As a middle-aged Brit who has spent years between travels bouncing in and out of London for work, and has now lived in this city full-time for 5 years, I get asked one question constantly… “Where is the best area to stay in London?” The honest answer is that it depends entirely on your trip! […]
Category Archives: Destinations
05
Jan
Jan
The Orangerie Schönbrunn is one of those places in Vienna that quietly surprises you. Tucked into the wider Schönbrunn Palace estate, it is far less talked about than the palace interiors or the Gloriette, yet it plays an essential role in understanding how this former imperial summer residence functioned, entertained and showed off its power. […]
01
Jan
Jan
Spend a bit of time chatting to locals in Vienna and you will quickly learn an architectural quirk of the city. Balconies are surprisingly rare, especially in classic Altbau apartments. These elegant early 20th century buildings are famous for high ceilings and grand proportions, but not for outdoor space. Fresh air and far reaching views […]
29
Dec
Dec
If you are planning a trip to Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace is one attraction that genuinely lives up to the hype. Grand, golden and gloriously over the top, this former imperial family summer residence of the Habsburgs is one of the most important cultural sites in Austria and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot. I’ve […]
25
Dec
Dec
Walking the Camino de Santiago is a travel experience that sweeps you up, shakes you out and somehow settles you into a calmer version of yourself. It is a long distance walk through Spain, Portugal or France that blends ancient tradition with modern wandering. For many people, myself included, it becomes one of those journeys […]
22
Dec
Dec
Walking the Camino de Santiago is one of those rare adventures that manages to be both deeply personal and delightfully communal. You spend your days following ancient yellow arrows, meeting pilgrims from every corner of the globe, and discovering just how little you actually need to get by. Packing for the Camino is less about […]
18
Dec
Dec
If you’re keen to combine festive cheer with city sightseeing, one of the best Christmas markets to visit in Vienna is the market held in front of Schönbrunn Palace. It perfectly pairs imperial grandeur with winter magic and has become one of the city’s most popular festive stops. I mean, you can’t really visit Vienna […]
15
Dec
Dec
There is something irresistible about a long walk that leads you straight into the heart of history, community and a cracking plate of seafood. The Portuguese Camino offers all of this in spades. It is one of the most scenic and approachable routes to Santiago, weaving its way from Portugal into Spain along either an […]
Europe, SPAIN, Western Europe
6 Expert Tips for the Perfect Camino Finish: Arriving in Santiago de Compostela
11
Dec
Dec
Arriving in Santiago de Compostela after days or weeks on the Camino is a surreal moment. Legs buzzing, heart full, backpack straps still imprinted across your shoulders, you step into a city that has been the focus of every footstep. It is emotional, joyful, overwhelming and wonderfully odd to suddenly stop moving. After my Camino, […]
08
Dec
Dec
Walking the Camino de Santiago is meant to be a pilgrimage, not an exercise in self destruction via 12kg of socks and a bucket of tiger balm! As a 40 year old camino walker with a slightly dodgy knee and an unhealthy love of blister plasters, I am firmly in the camp that says you […]