About the what, where, when, how and why of cities I’ve visited
Walls and windows don’t come much more colourful than those surrounding me on this Mediterranean-view terrace in Tangier, Morocco. The vibrant pink paint reflects a juicy hue across the black and yellow tiles, and light bounces enthusiastically through the lime, canola and cornflower panes. I’m sitting at a little round table, with red and green … More Impressions of Tangier, Morocco
A few weeks ago I had the delight of visiting the Southern Spanish city of Granada. Known for its bohemian culture, impressive Muslim legacy and flamenco-gypsy arts, this dynamic city was bound to entertain. I was pretty excited to be in a region where delicious Spanish food meets multicultural colour and stunning Spanish landscapes. By … More Art, Music & Culture in Granada, Spain
Here is a little post written during my visit to Barcelona a couple of weeks ago… now that I’m walking el Camino across Spain, Barcelona streets seem so far away. Hope you enjoy. xo It’s 9pm here in Barcelona, meaning the sun will soon disappear behind the sea of balconied buildings. Although only my third … More Barcelona express: food, sights and culture in two days
I am feeling inspired by the rich cityscape of Istanbul: the kaleidoscope of colours, the exotic scents that hang on humid air, the lovely clash and clamour on the streets. Some of my favourite days here have been spent wandering the labyrinth of possibilities, taking time to notice and capture the quirks that collectively create … More Wide angle: a photo walk through Istanbul, Turkey
The thing about Istanbul is, it’s not an easy place to sum up. I’ve sat here scribbling impressions for a hour and my list is long and varied. From the hundreds of ornate mosques that call the city to pray each day, to the high-end fashion and modern bohemian vibe, it is clear that Istanbul … More Impressions of Istanbul, Turkey
The complex character of Belfast is hard to pick. The iconic yellow Harland and Wolff cranes and sprawling harbour flag the city’s shipping roots. The regal city hall marks the influence of the English crown. The barbed wire, corrugated tin and concrete fences show this city has seen The Troubles. And the store-lined boulevards and … More Wide angle: a photo walk through Belfast, Northern Ireland
Weaving under wise old trees and past mossy stones, the walk along the Avon in Stratford is one of the most peaceful I’ve done. The sun came out for us after a slow, foggy start to the morning, making our Stratford experience truly warming. I was a little snap-happy along the way and just had … More Wide angle: a photo walk through Stratford-Upon-Avon, England
I recently visited a spunky place called Bristol, in the south-west of England, and was wildly impressed with what I found. A city of about 440,000 people, Bristol boasts an active cultural scene, a dramatic suspension bridge, plenty of cider, lovely manners and a laid-back charm… all things that make me smile. Known for being … More How to be impressed by Bristol, UK: art, food & views of the river
Nervous excitement fluttered in my belly as our plane soared over the green patchwork surrounding London. After a lifetime of media impressions, hours of reading about the sights and lots of tips from ex-pat friends, I was keen to get out there and explore. But deciding where to start was a bit of a pickle. … More The Travellers’ Introduction to London: 6 mini itineraries to get you started
Known for its world-class designers, elegant city-scape and natural summer beauty, Stockholm is a city of high-density living that offers plenty of urban cultural delights. After four full days of wandering through wintery Stockholm, here are my top ten tips for understanding a bit about the city and getting the most out of your Stockholm … More Top 10 tips for travelling Stockholm, Sweden
Norway’s capital, Oslo, is a city with understated appeal. Organised, clean and winter-quiet on first impression, Oslo’s small city centre offers a relaxed atmosphere and a humble blend of historic, retro and ultra modern buildings. Admittedly, before being invited to my friend’s wedding just outside of the city, I had not considered Oslo as one … More Wide angle: Exploring Oslo, Norway in winter
The train bound for Bergen offers a picturesque glimpse at Norway’s natural delights. Frozen lakes wedged between icy peaks; ragged pine-lined gorges plunging to black-ribbon creeks; leafless trees like skeletons starved by winter; and colourful toy-like houses spotted across endless walls of white. We departed Oslo Sentral (Oslo S) right on 8.11am, excited for the … More Norway in a nutshell: the delights of Norwegian trains, fjords & Bergen
Nic Freeman 