2024 is worldwide a major election year. This is also the case in Europe. The Rainbow Map and Index by ILGA-Europe show(s) the continent – and yes that includes the United Kingdom – is not equipped against attacks from the far-right.
Tag: Scotland
UPDATE | 64 countries where gay sex is illegal
On 22 April 2024, the High Court of Dominica in the island nation of Dominica in the Caribbean struck down its ant-sodomy law. Time for an update. Both ILGA World and Erasing 76 Crimes count the countries and US states which have laws against gay sex. Spoiler alert: the number of countries criminalising gay sex…
Antwerp number 1 of 40 most exciting cities to visit in 2024
For the British newspaper of record The Sunday Times, Antwerp in Belgium is the number one exciting city to visit in 2024.
CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL | Is Belgium ready to be the Spain and Italy of the future?
In August 2023, several media reported Belgium is a hotspot for summer holidaying to watch for the future. Travel destinations around the Mediterranean Sea such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Morocco are just experiencing too many exaggerated heat waves.
REVIEW | VIA Rail Canada night train 15 ‘The Ocean’ from Halifax to Montreal
In May and June 2023, we travelled from east to west across Canada. From Halifax in Nova Scotia to Montreal in Quebec, to Toronto in Ontario, to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia. Along the way some night trains and commuter trains, the Niagara Falls and – imagine this – a bus journey. A true…
MIDNIGHT TRAINS | Unified Rail Europe? Coping with rail network challenges
Back in June 2021, a company in France called Midnight Trains launched its ‘Hotel on rails‘ project for luxury night train services worthy a hotel experience. Every Friday, Midnight Trains sends a newsletter with some sort of update on its project.
NOVA SCOTIA | Sampling Halifax
In May and June 2023, we travelled from east to west across Canada. From Halifax in Nova Scotia to Montreal in Quebec, to Toronto in Ontario, to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia. Along the way some night trains and commuter trains, the Niagara Falls and – imagine this – a bus journey. A true…
ICELAND | Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík
Iceland in November and December? Really? I saw an Icelandair promotion on Instagram which I couldn’t resist. The catch? It had to be late November to the start of December 2022. But I could – easily – enthuse Oriol to come along for a road trip in the South and West of Iceland.
ENGLAND 2022 ROUND-UP | Elderly people, the rise of USB ports, Platinum Jubilee dessert flop and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
June 2022. Making the best of four weeks off, after the Mediterranean cruise for Danny and Mexico for Timothy, we organised a train trip in England. On the menu: Bletchley Park, the night train to Penzance, the Dartmouth Steam Railway and the Isle of Wight. On the last day, we roamed around London to sample…
Midnight Trains secures new night train rolling stock, aims for December 2024 start
Remember Midnight Trains? This night train start-up wants to link France to Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark and even Scotland. And this from 2024. How? By offering comfort. A ‘hotel on rails’. Midnight Trains has offered an update on the proceedings.
