All destinations
Itineraries, sights and practical advice for 50+ places – from Rila Monastery and Melnik to Prague, Vienna and Jordan.
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Czech RepublicA Czech road trip – Prague, Karlštejn, Český Krumlov, Brno and Karlovy Vary
An 8-day Czech road trip – castles around Prague, České Budějovice, Český Krumlov, Brno, Lednice, Plzeň and the spa town of Karlovy Vary.
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GreeceAmmouliani – Halkidiki's little island facing Mount Athos
A holiday on Ammouliani in Halkidiki – fine sandy beaches, crowd-free calm, the short ferry from Tripiti and a boat trip past the monasteries of Mount Athos.
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ItalyAndalo – a ski holiday in the Italian Dolomites
Skiing in Andalo and the Paganella area in the Dolomites – slopes for all levels, Lake Molveno, a family atmosphere and getting there by charter or car.
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GermanyBavaria by train – Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg
A Bavarian rail journey – Munich, medieval Nuremberg and its Imperial Castle, and Würzburg with the Residence and Marienberg Fortress. A 4-day itinerary.
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BulgariaBeglika – lakeside camping in the pine forests of the Western Rhodopes
Beglika reservoir in the Western Rhodopes – lakeside camping, misty sunrises, fishing, kayaking and the Beglika Fest. What to bring and how to get there.
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BulgariaBelogradchik Rocks and Fortress – travel guide
The Belogradchik Rocks, Kaleto Fortress and the Magura and Venetsa caves – what to see, how to get there from Sofia and a 1–2 day plan.
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FranceBrittany – France's pirate coast and Mont-Saint-Michel
A walking route through Brittany and Normandy – the corsair city of Saint-Malo, Mont-Saint-Michel abbey, Cancale's oysters, Dinan and the GR34 cliff path.
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RomaniaBucharest and the rock monasteries near Ruse – north of the Danube
A weekend route – the Ivanovo rock churches and Basarbovo Monastery near Ruse, then Bucharest – the Palace of Parliament, Athenaeum, Old Town and Village Museum.
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GreeceCorfu – the Garden of the Gods in the Ionian Sea
A guide to Corfu – the UNESCO old town, the Liston, the fortresses, St Spyridon, Sisi's Achilleion palace, Pontikonisi, Paleokastritsa and the Canal d'Amour.
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CroatiaCroatia – Zagreb, the Plitvice Lakes and Dubrovnik
A 6-day Croatia route – Zagreb's Upper Town, the waterfalls of the Plitvice Lakes, Split and the walls of Dubrovnik, "the pearl of the Adriatic".
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BulgariaDolna Banya – hot springs and easy hikes at the foot of Rila
A weekend in Dolna Banya – hot mineral springs, easy hikes in northern Rila, Kostenets waterfall, Borovets and scenic flights over the valley.
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TurkeyEdirne – Selimiye Mosque, the bazaars and the Bulgarian Church of St George
A day trip to Edirne – Sinan's Selimiye Mosque, the Old Mosque, Ali Pasha Bazaar, the Bulgarian Church of St George, fried liver, fruit soaps and shopping.
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CroatiaIstria – the Svetvinčenat medieval festival, Pula and the hilltop towns
Istria with kids – the Svetvinčenat medieval festival, Pula's amphitheatre, Motovun, Grožnjan, Buzet, Roč and the Glagolitic Alley, truffles and olive oil.
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ItalyItaly by train – Rome, Florence and Venice in a week
The classic Italian trio by high-speed train – Rome, Florence with the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, Tuscany, Pisa and Venice. Itinerary, tickets and tips.
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Israel and the Palestinian TerritoriesJerusalem and the Holy Land – a 6-day pilgrimage route
A route through the Holy Land – the Holy Sepulchre, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. What to see and practical tips.
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JordanJordan – Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the Red Sea in 6 days
A route through Jordan – Amman, Jerash, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Karak, Petra, the Wadi Rum desert, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Getting there, Jordan Pass and tips.
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GreeceKavala – the white city on the Aegean, Philippi and Alistrati Cave
A guide to Kavala – the old Panagia quarter, the Imaret, Mehmet Ali's house, the Kamares aqueduct, the fortress, ancient Philippi and Alistrati Cave.
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BulgariaKoprivshtitsa – Revival-era houses and the April Uprising
A guide to Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria – the house museums, the First Shot Bridge, the folklore festival, getting there from Sofia and a one-day plan.
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BulgariaKovachevitsa, Leshten and Dolen – the stone villages of the Western Rhodopes
A route through the Western Rhodopes – the village reserves of Kovachevitsa and Dolen, Leshten and its Clay House, the Dark Forest reserve and nearby mineral baths.
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PolandKraków – a 3-day guide plus the Wieliczka Salt Mine
What to see in Kraków – Wawel and the Dragon's Den, the Main Market Square, Kazimierz, Lady with an Ermine and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Itinerary and tips.
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North MacedoniaLake Dojran and Strumica – a day trip
A day trip to Lake Dojran with its traditional cormorant fishing, Strumica and the Vodoča and Veljusa monasteries, plus Samuel's Fortress and Rupite on the way back.
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SerbiaLeskovac and the Roštiljijada – Serbia's barbecue festival
Leskovac – Serbia's grill capital and its Roštiljijada barbecue festival in early September, plus nearby Caričin Grad (Justiniana Prima) and Lake Vlasina.
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SloveniaLjubljana, Lake Bled and Postojna Cave – the land of dragons
A Slovenia guide – Ljubljana's Dragon and Triple bridges, the castle, Plečnik's market, Lake Bled, Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.
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FranceLoire Valley castles on foot and by bike – from Chambord to Chenonceau
How to tour the Loire castles on foot or by bike – Chambord, Cheverny, Blois, Chenonceau, Amboise and Leonardo's Clos Lucé. Routes, bases and tips.
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BulgariaMelnik – Bulgaria's smallest town, its sand pyramids and Rozhen Monastery
A guide to Melnik – the sand pyramids, local wine, Kordopulov House, the trail to Rozhen Monastery, Rupite and practical tips.
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GreeceMeteora – monasteries suspended between heaven and earth
A guide to Meteora – the six working monasteries on the rock towers, Kalambaka and Kastraki, the best sunset viewpoints, the dress code and getting there.
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Germany and AustriaNeuschwanstein, Füssen and Salzburg – Bavaria's fairy-tale castles
Neuschwanstein, the castle of "mad" King Ludwig II, plus Hohenschwangau, Alpine Füssen, the Zugspitze and Mozart's Salzburg. Itinerary and ticket tips.
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SerbiaNiš – birthplace of Constantine the Great, Mediana and the Skull Tower
A day trip to Niš – the Roman residence at Mediana, Niš Fortress, the Skull Tower, Serbian food and Sukovo Monastery on the way back.
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North MacedoniaOhrid and Lake Ohrid – a weekend in North Macedonia
A guide to Ohrid – St John at Kaneo, Samuel's Fortress, Plaošnik, St Sophia, St Naum Monastery, Struga and a stop in Skopje on the way.
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FranceParis – a 3 to 4 day guide, plus the road there via Vienna and Reims
What to see in Paris – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre, the Seine and Versailles, plus the coach route Vienna – Reims – Paris – Munich – Salzburg.
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SerbiaPirot – cheese, carpets and Poganovo Monastery
A day trip to Pirot – the famous Pirot kashkaval cheese, Pirot kilim carpets, the Kale fortress and Poganovo Monastery in the Jerma river gorge.
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BulgariaPlovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery in one day
A one-day route – Plovdiv's Old Town and Roman theatre, Asen's Fortress above Asenovgrad and Bachkovo Monastery. What to see and how to get there.
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Czech RepublicPlzeň and the glory of Czech beer – a beer tour
A Czech beer tour – the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň, the town's underground tunnels, Prague's beer halls, monastery breweries and Czech beer traditions.
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Pomorie and Aheloy – salt lake, mud baths and camping on the southern Black Sea coast
A holiday in Pomorie and Aheloy – the old town on the peninsula, Pomorie Lake and the Salt Museum, healing mud, the Thracian tomb and seaside camping.
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Czech RepublicPrague – a 3 to 5 day travel guide
What to see in Prague – the Castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town, a Vltava cruise, Czech beer and day trips to Karlštejn and Kutná Hora.
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SerbiaProlom Banja and Devil's Town – a mineral spa in Serbia
Prolom Banja on Mount Radan – mineral water, spas and New Year breaks – plus the Devil's Town (Đavolja Varoš) rock formation with more than 200 earth pyramids.
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BulgariaRila Monastery – travel guide and day trip from Sofia
How to visit Rila Monastery from Sofia – history, what to see, the cave of St Ivan of Rila, how to get there and practical tips.
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ItalyRome – a 4 to 5 day guide, plus the tomb of St Cyril
What to see in Rome – the Colosseum, the Vatican, early Christian basilicas, St Cyril's tomb in San Clemente and a day trip to Pompeii and Naples.
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GermanyRothenburg and the Romantic Road – a drive into the Middle Ages
Driving Germany's Romantic Road – Würzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen, medieval towns of walls, towers and half-timbered houses.
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GreeceSerres – shopping, a Byzantine fortress and Lake Kerkini
A day trip to Serres – the centre and markets, the Byzantine Koulas fortress, the Bezesteni, St John the Forerunner Monastery and the pelicans of Lake Kerkini.
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Czech RepublicSouth Moravia – wine, Lednice and Mikulov
Wine touring in South Moravia – the Lednice-Valtice landscape (UNESCO), Mikulov, cellars and vineyards, Moravian wines and a night in a castle.
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GreeceThassos – the Green Island of northern Greece
A guide to Thassos – Limenas and its ancient theatre, Panagia, Aliki, the Archangel Michael Monastery, Giola and the best beaches. Ferries and tips.
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FranceThe Canal du Midi by bike – from Toulouse to the Mediterranean
Cycling the Canal du Midi – Toulouse, Castelnaudary and cassoulet, Carcassonne and Cathar country, the Malpas Tunnel, the Fonserannes locks and Agde.
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Czech Republic and GermanyThe Castle Road – from Prague via Nuremberg and Heidelberg to Frankfurt
Germany's Castle Road (Burgenstraße) – Prague, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Heidelberg with its romantic castle above the Neckar, and Frankfurt. By coach and train.
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BulgariaThe Iskar Gorge – Lakatnik Rocks and Skaklya waterfall
A day out in the Iskar Gorge – the Lakatnik Rocks and Temnata Dupka cave, Skaklya waterfall at Bov and Cherepish Monastery. By car or by train from Sofia.
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BulgariaThe Kingdom of the Thracians – sanctuaries, tombs and wine in Thrace and the Eastern Rhodopes
Follow the Thracians – Perperikon, Tatul, the Womb Cave, the Deaf Stones, the Dolni Glavanak cromlech, the Kazanlak Tomb and the wines of Thrace.
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CroatiaThe Makarska Riviera – a Croatian beach holiday between Omiš and Makarska
A summer holiday on the Makarska Riviera – beaches below Mount Biokovo, Omiš and the Cetina canyon, Brela, the Biokovo Skywalk and Split an hour away.
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BulgariaThe Vratsa Rocks, Vratsata Gorge and Ledenika Cave
A guide to the Vratsa Balkan – Vratsata Gorge, the highest vertical cliffs in the Balkans, Skaklya waterfall, Ledenika Cave and Okolchitsa Peak.
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BulgariaThe Wonderful Bridges, Yagodina Cave and Devil's Throat
A two-day Rhodopes route – the Wonderful Bridges rock arches, Yagodina Cave, Devil's Throat with its underground waterfall, the Trigrad Gorge and Devin.
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GreeceThessaloniki – the White Tower, Byzantine churches, tavernas and shopping
What to see in Thessaloniki in a day or a weekend – the White Tower, Arch of Galerius, Hagios Demetrios, the Upper Town, the markets, Ladadika and the big malls.
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RomaniaTransylvania – castles and vampires: Sinaia, Brașov and Bran
A three-day Romania route – Peleș and Pelișor castles in Sinaia, medieval Brașov and its Black Church, "Dracula's" Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress.
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BulgariaTroyan Monastery, Etar and Tryavna – on the trail of Bulgarian crafts
A Balkan Mountains route – Saeva Dupka cave, Troyan Monastery, the crafts exhibition at Oreshak, the Etar open-air museum and Revival-era Tryavna.
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Varna – Bulgaria's sea capital, the world's oldest gold and the beaches
What to see in Varna – the Varna gold, the Roman baths, the Sea Garden, Aladzha Monastery, the Stone Forest, Balchik and Cape Kaliakra. Beaches and tips.
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BulgariaVeliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi and Dryanovo Monastery – medieval Bulgaria
A guide to Veliko Tarnovo – Tsarevets fortress, the Sound and Light show, the craft street, Arbanasi, Dryanovo Monastery and Bacho Kiro cave.
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ItalyVenice – a tale of the lagoon (with Graz on the way)
A Venice guide – St Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto, the Grand Canal, Murano and Burano, the entry fee and beating the crowds. Plus Graz on the way.
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GreeceVergina – the tomb of Philip II of Macedon
A day trip to Vergina (ancient Aigai) – the Great Tumulus with the royal tombs, the golden larnax with the Vergina Sun, the palace of Aigai and the town of Veria.
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AustriaVienna – a 3 to 4 day guide to palaces, museums and coffee houses
What to see in Vienna – the Hofburg, St Stephen's, Schönbrunn, the Belvedere, the Prater, Hundertwasser, coffee houses and the Christmas markets.
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BulgariaVitosha – Sofia's mountain, Cherni Vrah and the night view of the city
What to do on Vitosha – Cherni Vrah peak, the Golden Bridges, Boyana waterfall and Boyana Church, Aleko hut and a night walk above the lights of Sofia.