Budget Strategy
Sarajevo on a practical budget
Build a Sarajevo budget in convertible marks, separate the airport and mountain trips, and leave enough time for the city’s history.
Article reviewed 20 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 A three-month trip through the Balkans led him to investigate an outdated bus timetable in Bosnia and publish the corrected route information.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
Keep souvenir stamps out of your passport
A separate travel notebook makes a better home for novelty stamps and avoids questions about an official document.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Things to Do
Zurich or Geneva for a short Swiss stay?
Let your onward route help decide, then compare the museums, neighbourhoods and lake walks you would enjoy in each city.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Visas & Entry
Remote work in Spain or Portugal: visas and real costs
Compare permission to work, taxes and everyday living costs before choosing a base. A low rent is only one part of the decision.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Wise or Revolut for travel: compare your actual fees
Both can be useful, but the better choice depends on your country, spending and withdrawals. These examples use UK personal accounts.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Things to Do
A Plovdiv weekend: Roman sights, hill walks and time in Kapana
Choose a comfortable base in Plovdiv, compare the theatre and basilica tickets, and plan two days around the hills, meals and your arrival station.
Article reviewed 12 Sep 2026
Visas & Entry
Vatican entrances, security and booking choices
The most useful preparation for a Vatican visit is knowing which entrance your plan requires. St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums operate separately. A paid Museums ticket does not open every Vatican attraction, and free Basilica entry does not include the Sistine Chapel.
Article reviewed 14 Sep 2026
Things to Do
Visiting Andorra without a car
Pick the right coach stop, choose a base that suits your plans and leave enough time for the journey back through Spain or France.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
When to Go
Rome in spring or autumn
Plan around your booked visits, leave room for rain and holidays, and use a quieter outdoor day to balance the busiest sights.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
When to Go
Checking school holidays before booking a European trip
Use the right local calendars, then compare real fares and rooms to see whether moving your dates would help.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Copenhagen on a budget: choose the days you want
Plan Copenhagen around a few useful journeys, one paid visit and the meals you want, with a clear shared-room spending example in Danish kroner.
Article reviewed 12 Sep 2026
Transport
Scotland without a car: connect the cities and Highlands
Plan Scottish rail journeys, separate Highland outings and airport transfers, with clear station choices and practical return checks.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026