An Island Fairytale. It’s sunset. You’re drinking a glass of wine on the rooftop of a 17th century mansion. While music plays in the background the spectrum of colors before you takes your breath away. Below, you hear the children playing beneath the green leaves of the park. Above you … Read more
Taking A Meeting with Hera and Zeus Climbing Mount Olympus I didn’t climb Mount Olympus just because it’s there. I mean, with that attitude, why not swim across the Atlantic? My motive was utterly practical. I had some important questions and Mount Olympus has the gods. If this resonates with … Read more
Nature Boy Everyone knows the Squire is crazy for an adventure but I wasn’t sure what to expect when we decided to trek to the mystical island of Samothrace, close to Turkey in the north Aegean, after the season had ended. My love of all things natural struck a chord … Read more
[wide][/wide] If Athens is Greece’s yin, then Thessaloniki is its yang. Often overshadowed by the beauty and popularity of the capital, Thessaloniki, the second city, is smaller than its big sister but its laid back vibe is a blank canvas for the equal parts of history and culture that make … Read more
Galway and the Aran Islands Several years ago I had one of the best vacations of my life when I traveled around the West of Ireland, particularly in counties Galway and Mayo, taking in its dramatic scenery and catching up with family—my father was born in Mayo and I still … Read more
The days when celebs celebrated their nuptials in Mexico are long gone and every Tom, Dick and Madonna is looking for an untouched, completely private locale to get away from it all with their newlywed partner in crime. It’s no surprise then that Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon chose to … Read more
Where in the world can you go to see a breeches-clad Johnny Depp smothered in guy-liner and sporting gold teeth? Well, anywhere there’s a movie theatre, really, given that People magazine’s former Sexiest Man Alive is currently starring in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean installment, On Stranger Tides. But … Read more
Temple of Chic, Imaret Hotel Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time and live like a Greek in an ancient place? Kavala is the place to do exactly that (and more). Northern Greece’s second largest city is just a few hours by car … Read more
Simi, Dodecanese Islands If you’re reading this issue of Travel Squire you have Greece on the brain and probably, quite soon, Greece on your itinerary. I advise you to pack lightly for carefree island hopping, and leave a corner of your carry-on for a few sponges. Don’t worry about overweight, … Read more
The Best of the West Most visitors to Ireland follow the path of their travel agents and see some of the most incredible sights imaginable – The Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, the wonderful town of Killarney. They’ll even take a jaunting car ride (pony and cart) into the … Read more
City of Hidden Giants By Mike Flemming and Jaime Steele of Belfast Creative Agency Say Belfast to most people English speaking or not, and perhaps an image of war-torn strife springs to mind. But say it to anyone who’s been to the city in the past few years and they’ll … Read more
Cologne is a city of contrasts. Germany’s most catholic city is also one of its most progressive. Founded along the Rhine River as a Roman settlement in 38 BC, Cologne has managed to stay relevant through more than 2,000 years of history, culture, and artistry. Germany’s fourth largest city celebrates … Read more
Corsica is a large, oval-shaped French island in the western Mediterranean. Its jagged granite spine rises from the blue sea about 100 miles southeast of Nice, but centuries of geographic isolation have allowed Corsica to develop a distinct culture. For the traveler this lends to the island a more exotic … Read more
A Day in Saint Germain des Prés There are few neighborhoods in the world as famous as Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and even fewer that have managed to maintain an elite status for as long and with as much elegance and style as this one. When I was living in Paris, I was … Read more
Off the Beaten Track Enough can’t be said about Florence. The birthplace of the Renaissance and home of historical heavy hitters such as Galileo, Dante and Machiavelli, the city’s cultural legacy makes it an awe inspiring must see for all travelers. While walking through the historic center, it’s obvious that … Read more