 7.30 pick up for a tour to the island of Korcula. And at this time of the morning, Drubrovnik’s Stradun takes on a very different and peaceful personality. I’ve opted for a small group tour, and it lives up to its name, with a total of eight travellers…
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Climb Ev’ry Mountain (by cable car)
It’s Tuesday, so it must be time to go up a mountain. Obviously. Namely Mount Srd, a historical site for all the wrong reasons. It’s strategic position overlooking Dubrovnik has meant it becoming a key location for some of the fiercest battles in the city. The most recent was the Balkan War in the early…
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Top Of The World
For convenience, my Old Town apartment is fantastic. For a lie in, it’s not. There are no vehicles allowed in its streets, but the early morning noise of metal trolleys clattering across cobblestones, taking deliveries to the local restaurants and shops, is enough to compete with that of any rush hour in London. Combined with…
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