Stretching for one-and-a-half miles through the grounds of Bishop Auckland’s historic Auckland Castle, AGLOW is the latest festive light trail to arrive in County Durham. The trail boasts seventeen specially designed illuminations, leading visitors from well-tended gardens and sprawling woodland to riverside paths and historic deer houses. We visited on the first preview night, along … Read more
“It has changed a lot. More big buildings, more big hotels. I liked it how it was before,” reflected our host as she weaved her small car between gnarly potholes along the steep, narrow roads of Ohrid’s old town. Ottoman-style houses clung to the hillside to our right, their terracotta rooftops and impressive wooden windows … Read more
Skopje Fortress – also known as Skopje Kale, after the Turkish word for fortress or castle – is one of the most popular viewpoints in Skopje. Standing watch over the Vardar River, the fortress is just a stone’s throw from some of Skopje’s most popular spots. The Old Bazaar is just a minute’s walk away. … Read more
When it comes to sunrise in Ohrid, there is only one place to head – the Church of Saint John at Kaneo. Purportedly dating back to the 13th century and built in Byzantine style, the church is a symbol of the city – adorning every postcard, every brochure and every poster advertising Ohrid. The reason? … Read more
Sweat dripped down my brow as I stole a glance at the view. The ground was parched – dried mud bleached an anaemic brown by the summer sun. In the distance, the northern shores of Ullswater stretched and snaked towards the horizon and eventually out of sight. The water gleamed blue, glistening gently as waves … Read more
Skopje, the eclectic capital city of North Macedonia, is enjoying a growing reputation as a budget-friendly European city packed with culture, great food and a wide range of activities – from museums to cable cars. The city’s story is told, in part, through its meandering architectural styles, with Ottoman-era mosques standing side-by-side with Yugoslav modernist … Read more
Packed to the rafters with bars, cafes and restaurants, no trip to Bitola is complete without a walk down Širok Sokak. This thriving thoroughfare is the city’s main street and is regarded as the thriving centre of the area’s cultural and social scene. Whether looking for a morning espresso or an evening cocktail, Bitola residents … Read more
Eight years have passed since our last visit to Skopje in 2015. Back then, we had just finished our final university exams and were beginning a three-week adventure through the Balkans. The 2015 trip marked our first visit to what was then known as Macedonia. Our memories of Skopje from the first trip were dominated … Read more
“Everyone likes Loughrigg.” So said Alfred Wainwright when writing of Loughrigg Fell, one of the most accessible of the 214 fells immortalised in the author’s famous guidebooks. At just 335 metres, Loughrigg Fell is a firm favourite among visitors to Lakeland, with thousands completing the hike to its rocky summit plateau each year. Whilst summer … Read more
The world-famous Kinderdijk site is a must-see for anyone visiting Rotterdam. Home to two canals and 19 windmills, this remarkable complex of waterways, historic buildings and swaying reedbeds is one of the most photographed places anywhere in the Netherlands. We visited Kinderdijk on a warm, humid summer evening and were instantly captivated. It is every … Read more
With their picturesque settings and rich cultural heritage, the cities of Prizren, Peja and Gjakova are some of the most popular places to visit in Kosovo. Whilst Europe’s youngest country does have a limited railway network (which we used to travel between Pristina and Peja by train), by far the easiest way to get around … Read more
The small city of Peja is one of the heavyweights of Kosovo’s burgeoning tourism scene. Home to everything from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to historic hammams and busy bazaars, the city has plenty to offer visitors. The backdrop, too, is spectacular, with the dramatic summits of the Accursed Mountains rising up above the city. Many … Read more