A quiet, historic café stop at Kavárna Slavia Prague with coffee, classic interiors, and views of the Vltava and the National Theatre.

A grand, historic stop at Café Gerbeaud Budapest for Dobos torte and coffee, chosen over the New York Café for its real old-world roots.

A classic Memory Lane stop at Demel Vienna for Anna Torte and coffee, with timeless pastry-house charm and a real taste of Vienna’s historic café culture.

A Memory Lane stop at Café Sacher in Salzburg after a walking tour. Quiet, grand, red-themed, and the perfect place for Sachertorte and Viennese coffee.

A throwback stop at the original Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for their famous hot chocolate and Mont Blanc dessert.

From Tirana’s bunkers and Lake Komani’s fjords to Kosovo’s monasteries and North Macedonia’s painted mosques, this Explore Travel route revealed a story of endurance and faith in the heart of the Balkans.

Ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car for a fifteen minute climb above Tirana. A calm ridge, cafés, forest trails, and wide views over the city. A soft and easy escape into Dajti National Park.

A three hour loop through central Tirana, starting and ending in Skanderbeg Square. This walk reveals the city’s contrasts, from Ottoman mosques and Cold War bunkers to modern parks and cultural spaces. A simple route that shows Tirana as it truly is, layered, restless, and full of life.

Walk through the quiet village of Lin in Albania and see its sixth century mosaic overlooking Lake Ohrid. A calm stop with history, local life, and a glimpse of the region’s oldest stories.

A 2016 throwback to Brugge after Amsterdam, with a walking tour, sunny October weather, Belgian waffles from Chez Albert, chocolate shops, the Beer Wall, and a proposal near Minnewater.

Explore Ohrid on foot with this ShortStops Loop. A three hour afternoon walk from the statues of Cyril and Methodius to Kaneo and Hagia Sophia, with real facts, easy timings, and lakeside views.

We travelled from Ohrid to St Naum for frescoes, spring water, a boat ride with a new apprentice and a quiet drink by the lake. A simple guide to this southern corner of Lake Ohrid.

An overnight in Amsterdam in 2016 with a stop at Clara Maria Cheese Farm & Clog Factory, an evening canal cruise with pizza on board, and a moody walk through the Red Light District.

A quick stop in Tetovo to see the Painted Mosque, also known as Xhamia e Pashës. Built in 1438 and rebuilt in 1833, it stands out for its rare mix of Ottoman, Balkan, and Baroque painted motifs. A calm and colourful break on the road to Ohrid.

Explore Skopje on a loop that links the Old Bazaar, Kapan Han, fortress views, Ottoman courtyards, the Stone Bridge and the modern riverfront. This walk shows the city in clear layers.

A Rhine day trip from Sankt Goar to Boppard, with the world’s largest free-hanging cuckoo clock, Loreley views, castles, and a night at Hotel Rheinlust.

A quick walk through Matka Canyon before heading back to Skopje. A short visit, a quiet path, St Andrew’s Monastery, cafés by the water, and a surprise Zastava sighting.

A misty morning hike on the Big Pine Trail from Prizren to Prevalla, exploring Sharr Mountains National Park and the distant slopes of Brezovica before crossing into North Macedonia.

We visited Munich during Oktoberfest in 2016 and ended up having the most fun night of our trip. From Marienplatz to Augustiner-Keller and the festival tents, here’s what it was really like.

A day of wine tasting in Orahovac and Velika Hoča showed us just how good Kosovo’s wines are. From crisp whites to sweet reds, charcuterie boards and a shot of rakia, it was an unforgettable surprise.