When to Go
Visiting the Amalfi Coast in August
An August trip can work if you choose a useful base, plan around heat and crowds and keep each day's travel simple.
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 A three-month trip through the Balkans led him to investigate an outdated bus timetable in Bosnia and publish the corrected route information.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
Food & Dining
What to Eat in Luxembourg: A Practical Food Guide
Try Luxembourg dishes and bakery food without turning every meal into an expensive stop. Plan lunches, shared orders and food for day trips.
Article reviewed 13 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Strasbourg daily costs and Alsace day-trip extras
Plan Strasbourg spending with a clear daily example, current local ticket guidance and separate rail costs for Colmar and other Alsace stops.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Travel Safety
Lost phone or wallet abroad: what to do first
Get somewhere safe, protect access to your accounts and record the loss. You can rebuild the travel plans once the urgent steps are done.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Travel Safety
Where to keep your passport and cards while travelling
Separate daily essentials from backups, and check local document requirements before leaving the passport at your accommodation.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Accommodation
Where to stay in Prague on a budget
Compare Vinohrady, Žižkov and the Old Town, with advice on hills, station access, late-night transport and choosing a quieter room.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Youth and student discounts in Europe
Age, residence and student status are different qualifications. Check the exact rule and bring the document that proves you meet it.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Transport
Visiting Moldova without a car
Use Chișinău as a practical base, then check the final connection for countryside visits and winery bookings.
Article reviewed 20 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Norway on a Budget: Rooms, Meals and Outdoor Days
Build a Norway budget from real bookings, with practical choices for kitchens, local tickets, paid sights and camping without misleading daily-price promises.
Article reviewed 14 Sep 2026
Travel Safety
Winter Driving in Iceland: Build a Shorter, Flexible Trip
Plan winter road days around daylight, current conditions and places to stay. Keep a smaller route and a practical alternative when travel changes.
Article reviewed 14 Sep 2026
Transport
Taking a Bulgarian train to the Black Sea: seats, sleepers and arrival plans
Compare daytime and overnight trains to Varna and Burgas, book the right sleeping place and leave enough time for the journey beyond the station.
Article reviewed 12 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Lake Ohrid on a budget, from rooms to boat trips
Build an Ohrid budget with a clear room allowance, then price boats, national-park travel and the intercity station separately.
Article reviewed 20 Sep 2026