Lake Koman Ferry, Albania, one of Europe’s most beautiful boat journeys, winding through fjord-like mountains between Shkodër and Valbonë.

Shkodër, the heart of northern Albania, carries the echoes of its long past. Venetian facades, Ottoman mosques, and Illyrian legends meet where three rivers flow. It is a city that moves at its own pace, calm and enduring, the quiet pause before the journey north to Lake Komani.

A brief afternoon stop in Köln before a night train turned into repeat visits and a standing lunch tradition near the Dom.

We climbed Rozafa Hill under the June sun, following the story of an Illyrian fortress built on sacrifice and overlooking the rivers Buna, Drin, and Kir.

Walk through Krujë, Albania’s first capital, on a two-hour loop linking its castle, Skanderbeg Museum, and quiet Sufi tekkes.

A 2016 visit to Pisa with a birthday twist. Leaning Tower poses, Piazza dei Miracoli highlights, and playful travel moments.

A two-week journey through Portugal, Spain, and Morocco with Explore Travel revealed a hidden story of the Moors. From Lisbon’s azulejos to Fez’s souks, we traced history in reverse, crossing from Tarifa to Tangier where Al-Andalus came home.

Step inside Dar El Bacha, the 1910 palace once home to the Pasha of Marrakech, now a museum and the original Bacha Coffee café. From its carved cedar ceilings to the scent of freshly brewed Arabica, this is where elegance and history meet over a perfect cup.

A 2016 ride with BICI&BACI along Rome’s Via Appia Antica reveals ancient roads, timeless history, and a journey beyond the usual tourist trail.

A guided walk through Marrakech’s medina that revealed colour, chaos, and crowds, but little connection. From Koutoubia Mosque to Bahia Palace, here’s how we found our own way to Dar El Bacha.

A slow, sunlit train ride from Fez to Marrakech with Explore. Watch Morocco unfold through the window — Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca — in this lyrical travel moment.

After descending from Jungfraujoch, I took a brisk walk through Interlaken. Between two lakes and framed by mountains, the town buzzed with life and offered vivid memories of alpine energy.

Lose yourself in Fez el-Bali’s maze of history and craft, from the splendour of the Royal Palace to the tanneries, blacksmiths, and mosaics of Art Naji. Fez isn’t just seen, it’s felt.

Discover the best dishes we tried in Fez, from Moroccan mezze to couscous with seven vegetables and pastilla. Join us as we explore the flavours of Fez el-Bali.

In 2016, I travelled to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station. From Wilderswil to the summit, the journey offered breathtaking views, glacier walks, and a glimpse of the Sphinx Observatory—said to have inspired the mountain hotel in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Chefchaouen felt like a dream in blue. Once a fortress, later a refuge for Andalusian exiles, the town still glows with quiet faith and light.

We crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from Tarifa to Tangier and spent the morning exploring Morocco’s gateway city — from Rmilat Park and Cap Spartel to the medina and Place du 9 Avril — before driving inland toward the blue calm of Chefchaouen.

Two days in Nice just before lockdown. From colourful markets and crispy socca to sweeping views from Colline du Château, a peaceful snapshot of a world about to change.

Standing at the southernmost point of continental Europe, we explored Tarifa, a bright, wind-blown frontier where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and Africa waits across the water.

A slow city loop through the heart of Jerez de la Frontera, starting from a sherry tasting at Bodegas Dios Baco and ending at the Moorish Alcázar. This easy two-hour walk captures the spirit of Jerez — its blend of Andalusian charm, quiet corners, and echoes of the past. Ideal for travellers looking to stretch their legs between bodegas and plazas.