Category

Europe

10 Jun

Gdansk – A true gem of Poland

In the north of Poland on the Baltic Sea lies the beautiful city of Gdansk. Take at least a full day – more if you prefer to move at a leisurely pace – this gem of a city which offers as much at night as it does in the day. The lights in the streets […]

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3 Jun

Can we recommend Corsica? of course we can!

What an island of surprises Corsica proved to be. It may not have been on your radar as a destination but having visited,  its many delights deserve to be shared. Barely an hour’s ferry ride from the northern tip of Sardinia, the final approach into Bonfacio is breathtaking and immediately, the scenery and vibe is […]

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13 May

Lithuania, The Baltics – One of the gems of Europe

Allow at least a week to see the best of what Lithuania has to offer, including the following highlights. Without a doubt, the capital city Vilnius, is a treasure.  The old town was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, back in 1994. It had a strong Jewish influence up until the 20th Century, […]

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15 Apr

Latvia – rich in UNESCO world heritage listed sites

Latvia, part of the Baltic States (a term used by the locals), is a small country with a small population. But there’s much to see and do, around the capital and also in the countryside. If you enjoy medieval history, you will love Latvia. Riga is the cultural centre of Latvia. There are many churches, […]

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8 Apr

Tallinn, Estonia – Small city, weird language

Arriving on the ferry from Helsinki, two things grabbed my immediate attention about this small, sophisticated, medieval capital city. First, it is one of the most charming and beautiful cities in Europe with its cobble-stoned streets, gorgeous terracotta roofs and church steeples providing for fantastic photos! Secondly, when speaking the native tongue, the locals are […]

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4 Mar

Malta is definitely the mouse that roared

Malta is definitely the mouse that roared. It is tiny yet impressive enough for the country to be awarded the George Cross for bravery in World War II. Blue Dot Travel’s small group Malta tours include Sardinia and Corsica.   There are five islands in all with only three inhabited. Malta, the main island, is 28 […]

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25 Feb

Corsica – Home of Napoleon and Paoli

The story of Napoleon Bonaparte is known around the world. A successful military leader, born in Corsica and became emperor of France. But lesser known and more of a Corsican hero is Pasquale Paoli. Paoli led the resistance against the French in the late 1700s, wrote and implemented the Corsican constitution and became the island’s […]

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18 Feb

Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid – the oldest lake in Europe

There’s often confusion when Macedonia is discussed because – depending who you talk to – there are two Macedonias. There’s Macedonia, the small independent country on the Balkan Peninsula which was part of the former Yugoslavia, and there’s Macedonia, a northern region of Greece. The issue over the naming of the country goes back a long way but even […]

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11 Feb

Montenegro – The Black Mountain

If you didn’t know that Montenegro was a country, don’t despair – you’re not on your own! While many travellers from Australia have discovered neighbouring Croatia as a fabulous destination, not so many have ventured further afield to Montenegro. The James Bond film Casino, partly filmed in beautiful Montenegro, certainly helped raise awareness. Montenegro is a small […]

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14 Jan

Malta. A small country that packs a big punch!

I am lucky to have travelled to Malta on quite a few occasions. The more I go, the more I love it. Area-wise it’s a tiny country with two main islands – Malta and Gozo. But don’t be deceived by its size. There are heaps of things to do on both islands. For first time […]

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7 Jan

Captivating Sardinia

I came to Sardinia with few preconceptions, except about its reputation for brigands and kidnappings. Our itinerary included a visit to the mountain village of Orgosolo, a headquarters for the brotherhood in recent years. Today it’s better known as the Painted Village, with politically inspired murals decorating most of the houses in the centre of […]

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9 Jul

Bonifacio – Corsica – A wonder to behold

One of our best experiences was a day trip from St Teresa di Gallura on the northern tip of Sardinia on a ferry to Corsica.  Bonifacio  is a town on the southern tip of the French island of Corsica. It’s known for its lively marina and medieval clifftop citadel. This was our only foray into France, and […]

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5 Jun

Croatia with its picture perfect coastal towns

Croatia could be described as the “new” Italy for Australian travellers. The people, the pace of life and the food are considered “similar but different”.  If you haven’t visited Croatia, it’s time to do so. There are many things to see and do. Here are a few places to consider, excluding the more popular destinations […]

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7 May

Villa Romana del Casale – Wonders of Sicily

A major highlight of our visit to Sicily was Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman Villa built in the first quarter of the 4th century and located about 3km outside the town of Piazza Armerina Sicily, southern Italy. It contains the richest, largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world, and has been […]

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30 Apr

Nuraghes from prehistoric Sardinian culture

No one can visit Sardinia without becoming aware of the island’s ancient Nuraghes, built between 1500-1200 BC. They are Bronze Age circular towers built with local rock without mortar of any form. We visited the Nuraghe Losa which contains a tall inner chamber that tapers like the bee hive tombs in ancient Greece. Originally it […]

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