Photos from Athens now online

I have now uploaded some of my photos from a great few days in Athens. I didn't catch the best weather of the year when I visited but it would have been hard not to have an enjoyable time looking at the city's many amazing historical sights. I was fascinated by the ancient Greek monuments scattered around but also by the relatively more modern associations with the Olympics.

Click here to see more..

Morning stroll around Sofia

Occasionally when travelling you get presented with an unexpected opportunity to discover something new and that was the case on the morning of 29th October 2016. Following a few days in Athens I flew back via the Bulgarian capital Sofia as it was a much cheaper option due to the typical school holiday price hikes. I had no expectations of anything much but thought I may as well look around for a few hours as my flight to London wasn't until the afternoon, it turned out to be the case that I stumbled upon an interesting and beautiful city.

It was a cold and foggy morning as the sun rose at Sofia airport.

Time to board the metro to the centre, I have a long way to go before I can decipher what the writing on such as this train means but thankfully I only could only go in one direction from the airport.

I got off the metro near to the city's most famous attraction which is the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, there was a hive of activity as it is next to what seems to be some sort of bus station, otherwise there was just a few tourists including myself roaming around at this time of the morning and the occasional stray dog. The cathedral is incredible to see for its size and looked particularly special bathed in autumn sunshine.

Next door was a smaller but equally beautiful church, the occasional church goer came in and out presumably of a morning mass.

I continued on walking the quiet streets and admiring the pristine condition of the pavements and parks. This is clearly Bulgaria's showpiece and they take pride in ensuring its at its most presentable. The colours of the trees against the white buildings made for a beautiful scene.

Below is Sofia's main shopping street with a mountain backdrop yet to get going for the day but with everyone preparing for what I assume is a busy Saturday in the capital.

I stopped by another church where a  busy morning mass was ongoing.

Some kind of training taking place for a terrorist or similar incident ongoing as I walked back towards the metro station.

Past the beautiful cathedral again, roads still quiet.

I joined the metro again for the trip back to the airport at the Vasil Levski Stadium, presumably an event was due to take place that day as many sellers were setting up outside and police were already roaming around.

On the metro back to the airport.

I arrived back at the airport half an hour later and a beautiful and mild day was starting to emerge but I sadly had a flight to catch home.

 

 I didn't know what to expect from this city but from my morning spent here it seemed to be a place that would be worth a longer visit. It would be possible to enjoy a fine time in the centre with the many bars, restaurants, parks, museums and churches to explore. The transport was also surprisingly quick, efficient and of course everything is of a very low cost. A surprising visit indeed.

Surprising time in Los Angeles

I'm always open minded when it comes to the destinations I visit but I was told by everyone who visited Los Angeles previously that this place wasn't that great. I left however feeling that I wanted to see more and understanding that this place its own very different appeal.

Los Angeles was settled on the beautiful Californian coast and as such the dramatic landscape is never far away and can be admired up in the Hollywood hills or from the miles of endless beach. There is so much here to offer the visitor that no matter what your age you can find something to enjoy. When it comes to history its apt that this is unconventional and centers around its many links past and present to showbiz and real estate. You have to come to Los Angeles with this in mind and if you can stay in one of the beachside areas you can find that fun and relaxation are able to go hand in hand in this diverse place.

This city will present many challenges for the budget conscious traveller as hotels, food and attractions are seriously expensive. I can not imagine of course what it is like to stay in high end luxury accommodation here because if you are like me you're time spent here will most probably be in a hostel. People from each corner of the globe have an interest in this place so in two or three days you never know what you might see or what stories you might hear from the people you meet. It must be said that one can easily get used to the largely uninterrupted sunshine which must be an undoubted tonic.

Click here to see some of the pictures from my recent visit.

Colourful and quirky San Francisco

I'm starting my look back on a great two weeks travelling in the USA with the city where the adventure started - San Francisco.

This is such a colourful and quirky place but one which has an interesting history. San Francisco is also a city which is greatly influenced by its location between the Pacific Ocean and much warmer climbs to the east. The bay is thriving with wildlife and the most famous inhabitants are the seals at Pier 39 who have made this place home and no-one would dare mess with them! Whilst the seals put on an amusing show one of the most popular displays for tourists is the gradual unveiling of the bay every day from the blanket of fog which, even once it has receded, is never too far away.

There's so much to see and do in San Francisco and during my time there I just about saw the tip of the iceberg. Whether it was whizzing up and down hills on a tram or enjoying a bowl of clam chowder on the breezy Embarcadero it was a great experience all the way through and you can now see some pictures of what I got up to by clicking here.

Awesome American Adventure!

 

I've just about recovered from the jetlag associated with an incredible two weeks of travelling in the USA. Me, my sister and a friend covered nearly 20,000 miles in just 14 days using nearly every type of transport imaginable - from trams in San Francisco to the opulence of a cruise ship in the Caribbean we covered some insane distances!

In the next few days I will start uploading my pictures on to my blog but have a look at my Instagram page now to see my favourites already posted and being enjoyed by my followers...

My three favourite spots in Malta

For such a small island Malta has so many things to see and do that you need at least a month to get close to seeing them all. This is a place full of history and so many different cultural influences and as such has so many stories to tell, whilst its coastline and landscape is, in many places, truly stunning.

Here are my three favourite spots in Malta:

1. Marsaxxlok

This quaint fishing village offers an insight into traditional Maltese life and the unsurprisingly thriving industry which has developed in this corner of the island. Visiting in the height of summer this place was notably quiet but it made for a refreshing change to the hustle and bustle of Valletta and other tourist hotspots. It's impossible to keep track of the many colourful boats, known as 'Luzzu' that occupy the harbour but it's a delight to sit in one of the many waterside restaurants, eating some locally caught fish, whilst watching the fisherman sail through the crystal clear water on what is clearly their pride and joy. Other highlights of this small place include a typically beautiful Maltese church and a small stretch of beach which is hidden from public view but, because of this, is not the slightest bit crowded.

2. Mdina

The beautiful cathedral in Mdina.

It is incredible to believe that this small walled city has any residents but it is still the home of some three hundred very fortunate people. Entering through the main gate one of the first sights of this unique place is the tiny police station and a  small sign reminding many fascinated tourists that people do infact still live here. Mdina is a maze of beautiful streets, small palaces and squares all of which are dominated by what is an unbelievable cathedral. Walking into the cathedral it is undeniably the most beautiful religious place of worship I have ever visited with unbelievable artwork and sculptures. To top it off Mdina has a purposefully enviable position high up on the island and as such you can sit in one of the cafes, enjoying a drink, whilst taking in far reaching views towards Valletta and the coast.

3. Silema Beachfront

Silema seafront and its unusual beach.

This is one of my favourite places for a very different reason to the previous two, most notably because it is a modern part of the island but one which makes for a great base for exploring the island. There are many hotels to choose from and the promenade offers wonderful Mediterranean views and is a great place for an evening stroll. The beach here is unorthodox as there is no sand in sight but nonetheless it provides access to the clear blue sea and is enjoyed throughout the day by locals and tourists alike. There are also some great restaurants offering you the chance to take advantage of sea views which are especially striking in the evening as the sun begins to set. Regular buses pass through here every few minutes to Valletta whilst other popular tourist spots located on St. Julian's Bay are equally close. For me, this is the best place to come back to after a day of exploring Malta.

My Top Ten European Countries - Number One

1. ICELAND

I had the pleasure of visiting Iceland for the first time this year and it is a place that really captures the meaning of the word 'adventure.' Everything about the country is intriguing or awe inspiring. In my mind Iceland is like one big, truly authentic, natural theme park. Reykjavik is the centre where everyone comes together to sleep, eat and relax after a day enjoying attractions and adventures of all kinds. For others it is merely a starting point as they move around the main route that rings around the island, stopping off at the many quaint and isolated guest houses along the way.

The scenery in every corner of Iceland is stunning and what makes it stand out is that it is alive and ever changing. Volcanic activity continues and has its effect on the landscape whilst giving rise to unique leisure experiences with the Blue Lagoon being its most popular highlight. To sit outside in water as I did whilst the temperature outside was subzero just sums up the amazing things you can do in this country. If you could only go to one place that shows how active this place is I would tell you to go to Geysir - the steam can be seen rising from a distance away and the smell (albeit very eggy!) hits you upon arrival but it speaks volumes about what is special about Iceland.

Iceland is an expensive place to visit but it's one that I believe everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. You can see nature in action, experience the height of relaxation and luxury in geothermal spas, or even get up close with the famous wooly horses by paying a visit to one of the many farms. On top of all this there are opportunities for sailing, whale watching, off-roading, cultural events and I've not mentioned the wonderful displays of northern lights visible here. On top of all of this the people are so friendly, the transport links are modern and the food, especially the seafood, is brilliant. 2016 was the first, but won't be the last time I explore this incredible country.

To see more from my previous visit to Iceland click here.