When to Go
When to visit Switzerland for walking or snow
Choose by altitude and activity, then check the lifts and trails your trip depends on before booking around a season label.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Travel writer and destination journalist
William Bernard
William Bernard writes about European destinations, rail and overland routes, and the costs and connections involved in planning an independent trip. He is based in Lisbon, Portugal.
- Based in
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Languages
- English, Portuguese, Spanish
Background
Before becoming a travel writer, William spent six years in logistics and supply-chain analysis in Manchester. A three-month trip through the Balkans led him to investigate an outdated bus timetable in Bosnia and publish the corrected route information.
Over the following decade, he travelled through Europe and Southeast Asia, often returning to the same regions in different seasons. His destination research includes Portugal, Spain, Italy and the Balkans.
What he covers
- European rail and overland travel
- Trip budgets
- Destination planning
- Transport logistics
- Slow travel
How he approaches a guide
William looks at how the whole trip fits together: stations, connections, booking choices, daily costs and seasonal changes. His guides favour time in fewer places and routes that avoid unnecessary backtracking. Prices and schedules can change, so readers should check the sources and review dates beside the relevant information.
Guides by William Bernard
Things to Do
Visiting Gravensteen and the Ghent Altarpiece
Give the castle and cathedral separate time, and check which original altarpiece panels are away for restoration before you book.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Accommodation
Where to stay for an Amalfi Coast trip
Compare Sorrento, Salerno and Positano by the journeys you want to make, including ferry costs, seasonal services and steps to your room.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Accommodation
Where to stay in Amsterdam with costs in mind
Noord and Oud-West offer different ways to enjoy Amsterdam, but neither sits outside the city's tourist-tax rules.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Travel Safety
Calling 112 in Europe
Know the number and be ready to explain where you are. A saved accommodation address can help when you are stressed or offline.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Transport
FlixBus or train in Central Europe?
Compare the full journey, including station transfers, luggage and arrival time, before choosing the cheaper ticket.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Things to Do
Free things to do in Berlin with time to look properly
Pair a walk through central Berlin with one substantial history visit, and register ahead if you want to enter the Reichstag dome.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Transport
How to plan a European train trip
Start with a sensible route, then compare tickets, reservations and connections before filling every day with travel.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Things to Do
Vatican Gardens and Mosaic Studio: arrange a separate visit
The Vatican Gardens and Mosaic Studio need their own arrangements. They are not extra areas that an ordinary Museums or Basilica ticket lets you enter whenever you choose. Book the visit you want first, then fit the rest of the day around its confirmed meeting point.
Article reviewed 14 Sep 2026
When to Go
Planning an Alsace Christmas market trip
Check each town's market dates, book a practical base and leave time for the train rather than trying to see every village in one day.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Food & Dining
Dutch street food for a simple lunch
Choose between herring, fried fish, a bakery snack or a stroopwafel, with clear advice on portions and ingredients.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Travel Safety
Petition and bracelet scams: how to step away
You can decline an approach without debating it. Keep your belongings close and avoid letting a small interaction become a pressured payment.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026