Monaco is the second smallest independent country in the world, and is only around two square kilometres in length. Famous as a tax haven for the super rich, this little jewel on the mediterranean coast is only sixteen kilometres from Nice on the French Riviera. The trip takes a little over twenty minutes as the train hugs the coast, offering spectacular views along the way. Monaco is a great country to explore, and the home of the annual Monaco Grand Prix still feels like it's a part of France. The last journal left off in Bern, dear reader, from where I caught the TGV out of the Swiss capital heading north to the capital of France. I can't imagine that…

Switzerland is a mountainous country in the heart of Western Europe, and famous for it's spectacular scenery. The Swiss vigorously maintained their neutrality during both world wars, and enjoy a high standard of living. Nowadays the country excels in banking and finance and has become a financial hub in Europe. The three official languages are German, French and Italian, but of course you can easily get by in English! I took the train from Verona to Zurich via Innsbruck, and gazed on spectacular scenery as the train wound through the legendary Brenner pass in the Austrian alps, before the journey continued into beautiful Switzerland. I purchased a ticket at Zurich's main station, dear reader, heading to the resort town of…

I'm falling in love, dear reader ... with Italy! Verona is the city of romance, and the setting for Shakespeare's immortal Romeo and Juliette. A typically gorgeous Italian city proved the perfect backdrop for Shakespeare, and the inspiration the great man derived from the city continues to inspire modern day travellers. Verona is another impressive feather in the cap for Italy, a country that's up there with the world's great travel destinations! Verona is the last stop on my visit to Italy, and to recap from the previous journal we left off in San Marino. From the fortified city atop a mountain I road a bus back to Rimini, and then caught a train to Bologna for an overnight stay.…

San Marino is a fascinating stopover in the centre of Italy. I took a train from Florence, and then jumped on a connecting bus that gradually wound up to the summit of a hill where the tiny fortified republic lies. This tiny country swarms with tourists strolling the cobblestone streets packed with quality shopping, gorgeous cathedrals and stunning views of the surrounding Italian countryside from the citadel walls. San Marino is easy to get to, and definitely worth a visit if you are in the region. To recap from the previous journal, dear reader, I've been a busy adventurer since leaving Rome. I caught a train to Naples, which is a bustling city in southern Italy. The traffic is quite…

All roads lead to Rome, the lovely reader. So I'm walking along a road ... in Rome yeah, and suddenly found myself heading towards another city. Now I've done my share of boning up on ancient history, so how could this be happening? Oh, hang on ... now I get it, the road was heading for the fortified Vatican City deep within the bosom of the eternal city. Vatican city is an independent city-state and the home of Il Papa, who continues the ancient tradition of leading the Catholic Church, while ably protected by implacable Swiss guards. I arrived recently on a flight to Rome and invite you to take a walk in my shoes, as I embark on new…

African travel is a humbling experience. I've arrived in the beautiful country of Malawi, as my second visit to the dark continent draws to a close. Malawi is often described as the warm heart of Africa, and travellers are sure to receive a special welcome from the Malawians who are famed for their friendliness. In hindsight though, if someone were to stop me in the street to ask the question: Hey Tom, you're an experienced traveller now, what are your views then on the future of Africa? Unfortunately my response would be that I'm stumped for an answer. Africa ... fascinating, infuriating, scintillating, excruciating and ever mysterious, the birthplace of mankind still faces a perilous future while the rest of…

Kruger national park is a world famous game reserve, dear reader, and this impressively run park is north east of Jo'Burg. It features a huge variety of wildlife, often at very close quarters. Game spotting is one of the most enjoyable experiences in life, and if our encounters in the park are an accurate guide you won't be disappointed! We spent three days in the Kruger park, which is South Africa's most famous tourist attraction, and we left one of the world's oldest wildlife parks exhilarated by our viewing experiences. There are an incredible number of animals to spot, and it's a wonderful privilege to be in their world as nature intended. To recap from the previous journal, my American…

The kingdom of Swaziland is a little jewel in the crown of southern Africa. This small country has a long tradition of kings ruling the country from the Ezulwini valley, and gained independence from Britain in 1968. The original constitution was largely modeled on the English system, however it has subsequently been abolished, and the king now rules Swaziland as an absolute monarch. The famous reed dance is an annual ceremony where the king chooses a new young bride from the naked girls who dance before him. Swaziland is surrounded by South Africa, and the border with Mozambique to the east. A visit to the kingdom provides a relaxed and modern stopover for visitors to southern Africa, where travellers enjoy…

Mozambique has had a tough time of it lately, dear reader, in spite of the enormous strides made by her people towards a peaceful society since the conclusion of the civil war fifteen years ago. Leaving aside the serious floods in the year 2000; the last few months has seen a munitions factory on the outskirts of Maputo go up in flames and subsequently turn the city into a mini war zone, then a category five cyclone with 300 kilometre an hour winds ripped through the resort town of Vilankulo. These setbacks are hitting the local population hard, but the people of Mozambique are still smiling and laughing in spite of difficult times. The last journal left off in Tofo,…

There is something magical about Africa and her people, and after a week back in the mighty continent the people of Mozambique have rekindled the magic. It comes from the easy laughter of the locals who are always joking and laughing whatever the occasion; whether they are riding on the minibus, browsing at the markets, or walking along the beach. Mozambique is a portugese speaking country in Southern Africa, which is a little more than a decade out of civil war, and heading into a brighter future with the encouragement and support of South Africa just across the border. I flew from Sydney to Johannesburg, the lovely reader, and then took a connecting SAA flight to Maputo, the capital of…