The Platinum Line

Category: Europe

  • A few hours in Tallinn, Estonia’s medieval capital

    Tallinn the capital city of Estonia has a fairy tale quality with narrow cobblestone alleys, red domed towers and a beautiful orthodox cathedral.

  • Cruising the Dutch Waterways and a visit to the Keukenhof bulb gardens.

    Cruising the Dutch Waterways and a visit to the Keukenhof bulb gardens.

    Three years ago we took a trip on the Dutch waterways from Arnham to Amsterdam aboard an old canal barge.

  • Celebrating new year in Linz, Austria

    Celebrating new year in Linz, Austria

    Two years ago, we celebrated New Year in Linz, Austria. Our daughter who teaches English as a foreign language had secured a  three month volunteer placement with the Austrian bilingual classroom project (ABC)  and we offered to help with her luggage.  The bilingual classroom project was set up so that village schools could have visits…

  • Visiting the Alhambra

    Visiting the Alhambra

    The Alhambra is one of the most visited monuments in Spain.  It is probably the main reason  why most people visit Granada and it has certainly been on my bucket list for quite while. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. So when my son said he would like to visit it I was…

  • Half term in Malaga

    Half term in Malaga

    One thing I was looking forward to when my children grew up was not having to go away during the school holidays.  However two of them decided to become teachers.  When my son asked if we fancied going to Spain for half term I leapt at the chance.   I am pleased to say I…

  • Five things to see in Prague

    Five things to see in Prague

    This year my daughter is teaching in a village school just outside Prague.  She has introduced her pupils to the game “Simon says” and it has quickly become a firm favourite.  For those of you who have not played it, the teacher gives a list of instructions and you have to obey those that have…

  • Madeira: visiting the garden island

    Madeira: visiting the garden island

    A Bristol  coach firm used to run a winter trip to Kew Gardens in London.  Unsurprisingly the orchid house at Kew quickly became one of my favourite places to visit when the evenings became darker.  For a short while we could forget the British winter and imagine we were walking through the tropics.  So  I…