I have a film camera. You may already know this – I did Russia on Film a couple of years ago and I’m genuinely surprised I didn’t do Rome on Film, since I took photos there. Long story short, I found three ancient rolls of film, bought a camera on eBay and snapped away. Actually, … More Helsinki on film
What’s more Finnish than a sauna? I’ve given this question a little consideration and I can’t think of anything more Finnish. I’m a bit of a fan of some spa and wellness and so went I went to test out my newfound language skills, of course I also wanted to try out a proper Finnish … More Löyly: a traditional Finnish sauna experience (for tourists)
I was last in Helsinki eight and a half years ago – and then only for a single evening – and things have changed a little since then. First, there’s now a nice easy train between the airport and the city centre. Second, there’s a floating geothermal pool in the harbour. Did I hear the … More Geothermal bathing in Helsinki at Allas Sea Pool
The week before I went to Helsinki, I saw that line as the title of a piece about Iceland, which is actually about Hvammsvik Hot Springs, which I discovered in February and adore. But with plans to go to Helsinki just four days away, the phrase “holistic & healing” jumped right out at me. I … More Helsinki is the holistic, healing holiday destination you’ll never forget
One thing I’ve meant to do in Paris for years is the Catacombs. I knew very little about them; only that they were underground and went on forever. When I went to Paris last month, I added them to my tentative to-do list, having discovered that tickets only go on sale four days in advance and … More There are 6 million dead bodies under Paris
Ok, I’m ridiculous. I decided to use the Coronation weekend to go to Paris. I’ve said on many occasions that I don’t love Paris but I like it more as I get to explore on my own terms and it’s a very quick hop over from Southampton Airport and quite honestly, I was never going … More A night at the Paris Opera
It’s mid-May – at least, in my plan it is – and I’m finally delivering the last of the February 2023 Iceland posts! Well, I still have plans to tear RE apart in a long essay but this is the last of the proper “what I did” posts. I hid from the snow and the … More Guaranteed Northern Lights at Aurora Reykjavik
On the far side of Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, in the Grandi district, in a big ol’ warehouse, you can meet a whale. You can meet lots of whales. If the weather is too bad, or you’re too emetophobic, or you’re dubious about the ethics, and you’re not going out on a boat to look for … More I met a whale! (at Whales of Iceland)
On a rainy afternoon, I stopped by the Settlement Exhibition right in the middle of downtown Reykjavik. It’s part of Reykjavik City Museum – there are five exhibitions in the group which also includes Árbær Open Air Museum, the Museum of Photography, the Maritime Museum over at Grandi and Viðey Island, which I did a … More Going back in time at the Settlement Exhibition
This is the last of the Iceland content for a month or so! Today I’m taking you to Reykjavík’s Saga Museum, which I should have visited years ago. It’s sponsored the official city map for at least as long as I’ve been going, which surely makes it Iceland’s most prominent museum/indoor attraction and yet… I … More Hiding from the weather at the Saga Museum
I Am A Polar Bear 