Travel and Life in 2026: The Year So Far…

2026 has been much more subdued on the travel front than in previous years, due to a few factors, including the dreaded gout. We are hoping the 2nd half of 2026 will be more fruitful for getting out of Brasov a bit more.

2026 Travel Diary

Following on from my 2025 travel diary, these are the destinations, highlights and low points of 2026.

Wootton-under-Edge in the Cotswolds

To see in the new year, we did something unique and attended a ghost hunt at the Ancient Ram Inn in Wootton-under-Edge. The town is a pretty place in the Cotswolds, with good walking routes, nice restaurants, and some historic sites.

Gloucestershire Stay

Then a few days in my home village for some canal walks and beers in the local pub, with jaunts to Stroud for the farmers’ market and to Gloucester to catch up with family. Stroud farmers’ market was a highlight, with artisan pastries and some pheasant that I took home.

I rounded off the stay with an early morning Uber to Haresfield Beacon to catch the sunrise after a light dusting of snow.

Birmingham

After a short train journey to Birmingham, we stayed at the budget Travelodge near the markets. Here, the mission was to stock up the flavour cupboard from the Chinese supermarkets and purchase other items not available in Romania.

We also had some nice food out, including an old favourite, Damascena, a Spoons full English breakfast and Hot Pot, a Mongolian restaurant.

Birmingham to Brasov

A regular trip of ours, starting with a train to Birmingham International, then checking the bags full of new stuff ready to board. The flight was uneventful, and we met a minibus driver straight off the flight. Despite the luxury minibus branding, the cramped back seats of the Mercedes were the last thing I needed after a Ryanair flight. Anyway, it got us home and picked Henry up from his holiday camp the next day.

Brasov Winter

Not much to say: grey, cold, painful and expensive heating bills, with day-to-day chores and a few nice meals out.

Week in UK

To break up February, I popped to stay with my dad for a week in Gloucestershire and chill. This trip was blighted by what we now know was a gout outbreak. It meant staying local, not much walking and resting. I had a great night out with friends.

I really struggled on the way home, leaning against walls on trains and in airports to relieve the pain. One bonus was getting the train from Bucharest airport to Brasov, which was comfy and quiet.

Brasov

Brasov in early spring was nice while we were there, with a little snow; apparently, this changed after we left. Meals out, enjoying outdoor seats for drinks, and some shorter walks filled the gaps in regular life. I also saw a doctor who wasn’t that helpful long-term but sent me for some pricey treatments to get my swelling down, which worked before travelling. Henry also decided he wants to be the “Andrex dog” and has picked up new thieving habits.

Night Train to Budapest, then Keszthely

Night trains are routine for us now, to avoid the MAV one from Brasov and issues with Henry. The journey ran very smoothly with no stops at the border or random checks elsewhere.

It arrived on time, and then we caught the underground to Kelenfold station for a coffee, a beer at Beohemian Pub, and to sort out the next train. Kelenfold also has a nice park out front for Henry to do his thing. After a break in travel, we took the direct train to Keszthely, where the host at our accommodation picked us up and dropped us off at the apartment for our third stay.

Keszthely

Our third visit to Keszthely meant we knew the city well and refamiliarised ourselves with its sights, restaurants and useful facilities. Highlights included the palaces, central areas, and walks along the shores of Lake Balaton. We also tried some old favourites and new bars and restaurants to keep the blog fresh.

I also visited the Thermal Lake in Hévíz during cold, windy weather, which was different. Warm thermal waters, cold gusts, and the lake nearly to myself certainly added a dimension. I also found a new-to-me restaurant serving Hungarian cuisine.

Keszthely to Croatia train

Booking cross-border trains to Croatia from Keszthely doesn’t work on any website; the trick is to get a ticket to Balatonszentgyörgy then book a separate ticket to Zagreb. This meant a break in Balatonszentgyörgy and finding somewhere to purchase takeaway drinks for the journey, as the station cafe was closed.

The only option was a tiny village bar across the tracks and into the village. The bar was pretty cool, with horror-movie-like artefacts on the walls. Anyway, despite the language barrier, I left with plenty of soft drinks, water and a few cold beers.

The onward journey was rife with delays, made easier by the stash of drinks and an empty couchette for the duration. On arrival, Henry walked in the park by the station, then we checked into Hotel Central near the station.

Zagreb

After a much-needed sleep, we enjoyed the Hotel Central breakfast, killed time until checkout, then left our bags so we could explore Zagreb. We popped into a few cafes, took a long walk in the parks, got some cash from the free ATM, then loaded up with water and burek for the long train journey to Split.

Zagreb to Split

The journey probably wasn’t the best idea, travelling on the only train the evening before the long easter weekend to the seaside. The train was rammed full of people for the entire journey, with draft-phobes meaning it was hot and sweaty, and relieved only by being occasionally shouted at for the windows we had slightly opened to get some fresh air. One bonus was the 20-minute break halfway, heaven for smokers and dogs.

We arrived in Split late and met the host of our pet-friendly apartment, who was ready to check us in; the place was as advertised and a very nice place to spend time.

2 Weeks in Split

Split out of season ticks all my boxes; seaside, historic sights, not overcrowded and seafood to cook or eat out. This was our third visit and was just as enjoyable as the first. The Easter weekend added a dimension, with a few things going on and some seasonal decorations, too. The weekend was busy, but after that, back to quiet times, coast walks and a jaunt on Marjan Hill.

This time, our apartment was in the old town, so every dog walk and shopping trip involved parts of Diocletian’s Palace or the Riva. The fish market was close, so it was easy to pick up a wider variety of seafood when it opened. Monkfish here was new to us, as were sardines, which ran out early.

We also tried some new-to-us restaurants and popped into a few old favourites. Coffee and beer out were regular parts of our stay, and we found some new spots that had been closed on our February/March visits.

Split to Zagreb

Next was the long train journey in reverse, only this time we had a near-empty train for the entire trip, loaded with water, pastries and recharged. The only downside was realising I had left my laptop charger in Split. This led to a visit to 6 shops across different malls that night to find a much-needed replacement. Not ideal after a long travel day and an early start the next day.

Zagreb to Graz

After no time to enjoy Zagreb other than rushing around shopping malls, a good night’s sleep led to an early breakfast and the direct train to Graz, which leaves early. We booked first class as Henry is allowed there on Austrian trains, and the conductor liked him, so no muzzle needed on the empty train. Our first visit to the city involved the cheapest place; this time we upgraded for some comfort and stayed at the Hotel Mercure, a 10-minute walk from the station.

Graz

Graz is quieter than the popular capital Vienna, and it hits the right notes for me. There are lots of things to see, including a castle on a hill which is excellent for walking. The historic centre has many sites, including free sightseeing opportunities.

The budget for this visit meant we could visit more local restaurants and posh coffee shops. Graz is a handy crossroads on the train network for us, linking Hungary with Italy, Slovenia and Croatia; we will be back. A travel first too, my first time using a launderette in Austria.

Graz to Budapest

To save a significant amount of money (it covered lunch and beers), we took the only direct train between Graz and Budapest. This was a local train that stopped at many stations in both Austria and Hungary; it took only an hour longer but had the bonus of not having to change in Vienna HBF with Henry. In Budapest we jumped on the underground to get us to Hotel Danubius Arena, my wife’s favourite part of Budapest.

Budapest

My wife embraced the hotel while I explored. First up was a sunrise walk to the Hungarian Parliament building the day after the election and ticking off items on my shopping list. Throughout the day I tried a few new bars in Budapest as rest stops for my tired legs.

After walking Henry, it was time for parts of Budapest I had visited before: Gellért Hill, the baths, and that area, which was fun. I also enjoyed an e-scooter ride along the riverbank to cover ground quickly and take in the views.

Hungary to Romania Train

We booked an extra night at Hotel Danubius near Keleti station so we could chill rather than spend the day in bars with backpacks waiting for the night train. The walk from the hotel to the platform takes 30 minutes, perfect for emptying and tiring Henry. The night train arrived in Brașov nearly on time, ready for the long walk home with Henry.

Brasov

Back to normal routine after travelling and reluctantly tried a new rheumatologist, but this one was great: lots of tests, lots of listening, and lots of advice. After many years of suffering, I was prescribed something preventative rather than reactive; happy days. Hopefully, this keeps the next trip pain-free.

Brasov to Graz

As this is a short trip for us, we decided on the ambitious trip from Brasov to Graz, 22 hours on the trains. First was the night train out of Brasov, which thankfully we did get some good sleep on now that the border alarm clocks have been turned off.

After the long night train, we walked around Keleti with Henry; boy, do I dislike this part of Budapest in the summer. We had a quick drink, then onwards to Vienna for the next walkies and a beer o’clock in a tried-and-tested Italian with outside seating before hopping on the scenic train to Graz. On arrival, we had some room bother, but eventually sorted it.

Graz

We had been in Graz earlier in the year but had earmarked a few places to visit while in the city between recovering. First stop was Puntigammer and the Wurst stand to take food back to the hotel for an easy meal before bed.

Henry was tired, so he skipped sightseeing duty and took some easy walks to do his business. I partook in some cool new things: the Styrian Armoury museum, the Glockenspiel and Glöckl Bräu for food. Between that, I popped into some cafes and bars and saw some more niceness.

Austria to Italy Train

Graz is a fantastic launchpad to Italy, with direct trains to Venice, a major hub. We arranged tickets for this in advance, and it was nearly fully booked then. Onboard, there were lots of people standing and a bit of mayhem on a summer trip. Some window watching brought the lakes near Villach and Klagenfurt to my attention for a future visit.

From Venice, we took the cheaper regional train to Bologna, which was busy in parts up to Padova, also on my hot list. From Bologna Centrale, our dog-friendly accommodation was a 20-minute walk through the city; thankfully, the hood seemed pretty chilled.

Bologna

Bologna in Italy is a city we are familiar with, and this was our third visit, and we stayed about a week. It’s a great place for visiting with a dog in the summer, as the porticoes mean it’s mostly shaded when walking around the city.

On this visit, we stayed in a new area by the University and really enjoyed it. We tried some new local restaurants and cooked food from the city’s markets and gourmet stores. For a night out, we stayed up late and watched a movie in Piazza Maggiore.

Bologna To The Coast

We decided this year to explore more of the Italian coast, and Ancona was the first port of call. We got a train from Bologna; we booked late, which was a mistake, as everything was fully booked except for one train mid-afternoon. This was a busy train, as the line runs along the coast from Rimini down to Bari and beyond. Lesson learned: weekend trains to the seaside in Italy, book well in advance.

Ancona

Ancona is the largest city in the Marche region of Italy and a new region for us to visit. We were drawn to the city’s mix of history and its coastal location; however, many people visit because it’s a major ferry port connecting Italy with Croatia, Albania, Greece, and Montenegro.

We spent 5 nights in a hotel overlooking the port and loved it. We spent time on the beach, in cafes and restaurants, and exploring the historic city centre. It was one of the quieter places we visited in Italy during the summer and hit the spot for us.

Train Up The Coast

Leaving Ancona was a bit of a trek in the heat, then onto a fast train up the east coast of Italy to Rimini. A pleasant journey with lots of beaches to see and potential destination spotting on the way. From the station to our accommodation near the beach was a 30-minute walk, mostly in the shade, via a gelato shop for a drink to break up the yomp. Luckily, our accommodation was old-school, with a 2 pm check-in, and as a bonus, they had the room chilled for our arrival.

Rimini

Rimini is one of the biggest beach holiday destinations in Europe, and that was the purpose of the trip: to enjoy some beach time and be near the sea. We had great fun, some relaxing on the famous rows of parasols and some time at our hotel pool.

We also ventured into the old town of Rimini, which is a big contrast to the Roman bridges, a castle, and pretty architecture. I’m glad we didn’t squeeze any country counting in during our visit, or we would have missed this. The restaurant and bar options in the city and on the seafront were varied, from seaside treats to some Italian seafood places.

Train Inland

One of our shortest travel days was from Rimini to Ravenna, a 30-minute walk, then just under an hour on the local trains. On arrival in Ravenna, the platform was a bit crazy busy, and we had to navigate a pushing crowd. We then walked 4 minutes to our hotel, which was also crazy with the cruise crowd filling the lobby. After leaving our bags, we went to find a cafe to wait until they would let us into the room, as nothing was ready.

Ravenna

Despite the craziness upon arrival, the city was pretty laid-back overall and had plenty to do. We found plenty of places for food and drinks to keep cool during the hot weather.

The old town centre is beautiful, with many historic buildings to see. Highlights of our visit were the Dante attractions and the UNESCO-listed churches with epic mosaics. As we stayed very centrally, the dog walks were special.

3 Trains North

The only way to get from Ravenna to Treviso is with lots of changes using the local trains. This route involved changes in Ferrara and Venice and took just over 3 hours. Most trains were quiet, and we found seats on every one. On arrival, we went straight to the key safe to gain access to our budget apartment.

Treviso

Last year we visited Treviso, but I was struggling to walk, so I was keen to return to enjoy the city properly. It is also a great launchpad to Austria/Slovenia by train, which reinforced my decision to book again.

Treviso has a beautiful centre with lots to see, such as canals, historic buildings and some top cafes serving tiramisu. It was also good for longer walks along the rivers, canals, and medieval city walls. We had a great stay and found plenty of time for relaxing before the crazy part of our trip back to Brasov.

Italy to Slovenia Via Villach

Heading further east, we decided to head to Lasko for some relaxation in the Slovenian countryside. It was going to be a long travel day, with 3 comfy trains and seat reservations.

The trip to Villach ran well, but then the disaster of train travel in Slovenia happened. The train was not the train, so there were no reservations, and it was oversold, so it was rammed full of uncomfortable seats.

We were then suddenly told to get off the train and onto a bus to be driven into Ljubljana; from there, we caught a train to the outskirts, only to be told we had to change again. This then dropped us in Zidani more than 1.5 hours later than expected; the next train to Lasko was delayed, and there was an unpleasant drink on the platform and wasps everywhere. On arrival, we checked in, purchased kebabs and went to bed exhausted.

Overall, an awful day, and if we had been informed when booking that this was the norm, we would have skipped Slovenia; it put me off returning for the foreseeable future until they have done their upgrades.

Lasko

The plan was a small town in Slovenia, which we liked, with direct connections to Budapest, and returning to Lasko won. It’s a chilled place with good walks, nice bars and a thermal bath. We really enjoyed spending time in the Lasko bath and embracing order and relaxation after the organised chaos of Italy.

Next destinations: Goulash, then home. Possibly the Danube Delta, the UK, and Vienna before Christmas.