Dinner and drinks in Plaka, ambling down Ermou and exploring Monastiraki, a stormy visit to the Acropolis - and no Greek trip is complete without a characteristically delicious Freddo Cappuccino. You can remain in the heart of Athens and it's central touristy areas, and still uncover so much more hiding underneath.
EXPLORING LAGO GARDA
With pallid blue and matte silver expanses of water, this autumn-time visit to northern Italy’s Lago di Garda was strangely peaceful in what would normally be a tourist-filled haven. With pops of colour in the form of florals decorating the quaint town of Sirmione and friendly ducks and geese abound, a trip to Lake Garda serves as the perfect backdrop for a day trip from Milano.
5 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND
With so many beautiful cities, staying in only Zurich would be a missed opportunity for anyone visiting Switzerland for the first time - the picturesque lakes and rivers, restaurant strips and gardens all across the melting pot of cultures that is Switzerland are simply far too lovely to miss.
WINTERTHUR
A transformed industrial area with a quiet community and a peaceful, early morning charm played the role of home base for my stay in Switzerland. University students, bars, cobblestone paths and a lively night market set the backdrop for Winterthur.
BERN
While Zurich is often mistaken for Switzerland's capital, it is in fact the whimsical beauty that is Bern.
Nearing the French region of Switzerland, Bern plays host to the famed Tour de France each year, and is home a most unlikely yet adorable symbol; the bear. Not only can you visit them in an open enclosure known as Bärengraben, but keep your eyes peeled for the symbol of the bear all around the town's infrastructure.
LUCERNE
A Swiss Venice if there ever was one, Lucerne was the quaint, fresh and Sunday-stroll-worthy setting for a family day. Touristy, yes - but with such an impressive lake filled with flowers, a carnival and a rowing regatta, it was certainly for good reason.
ZURICH
And of course, what trip to Switzerland would be complete without a visit to the famed Zurich? With an Old Town to rival any iconic European city's, the atmosphere had a certain comfort and chillness about it to contrast some of the more fiery passions of neighbouring countries.