I was a complete novice on my 1st Edinburgh Fringe, but enjoyed it so much that I returned for a second helping. My 2nd visit taught me how to navigate this gloriously chaotic festival with confidence. Keep reading to discover my Top Ten Fringe Planning Tips.
Join me on a 6 day tour of the Normandy beaches discovering fascinating WW2 history, beautiful beaches and ending with a relaxing stay in Honfleur - one of the prettiest towns in Northern France.
Broome offers a unique experience at every turn. Learn about the town’s pearling history , ride a camel and marvel at sunsets on breathtaking beaches where the bright red earth meets the translucent Coral Sea.
Ancient Aboriginal rock art, towering waterfalls, tidal wonders and five-star comfort along one of the world’s last great wilderness coastlines - let's explore the Kimberley Coast.
From golden surf beaches and tropical islands to ancient rainforests and coral reefs - come with me on a road trip “walkabout” through the very best of the spectacular East Coast of Australia.
From shimmering riverfronts to rooftops with soaring skyline views, Brisbane - AKA Brissy - is a high energy cocktail of laid back golden sunshine and big city ambition. Keep reading for your 3 day Brisbane Blueprint.
The little island of Madeira (just 35 miles long by 14 miles wide) - famous for its sweet Madeira wine, balmy climate and rich flora - but what is the best way to visit it?
River cruising is supposed to be a great hassle free way to navigate through Europe. If you are looking for a first timer’s guide to taking a river cruise - you are in the right place.
Fairy tale villages of candy coloured houses. geranium filled balconies, rolling vineyards, castles, forest trails and a gastronomy all of its own - explore Alsace in 7 Days.
Join me on a virtual journey through Alsace's history, language, cuisine and wine and reach your own verdict on whether it is truly French or German at heart.
Our gentle stroll through Austria’s Salzkammergut will take us high up into the Dachstein Mountains and around crystal clear lakes. We will visit the spa town of Bad Goisern, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt, the expanse of the Vorderer Gosausee and the “heaven on earth” resort of Bad Ischl en route.
Singapore - the last stop on my Grand Tour of the East - is a city whose name originates from the native Malay name "Singapura," which translates to "Lion City." How appropriate for this powerhouse of a city which continues to go from strength to strength.
Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam (formerly Saigon) - Two days is plenty to acquaint yourself with the highlights and lowlights of this bustling metropolis.
The one thing you can be sure of is that nothing lasts forever - that only change is certain. Hong Kong is a city that demonstrates that fact very well.
The closest country to Japan and so the logical next port of call on my Grand Tour of the East is South Korea. Although separated only by the Korean Strait, South Korea couldn’t be more different from Japan and so has much to offer the inquisitive traveller keen to explore what the West can learn from the East.
Visiting Japan? Here are my tips for the top 10 best buy Japanese souvenirs to help you remember your trip. Searching for them as you travel is half the fun!
Japanese food - there is so much more to it than Ramen and Sushi! Discover my Top 10 "Foodie Firsts" to try on your visit.
Many of my previous posts set out detailed itineraries to inform your own trip planning. The Grand Tour of the East is different. This time, I want to share some of the enlightening lessons I discovered in the East and tempt you to make your own journey there.
Join me on a Modern Day "Grand Tour of the East". So much has changed in the last hundred years and yet still, a Grand Tour of the East remains as enticing to many of as it always has. Even though we can now hold images of far away lands in our hands 24 hours a day, the allure of the Orient endures.
Visiting a new city is fun, but it can also be quite daunting - especially if you have a limited time there and want to make the absolute most of it. Where do you start? What you really want is a friend on hand to explore the city with you. Someone who has been there and “got the T-shirt”, visited all the must see sights, located the hidden gems and knows some great places to eat and drink. It is time to discover the GPSmyCItyApp …
On our first trip to India so we decided to opt for luxury accommodation throughout to ensure we could enjoy the best experience that India was able to offer. We were not disappointed! Read more to discover where we stayed on our 3 week Luxury Kerala Trip.
From the historic port of Kochi, take a 3 week journey of discovery through the Western Ghats, the tea estates of Munnar, the spice plantations of Thekkady and on into Kerala's serene backwaters and sandy beaches ...
India has long been on my trip wish list, but I have been putting off the trip. I could visualise elegant saris, gentle giant elephants, majestic temples, glittering palaces and the thrill of wild tigers. But what about the misery of Delhi-belly , curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner; scenes of heart wrenching poverty and roads so scary they could be endured only with eyes tight shut? Would India be full of the Eastern Promise I dreamed of?
There is no doubt about it, packing for a trip to Antarctica is quite a challenge. I have been there and got the 'T'shirt and in this post, I share my top tips for what to pack for a stress free journey to the Unknown White Continent.
Antarctica - Discover 10 fascinating facts about the mysterious white continent that will make you want to pack your bags, venture into the unknown and go and explore it yourself ...
In some ways, Antarctica is surely the Last Place on Earth you would choose to go for a holiday. It is a long way away, cold, inhospitable and no-one lives there - so why bother?
Travelling is as much about the journey as the destination and so it feels right to start an expedition to Antarctica by winding your way through the emaciated country that points the way to the end of the earth - Chile.
Crete in 6 words? I'd choose: Warmth, Hospitality, Self-Sufficiency, Freedom, Vitality, Raki. Read on for tips on spending a week in Western Crete.
Bridges, Spas and Bars - Budapest (Eastern Europe's Rival to Paris) has many of them, but there is a whole lot more to explore there too ...
Looking to spend 3 Days in Barcelona - the city that has it all? I have "been there and got the T shirt" Read on for top tips to help you get the most out of your own trip.
If you are looking for peace and tranquility and a little Dolce Vita, then walking the Gargano Peninsula in Puglia might just be your perfect trip.
Walk the Coastline of Great Britain! Did you know that England will soon have the longest managed coastal footpath in the world?! Discover detailed walking itineraries for Great Britain's beautiful coastline on an interactive map.
Swanage - The Great British Seaside like it used to be. Take a trip down memory lane, a stroll along the prom and don't forget to pack your bucket and spade!
Travelling takes time and money and hindsight is a wonderful thing. I have just returned from 3 days in Cordoba and can share with you the benefits of having been there and getting the T shirt. Hopefully, my travel tips will aid your own trip planning research and help you to get the most out of your own visit.
When Christmas is well and truly over but the snowdrops remain stubbornly buried underground, many of us for a spot of Winter sunshine. But where best to find it? Try Fuschl am See, Austria ...
I once had a friend who visited the Caribbean Islands on a Cruise Ship and only got off twice in a whole fortnight. “I didn’t bother after that, because all the islands are the same?” This December, I was on a mission to find out if she was right - or not.
Uzès - a medieval market town in the sunny South of France with something to offer travellers in every season. I was fortunate to own a holiday home here for over 22 years - read on for insider tips on visiting Uzès - la belle ville - all through the year.
If you ever dreamed of discovering buried treasure, then head over to the small harbour town of Seaham - on the Durham Heritage Coast and surprise yourself with it's riches.
Looking to spend a relaxing couple of days on a UK break? Durham may not be your first thought - but it has a lot to offer. Spend 2 Days in Durham and Dreaming Spires, Turkish Delight and a Haul of Sea Glass all await you...
A trip to the highest cable car station in the world - now that just has to be on your bucket list? Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is an alpine wonderland of panoramic views, ice carvings and the best views you can get of the Matterhorn -and it is really easy to make it happen ...
The little alpine village of Zermatt can only be reached by train. The only vehicles you see here are the little electric vans - like the Ginabelle Hotel shuttle that met us at the station.
I spent a day in Geneva today. It was long overdue - Switzerland is a country I have never visited and has been on my bucket list for a while now. A day in Geneva was enough to convince me that everything I had always imagined Switzerland to be was a reality - in a very good way.
You could be easily forgiven for never having heard of Zadar. This seaside city is often overlooked for the more popular cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Let me give you 10 very good reasons to go there and discover it for yourself ...
If you think the Côte d’Azur is all about row upon row of sun loungers lined up in the tourist hot spots of Nice, Monaco Cannes and St, Tropez, then be prepared to think again. The Côte d’Azur has a wild side. 4 days walking on the Golden Isles could change the way you think about the French Riviera for good.
Silversea is one of the few cruise lines to offer a butler service. This is an honest view of what the Butler service is all about - The Inside Story.
Having convinced myself that - so long as the luxury level is as top notch as the marketing material suggests - Silversea DOES have the potential to provide good value for money, it was time to check it out for myself. So, I am New to Silversea and about to find out Is it for Me?
I love travelling - particularly in luxury. I love the independence of designing my own trips too, so a cruise is definitely out of my comfort zone. So, I am intrigued to discover: Silversea - is it value for money - or just over priced?
Rio de Janeiro - Cidade Maravilhosa. 2 days in Rio de Janeiro? Wondering how to spend your time? Read on to discover 20 exciting things to do to help you make the most of your visit to "The Marvellous City" ...
Lanzarote on Foot - There is so much more to discover on this island than tourist hot spots Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen. Discover the quieter side of Lanzarote - best explored on foot.
Sweden's Original Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. The hotel is unique and the location fascinating. It's time to travel a little deeper ...
A stay at the Ice Hotel Jukkasjärvi Sweden is a truly unforgettable experience. Discover what it is REALLY like to stay there and what made our trip great.
A trip to the Ice Hotel Sweden is a definite bucket list must do. But what is it REALLY like to stay there? Read on for practical tips and all you need to know before you go...
Looking for suggestions for good hotels in the Northern Italian Lakes? Here are some suggestions for the perfect place to stay in Lake Maggiore.
Lake Maggiore - so close to little Lake Orta, but so different. 5 times larger and stretching right across the border into Switzerland. Gusto e Passione await you - come and explore a little further …
Lake Orta - Tiny in comparison to the rest of the Italian Lakes, but all the more attractive as a result. A hidden gem of a lake that can be easily explored in the shortest of short breaks. Piccolo e perfetto!
Southern Ireland Accommodation Reviews. Where to Stay on a 10 Day Road Trip and - just as importantly - where NOT to stay! Honest accommodation reviews that might just save you time - and money.
Once outside of Dublin, 6 days allowed us plenty of time to explore Southern Ireland's Highlights - and Lowlights.
Our 10 day road trip around the highlights of Southern Ireland begins where many others who have travelled this road before us began - in Dublin 's Fair City.
We’re Walking the Catalan Coast - Y Viva Espanã. Join me for a week long hike along 80 kilometres of the stunning coastline of Catalonia.
Join me for 4 Days in Anglesey. Beautiful beaches, fabulous food with some history and heritage thrown in. Surely all you need for a copper bottomed great beach break?
Where to Stay in Anglesey on a 4 Day Trip. Base yourself in Beaumaris on the first 2 days and move on to Almwch.
Grand Hotel La Cloche Dijon. A luxurious hotel right in the heart of the city. It has everything you would expect from a 5 star city hotel.
Discover Dijon's Delicacies in the Gastronomic Capital of Burgundy. A myriad of regional specialties are waiting to tempt your palate in this fascinating region of France.
Discover the Delicacies of Dijon in 1 Day. Dijon is a foodie destination not to be missed. Come & take a stroll through its quaint streets with me ...
The Aloft Hotel Liverpool is well located for a short city break in this vibrant city. It's quiet, clean, comfortable and good value. It also has stunning architecture - keep looking up!
Liverpool Day 3 - Take a Ferry 'Cross The Mersey, Do The Twist and Say a Prayer in Liverpool's Awesome Cathedrals.
Liverpool Day 2 of 3. Beatles Mania. Take a Magical Mystery Tour and relive the Beatles Story.
Liverpool The City with a Big Hug - Day 1 of 3. Visit the Liverpool Waterfront, Albert Dock, Beatles Statue and the Museum of Liverpool.
Itinerary for a 3 Day trip to Liverpool. A fun, friendly city that is just waiting to give you a big hug!
The Lamb Hotel, Hindon makes an excellent base for exploring all the sites in Wiltshire. Boutique style rooms, excellent food and friendly service. Highly recommended.
Trace your Ancestor's back in time. 3 Days in Wiltshire Itinerary - Days 2 and 3: Stourhead, Salisbury Magna Carta and a grand finale in Stonehenge.
Visit enigmatic Wiltshire. Travel 6000 years in 3 days visiting prehistoric World Heritage sites including Avebury, Silbury Hill, West Kennet, Stonehenge and Salisbury.
Gosforth Hall Inn makes an excellent base for a few days exploring the Western Lake District. Friendly, comfortable and efficiently run.
Looking for a beach holiday away from the crowds? The Western Lake District might just be your ideal destination. Come and take a walk on the wildside ...
Visit the Lake District's Energy Coast and discover stunning Wastwater, Drigg and learn all about the fascinating Rum Story at Whitehaven.
Saint Bees Head - Start of the famous Coast-to-Coast Walk. Marvel at 200 million year old red sandstone cliffs teeming with seabirds.
Explore Roman remains in the pretty fishing town of Ravenglass - the Lake District's only coastal town where the sea meets the mountains.
Hiking the North Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Brace yourself for Dare Devil Coasteering, a Gritty Industrial Past and a Hidden Gem of a Beach.
Itinerary for 2 Days Hiking the Spectacular North Pembrokeshire Coast. Day 1 - St. David's, Porthclais, St. Justinians, Whitesands Beach
Croseo Cynnes Cymreig - A Warm Welsh Welcome to St. David's Peninsula. An itinerary for 2 days walking the beautiful North Pembrokeshire coast.
Twr y Felin Hotel - the perfect place to base yourself for a 2 day hiking trip around the North Pembrokeshire coastal path.
The King Arthur Hotel Reynoldston - the perfect base for a trip to the Gower. A lovely location, comfortable rooms and good real ales. Highly recommended!
A few days walking in gorgeous Gower - the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - will leave you in no doubt why it should be top of your own trip wish list.
The Randolph Hotel Reydon is a good base for a trip to explore the Suffolk coast. Easy walking distance from the centre of Southwold.
Explore the best of the Suffolk coast. Visit picturesque Southwold, take a walk to Walberwswick and have a blast with the Coastal Voyager on your way home. Finish your trip watching the playful seals at Horsey Gap Beach.
The Manor House Hotel West Bexington is a comfortable and friendly hotel well situated close to the South West Coastal Path.
The Bull Hotel, Bridport is a great base for a walking holiday on Dorset's Jurassic Coast.
4 days walking the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. 2 bases, 4 walks - lots to explore and enjoy ...
3 days in South West Cornwall based in Mullion Cove. Visit Lizard Point, Kynance Cove, Minack Theatre, St. Michael's Mount, Land's End, Polurrian, Poldhu and St. Ives.
Mullion Cove Hotel has an idyllic location perched on the clifftop above Mullion Cove with beautiful views and spa facilities.
The Greenbank Hotel Falmouth is truly the perfect base for a stay in this lovely part of the world. It is Falmouth's oldest hotel and is stepped in history yet manages to feel fresh, modern and comfortable at the same time.
3 days in South West Cornwall based in Falmouth. Visit St. Mawes, the Helford Estuary and some of Cornwall's great gardens.
3 days in Northumberland based in Berwick upon Tweed. Explore Gossick, Lindisfarne, North Berwick, Seacliff Beach, Eyemouth, Cocklawburn, Embleton.
Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel is very well located for a short break exploring the pristine coast around Northumberland.
Coronavirus puts paid to dreams of loving to wander for quite a while. It seems only right to record how that feels?
Kura Design Villas - Accommodation Review Kura Design Villas bills itself as "the most glamorous romantic resort in Costa Rica". It is a boutique, adults-only hotel high in the Uvita…
Marino Ballena National Park The drive from Lapas Rios to Uvita took just under three hours and brought us roughly half way back to San José, so it makes a…
Lapa is the Costa Rican name for the scarlet macaw. When the American couple who founded Lapa Rios first visited the area, they spotted a number of macaws flying across the jungle in tandem, creating a river of red. Inspired by this beautiful image, they named the lodge Lapa Rios – River of Scarlet Macaws. It took them 8 years of searching to find the perfect place to realise their vision of creating an eco lodge in Costa Rica. They poured everything into it - savings, pension pots, heart and soul. It was well worth it - this is such a stunning place.
The day started early at 5am with a beautiful sunrise - doubled by its reflection in the Pacific Ocean. The first few minutes just before I wake up are usually like intermediate steps from light to shadow - my vision is dim and my mind not yet fully focussed. This morning, I was woken by the loud shrieks of howler monkies and the din of a million cicadas, then soothed by the sound of the ocean as the sun rose over it. It was the quickest move to sharp focus I can remember - the sunrise was absolutely spectacular - the outstanding highlight of this trip.
Dan Kieran’s book “The Idle Traveller” invites you to re-assess what you are searching for when you travel. He urges you to bin the travel brochure, glide rather than fly, embrace disaster, be epic in your travel pursuits and immerse yourself in the life-changing experience of true journeying. It is an entire philosophy of life rather than just a book about travelling. His philosophy is to slow d