Europe a la Carte

Hello, I'm a UK based independent travel consultant and writer. I write about less well known destinations in Europe, where you can get a more authentic travel experience during your visit to Europe. 
September 28
Europe a la Carte Twitter competition (1): Win an Indie Travel Podcast Magazine subscription

The Europe a la Carte Blog is launching a fantastic new Twitter competition today with some great prizes up for grabs. To win all you have to do is name the destination in the background photo of my…
September 25
Climb the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome

When I visited Rome last spring, we were staying a stone’s throw from St Peter’s square, and so we took the opportunity to visit the dome of St Peter’s basilica one afternoon, after we had already…
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Europe’s Five Best Off-Beat Cathedrals

Nothing beats a European city break like a good cathedral.  Stained glass, vaulted ceilings, dusty floors and echoing walls – you don’t need to be religious to appreciate these gorgeous architectual…
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Victorian Army field kitchen: An authentic Victorian Army field kitchen had been set up to feed the hungry volunteers. There was a ham and leek savoury dumpling boiling in the hot water vat.
Victorian Army field kitchen:

An authentic Victorian Army field kitchen had been set up to feed the hungry volunteers. There was a ham and leek savoury dumpling boiling in the hot water vat.

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Dr Johnstone’s Nightmare: There was an outdoor theatre performance of “Dr Johnstone’s Nightmare” by the Brass Bastion Heritage Performance, portraying the naturalist’s bad dream about an 1841 agricultural meeting.
Dr Johnstone’s Nightmare:

There was an outdoor theatre performance of “Dr Johnstone’s Nightmare” by the Brass Bastion Heritage Performance, portraying the naturalist’s bad dream about an 1841 agricultural meeting.

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Me aboard Reaper: “Reaper” is a herring drifter.
Me aboard Reaper:

“Reaper” is a herring drifter.

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Me at Reaper’s helm

Me at Reaper’s helm

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Dr Johnstone’s Nighmare: There was an outdoor theatre performance of “Dr Johnstone’s Nightmare” by the Brass Bastion Heritage Performance, portraying the naturalist’s bad dream about an 1841 agricultural meeting.
Dr Johnstone’s Nighmare:

There was an outdoor theatre performance of “Dr Johnstone’s Nightmare” by the Brass Bastion Heritage Performance, portraying the naturalist’s bad dream about an 1841 agricultural meeting.

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Reaper at Berwick quayside: “Reaper” is a herring drifter.
Reaper at Berwick quayside:

“Reaper” is a herring drifter.

September 23
World’s tallest church in Ulm, Germany

I’m easily drawn to tourist attractions that are the biggest, longest, narrowest or best for some reason or another – so when a friend in Germany raved to me about Ulm’s cathedral (known locally as…