Author Profile: Karen Warren

The Italian city of Mantua is a World Heritage Site. It was the home of the Gonzaga family, Renaissance patrons of the arts, and their legacy remains...   view more

Visitors to the Costa Brava often overlook Girona, heading instead to the regional capital Barcelona. But Girona has some of the most complete city walls in Spain, medieval streets that seem hardly to have changed over centuries, and lots of traditional Catalan...   view more

Tossa de Mar has a long and varied history. You can explore this history as you walk around the town, taking in the Roman settlement, the medieval fortifications and the more recent cultural and artistic...   view more

Brescia is underrated as a tourist destination. However it has a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Roman remains and much...   view more

The buildings of Lloret de Mar are one of its lesser known pleasures. Discover medieval, neoclassical and Modernist architecture as you explore the...   view more

Lloret de Mar, on Spain's Costa Brava, is best known for its nightlife and beaches. But it also has a long history to...   view more

From the top of the High Street I could see the old coaching inn on the left and the wooden Market House on the right. In between were dozens of centuries’ old buildings. I was following the Ledbury HeritageTrail, a half mile walk through the historic town...   view more

New York's High Line is an urban park on a raised railway line. It is a place to take time out and to enjoy contemporary art and...   view more

Hungarian food is characterised by paprika, yoghurt and dumplings. Main meals tend to be based around meat, in soups and stews, or grilled with potatoes and vegetables. Fish is plentiful, too: mostly freshwater varieties, as Hungary is...   view more

Formerly known as Kororareka, Russell was a Maori settlement for some centuries before the arrival of Europeans. But in the early 1800s it started to be frequented by whaling ships, and later by commercial vessels from around the...   view more

Tourists with a taste for gourmet Italian food have always flocked to Emilia-Romagna, particularly to Bologna, with its signature meat sauce and cured meats, and Parma, famed for its ham and cheese. However, the Rimini area has its own distinctive foods which will satisfy the most discerning...   view more

Rows of tiny wooden cottages in streets radiating out from the medieval stone church. Each painted in the typical red and white of Swedish rural dwellings. But there are no permanent residents, and these are not holiday...   view more

To visit a new country and only see one town would be a bit like going to a banquet and only tasting one dish. So, although I only had a few days in Kraków, I was keen to take a day trip, to travel through the countryside and explore a different...   view more

Avila is often described as the “City of Saints and Stones”. The saint is St Teresa, and the stones are the city walls, supposedly the finest in the whole of Europe. Avila is also just a bus ride away from Segovia, where I was planning to visit the Roman...   view more

It is the classic view of Segovia. The spectacular Roman aqueduct that dominates the town and reaches out towards the mountains. Visitors clamber to the top for the views, or walk between its...   view more

Segovia’s fortifications tend to be a bit overshadowed by the city’s main tourist atraction, the Roman aqueduct. But the city walls and Alcazar (fortified castle) are an important part of Segovia’s...   view more

I’ve written before about the Arena of Verona, home to the annual Opera Festival, and the Circus Maximus in Rome, still used for concerts and other events. Another such site is the Roman spa and hot springs of Bath, in the south of...   view more

The vast majority of visitors to Gibraltar come as day trippers. A quick tour around the sights, and perhaps a drink and a bit of duty free shopping before heading off back to the ship or the holiday resort. But there is plenty to see and do in Gibraltar if you want to stay a little...   view more

People have fought over the occupation of Gibraltar for centuries. In the last two millennia the Moors, the Spanish and the British have all had a foothold on the Rock, lured by its strategic location at the entrance to (or exit from) the...   view more

The Alameda Botanic Gardens are one of the must-see places on Gibraltar. There is much to recommend them: a beautiful setting, with a wide variety of plants, and an intriguing blend of the everyday and the...   view more

The Royal Botanic Gardens are much more than “just another botanic garden”. There are several strands to the UNESCO listing, starting with the fact that Kew Gardens has been at the forefront of scientific research since it was established in...   view more

The Romans first settled in Britain in AD 43. They built a bridge across the River Thames and founded a town which they called Londinium. This became a busy and important settlement with all the usual components of a Roman town, including a forum, amphitheatre and public...   view more

The whole of the city centre is a World Heritage Site, recognising the importance of Palladio’s work. The city is regarded as a harmonious whole, incorporating Palladio’s ideas on urban design as well as his...   view more

York is better known as a medieval city than for its Roman origins. Yet it was once a very important Roman town. I set out to discover what can still be seen of Roman York today, and to get some clues about how it may have looked in the...   view more

As in many European cities, the social and commercial life of medieval York was dominated by the trade guilds. And in many ways they are still important today. One of the best ways of discovering the history and influence of the guilds is through a visit to the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in...   view more

As you approach Nicosia from the south, you catch sight of a gigantic Turkish flag in the hillside ahead. It is a reminder that Cyprus is an island of two halves, the so-called Green Line dividing it into the “Greek” south and the “Turkish”...   view more

As I came out of the ferry terminal at Rotterdam Europoort there were several coaches waiting to whisk people off to Amsterdam. And just one minibus going to the centre of Rotterdam. Yet the second city of The Netherlands is a vibrant city with a lively arts and social...   view more

Like Amsterdam, Leiden is a canal-based city. Ringed by a 6 km moat, it has a total of 28 km of canals and 88 bridges. In fact it has more canals than any other Dutch city apart from...   view more

Yet the phrase “Shine Like Pardubice” was once common, a reference to the town’s grand architecture. There is plenty to see and do here, even apart from the buildings, the old town and the...   view more

It might be a bustling industrial town, but it still had the historic heart, complete with central square, that I had come to expect in a Czech...   view more

Litomyšl, in East Bohemia, is another Czech town that deserves to be much better known. A UNESCO World Heritage castle and a charming town centre with lots of notable buildings are part of the...   view more

There are so many museums in Bath that it would take a month to explore them all. I’ve spent the last week visiting several of them, but I’ve got a lot more to...   view more

When you visit Bath don’t miss the Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens. Here you’ll find the oldest park in Bath and the city’s first public art gallery, with a fine collection of paintings and other...   view more

For many people literary Bath is synonymous with Jane Austen, a frequent visitor and sometime resident of the city. I have rounded up some of the most important writers associated with Bath, and show where you can follow in their...   view more

Even if you’ve never read any of her novels, the chances are that you associate Jane Austen with Bath. As for most people of her time and social class, Bath was an important part of Jane Austen’s world, and she mentioned it in all of her...   view more

One of the best places to see the water and to explore Hamburg’s maritime history is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Speicherstadt. This was once the warehouse district, but is now a place where tourists can enjoy eye-catching architecture, museums, and...   view more

The areas of St Pauli and the Schanzenviertel in Hamburg are well known for their counter-culture. As in so many places, this culture includes music, political awareness, and street art. The street art is abundant, impossible to...   view more

Over time cars have replaced horses, and most mews have been converted into small but fashionable houses. However the Royal Mews retains its original purpose. It is a home for the Queen’s horses and state...   view more

Bradford on Avon is often overlooked by the tourists who flock to the nearby city of Bath. Which is a pity: like Bath, it has an enviable location in the Avon Valley and, unlike Bath, it is a medieval town with lots of older...   view more

Visitors to Bulgaria tend to head for the mountains or the Black Sea beach resorts. But there are lots of reasons to visit Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Starting with the fact that it is surprisingly affordable, and that it is jam-packed with historic churches, museums and green...   view more

The pictures are everywhere, clinging to the sides of buildings like a kind of Renaissance street art. They are inside the buildings, too, most notably in the magnificent Castello de Buoncastiglio. So it is no surprise that Trento should be known as “the painted...   view more

The main Roman town was compact, and surrounded by a wall, with burial sites and the amphitheatre outside. Most of what you see today is within the original walled area, although there isn’t much left of the wall...   view more

I was surprised at how many of the churches of Sofia were like mini-art galleries, packed with frescoes and other artworks, a reflection of the city’s Byzantine...   view more

Trento is best known as a Renaissance city. The area has been settled since ancient times, most notably by the Romans, who arrived in the 1st century BC. They founded a city which they named Tridentum and, if you look hard enough, you can still see plenty of evidence of the Romans in...   view more

The city of Trento, capital of the Trentino province of northern Italy, is not well known to tourists. According to a recent article by Forbes, it is one of the five most underrated Italian cities, and they advise you to visit before it is discovered by everyone...   view more

Greenwich, just a short trip from central London, is full of historic sites. So many, in fact, that the whole of Maritime Greenwich was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in...   view more

Bristol has been an important port since early times. The River Avon and Bristol Harbour run through the city, and a trip on the Bristol Waterbus is an excellent way to explore the town and its history. Travelling along the harbour, with 16 stops along the way, it is also a good way to get...   view more

Greenwich is the ideal place for a day trip. There is so much to see that you could easily spend two or three days here. This is a historic town with classic architecture, world class museums and an enviable riverside location. And the whole of Maritime Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage...   view more

Billings is the largest town in Montana, but it tends to be neglected as a tourist destination. It has a stunning natural location in the Rocky Mountains, and it is surrounded by state parks and historic sites. There is lots to see and...   view more

The town of Cody was founded in 1895 by William Frederick Cody, better known as “Buffalo Bill”. Cody himself was an entrepreneur whose career encompassed hunting, prospecting for gold and several military campaigns. He came to symbolise the pioneering spirit of the...   view more

Bilbao is now a thriving tourist destination, with lots of things to see and do, from history to modern architecture, from museums and art galleries to distinctive local...   view more

Many tourists only spend a day, or even just a few hours, in Bath. But there is much more than you could see in a day. The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is jam-packed with history, museums and 18th century...   view more

Colchester, in Essex, claims to be the oldest recorded town in England. It was certainly the first Roman colonia, built on the site of an earlier fortress. And you can still see quite a bit of Roman Colchester, or Camulodunum, as it was once...   view more

Beverley is a small but attractive market town that was once the capital of East Yorkshire. In the middle ages it was an important pilgrimage site, being the burial place of John of Beverley, a Bishop of York who died in 721 and was later...   view more

The city of Bath is famous for its Roman remains and Georgian architecture. But what happened in the intervening centuries? And where can you see evidence of medieval Bath...   view more

Whether you are visiting Bath for sightseeing, shopping or relaxation, you will need to stop for food and drink at some point. There is no shortage of places to choose from, including lots of pubs in the city centre. This is just a small selection of the historic pubs in...   view more

Today Glastonbury is best known for the music festival that has taken place over the last 50 years. However, tourists also visit Glastonbury for its ancient abbey and long history. And for the myths and legends that surround the town and its mysterious...   view more

Lacock in Wiltshire is a place where time has stood still, its houses, shops and pubs preserved in a bygone age. It is also special for its role in films and photography. It was home to William Fox Talbot, one of the early pioneers of...   view more

The village of Walsingham, in north Norfolk, may be small, but is packed full of history. It has been a place of pilgrimage for a thousand years, visited by many kings and queens of...   view more

I discovered Wareham by chance, my attention caught by a road sign proclaiming its ancient walls. What I found on visiting Wareham was some impressive earthworks, a peaceful walk, and a chance to learn about the town’s long...   view more

When I saw a boat preparing to leave from Naples, I thought, why not try a day trip to Capri? After all, I reasoned, there must be something of interest to have attracted so many rich and famous people, from the Roman Emperor Tiberius to current day celebrities and...   view more

Naples is one of the oldest cities in Italy. This mixed heritage, combined with its origins as a port city, gives it a particular cultural flavour. I got a sense of this unique identity walking around the historic centre of Naples, now a UNESCO World Heritage...   view more

I discovered several reasons to visit Naples. Firstly, this is one of the oldest cities in Italy, a historic sea port founded by the Greeks in 470 BCE. And, as indicated by the proximity of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the area was also important to the...   view more

Shaftesbury, a Saxon hill town in Dorset, is packed full of things to see and do. It is a historic market town with an ancient abbey. There are walks with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside, and the famous Gold Hill, with its cobbles and stone...   view more

Bury St Edmunds came as a surprise. I visited mainly because I was in the area, exploring the medieval painted churches. I found plenty to see and do during a day in Bury St...   view more

If you are looking for an excursion from Rome, why not try a day trip to Orvieto? This is a classic Italian hill town in the southwest of Umbria. Visit for the scenic location, medieval quarter and artisan shops. And don’t miss the historic cathedral – or its miraculous...   view more

I was surprised to find so many things to see and do in Thetford, including an ancient priory and the tallest earthwork in...   view more

Why visit Norwich, the county town of Norfolk? Perhaps for the cobbled streets, the medieval buildings and the many historic pubs. Or because it is the most complete medieval town in Britain. Or just for its enviable situation, in the Norfolk Broads National...   view more

Verona is one of the most perfect towns in Italy. With its 2,000 year history, attractive architecture and walkable centre, it has something for everyone. But why should you visit, and what are the best things to do in...   view more

Vicenza, midway between Venice and Verona, may not be as well known as its neighbours. However its historic centre is a World Heritage Site, packed full of Palladian architecture. And the city is brimming with museums, cafés and restaurants. So, what are the top things to do in...   view more

Ely in Cambridgeshire is a must-see if you are taking a tour around East Anglia. It also makes a good day trip from London or from Cambridge. Visit for the Cathedral, historic buildings and riverside location. And the eels! Here’s how to spend a day in Ely, England’s second smallest...   view more

Hugging the top of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, Riva del Garda has long been a favoured spot for tourists. Sandwiched between lake and mountains, and packed with history and architecture, Riva is perfect for a day trip from Verona or Trento, or as a base for exploring the lake and the wider...   view more

Roman ruins are one of the many reasons for tourists to visit Rome, and sites such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill are amongst the city’s foremost visitor attractions. However, there are many smaller Roman remains in Rome and the surrounding area, some reasonably well known and others less visited. And “new” sites are always being discovered and...   view more

Exploring the street art is just one of many unique things to do in London. The art is everywhere: vibrant graffiti, colourful murals and even carefully crafted mosaics. You’ll find it on the sides on buildings, on old walls, and beneath once-neglected railway arches. I spent some time exploring the street art of the South Bank, some of it ever-changing, and some more...   view more

f you’re looking for a short day trip from Venice, you may choose to visit Murano, Burano or the other islands of the lagoon. But head in the other direction, across the Giudecca Canal, and you’ll come to the islands of Giudecca and San Giorgio. Is it worth visiting these islands, and what is there to see and...   view more

There are grand churches, world-class galleries and palazzi. Markets, piazzas, and students everywhere. Welcome to Dorsoduro, the relatively peaceful south west corner of Venice. Dorsoduro is one of six sestieri (districts) of Venice. Bisected by the Giudecca Canal, it consists of the southern part of the city – connected to San Marco by the Accademia Bridge – and the Giudecca island...   view more

There are so many questions when planning a trip to Venice. Will it be crowded? When should I go? What should I see, and how can I get off the beaten path? Whether you are a first-timer or a return visitor, here is my ultimate Venice travel...   view more

Imagine a city with a 2,000 year history, where you can still walk the medieval streets. Where you can explore the influence of the Romans, the Vikings and the railway age. The seat of an archbishop, a cultural centre, quirky pubs and cafés and gourmet restaurants. This is York, the historic capital of Yorkshire, and one-time capital of Roman England. Here is my choice of the best things to do in York, and a few of the less obvious...   view more

Padua is a beautiful medieval city and an easy day trip from Venice. It also has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: its Botanic Garden and its medieval frescoes. Why are Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles so important, and where can you see...   view more

A lesser visited university town in the north of Italy, within easy reach of Venice or Verona. Majestic buildings, arcaded streets and peaceful canals. And not just one, but two, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are just a few of the reasons to spend a day in...   view more

A magnificent Gothic cathedral, its tower soaring into the sky. Riverside walks and water meadows. And a medieval town centre, packed with historic houses and pubs. Whether you are visiting for a day, or for a little longer, where are the best things to do in Salisbury, in the ancient kingdom of...   view more

The island slopes are covered with verdant trees and tropical fruits, and the Funchal gardens are full of brightly coloured flowers. So it comes as no surprise that Madeira is known as “the floating garden of the...   view more

I hadn’t really expected to find a lot of street art in Madeira, but when I walked through the old town of Funchal the art was everywhere, with eye-catching designs on seemingly every available door, wall or window. This is the work of the Funchal Painted Doors Project, an innovative attempt to revive a neglected part of the...   view more

For many visitors Stratford-upon-Avon is best known for its association with William Shakespeare, England’s most famous dramatist. There is certainly no shortage of places to find Shakespeare in Stratford, from the houses where he was born, lived and died, to the roads and buildings that he would have frequented. But the references are not all historic: his legacy is still very much alive...   view more

If you are planning a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon your thoughts might immediately turn to William Shakespeare, who was born here in 1564. But, important though he is, there is much more to Stratford than Shakespeare. Whether your taste is for Tudor architecture, historic pubs, or parks and countryside, you will find plenty to occupy yourself on a short break in the...   view more

Why visit Manchester? For the football and the vibrant contemporary music scene? For shopping, galleries and easy access to the Peak District National Park? They are all good reasons, but on my recent visit I was in search of the history and heritage of Manchester, and there was a surprising amount to be...   view more

Ask anyone about the historic sites of Leicester and they are likely to mention Richard III, the king whose bones were discovered in a city car park. But there is a surprising amount more to see, spanning the centuries from the Romans to the present day. I set out to discover...   view more

Walk around the city of Leicester and you’ll see that this is a place that is rapidly discovering its tourism potential. It is also a vibrant, diverse and multicultural city. So perhaps it is not surprising to find an abundance of stunning graffiti and street art in Leicester, bringing new life to old...   view more

As the Romans knew, Leicester is in the heart of England, easy to access from any part of the country. It is still easy to get to, but surprisingly overlooked as a tourist destination. I went to the city to find out more, to discover what there is to see and do in...   view more

Chester is jam-packed with history. Wherever you go there is something to see: Roman remains, the medieval city walls, and the second most photographed clock in Britain. To make sense of the multi-layered history of Chester I joined in with a tour of the city organised by the Guild of Chester Tour...   view more

A medieval town on a tall hill topped by a castle, surrounded by the beautiful Devon countryside. Markets, small shops, cafés and restaurants. And a vision of the future, as England’s first Transition Town. Here are some of the best things to do in Totnes, whether you are visiting for a day, or staying a little...   view more

Echternach is the oldest city in Luxembourg, full of history and surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is also home to an unusual and ancient dancing procession. So it is not surprising that many tourists, whether arriving from the city of Luxembourg, or from across the border in Germany, should choose to spend a day in...   view more

A medieval town centre, a fine Norman cathedral, and a riverside setting. A one time seat of kings, including the legendary King Arthur. This is Winchester, an ancient city surrounded by peaceful countryside. Let me show you some of the best things to do in...   view more

The city of Luxembourg is surprising in many ways. One surprise in particular was the sheer amount of history packed into such a small space. The dramatically situated fortifications of Luxembourg are an integral part of that history; they are also a part of a UNESCO World Heritage...   view more

A medieval city with a moated palace. The oldest residential street in Europe. And swans that have been trained to ring a bell… This is Wells in Somerset, an ancient town close to the cities of Bath and Bristol but peacefully situated in the Mendip Hills. So what should you see and do when you spend a day in...   view more

The city of Luxembourg may be small but it is never boring. There are spectacular viewpoints and walks to enjoy even in the urban centre. There is a long history, an old town to explore, and museums for a wet day. But there are also modern shops, bars and restaurants. And day trips to rolling countryside, vineyards and historic towns. So what are the best things to see and do in...   view more

Rome is full of amazing architecture, but not much of it is modern. So the Quartiere Coppedè comes as a surprise. Not just because it is unapologetically 20th century, but also because it is an astonishing mishmash of different building...   view more

Caerleon, in southern Wales, seems like a typical Welsh town with welcoming pubs, restaurants and riverside walks. But it was once most of the important Roman fortresses in Britain. It is also (reputedly) linked with the legendary King...   view more

The hill town of Tivoli is a maze of medieval streets, alleys and stairways, with bars and restaurants and historic churches. It has a long history stretching back to Roman times and it is surrounded by hot springs. So why do so many visitors limit themselves to a single day trip from Rome? And what is there to do in Tivoli if you decide to stay a little...   view more

A medieval city surrounded by well-preserved walls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of pilgrimage. Historic pubs, restaurants and river trips… And all within easy reach of London. Here’s why you should take a day trip to Canterbury, and what to do when you get...   view more

There might not be as many Roman remains in Lisbon as elsewhere in Portugal. However Felicitas Iulia Olisipo, as it was known, was once one of the most important trading centres of the Roman empire. Fragments of the ancient civilisation can be discovered if you look hard enough, but it may take a bit of planning to visit all of the...   view more

Lincoln is known as a cathedral city on a tall hill packed with medieval buildings. It is certainly the medieval history that is most on display today but look closer and you’ll find plenty of evidence of the Roman town. Between them, the Romans and the citizens of the Middle Ages shaped the city that we see today. But why does Lincoln have so much history and where are the best places to explore historic...   view more

Bristol is a maritime city, known for its trading links with the New World and its importance in the Georgian and Victorian eras. But the city’s importance goes back to the Middle Ages, and much of medieval Bristol can still be...   view more

Just over 12 km from central London, Greenwich is a historic town with classic architecture, world class museums and an enviable riverside location. But visitors soon discover that the borough is a tantalising mixture of old and new. And that, whether you visit for a day or a little longer, there is so much to see here that you will soon be planning the return trip. Here are some of the top things to do in...   view more

The city of Coventry is rich in history, museums and legends. It is surrounded by the countryside, towns and tourist attractions of the West Midlands. And, since it was UK City of Culture for 2021, it has been reinventing itself as a destination for tourists and culture-lovers. I’ve rounded up some of the best things to see and do in...   view more

A leafy riverside walk bookended by the Houses of Parliament and the City of London. An area jam-packed with historic buildings, gardens and more statues and monuments than you could mention in a single article. This is London’s Victoria Embankment, a short walk full of...   view more

Bristol must be one of England’s most overlooked tourist destinations. Why this should be is a bit of a mystery: with its rich history and vibrant modern culture the city has something to offer every type of visitor. Here are some of the best things to do in Bristol – the list is not exhaustive, because there is always something new going...   view more

Whether you’re in Bristol for a day or a little longer, one of the many pleasures of exploring the city is its many and varied pubs. Here is a small selection of the historic pubs of Bristol: you are likely to find many more as you wander...   view more

In self-imposed exile from England, the English poet Lord Byron found a new chapter of his life in Italy. He wrote some of his most mature works in the city of Ravenna, but his time here was also marked by his romantic passions and political endeavours. His presence left an indelible mark on the city, and now you can learn more about Byron in Ravenna at the recently opened Byron...   view more

Even by the standards of Emilia-Romagna, which is full of art cities, Ravenna is a treasure trove of history, art, and culture. This city, once a Byzantine capital, has a wealth of attractions for travellers of all kinds. Join me as we explore Ravenna and find out why it should be on every traveller’s...   view more

A charming market town steeped in history. Roman remains, medieval streets, historic parkland, and independent shops and restaurants. And surrounded by the rolling hills and honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds. Cirencester has something for everyone: in this post we explore some of the best things to do in...   view more

Whether you are a first time tourist in London, travelling with the family, or a regular visitor, there is an enormous amount to see and do in the city. But, as well as the well known sights, there is a different side of London, lots of more unusual places and quirky things to see and do. I’ve rounded up a list of unique things to do in London: some are in central London, others further afield, but all outside of the usual tourist...   view more

Ravenna played a crucial part in western civilisation during the 5th and 6th centuries, first as the capital of the Western Roman Empire (from 402 until the fall of the empire in 476) and then as a centre of Ostrogoth rule under King Theodoric. It later became part of the Byzantine...   view more

The city of Vienna is renowned for its grand imperial architecture. But it was also home to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose buildings were eccentric, unconventional and definitely not classical. With their bright colours, wavy lines and whimsical features, his creations stand as a rebellion against traditional forms. Here we look at his artistic legacy, and where you can find Hundertwasser in Vienna...   view more

Turin is widely known for its royal history, many museums, and classic cuisine. But the city’s roots stretch right back to antiquity. This was once an important Roman colony and, while modern-day Turin thrives as a hub of culture and innovation, the past remains imprinted on its streets and buildings. For those who know where to look, there is plenty to discover of Roman...   view more

Reading comes as a surprise to visitors. Its location on both the River Thames and the Kennet and Avon Canal makes it a great centre for walks and river cruises. But it also has a long history, evidenced by its medieval Abbey Quarter, the Victorian architecture in the town centre, and the town’s two excellent museums. And there are the literary connections – Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen and Paddington...   view more

St Ives is a quaint fishing village with cobbled lanes and old cottages, and a stunning natural setting. But there is more to the town than this: it is also home to a long artistic heritage, the home of artists and galleries. So why should you visit St Ives, and what are the best things to see and do...   view more

Lefkada Town is the main town of the island of Lefkas (also known as Lefkada). It is in the far northeast of the island, connected to the Greek mainland by a long causeway. This means that it is equally accessible to those visiting the mainland region of Epirus as to holidaymakers on Lefkas. With its old town, marina, and many restaurants, Lefkada Town is an essential destination for visitors to the Greek island of Lefkas. It is also an easy day trip from Preveza on the Greek...   view more

Vienna may be best known for its imperial grandeur and artistic heritage, but its history dates back to Roman times. Beneath the modern city lie the remains of Vindobona, once a thriving military camp and civilian settlement along the northern border of the Roman Empire. Although the Roman city has now largely disappeared, you can find remnants of Roman Vienna if you look hard enough. And there is more to discover at nearby...   view more

Home to the royal family for over 900 years, Windsor has a rich history and an enviable location. A picturesque riverside setting and a charming town centre, the largest inhabited castle in the world, and extensive parkland. Combined with a variety of accommodation and dining options and proximity to London, Windsor – along with its neighbour Eton – makes the ideal choice for a long weekend break. So what are the best things to do in...   view more

There is a vast amount to see and do in Windsor, but for many visitors it is the royal heritage that is the main attraction. A full day in Windsor Great Park, taking in the castle, parkland and gardens, will allow you to soak up the history and atmosphere, while also enjoying priceless artworks and the natural environment. Here is our guide to visiting Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, packing as much as possible into your...   view more

With its elegant palaces and former royal residences, museums, churches, and a lively atmosphere, Turin is a must-see destination in Italy. The capital of the Piedmont region in northern Italy, it is also noted for its regional cuisine and local wine traditions. Then there are Roman remains, modern design, and green spaces. Here is our guide to some of the best things to see and do in...   view more

With a 2,000 year history, medieval architecture and the oldest racecourse in Britain, Chester is the perfect location for a short break, or a longer stay to explore further afield. Whether you’re drawn by Roman ruins, award-winning food experiences, or the Cheshire countryside, Chester offers a rich and varied itinerary for every type of...   view more

Avebury is world famous for its prehistoric landscape, but the other attractions of this picturesque Wiltshire village are often overlooked. Look a little closer and you’ll discover historic buildings, scenic country walks, and a wealth of nearby sights. Whether you’re in search of archaeology, sightseeing, or just a peaceful country escape, Avebury offers something for...   view more

On the edge of the Wirral Peninsula, just across the Mersey from Liverpool, is one of Britain’s most remarkable villages. Port Sunlight was built in the late 19th century by soap magnate William Hesketh Lever to house his workers, but it was much more than just a housing estate. It was designed to enhance every aspect of the villagers’ lives and wellbeing. And, as I discovered, it is still a very special place, combining the ideals of the past with the aspirations of the 21st century. And...   view more

Turin was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2014, and in 2008 it became the first World Design Capital. But why does it deserve this accolade, and what does it mean in practice? And what should visitors look out for when they visit the city? Turin invites you to witness how creativity can shape a city’s development, enrich its cultural heritage, and inspire its people. Here are a few suggestions for exploring the city’s design...   view more

In recent years Belfast has shaken off its image as the troubled capital of Northern Ireland. An extensive programme of regeneration has allowed it to emerge as a lively city with a vast amount to see and do. Today it combines heritage with contemporary culture and a warm welcome. There is something for all types of visitor: these are my suggestions for planning a day in...   view more

Letterkenny is more than just a gateway to County Donegal; it is a destination in its own right. A cathedral town with a long history, it has a lively town centre and is a local hub for shopping, culture, and live music. Take some time to visit the Donegal County Museum and the pubs of the Cathedral Quarter before setting off to enjoy the many attractions of the surrounding...   view more

Ballyshannon is a town of legends, both old and new. Located in County Donegal, on the banks of the River Erne, it claims to be Ireland’s oldest town. It certainly has a colourful history, enhanced by mythological origins and literary connections. And the legends continue into the present day, with modern music, a town full of artists, and an abundance of traditional Irish...   view more