I’ll admit it: when someone first suggested a barge weekend, I thought it sounded like something only your retired uncle in a flat cap might enjoy. You know, the kind of holiday that involves stained thermos flasks of lukewarm tea, stale biscuits, endless chats about lock mechanics, and going to bed at 8pm. But when […]
Tag Archives: Stories
09
Sep
Sep
Some towns are worth visiting for their history alone – but what if you could enjoy centuries of stories without leaving your dog behind? That’s exactly what I found in Bury St Edmunds, the UK’s most dog-friendly town. From Magna Carta connections to the smallest pub in Britain, Bury, as its fondly known, is a […]
05
Jul
Jul
If Midsummer on Sweden isn’t on your bucket list… it should be! But forget the maypoles and floral crowns, for those of us who prefer their solstice with a ray of activity and a dose of off-grid adventure that won’t cost the earth, I’ve discovered the perfect Scandinavia summer experience. The Canoe Trip by Travelbase […]
08
Jun
Jun
“Can you believe this place is older than Stonehenge?”, whispers our trusty guide, Steve. “It pre-dates it by almost 1000 years”, he adds reverently, laying his hands gently on the huge stone next to him, “so you’re standing on incredibly ancient and sacred land”. Where I’m standing, is in a glorious green field in Wiltshire. […]
Eastern Europe, Europe, LITHUANIA
Lithuania’s Superb Spa Towns: Europe’s Underrated Wellness Destination
18
May
May
“You’ll find yourself yawning a lot,” says Ruta Kapacinskaite from the Birstonas tourism board, who has just welcomed us to this Lithuanian spa town. “It’s because there’s so much oxygen here”, she goes on to explain, “the forest all around us, the lack of pollution, it means the atmosphere of Birstonas is super clean.” “In […]
06
May
May
According to the Polish proverb “W marcu jak w garncu”, March in this country is a mixing pot. As our Krakow walking tour guide expands, it’s a month that involves a little bit of everything – especially when it comes to the weather. Standing in the blue skied Old Town of this Polish city, spring […]
07
Apr
Apr
It had been a very last minute decision. After all, must people plan their Bernina Express journey months in advance. And sensibly so, because as soon as tickets are released for this world-famous scenic train ride, they sell out, and fast! But luck of the travel blogger must have been with me as, much […]
11
Oct
Oct
“See how this clock has just one hand” points out Baroness de Piro, “that’s how you can tell it’s a traditional Maltese clock.” “Not until the 19th century did the Maltese create clocks with two hands. I think it’s something to do with our relaxed approach to time”, she remarks with a glint in her […]
Europe, SWITZERLAND, Western Europe
Wine, Walks & Warmth: Weekend of Wonders in Switzerland’s Valais Region
29
Sep
Sep
“Which language is easiest for you,” asks the lady behind the reception desk, “German, French, Italian or English?” English I reply sheeplshly, forever embarrassed by the poor school French and Spanish I can just about deploy to conjure up a basic sentence. “Great”, she says thrusting a key the size of my shoulder bag into […]
02
Sep
Sep
It turns out there’s a lot that rhymes with Corfu. From the “sea that’s blue” to the “I’m here with you”, the list for trivial lyrics is almost as irrevocable as it is infinite when it comes to this Greek island. Or so it felt, as we drove around Corfu in our rental car discovering […]