There’s no doubt that initially, and for a long while afterwards, our experience of America was East Coast based. We lived in Rockville, Maryland for a year while on exchange as a teacher. Our weekend jaunts were into DC., to snow bound cabins in West Virginia, trips to Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay and our first …more

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In May 2011 we leapt off a cliff. Not a physical cliff, although it felt a bit like that at times, but a metaphorical cliff: we made the decision to sell our beautiful home in Vancouver, Canada and use the proceeds to go travelling. We had no idea, beyond a list of places we wanted …more

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The sun is out, the sky is clear and in the distance is a breathtaking view of the harbour. There is a group of men playing pétanque under the afternoon sun. The traditional game of French lawn bowls takes place in its own time, the metallic balls clinking after each long and paused thoughtful aim. …more

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Imagine arriving in Europe completely relaxed, well rested, with no jet lag, ready to enjoy your trip to France, Spain, Italy or wherever you are headed. Think of an international trip without fighting the airport mayhem, putting up with other peoples’ screaming babies, and stomaching airplane “food” for ten or more hours! We will rarely …more

Pete and I met five years ago on a blind date. I say ‘blind date’ but it was actually a meticulously engineered plan by an old school friend of mine who’d decided to do a spot of matchmaking. ‘ Lottie, he’s going to fall head over heels in love with you, and you are going …more

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Sometimes, you just have to close your eyes and jump into the abyss bolstered by a belief in luck or fate or karma. And so it was when my employer asked me, and by extension my husband, to move to Bratislava, Slovakia nearly three years ago. Although neither of us had ever visited Slovakia – …more

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In 2008 we spent six short weeks in Europe visiting France, Italy and cruising on the Mediterranean and decided there and then that we would return to the beautiful regions of Provence in France and Tuscany in Italy for a extended time once we retired. We loved it there. On returning to our home in …more

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It’s funny how a holiday destination becomes the place you want to move to and spend your foreseeable future when you least expect it. Arriving in a new country and spending a vacation there can either blind you from the imperfections and struggles of daily life or make you want to grab them and call …more

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