Has there ever been a drink, besides water, which has provoked as much celebration, adoration and imbibement than the humble beer? It has its own day, on the 3rd of August, so I doubt it!

Belgium. Wedged between France, the Netherlands and Germany, this fantastic country is one of Europe’s favourite sons, bringing a touch of charm to our beloved continent, along with chips and waffles.

The call of the train whistle, the pounding of the pistons, the puff of the steam - the sound of the railway is a symphony unto itself and has inspired artists and musicians across the world to compose music about and on the theme of rail travel.

Welcome to the future! Please leave your slow trains, your outdated tickets and your rackety old carriages at the door.

Literature and rail travel have always been intrinsically linked in some manner or other. A good book has alleviated even the most mundane rail journey.

The breath taking and rippling beauty of splendid Southern India seeps into every aspect of this magnificent corner of the world.

As a nation, Germany seems to operate in its own sphere, a land which defies time and history by melding its ancient timeline with the heady skyscrapers of the future.

With the curtain falling on the madness of 2017 and the prospect of a back-to-rights 2018 on the horizon, now is the best time of all to start casting your eye across the continent for a new destination to explore.

A time for delicious food, good will and family – you’d be forgiven for thinking this blog was about Christmas with an introduction like that!

At Christmas time, pantries across the world are stocked to the brim with festive goodies, the snow drizzled huts of Christmas markets are loaded with all manner of tastes and smells, and the tables of every house are loaded with delicious joy.

Azure coastlines of sparkling beauty on the French Riviera, the dusky allure of Spanish Andalucía’s golden cities and the timeless romance of Italy’s Amalfi Coast

Nothing quite shouts Christmas quite like Christmas markets. Lit up by the warm glow of red, green and gold lights, these rambling bustles of festive activity embrace the best parts of the most wonderful time of the year, celebrating everything and anything of a yuletide nature.