Simpson Conferences and Travel

26/05/2025

A real gem destination in Switzerland

07/05/2025

Always nice to know about things to do in London, especially if they are free

08/04/2025

Paradise found…

26/03/2025

Travelling by train in Italy is quicker, cheaper and easier than going by plane. Italys train system is great and works well

see below

22/03/2025

I have yet to try this and will give feedback when I do, but what a unique experience

Have You Ever Taken a Train and Ended Up on a Ferry? Welcome to Sicily!

Trains run on tracks, right? Well, not always. If you've ever taken a train to Sicily, you might have experienced one of the most unexpected (and coolest) travel surprises in Italy: your train boards a ferry and crosses the sea!

Yes, you read that right. The train doesn’t just stop at the shore, leaving passengers to scramble onto a boat. No, no—your entire train is carefully loaded onto a ferry, and you continue your journey across the Strait of Messina as if nothing happened. One moment you're on solid ground in Calabria, the next you're floating toward Sicily.

It’s a strange yet fascinating experience. As the ferry departs, you can step outside, breathe in the salty sea air, and watch the coastline shrink in the distance. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, giving you just enough time to snap some photos, grab a coffee, and question everything you thought you knew about train travel.

Then, as if by magic, the ferry docks in Messina, the train is rolled back onto the tracks, and off you go—continuing your ride through the stunning landscapes of Sicily.

So, if you're ever heading south and suddenly find yourself on a ferry while still on your train, don’t panic. You’re just on your way to one of Italy’s most beautiful regions.

Welcome to Sicily

21/02/2025

21/02/2025

Seville can also be done from the Algarve, so Spain and Portugal can be combined in 1 trip

06/10/2024

European Christmas Markets Dates 2024🎄
🇦🇹Vienna, Austria - Nov 16 to Dec 24
🇫🇷Strasbourg, France - Nov 27 to Dec 30
🇨🇿Prague, Czech Republic - 30 Nov to Jan 6
🇩🇪Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt), Germany - Nov 25 to Dec 31
🇩🇪Cologne, Germany - Nov 18 to Dec 23
🇩🇰Copenhagen,Denmark (Tivoli Gardens) - Nov 17 to Jan 1
🇧🇪Brussels, Belgium (Winter Wonders) - Nov 29 to Jan 5
🇭🇺Budapest, Hungary - Nov 17 to Jan 1
🇩🇪Munich, Germany - Nov 27 to Dec 24
🇪🇪Tallinn, Estonia - Nov 21 to Dec 26
🇵🇱Krakow, Poland - Nov 29 to Dec 26
🇩🇪Dresden, Germany (Striezelmarkt) - Nov 27 to Dec 24
🇸🇪Stockholm, Sweden (Skansen) - Nov 30 to Dec 23
🇬🇧London, UK (Hyde Park) - Nov 21 to Jan 5
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Edinburgh, Scotland - Nov 17 to Jan 5
🇨🇭Zurich, Switzerland - Nov 23 to Dec 24
🇸🇪Gothenburg, Sweden (Liseberg) - Nov 17 to Dec 23
🇫🇮Helsinki, Finland - Dec 1 to Dec 22
🇱🇺Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - Nov 23 to Dec 24
🇧🇪Bruges, Belgium - Nov 24 to Jan 1
🇱🇻Riga, Latvia - Dec 1 to Jan 6
🇳🇱Amsterdam - 15 Nov - 5th Jan

02/10/2024

27/03/2024

15/03/2024

Some interesting information about Croatia as I sit at the airport in Zagreb waiting for my flight back to Heathrow- DID YOU KNOW that’s the tie originated in Croatia? That piece of fashion that we all take for granted had its origins in the Croatian army during the 17th century.