Seven film locations you’ll recognise in Florence

The film Inferno, starring Tom Hanks, had its world premiere in Florence this month. Most of the film was shot in the city, the birthplace of Dante.  

Spain’s season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

If you enjoy sampling local food and drink and want a day out with family, Spain’s regional food festivals are great places to visit  

The new Normandy conquest

950 years ago on 14th October, the Normans defeated the English army at Senlac Hill in Sussex. These days the traffic is the other way, as the British pop across the Channel to grab a piece of the lovely towns, pretty houses and beaches of Normandy  

Five Wonderful Things About Living in Portugal

While no country is a utopia, living in Portugal comes quite close! Our writer in Portugal would like to offer five great reasons to join him   When I first moved to Portugal, I had a clear idea in my mind of what things would be like. As with so many events in life, nothing turns out exactly as predicted, but the fact remains that there are many factors that make a life in Portugal a very pleasurable one. Here are five things that really stand out in my mind:

Making friends and influencing people, French style

Greetings and goodbyes can be awkward affairs in Britain. In France they have this down to a fine art, including the required number of kisses.  

Costa Blanca valleys offer value and rustic charm

Little wonder England manager Sam Allardyce bolted to his Spanish home last week – it’s in a part of Spain with stunning natural scenery where switching off comes with the territory.