The mazy streets of Vilnius,
Where you can wander endlessly and never feel lost.
To the historical magnificence of Prague,
Its grand and mysterious riverside castle,
Illuminated stunningly in the winter night.
Revisit prosperous Geneva,
You’re surrounded by wealth,
Nearly blown away by gales from the lake,
Like a leaf in vicious wind.
Remember the splendid roads of Rome,
Busy and alive and bathed in sunlight;
Crazy traffic puts your life in danger,
But you still feel at ease.
Florence and its renaissance glory,
After midnight its streets not deserted,
Monuments everywhere,
Never enough time to see it all.
The winding canals of Venice,
Beautiful homes reflected in tranquil green waters;
Paradise for many,
You walk all day mesmerised.
Then north to industrial Trieste,
Plain by comparison;
Real life returns temporarily.
A grey day in Ljubljana,
Foggy and cold;
The town preserved from times gone by,
A fossilised relic from a bygone age.
Christmas Eve in Zagreb,
The sun is shining brightly,
A rushing town centre,
Busy with last-minute preparations,
An atmosphere of excitement.
Now move on to Belgrade,
Pets being sold in the street,
Underground nightclubs,
Nothing like anywhere else.
Take the night train to Sofia,
The city is covered in snow,
Nearly empty from the seasonal exodus;
Beggars plead for coins near a Cathedral,
Whatever you give them will never be enough.
Reach Bucharest a few hours later,
Another train journey with no heating;
New Year is nearly upon us,
Fireworks on sale everywhere,
The rain comes down,
Stray dogs follow you around.
Budapest is the next destination,
Majestic bridges across the Danube;
Rain swells the river,
Water is taking over the city,
Will it ever go away?
A day in Bratislava,
Explore the Old Town,
Climb a hill to an imposing castle,
Captivating views over the quiet capital.
Then comes Vienna,
Lost in the past,
Yet developed and thriving;
Western culture has returned suddenly,
The signs are everywhere.
Take me back to the roads of Europe,
I wish I could do it all again.
« return.