Hungary
The Best Food in Budapest: Markets, Ruin Bars and Langos
The best food in Budapest, from langos and goulash to the Central Market Hall, ruin bar plates and chimney cake, with tips on where to eat and what it costs.
From the blog
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Bosnia
Cevapi and Beyond: Where to Eat in Sarajevo
Where to eat in Sarajevo, from cevapi with warm somun to burek, Bosnian coffee and begova corba. A food guide to the city's old town and what it all costs.
Turkey
Istanbul Food Guide: Street Food, Meze and the Best Breakfast
An Istanbul food guide from the ground: the Turkish breakfast, balik ekmek by the water, meze with raki, simit and baklava, and the best neighbourhoods to eat.
Poland
Krakow Food Guide: Pierogi, Milk Bars and the Best Tables
A Krakow food guide from someone who ate on a budget: pierogi, the old milk bars, zapiekanka on Plac Nowy, zurek in a bread bowl and the obwarzanek on every corner.
Albania: beaches, bunkers and old towns
Things to do in Albania from my own trips: Tirana and the Bunk'art bunkers, the Blue Eye, the beaches at Ksamil and Sarande, plus Gjirokaster and Berat.
Berat: Albania's City of a Thousand Windows
The best things to do in Berat: the old Ottoman quarters Mangalem and Gorica, a castle people still live in, the Osum river, byrek and local wine.
A Weekend in Budva, Montenegro
The best things to do in Budva, Montenegro: the walled old town, Mogren beach, the citadel view and a day trip to Sveti Stefan, from my own coast trips.
Dubrovnik Beyond the City Walls
The best things to do in Dubrovnik: walking the old town walls, the Stradun, the cable car up Srd, Lokrum island, swimming below the walls and beating the crowds.
Jajce, the Bosnian Town Built on a Waterfall
The best things to do in Jajce: the waterfall right in the middle of town, the old fortress, the Pliva watermills and the lakes, from my own trip through Bosnia.
Piran, Venetian Charm on the Slovenian Coast
The best things to do in Piran, Slovenia: Tartini Square, the old town walls, swimming off the rocks, fresh fish and sunset, from my own trips to the coast.
Make time for Sarajevo, where east meets west
What not to miss in Sarajevo: the Tunnel of Hope, the Sarajevo roses, Bascarsija, the Yellow Fortress at sunset and where to eat the best cevapi.
Why Veliko Tarnovo Is Worth the Detour
The best things to do in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria: the Tsarevets fortress, the old town above the Yantra, the craft street, the light show and Arbanasi.
Zadar: Sea Organ, Sunsets and Roman Ruins
The best things to do in Zadar: the Sea Organ, the Greeting to the Sun, the Roman forum, the old town on the peninsula and the famous sunset, from my own trips.
Zakopane: Poland's Mountain Escape
The best things to do in Zakopane, Poland: Krupowki street, the hike to Morskie Oko, the Gubalowka funicular and the wooden mountain town architecture.
Czechia
What to Eat in Prague: Goulash, Beer Gardens and Local Tables
What to eat in Prague, from svickova and goulash to bread dumplings and beer gardens, plus where to find real Czech food away from the tourist stalls.
Serbia
Where to Eat in Belgrade: My Favourite Restaurants and Kafanas
Where to eat in Belgrade, from old kafanas and grilled cevapi to burek breakfasts and the markets. My own picks for food, rakija and a good night out.
Croatia
Where to Eat in Split: Konobas, Fresh Fish and Local Wine
Where to eat in Split without the tourist markup: the konobas, the fresh fish and seafood, peka, Dalmatian wine and the market where locals actually shop.
Albania
Where to Eat in Tirana: Markets, Coffee and Albanian Cooking
Where to eat in Tirana: byrek, tave kosi, grilled meat and garden vegetables, plus the Pazari i Ri market and a coffee culture that runs the whole day. And it is cheap.
Czechia
The Best Day Trips from Prague (By Train and Car)
The best day trips from Prague: Kutna Hora, Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary and the cliffs of Bohemian Switzerland, with notes on getting there by train or car.
Istanbul
Istanbul for first-timers: what to see and how to get around
The best things to do in Istanbul: Sultanahmet sights, Bosphorus ferries, bazaars, Beyoglu, Kadikoy, food and how I structure a day. Real tips from my trips.
Turkey
Gaziantep Food Guide: The Best Food I Ate in Turkey
A Gaziantep food guide from the road: the baklava, the kebabs and the dishes that made this UNESCO gastronomy city the best place I have eaten in Turkey.
Turkey
How Many Days in Istanbul? My Ideal Itinerary
How many days in Istanbul do you need? My answer plus a full day-by-day itinerary, from the old city to the Asian side, from someone who keeps returning.
Rome
Is Rome Overrated? Overtourism and How I'd Do It Right
Is Rome overrated? My take on the crowds, the new Trevi Fountain fee, the best time to go, how to dodge the worst of it and the day trips worth taking.
Estonia
Tallinn to Helsinki by ferry: times, prices and how I do it
Tallinn to Helsinki by ferry takes about two hours. Operators, schedules, prices with and without a car, how to book, and what to do on board, from my trips.
A weekend in Belgrade: where to eat, drink and wander
The best things to do in Belgrade: the fortress above two rivers, famous nightlife, the Danube and Sava river clubs, where I eat and my own local tips.
Why Bosnia and Herzegovina is worth your time
The best things to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo's old town, Mostar's Old Bridge, Travnik's coloured mosque and the mountains, from my own trip.
Getting to know Bucharest: where to go and what to skip
The best things to do in Bucharest: the Palace of the Parliament, the lively old town, green parks and nightlife, picked from my own trips to Romania's capital.
Budapest in a long weekend: baths, ruin bars and the Danube
The best things to do in Budapest: thermal baths, Buda vs Pest, ruin bars, castle views and the Danube, from a Dutch traveller who rates Hungary near the top.
What to do in Bulgaria: old cities, mountains and the sea
The best things to do in Bulgaria: ancient Plovdiv, Rila Monastery, the Black Sea coast and the mountains, in one of Europe's best value and quietest countries.
Chisinau, Europe's least-visited capital
The best things to do in Chisinau: leafy parks, Soviet-era boulevards, a busy market and the underground wine cellars of Cricova and Milestii Mici nearby.
Croatia's coast, islands and old towns
The best things to do in Croatia: Dubrovnik's walls, Split, the Dalmatian islands, Plitvice Lakes and Istria, plus practical tips on summer crowds and timing.
There's more to Czechia than Prague
The best things to do in Czechia: Prague, fairytale Cesky Krumlov, lively Brno, Moravian wine and the beer. My own guide to seeing it beyond the capital.
Old towns, islands and forests: a trip across Estonia
The best things to do in Estonia: medieval Tallinn, student-city Tartu, quiet islands, Lahemaa's bogs and the border town of Narva, from my own trips.
Gdansk on the Baltic: Poland's great port city
The best things to do in Gdansk: the colourful Long Market, amber on Mariacka Street, the Solidarity history and easy day trips, from my own trips to Poland.
Germany: Cities, Castles and Forests
The best things to do in Germany: Berlin, Bavaria and the castles, the Rhine, the Black Forest and Saxon Switzerland, from my own trips across the country.
Hungary Beyond Budapest
The best things to do in Hungary: Budapest, Lake Balaton, the wine towns of Eger and Tokaj and the thermal baths. My guide to the whole country in one trip.
A Weekend in Kotor
The best things to do in Kotor: the walled old town, the fortress climb with that view, the Bay of Kotor and how to dodge the midday cruise-ship crowds.
Krakow in Two Days
The best things to do in Krakow: Main Square, Wawel Castle, Kazimierz, food and the Auschwitz and Wieliczka day trips, based on my own trips to the city.
Why Lake Bled Is Worth the Trip
The best things to do in Lake Bled: the island church, Bled Castle, the famous cream cake, Vintgar Gorge and quiet Lake Bohinj, plus how to plan your visit.
What Makes Lithuania the Baltic Surprise
The best things to do in Lithuania: Vilnius, Uzupis, Trakai Castle, the Curonian Spit, Kaunas and the Hill of Crosses, from a Dutch traveller who goes back.
Three Days in Ljubljana
The best things to do in Ljubljana: the old town, the castle, riverside cafes and an easy Lake Bled day trip, from my own trips to Slovenia's capital.
Inside Moldova, Europe's Least-Visited Country
The best things to do in Moldova: Chisinau, the giant underground wine cellars, Orheiul Vechi and Transnistria, with practical tips from my trips to Moldova.
Montenegro Packs a Lot into a Small Country
The best things to do in Montenegro: the Bay of Kotor, beaches and old towns on the coast, and the mountains and canyons inland. My one week road trip plan.
Mostar and Its Famous Old Bridge
The best things to do in Mostar: the Stari Most bridge, the old bazaar and the nearby waterfalls. My guide to how I spend one day in town, or better, two.
Narva, Where Estonia Meets Russia
The best things to do in Narva: two castles facing each other across the river, a Russian border you can see from the bank, and a Russian-speaking city.
Why Niš is worth a detour in southern Serbia
The best things to do in Nis: the riverside fortress, the sobering Skull Tower and Constantine's birthplace, plus tips from my trip to southern Serbia.
North Macedonia: lakes, canyons and a capital unlike any other
The best things to do in North Macedonia from my own trip: Lake Ohrid, Matka Canyon and Skopje's Old Bazaar, plus when to go and how to get around the country.
A weekend in Novi Sad, Serbia's easygoing second city
The best things to do in Novi Sad: Petrovaradin Fortress, the EXIT festival and the old centre, plus my tips for an easy day trip from Belgrade in Serbia.
Ohrid, where the lake meets a thousand years of churches
The best things to do in Ohrid: swim in the lake, see the clifftop church of St John Kaneo and get lost in the old town, all from my trips to North Macedonia.
Two days in Plovdiv, one of Europe's oldest cities
The best things to do in Plovdiv: a Roman theatre still in use, a hillside old town and the creative Kapana district, from my trips to Bulgaria's second city.
What to do in Poland: cities, mountains and food
The best things to do in Poland: Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, the Tatras and the food. My guide from several trips, with a simple ten-day route you can copy.
Prague keeps pulling me back
The best things to do in Prague: Charles Bridge at sunrise, the castle, the old town and how to dodge the crowds, written by someone who keeps coming back.
Making the most of Riga, from the old town to art nouveau
The best things to do in Riga: the UNESCO old town, Art Nouveau streets and the huge Central Market, plus where I eat. My guide from a Baltics regular.
Castles, mountains and real value: that is Romania
The best things to do in Romania: Bucharest, Transylvania's walled towns, the Carpathians and painted monasteries, plus when to go and how long to stay.
Serbia beyond its reputation: the underrated Balkans
The best things to do in Serbia: Belgrade's raw energy, Novi Sad's fortress views, the friendly south and real value, from a Dutch traveller who returns.
Inside Skopje, North Macedonia's offbeat capital
The best things to do in Skopje: the divisive statues of the centre, the Ottoman old bazaar and a Matka Canyon day trip. Tips from my own trips to the city.
Slovenia: Europe's greenest little country
The best things to do in Slovenia: Ljubljana, Lake Bled, the turquoise Soca valley, big caves and a tiny coast. My country guide with a one-week plan.
A weekend in Split: palace, sea and old town
The best things to do in Split: Diocletian's Palace, the Riva, Marjan hill and the islands, plus the day trips I would happily book again on my next visit.
Switzerland by train: peaks and lakes
The best things to do in Switzerland: the panoramic trains, the mountain bases and the lakes, plus a clear picture of what the country really costs to visit.
Why Tallinn is worth your time
The best things to do in Tallinn: the medieval old town, Toompea hill and Telliskivi, plus winter tips and a Helsinki day trip, all from my own visits.
Hiking the Dolomites: trails, peaks and huts
The best things to do in the Dolomites: Tre Cime, Seceda, Alpe di Siusi and Lake Braies, plus where to stay and when to go, from someone who keeps returning.
Tirana, Albania's colourful capital
The best things to do in Tirana: painted buildings, cold-war bunkers, Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku nightlife, all from my own trips to Albania's capital.
Transylvania beyond the Dracula cliche
The best things to do in Transylvania: Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara, the castles and the Saxon villages, all from my own trips and with the Dracula myth in check.
From Istanbul to Cappadocia: a trip across Turkey
The best things to do in Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and Mediterranean coast, Ephesus and the food, with a simple route from my own trips.
Three days in Vienna: palaces, coffee and music
The best things to do in Vienna: imperial palaces, famous coffee houses, a walk along the Ring and great art, all from my own trips to the Austrian capital.
Lithuania
Things to Do in Vilnius: Lithuania's Underrated Capital
Things to do in Vilnius: the huge old town, the Uzupis republic, a former prison and a day trip to Trakai, all from my own trips to Lithuania's capital.
What to do in Warsaw, Poland's reborn capital
The best things to do in Warsaw: the rebuilt Old Town, the Praga district, the parks and the food, from someone who keeps coming back to Poland's capital.
Meet Wrocław, Poland's city of dwarfs
The best things to do in Wroclaw: the huge market square, the hunt for bronze dwarfs and quiet Cathedral Island. My take on Poland's most playful city.
Turkey
Istanbul Travel: Why I Pick It Over Paris, London, Rome
Istanbul travel beats Paris, London and Rome for me: two continents, cheap great food, ferries, deep history and real atmosphere. Here is why I'd pick it.