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With grand palaces, vast plazas and a particularly spectacular cathedral, Florence might not seem like the place to grab a bargain. But the grandeur is surrounded by street stalls selling panini, ice cream shops, busy markets and small cafes. The Tuscan capital was endowed by the Medici family of bankers, which sponsored Michelangelo, Da Vinci, … Read more
The German capital was chock-a-block for the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Wall, but now the crowds have gone it’s the perfect time to go. Spread out across the old East and West sections, getting round this city requires planning (thankfully, public transport is first-rate). One of the joys of visiting, aside from … Read more
A heartwarming video of a chemotherapy patient and his nurse singing a Christmas carol has gone viral. Penn Pennington, 67, a veteran musician, is currently battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells, for the second time. Earlier this month, he was admitted to the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at TriStar Centennial in … Read more
Jerez de la Frontera is a classically Andalusian city with lashings of old-school Spanish charm. Crumbling medieval walls hide tapas restaurants and classic tabancos (little working-class bars), which peddle crisp sherry from £1 a glass. Wander the streets and you’ll hear cheery locals using the word ‘ole’ as a day-to-day expression (it’s typically only shouted … Read more
The vaunted iPhone 11 Pro has a ‘night mode’ – and where better to test it than in Arctic Murmansk during December, when the sun never rises? That was the thinking behind Radio Free Europe photographer Amos Chapple’s odyssey to the Russian city. And the results are mesmerising. Radio Free Europe photographer Amos Chapple visited … Read more
Holidaymakers can enjoy the ultimate fantasy-themed getaway in this eco-designed Hobbit Hideaway in Scotland – for less than £20 per person per night. Nestled at the foot of a Highlands mountain, those seeking a spot of soul-soothing relaxation can enjoy a cosy night under the stars in absolute comfort while enjoying the splendour of rural … Read more
Cobblestones, bridges, palaces, parks and countless attractions, Prague will delight those seeking old-fashioned charm. With its uniquely preserved historical centre, it oozes impressive architecture, breathtaking views and plenty of fabulous monuments. All this and a flying time of less than two hours? It’s no wonder this rich city is a booming tourist destination with more … Read more
Windmills and tulips are thin on the ground in Rotterdam, one of the most relentlessly forward-looking cities in Europe. Much of the centre, devastated during World War II, has a retro-futurist look with striking Sixties architecture. Now Eurostar offers direct trains from London St Pancras — a journey of barely three hours — it’s high … Read more
‘I was born in Liverpool but grew up in Hamburg,’ was John Lennon’s impression of Germany’s second city. But The Beatles left the Reeperbahn in 1962, and the neon signs of Hamburg’s red light district are best avoided. Instead, embrace the unexpected green elegance of this industrial city. Take in the parks and lakes while stopping … Read more
Swans, cobblestones and lace shops: Bruges doesn’t disappoint if your hopes for a weekend away includes old-fashioned charm. But this medieval masterpiece of a city, reached from London in little more than three hours on Eurostar, also has avant-garde musical installations, irresistible chocolate shops and a thriving beer scene all set on winding, ancient lanes. … Read more