The former mining town of Bishop Auckland is experiencing a revival. Surrounded by the rolling hills of County Durham, this unassuming town is quietly positioning itself for a tourism boom with world-class museums, spectacular live shows and a constantly changing food and drink scene. Leading the way, the multimillion-pound Auckland Project is looking to transform … Read more
Ever since we moved to Leeds, Saltaire has always been one of our favourite day trips. An icon of Victorian-era industry, this model village sprung up during the 19th century thanks to the vision of Sir Titus Salt, a local textile magnate who pushed for better living conditions for his thousands of factory workers. Saltaire’s … Read more
A warm wind whipped around our feet as we strolled along the sun-soaked stone ramparts. To our left, a young couple posed for photos, thick sunglasses shielding their faces against the glare of the bright October day. To our right, a shaggy stray dog stretched out lazily in the shade, raising his head occasionally to … Read more
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of England’s most spectacular landscapes. From the remote, windswept summit of Wild Boar Fell to the dramatic Norber Erratics, it’s one of our favourite places to explore. We’re lucky to have the Dales on our doorstep, just a short journey by direct train from our home in Leeds. … Read more
Whilst many visitors to Kosovo flock to the cities of Prizren and Pristina, the small town of Gjakova is well worth a detour during a trip around Europe’s youngest country. Boasting one of the longest – if not the longest – bazaars in this area of Europe, as well as plenty of other historic sites, … Read more
Pristina, the energetic capital city of Kosovo, is slowly starting to get the recognition it deserves. With ever-increasing flight connections across Europe, a wonderfully walkable city centre, and some of the continent’s most budget-friendly food and drink, a visit to Pristina is a compelling choice for a long weekend destination. Pristina is also a gateway … Read more
The Peak District is blessed with some of England’s most iconic landscapes. From rolling green hills to dramatic cloud inversions from the summit of Mam Tor, Britain’s first-ever national park packs a punch when it comes to iconic views. Today, millions of people make the pilgrimage to the Peak District each year. Many visitors will … Read more
Well, that’s a wrap for 2023. It’s been quite the year. Our focus for the first couple of months was our wedding. Travel took a back seat as we put the finishing touches in place, ready to tie the knot at the start of March. When the big day finally arrived, we enjoyed a magical, … Read more
The National Library of Kosovo is often branded as one of the ugliest buildings in the world. In some peoples’ eyes, this may be true. However, we also think it is one of the most beautiful. Even if you only have a few hours in Pristina, you will almost certainly pay the library a visit. … Read more
With winding streets lined with classic Ottoman-style houses and the iconic red-brick church at Kaneo, the lakeside city of Ohrid is a must-visit for anyone travelling in the Balkans. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to reach Ohrid from Skopje, the eclectic capital of North Macedonia. There is currently no direct train route between Skopje and Ohrid, … Read more
The ladle clangs loudly as it crashes against the side of the gargantuan cauldron. A man dressed in black leans further, stretching down to scoop another steaming pile of rice and meat from the bottom of the pot. He emerges with his ladle overflowing and deposits the generous scoop onto a white plate, which he … Read more
With towering mountains, ancient monasteries and a thriving food scene, Kosovo – Europe’s youngest country – is attracting increased attention from travellers. Thanks to the country’s relatively humble size and array of public transport, a city-hopping break in Kosovo is a perfect way to explore this emerging Balkan destination. We have visited Kosovo twice, taking … Read more