My travels around Europe have been somewhat sporadic; despite living in England I went to Australia & New Zealand before heading over the English Channel and visiting France. (I’ve still never been to Ireland).

In recent times I have had the opportunity to see further parts of Europe and my grand plan is to get to many more in the not too distant future. Here are some photos of places I have been to and enjoyed. There are 47 countries in Europe all closely knit geographically but very different historically and culturally.  Some really great places to travel to by plane, train or automobile.

Maybe you can find time sometime soon ?

Don’t try and be too clever when visiting Prague, just let its qualities ooze out.  It is one of those places that just keeps growing on you.

Learning about the history of places and in particular the events of a concentration camp really does bring home how different things were, and brings to the life the history that you read about in books.  It truly does give you a whole new perspective.

Buda and Pest are the two halves of Budapest – that was one of the first pieces of local knowledge that I picked up as I vistited this outstanding place.  If you are making a list of places to visit I would put this at the top.

Florence said to me “this is Italy my friend” .. well actually it said “Questa è l’Italia il mio amico”

Everyone adores Paris, me, not so much.  But as often happens with travelling you get your own experience and many return again and again.

Salzburg = quaint.  What can I say, quaint sums it up perfectly.

It rained all the time I was in Rome, but it did not dampen the history.  My eyes were constantly jumping around taking in the sights in this big city.

Amsterdam is a weird place that I never quite appreciated, and I will go back because I think I missed something…

The Costa Blanca in Spain is were you will find the beautiful town of Murcia.  I was fortunate to drive the whole coastline from Barcelona the Costa del Sol in the south, and on the way in the journey you will find Murcia hidden away, but go find it.

Bedford grew on me over the years I called it home, and I often go back to reaquaint myself.  It truly is like an old friend.

A lot of people miss Bologna, it is the capital of the region of Emilia-Romagna, and has a real depth to it.  I’m not sure I can quite articulate what that means, but you will understand when you visit. Real Italy.

Vatican City I’m sure means a lot more to Christians, but it continues to be a spiritual place that you can almost touch the history as it seeps through the air.

Venice in the cold of January was an idyllic place, and I can only imagine how wonderful it must be in the height of summer.  That though would be tempered by the huge crowds of summer, so the jury is still out for me of the best time of the year to go.  But do go, you will enjoy the place.

Vienna will have your jaw dropping.  It is absolutely 24 carat Beautiful.

Lake Lugano for a jaunt into Switzerland was a fun day out on a cold December day.

Ah, Munich.  I shall never underestimate you ever again.  Bavaria is a place to wander and enjoy for several days.

English countryside in Lancashire, or home as I call it.

I will always like the English countryside, but there again I should as I was brought up there.