Author Profile: Nilla Palmer

Why Valencia…to eat oranges? Well, not just to eat oranges but mainly to explore this stunning and dynamic medieval city founded by the Romans in 138...   view more

Located on the Vistula River, which divides the city in two parts (left and right banks), Warsaw is the sprawling capital of Poland and has been since...   view more

Lublin has something for every traveller, whether discerning or backpacking, this is a beautiful city full of great sites and lovely locals! Walking around and absorbing the ancient architecture is a...   view more

Zamość is known as the “Ideal Town” as it’s consistently designed and built in accordance with Bernardo Morando’s outstanding architectural theories – it’s a unique town and very easy to navigate your way around, especially on...   view more

Dating back as far as the 7th century, Kraków is one of the oldest cities in Poland. According to legend, Kraków was built on the dragon’s cave that the mythical King Krak had...   view more

About twenty percent of Poland’s population study at one institute or another in Poznań, which helps to retain a young and vibrant atmosphere in the city’s...   view more

In addition to a wonderful cultural experience and lovely locals, a plethora of sites await any traveller to Wrocław in Western Poland. Numerous museums, religious buildings, historical architecture, and events will consume your time here and before you realise, your holiday will be...   view more

As there are no real borders these days, you’d think that travelling across the border from Estonia and in to Latvia and on to Riga would be easy and without any hassles,...   view more

Sad to leave SE Asia after 10-plus months of amazing travelling and it feels a little weird but it’s time to go. And so, what better place to start the next exciting travel chapter than in Estonia’s medieval...   view more

Italy’s alluring and untouched southern region: Cosenza, Calabria – where tourists are scarce but locals, frivolity, and food are plentiful! Unlike the milk-run of Italian tourist destinations, Calabria and especially Cosenza are nowhere to be seen on a tourist’s...   view more

With only a day to spare, this will have to be enough time to explore Trieste, Italy’s north-eastern port city. A leisurely day in Trieste sounded like an excellent way of escaping the hoards in Venice on the last day of...   view more

With so much food and frivolity around Cosenza, Calabria in southern Italy, this is my Part 3! Cosenza but also Calabria is an untouched region of Italy and as I’ve mentioned before, not on many tourist destination...   view more

Come on a fabulous historic walk with me in one of Italy's captivating and undiscovered southern cities: Cosenza, Calabria? An impromptu invitation to go on a historic walk today around Cosenza, proved to be both educational and loads of...   view more

You too can experience eight sights in Rome absolutely free! Wander Rome's magnificent historic sights with me and check out a couple of unusual...   view more

Calabria's enticing Scalea in southern Italy is fairly unknown on the tourist 'must-see' list. Enjoy a traditional Italian...   view more

Diamante's murals in southern Italy's Calabria are captivating! Wander around Diamante and stumble upon these incredible works of...   view more

Southern Italy's Reggio Calabria holds the gorgeous and dazzling town of Scilla. Relatively untouched with foreign tourists, come and experience a little local...   view more

Situated at the foot of the Polish Tatra Mountains and with over a century-old tradition of skiing, Zakopane is Poland’s “Winter Capital” so expect loads of skiing, snowboarding, cross-country activities, walking trails, and breathtaking...   view more

Nicknamed “Florence of the Americas”, Ecuador’s sprawling metropolis Quito is anything but a quiet and relaxing experience. And, at an elevation of 2,850-metres, your lungs definitely feel this height in the world’s second-highest capital, after La...   view more

Visitors flock to Tuscany's Pisa to share a fleeting moment with the famous Leaning Tower then leave - but Pisa is not all about the Tower. Eager to explore gorgeous Tuscany over 12 days, Pisa offers cheaper accommodation than surrounding cities and also makes an excellent base for...   view more

Tuscany’s medieval Lucca holds you captivate until you fall in love with this gorgeous walled city near the Ligurian Sea. Using Pisa as a base to explore Tuscany, train travel to Lucca, Florence, and Siena couldn’t be...   view more

Famed as one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany, discover Siena’s main sights with me in one day… Bathed in olive groves and Chianti vineyards to the north and the Brunello wine region to the south, picturesque Siena is a great base to discover Tuscany’s hidden...   view more

Ever heard of Cosenza, Italy’s alluring and undiscovered city in Calabria? Perhaps not. And, this is the reason that I’m sharing with you a little information on captivating...   view more

My list of 18 delectable dining haunts in Cosenza for when you next travel to this fabulous undiscovered city in southern Italy. If you’re a foodaholic, then Cosenza is definitely the town for you – food here is...   view more

Indulge in a day trip from Cosenza and explore the intriguing city of Reggio Calabria with me… The narrow Strait of Messina holds much historical importance and is what separates the coastal city of Reggio Calabria (Reggio) at the very end of Italy, from the picturesque island of...   view more

If you’re searching for a walking guide and a day trip from Cosenza, then Calabria’s capital Catanzaro holds a traveller captive. whilst visiting these 12...   view more

Immerse yourself in culture whilst experiencing Trujillo’s incredibly fascinating archaeological sites – some of the best in...   view more

Fancy chilling in beautiful Boston to experience a little culture but also a live American football game? It’s time for a quick side-trip to...   view more

When in Peru, the best thing you can do before trekking to Machu Picchu, is acclimatising in Cusco… This amazing but exhausting city is renown as the base from which to start a trek to the incredible Machu...   view more

Arequipa holds much for a traveller and captivates enough to make you want to stay here for a month or two… The more you wander around this beautiful city, the more you want to stay and explore further – I’ve only scratched the surface in this...   view more

Surrounded by mountains and in a valley of just over 2,800 metres above sea level, this beautiful city exudes charm and peacefulness. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, colonial splendid Spanish architecture in brilliant white, is well-preserved and graces most of...   view more

Quench your adventurous thirst in beautiful lagoons, cascading waterfalls, and gorgeous lush surrounding natural vistas neighbouring Tarapoto. Rest assured, you’re left alone in Tarapoto as it’s not touristy at all, in fact during our stay of a few days, I’ve only seen one other...   view more

Castrovillari lies in a natural hollow: Conca del Re, around 360 metres above sea level, whilst enveloped within the Calabrian Apennines. Each street and lane you traverse in Castrovillari seems as if you are confronted with a steep craggy mountain in the distance – very...   view more

As Holland’s famous and best-known fishing village, delightful Volendam is an excellent one-day jaunt from Amsterdam and a hidden...   view more

On the way to the spectacular Sila National Park and nestled amongst sweeping hills in the Savuto Valley, lies the quaint village of Rogliano in Calabria, Southern Italy. Not frequented by many foreign tourists, you are assured of a genuine and warm Calabrese experience on your...   view more

Lying northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay, Otaru is known for sake distilleries, music boxes, and glassworks. As a major port since the late 1800s and chosen as Hokkaidō’s first railway line terminal, Otaru’s beautifully preserved canal area and intriguing herring mansions are a delight to...   view more

Famous for its beer, the Snow Festival’s giant ice sculptures, and as the capital of Hokkaidō (Japan’s mountainous northern island), charismatic Sapporo (札幌) is captivating. During the famous Snow Festival in freezing February, Sapporo’s population of 2.6 million doubles for the festivities. But wait, there’s more because you can enjoy excellent beer and more festivals during summer. Whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or adventure seeker, there’s something in Sapporo for...   view more

Many travellers see Sapporo as a base or transit hub for Hokkaidō’s famous hot springs, stunning mountains, and sweeping volcanic landscapes. However, the city enjoys chic cafes, a thriving food scene, shopping until you drop, and a bright...   view more

An unmissable guide for unearthing gorgeous Hakodate, northern Japan’s undiscovered jewel. Enjoy Hakodate’s charms, including historic buildings, diverse churches, vibrant city life, and the great...   view more

Great travel tips on where to eat, sleep, and how to travel to Hakodate in Hokkaidō Island from Honshu Island. As Japan’s northernmost and second-largest island, Hokkaidō boasts large wilderness expanses, primaeval forests, alpine wildflower fields, hot springs, and azure-blue caldera lakes. Expect wide open spaces when travelling through Hokkaidō as Japan’s northern island boasts 20% of the country’s land area but only 5% of Japan’s population....   view more

Famous for its paper lantern-lit Nebuta Festival, northern Honshu Island’s Aomori seems sleepy and more relaxed than other Japanese cities. Especially after 7 pm. But don’t be deceived. One of the most famous festivals in Japan, the Nebuta Festival is a magnet for 3 million visitors yearly, to the Tōhoku region’s city of...   view more

Known as Japan’s apple-growing heartland, Aomori’s delectable apple pie and moreish cider are not to be missed. But, don’t just stop at apples because Aomori offers excellent seafood, sizzling steaks, and amazing pastries. Aomori is also famous for its paper lantern-lit Nebuta Festival. One of the most famous festivals in Japan, this festival draws up to 3 million visitors every year to the Tōhoku region’s city of...   view more

Even though Sendai is a transport hub and the capital of the Miyagi Prefecture, the city is less touristy than other quintessential destinations. Travelling through the Miyagi Prefecture, you can expect to see the pristine Pacific coastline, several natural parks, and soaring western snow-capped mountains. Only 4.5 hours north of chaotic Tokyo, Sendai provides a great respite from the hordes with its urban spaces retaining a natural green...   view more

The attractive port city of Niigata on Honshu Island is a wonderful stopover for some downtime, chilling, and respite from the...   view more

Kanazawa is the cultural and economic capital of the entire Hokuriku region and is often overlooked as a tourist destination in favour of neighbouring Kyoto. Famous for its art museums and unspoilt Edo-era (1603-1868) districts, Kanazawa is a delight to explore and is often referred to by locals as “Little Tokyo” – but without the...   view more

Avoid frenzied crowds in Japan’s popular destinations with a break in historic Kanazawa. All you need to know on where to eat and sleep, and the cheapest way to get to Kanazawa from...   view more

Hiroshima has been redefining itself over the decades after its tragic place in history and today, is one of Japan’s major urban centres. Founded as a castle town in the 16th century, it’s fair to say that most people venture to Hiroshima to see the city’s monuments to peace. But also to learn about the devastation caused by the Atomic Bomb (A-Bomb) on 6 August 1945 at 8.17 am, when Hiroshima was...   view more

In a world of Buddhist culture, shrines, and ancient gardens only an hour from Osaka, intriguing Nara’s popularity sees many local and foreign visitors. Heijo-kyo, the imperial capital of Japan between 710 to 784, was located where Nara city is located today. Several historical sites are registered with UNESCO’s World Heritage List as “Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara”, cementing Nara’s importance in...   view more

Romantic Delft is a dazzling canal-ringed city in the Netherlands that can be explored in a day and here’s how… Allow a good long day to explore Delft or if you have time, why not stay for a couple of days as there is quite a lot to see in this alluring...   view more

A paradise for winter sports, Asahikawa is also renowned as a cultural city on Hokkaidō Island. With a flourishing arts and crafts culture, Asahikawa is home to many renowned artists, craft workers, and sculptors producing high-quality handcrafted goods; a prolific sculpture city, alive with 100 sculptures, mostly open-air...   view more

Honshu Island’s city of Hirosaki is centred around the fabulous 17th-century Hirosaki Castle and surrounding Hirosaki Park’s thousands of cherry trees, renowned in Japan. Summer is a time for many festivals. In addition to the breathtaking Cherry Blossom Festival, Hirosaki holds the Neputa Festival in August, which is reputed to ward off sleep demons and celebrate...   view more

Travel to the coastal city of Toyama for a more tranquil experience and a break from Japan’s larger boisterous cities. Even though Toyama is more serene than other cities in Japan, this doesn’t mean there is nothing to see in this lovely city and there is always a...   view more

If travelling through Japan’s central western Honshu Island, stop at laid-back Okayama to experience gorgeous sights, while savouring delectable food, followed by a peaceful night’s...   view more

Okayama’s rich and unique culture combined with its easygoing pace and friendly locals, makes for an excellent visit in Japan’s western heart. Unwind at Okayama’s pace and take your time to enjoy the best of the city’s alluring sights, including the Asahi...   view more

Prospering in the 1600s, Kurashiki was an essential destination for transporting goods. Today, Kurashiki offers a historical glimpse into a harmonious cultural Japanese lifestyle. As one of the most visited and famous tourist locations in the Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki presents visitors with a variety of activities in a relatively small...   view more

Corigliano Calabro’s origins are ancient and can be traced back to the Arab incursion of 977, which forced people to move to higher places, and so, the hill. Rich in art and history, you definitely need more than a day to explore this fabulous town, and one of the reasons for returning several...   view more