Summer holiday time is sneaking up on us fast and furious, and apart from a week in Bavaria with the girls we have nothing else planned – so, it’s about time I did some planning!

I had thought about Russia; never been and want to go (obviously!). I found a fab package for a tour involving both Moscow, St Petersberg and the Golden Ring, but inbetween finding bargain Air Berlin flights, ordering the Rough Guides and getting round to booking, the flights went from €50 each to over €250 each which coupled with the tour fees makes it a rather expensive week. So maybe another time – Russia will still be there, and so will Air Berlin.

So, where to then? Because of the Bavaria week, we can only have another week as other people in my office also need time off, which kinda means Europe. Only problem is, I’ve covered a good deal of Europe already.

And then I had a brain wave – what about the Balkans? Nige was a little sceptic – there are still people that get a medal for going to the Balkans under other circumstances.