Searching for Sea Glass in Seaham – How to Find it
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.
Browse for “Glad I Packed” for packing tips for every destination I have visited. Practical tips from someone who has actually been there.
A Slice of Switzerland – 2 Days in Zermatt
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.
Golden Isles Port Cross Port
4 Days on the Golden Isles – Walking the Wild Side of the Côte d’Azur
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.
Lanzarote on Foot – Unexpected, Unexplored, Understated
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.
The Ice Hotel Sweden – To Dream the Impossible Dream
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...
Picnic lunch on Hotel Cannero Balcony - Room 104
Gusto e Passione await you – Come and Explore 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 …
Pa amb tomàquet - Tomato Bread
Walk the Catalan Coast – A 7 Day Itinerary
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.
Traeth Llanddwyn Newborough Forest
4 Days in Anglesey – A Copper Bottomed Guaranteed Great Beach Break
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?
Liverpool Day 2 Cavern Club Wall of Fame
Liverpool Day 2 – The Beatles – Where it All Began
Liverpool Day 2 of 3. Beatles Mania. Take a Magical Mystery Tour and relive the Beatles Story.
The Lake District’s Energy Coast – Wastwater, Drigg and The Rum Story
Visit the Lake District's Energy Coast and discover stunning Wastwater, Drigg and learn all about the fascinating Rum Story at Whitehaven.
Croseo Cynnes Cymreig – A Warm Welsh Welcome to St. David’s Peninsula
Croseo Cynnes Cymreig - A Warm Welsh Welcome to St. David's Peninsula. An itinerary for 2 days walking the beautiful North Pembrokeshire coast.
Sarapiqui River Rafting
“High Five – Pura Vida” – Sarapiqui River White Water Rafting
The next day took us an hour back down the windy mountain road to the Sarapiqui River and a knuckle clenching raft ride on the white water rapids with Pozo Azul Adventures.. These are Class II/II rapids and rough enough to be quite a thrilling ride. You don't just get a bit wet on this ride, you get completely soaked.
Nayara Resort - Mi Cafecito Coffee Bar
Accommodation Review – Nayara Resort Spa and Gardens – Arenal Volcano
Nayara Resort Spa and Gardens - Accommodation Review Nayara has been recognized as one of the world’s best resorts by Travel&Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and Trip Advisor and with very…
Your best chance of seeing a tapir
Rio Celeste – Un Mundo Differente, Un Mundo Fascinante
Established as a National Park in 1995, Rio Celeste is in the cloud forest region. A massive 3.7 metres of rain falls here a year - around six times more than the UK - and that sometimes feels very wet! A legend tells that after God was done painting the sky, he washed his brushes in the river that now bears the name of Rio Celeste - Light Blue River. It was worth a 4 hour hike to see how beautiful this looks in real life.
Red eyed tree frog
Celeste River National Park – Walk with the Eyes of …
This afternoon, I am visiting the Celeste River National Park aiming to walk with the eyes of a tour guide and see if that helps me to spot wildlife I would otherwise have missed. Come and walk with me and see what I discovered ...
What I'm Packing a Waterproof pouch
Costa Rica What to Pack
Costa Rica - What I'm Packing for a Three Week Trip. All the essentials and what you need to make sure to take to get the most out of your trip.
Mount Lesueur National Park WA
Mount Lesueur National Park – Boh Djinoong Quabba
Mount Lesueur National Park is one of the world bio diversity hotspots as a result of of its severely impoverished soil and the unforgivingly low rates of phosphorous. 900 flora species grow here - 10% of WA's flora. These are the species that are known too - it is highly likely that others exist in the dense bush that no-one has yet found. It has seven species of Declared Rare Flora. In late Winter to Spring, it erupts into a rainbow of colour and you can see rare orchids and several varieties of kangaroo paw as well as many other beautiful plants.
Pinnacles Desert Nambung National Park WA
Kalbarri to Cervantes – Pink Lake and The Pinnacles
The road from Kalbarri to Cervantes is 378 kms (4 hrs 7 mins), but offers plenty to see on the way including two "Must Do" attractions: Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) and The Pinnacles.
Sal Salis WA - Snorkelling
Exmouth to Carnarvon – Coral Reef, Wallabies and The Dish
Exmouth to Carnarvon Coral Reef, Wallabies and The Dish Our last day at Sal Salis started early as we had a 4 hour 38 minute drive from Exmouth to Carnarvon…
Francois Peron National Park WA
Monkey Mia – Touch Another World One Bite at a Time!
A great coffee is always a good way to start the day and Australia is truly expert at it. The flat white at the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is particularly good and the ocean side restaurant is a lovely spot for breakfast. A pod of dolphins pops in reliably
Kalgoorlie Super Pit Digger
Kalgoorlie to Perth – Rough and Tough
It is a long way from Esperance to Kalgoorlie - and an even longer road from Kalgoorlie to Perth (7 hours with one brief stop). This Place is Rough and Tough. With hindsight, we should have spent 2 days in Kalgoorlie which would have given us a chance to visit the Super Pit and also the Flying Doctor Service which is based here, which would have been really fascinating.
Kangaroos - Quaalup Homestead Fitzgerald River NP WA
Albany to Bremer Bay – “No Worries Mate!”
We woke early on the morning of our drive from Albany to Bremer Bay and enjoyed a hearty breaky (pronounced brekkie) at the Three Anchors in Alby. (Hey - this learning the lingo is a real breeze!). A group of other early risers were lifting weights with big grins on their faces outside the cafe. Middleton Beach has a net line set up for swimmers (large marine animals can’t pass through it, but small fish can) and there were half a dozen of them braving the cool morning to have a dip in the ocean.
The Giant Tingle Tree
Pemberton to Albany – It’s Time to Feel the Tingle and Walk the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk …
It takes about 3 hours to drive straight from Pemberton to Albany, but we chose to break the journey at Walpole and visit the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk. Walpole Visitor Centre gave us a very helpful map which helped us navigate our way there via the scenic route which gave good views of Walpole and the coast.
View from White Elephant Cafe
Margaret River – Kaya Wadandi Noongar Boodja
Exploring the Margaret River Region. Kaya Wadandi Noongar Boodja - Aborigini for “Hallo and Welcome to Wadandi Noongar country. This morning, we took the short drive to Ambergate Reserve and Walk Trail and walked through the bush in search of wildflowers.
Cape Lodge - The view from the excellent restaurant
Accommodation Review: Cape Lodge Margaret River
Cape Lodge, Margaret River is a very well appointed hotel with lovely gardens big enough to take a nice stroll around. Spacious, light and airy rooms have lake or garden views and spa baths big enough for two.
Western Australia What I’m Packing
Western Australia - What I'm Packing - My essential packing list for a 4 week road trip to WA.
Goodbye Amsterdam!
Amsterdam Day 4 – Left wanting more …
3 days in Amsterdam is a challenge. There is a lot to see in this city - although we saw most of the major sites and walked through every part of the city - we were both left wanting more.
Amsterdam Day 2 – Think Once, Think Twice, Think Bike!
Amsterdam Day 2: Anne Frank's House, Van Gough Museum, Vondelpark and - after dinner - an Evening Canal Cruise
Globularia Ripens and Helianthemum oleandicum ssp. piloselloides - shot at at F22.
Mountain Heaven in the Picos de Europa
The Spring flower season in the Picos de Europa is short but spectacular. There are around three weeks between 20th May and 7th June when the mountains burst into life with a wide array of colourful alpine plants.
The world famous Orchid Lounge at Tootsie's purple bar serves as the headquarters for the NFL draft
Nashville Day 1 – or NASH – Vull (as the locals would say it)
It took us most of the day to drive from Memphis to Nashville. We arrived to discover that the NFL professional draft had just started - Nashville is the base this year. Nashville has a very upmarket feel to it. It is a booming city with a rising population that is growing fast.