High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 5: Surveying the Cinque Terre

The last leg of our trip saw us back on the rails as we headed to the coast and the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre. Breath taking scenery, delicious fresh food and the slower pace of life were just what we needed to round off our Italian adventure. Continue reading High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 5: Surveying the Cinque Terre

High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 4: Foodie Florence

After a joyous few days in Venice we hopped back on a high speed train bound for Florence. Although our impression was somewhat sullied by the tour group crowds and hostile locals we enjoyed some delicious food, delightful views and exquisite artwork. Hopefully you feel our sense of wonder and frustration in this section of the the Trip Report. Continue reading High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 4: Foodie Florence

High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 3: The Venetian Vogalonga

Our time in Venice was magical from the moment we floated in our highspeed Frecciarossa train to the the time of our departure in the middle of the city’s famous Vogalonga boat race. That doesn’t even tell the story of the beautiful churches, palaces, galleries and food. Read on for more! Continue reading High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 3: The Venetian Vogalonga

High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 2: The Miracle in Milan

We arrived in to Milan’s magnificently grand Centrale station to dark clouds that never lifted for more than the briefest of moments during our time in Milan. That said, the beautiful buildings and delicious dining we experienced certainly lifted the spirits. Continue reading High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 2: The Miracle in Milan

High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 1: Turin Shrouded in Fog

We arrived into a wet and miserable Turin with low expectations thinking it would just be the gateway to the greatness we had planned for later on. Instead we were wowed with some of the best food on our trip and a couple of amazing museums. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as we enjoyed visiting. Continue reading High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train Part 1: Turin Shrouded in Fog

High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train: Intro The Trip to France

Introduction And Planning It was 2016 and in May of that year by hook or by crook Anne-So and I were about to celebrate a significant anniversary. It was also a round birthday for Anne-So’s now late mother. That meant that we’d have to combine the two events and as much as I was reluctant to do so at the time, I’m gladder and gladder … Continue reading High Speed Trains and Slow Food – Italy and France by Train: Intro The Trip to France

A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 4: Hills, Photography and Home

Our final day in Budapest began with delicious deep-fried langos from the Great Market. After fuelling up we headed for the Gellert Hills and were wowed by the panoramic view of the City. Before hopping on the plane home we sneaked in Mai Mano House Gallery and the Robert Capa Gallery. The trip finished in the airport lounge sipping Palinka and Unicum for one last blast of beautiful Budapest. Continue reading A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 4: Hills, Photography and Home

A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 3: The City, Old and New

For our second full day in Budapest we decided to liven things up and that wasn’t just by starting out with a full strength coffee! We spent the morning at the magnificent St. Stephen’s Basilica before visiting the Buda Castle Complex and enjoying the view over the Danube. After a rustic and hearty Hungarian lunch we took a tour of the iconic Parliament building, where we worked up an appetite for some modern Hungarian fine dining at Laci Konyha. What a day! Continue reading A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 3: The City, Old and New

A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 2: Food, Wine and Religion

It was our first full day in beautiful Budapest and we used the morning to get acclimatised. We started off our day at the glorious neoclassical Hungarian National Museum and followed it up with a guided tour of the stunning Great Synagogue. Our afternoon was all about food and drink, some cheap local fare for lunch and a glorious wine tasting to finish off a wonderful day! Continue reading A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 2: Food, Wine and Religion

A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 1: Straight Outta London

I’d worked myself into the ground and was in desperate need of a short break. When even your boss is telling you to take time out you know you’ve probably overdone it! So after a little help from my friends and some Avios we’d booked a last minute business class bargain to Budapest. Continue reading A Last Minute Bargain To Budapest Part 1: Straight Outta London