Where exactly is "the new Prague"? Any up and coming tourist-savvy city east of Berlin, seemingly. There are a few pretenders to this lazy title, Tallinn, Budapest, Vilnius, and Krakow is one of them. Having never been to Prague, I am in no position to make a comparison, but this historic city in the south of Poland has received plenty of plaudits. Just getting there was a new experience. We took an overnight sleeper train from Berlin, and the initial excitement of my first experience of such a method of transport quickly gave way to frustration as the conductor decided he [View Full Entry]

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Yes I am aware that Berlin isn't in Eastern Europe either. Well spotted, clever clogs. But in August 1961 it became a divided city where the east and west snarled at each other face to face over a ruthlessly-constructed wall that split families and friends and which drew the Iron Curtain across Europe. What better place to launch into the east from? A fairly dull half of the six hour journey from Amsterdam had elapsed when we entered Germany and two unsmiling police officers boarded to check passports. The Americans sitting next to us were asked to give the purpose of [View Full Entry]

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I haven't spent a Saturday night in Amsterdam for at least a fortnight. The fact I came here on my pre-season tour with FC Hockley at the start of the month was both a blessing and a curse. Good because I was able to navigate us around with confidence and I was almost an authority on the red light district. But on the flip side it lost a bit of its magic and occasionally felt as though I was retracing my steps. For a capital, Amsterdam is a relatively small city and all the key areas can be taken in on [View Full Entry]

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I can pinpoint exactly where my affection with SC Cambuur Leeuwarden began; when I steered them to Champions League glory on Championship Manager. What? It's a fine way to pick a club. A little geeky perhaps but at least I was following it through by taking a three hour train to Friesland in the north of Holland to see them take on VVV Venlo. Some Man Utd 'fans' never go to a game in their lifetime. Si never complained about going along with my hair-brained scheme, and indeed seemed rather pleased with the idea as it meant a private hotel room [View Full Entry]

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Rotterdam and Amsterdam don't get on to say the least. Residents of the former take pride in their gritty, hard-working image manifested by the city's position on one of the world's biggest harbours and the busiest port in Europe. Amsterdam is the 5th most popular tourist destination in Europe and its economy is fuelled by its substantial financial districts. Amongst people of my age it is renowned for its party atmosphere and relaxed attitude. Where Rotterdam stands for work, Amsterdam stands for play. Only fair to sample them both for ourselves. Thursday morning saw us leave Essex, biddin [View Full Entry]

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First day, not much to say but free internet access in hostel while drinking. So to get this bad boy started: * Ferry uneventful except for a boat near us catching fire and lifeboat having to rush out and save it * Si has personal crisis from home before we've even entered Dutch waters * Rudi Voller lookalike boards ferry and is photographed by both of us in a covert manner * On arrival in Rotterdam, tram is the chosen method of transport. Except we fail to get off at the right spot and end up going through the Dutch equivalent [View Full Entry]

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