Monthly Archives: June 2013

The Black Forest

800px-3_of_10_-_Lake_Titisee,_Black_Forest_-_GERMANY

Lake Titisee in the Black Forest

The Black Forest is a picturesque region of south western Germany which borders the Rhine Valley. The rolling hills of the area are covered in pine and fir forest and there are many attractive and historic towns and villages to explore. The region is easily reached by air from Basel/Mulhouse and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports or by car from the A5 autobahn, a main artery through Germany. There is much to do and enjoy in the region which is popular with tourists from across Europe. Continue reading →

Rome in Two Days

The Coliseum

The historic centre of Rome has an embarrassment of architectural treasures and with so many things to see the city can be a daunting prospect for the visitor on a short break. It is impossible to experience everything that Rome has to offer in just two days but you can certainly manage most of the highlights with a little planning and a lot of walking. Continue reading →

San Francisco Against The Clock

San Francisco is often referred to as “everyone’s favourite city” and it doesn’t take much time in the place to realise why. With a spectacular setting on the bay and the backdrop of the mountains the location certainly takes some beating. Add in the drama of the steep hills, the gorgeous architecture and a vibrant waterfront and you have a truly unique city bustling with life and full of interesting attractions. Continue reading →

Marco Island

Marco Island is a small community 10 miles south of Naples on the gulf coast of Florida. The island is connected to the mainland by a road bridge and is an easy drive from the Everglades National Park. The island is principally a retirement community and winter retreat for the wealthy but is also a fantastic base for a few quiet days after the rigours of the theme parks in Orlando. Keen fishermen might want to dwell even longer because Marco is a fishermen’s paradise in the sun! Continue reading →

A Gem in the Alps – The Hintertuxer Gletscher (Hintertux Glacier)

I haven’t been to many Glaciers it must be said, neither am I particularly well versed in the art of skiing. Recently a summer trip to Austria led me to come across this gem however, the Hintertux Glacier (or Hintertuxer Gletscher in German).

Photograph from the Hintertux Glacier by Larsjuh via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

This stunning glacier is located high up in the mountains in the Tux Alps, in a side valley that sprouts off from the popular Zillertal Valley. To say that this area is picturesque would be a true understatement. I visited in summer and was just as impressed with the scenery, being deep within the mountains at valley floor level, as I’m sure I would have been visiting during the winter season. Continue reading →