I spent three days in Paris and only ate one decent meal. That’s not a good batting record for a country that gave the world Cordon-Bleu and Haute Cuisine, along with the fathers of modern cookery, Carême and Escoffier. French … Continue reading
I’m on a blog holiday today, taking part in Michelle’s Gita Italiana over at Bleeding Espresso. Why don’t you pop on over there and have a read? There’ve been some great entries already, from writers all over Italy, and I’m … Continue reading
Parisians are cold, haughty and unhelpful. Oh, and did I mention intolerant of anyone who comes from outside Paris, let alone France? Everyone says it, so it must be true, right? On my short experience of the city, however, I … Continue reading
It may be 30 years since the Strage di Bologna, but Centrale train station still bears the scars of the terrorist bomb that ripped it apart on 2 August 1980. Outside the building the main station clock forever shows 10:25, … Continue reading
Lecce to London: a distance of somewhere around 2,300 km. Most people would choose to go by plane, saving both time and money, but I decide to do it by train. It’s a mammoth journey, but a good one. Train … Continue reading
I’m not a big fan of things that fly: they freak me out. And yes, I do include planes in that list. I’m therefore planning an epic cross-Europe train journey home at the end of this month, to which I’m … Continue reading
We’re somewhere south of Rimini. We’ve been on this train for hours already, and will be so for a good few more. I’ve dozed my way through much of the journey, but am now wide awake and restless. Rimini … Continue reading
Florence. When I found out that I would have five, blissful, teaching-free days over Easter, the City of Flowers was my first thought. Second thought was, “oh god: the journey.” I love arriving in different destinations, but I hate … Continue reading
Image by Cindy47452 on Flickr It’s 6am. Even the local cockerel isn’t awake yet. The town is cloaked in mist and the car windscreen is covered in a heavy layer of dew. Alex and I climb in, bleary-eyed and … Continue reading
(image by Paolo Margari on Flickr) It’s a day for an adventure. Buying the train ticket is the first challenge, at which I almost fail. ‘Biglietta?’ asks the station attendant, as he walks past me. I nod and reply in … Continue reading
