European Media

El Castell de Guadalest: Exploring Spain’s Spectacular Mountain Village © Daren Frankish. All rights reserved There are some places that look impressive in photographs, but when you finally see them for yourself, you realise the pictures never quite captured the scale of the place. El Castell de Guadalest, tucked away in the mountains of Alicante, was certainly one of those places for me. I had seen photographs of Guadalest before my visit, particularly the famous turquoise reservoir and the old village seemingly clinging to the mountainside, but actually arriving there was something completely different. It is one of those places where you immediately want to slow down, look around and take everything in. A Village High Above Alicante Guadalest sits high in the mountains of the Marina Baixa, surrounded by some spectacular scenery. Although it is not particularly far from the busy resorts of the Costa Blanca, it feels a world away from the beaches, hotels and coastal roads below. The ...

  The Red Arrows – Precision, Speed and a Very British Spectacle © Daren Frankish. All rights reserved There are some sights that are instantly recognisable, and the Red Arrows sweeping across the sky in their bright red Hawk jets is certainly one of them. I have seen plenty of aircraft displays over the years, but there is still something special about seeing the Red Arrows. You can often hear them before you properly see them, and then suddenly the formation appears, incredibly tight and precise, with trails of red, white and blue smoke stretching out behind. Even if you are not particularly interested in aviation, it is difficult not to stop and watch. The Story of the Red Arrows The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, better known simply as the Red Arrows, was formed in 1964 and flew its first display season in 1965. The team brought together the RAF's various display teams into one professional unit and quickly became one of the best-known aerobatic teams in the world. © Daren Fra...

  NEOLITHIC HOUSES AT STONEHENGE  STEPPING INSIDE THE WORLD OF THE STONEHENGE BUILDERS © Daren Frankish. All rights reserved When most people think of Stonehenge, it is naturally the great stone circle that comes to mind. It is one of those instantly recognisable places that almost needs no introduction. But during my visit to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre in Wiltshire, I found something else that really caught my attention – the reconstructed Neolithic houses. Sitting close to the main visitor and exhibition centre, these simple thatched buildings could easily be overlooked in the excitement of heading towards Stonehenge itself. I would certainly recommend spending some time here, though, because they add another dimension to the whole experience. Stonehenge is impressive because of its scale and mystery. The houses are fascinating for almost the opposite reason. They bring everything back to a much more human level. A GLIMPSE OF LIFE 4,500 YEARS AGO The houses have been...

  Stonehenge: Standing in the Shadow of Britain’s Ancient Past © Daren Frankish. All rights reserved There are some places that you have seen so many times in photographs, books and on television that you almost feel as though you already know them. Stonehenge is certainly one of those places. But standing there in person is completely different. Set out on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, Stonehenge is one of Britain’s most recognisable landmarks, yet despite all the research and archaeological work that has taken place here, it still manages to retain a remarkable sense of mystery. © Daren Frankish. All rights reserved I had, of course, seen countless photographs of the stones before visiting, but nothing really prepares you for seeing them properly for the first time. From a distance they almost appear quite small against the enormous open landscape. As you get closer, however, their sheer size becomes much more apparent. And then you start wondering the obvious question: how o...

  Vive le Fringe! – A Touch of France at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026   © 2026 Institut français d’Écosse. Tous droits réservés. Every August, Edinburgh seems to become a different city. The streets fill with performers, posters appear on almost every available wall, venues spring to life in places you might normally walk straight past, and there is that unmistakable feeling that something is happening around every corner. © Copyright Daren Frankish  Among everything taking place during this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Vive le Fringe! brings a welcome touch of French and Francophone culture to the heart of the Scottish capital. On 11 August 2026 , I was pleased to attend the official launch of Vive le Fringe! at the Institut français d’Écosse , just off the Royal Mile at West Parliament Square. It was a great opportunity to experience the atmosphere first-hand and discover more about this year's programme. © Copyright Daren Frankish  With the Edinburgh F...