Alastair Reid

[20-30 October] It’s a 05:00am start from Bonifacio, as we are picked up from our hotel by a driver to take us to the very basic airport at Figari. The driver covers the distance at breakneck speed, naturally, reassuringly indicating that whilst there are few cars on the road at Read more

[15-20 October] As we traverse the sea between Sardinia and Corsica, on the somewhat beat-up looking Moby ferry, Bonifacio makes its presence felt from some way out. First the chalky white limestone cliffs of the south coast of Corsica come into focus, then the huddle of buildings teetering improbably on Read more

Palau, Sardinia [10-15 October] After a short flight from Verona to Olbia in Sardinia, we are picked up by a driver who takes us up the long and winding road from Olbia airport to Palau, on Sardinia’s famed Costa Smerelda. First impressions are very positive – contrary to the weather Read more

Verona, Italy [6-10 October] Another comfortable train ride, complete with a minute complimentary coffee each, takes us to Verona Puerto Nuova railway station, then a taxi drops us at our apartment. Our room in the Lady Verona residence is like a large hotel room, with a small commmunal kitchen outside, Read more

Venice, Italy [2-6 October] Disembarking from the MSC Fantasia for the final time in Trieste sees us adding to the chaotic scenes in the ferry terminal. Buses, taxis and cars arrive, with little or no traffic control, and no queuing system. He or she who speaks Italian appears to get Read more

MSC Fantasia [27-30 September] As we sail into the vast and vibrant city of Istanbul in the morning, we are anticipating that the next two days will be tiring and full of hassles, but hopefully well worth the effort! Although I spent a few days here for work back in Read more

MSC Fantasia [24-26 September] One thing that has struck us on this longer cruise with its multiple stops is the weird feeling of being in Italy one day, Greece the next and Turkey the day after. We are “parachuted” into these amazing locations one after the other, equipped with a Read more

MSC Fantasia [21-23 September] After a slightly chaotic embarkation process, we get to our fab cabin and begin to orientate ourselves on the MSC Fantasia. We hadn’t quite appreciated the advantages that buying the Aurea package which we bought for the original cruise to South America, and retained through all Read more

Trieste, Italy [20-21 September] We (I really mean Fiona) habitually plan(s) our trips quite meticulously. We leave Edinburgh thinking that we will be visiting 6 countries in the course of our 7 week trip – Croatia (twice), Italy (three times), Greece (twice), Turkey (twice), France and Spain. So we are Read more