I will admit to having deep misgivings when I booked a holiday in the Algarve region of Portugal. I had visions of 1980s-built holiday resorts and drunk Brits showing off beer bellies in their football shirts… far removed from the sophistication of Lisbon. The Algarve is well known for its 200 […]
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China: Things to do in Chongqing
Chongquing is one of the biggest cities in China, situated in the west and boasting an ancient history, as well as a diverse landscape to discover – but for some reason, we rarely hear about it as a travel destination. It’s not for the faint-hearted and you’ll need a little […]
Ireland: A Belfast City Tour
I only had one day in Belfast on my recent trip to Northern Ireland so I decided to one of those open top bus city tours. It promised a whistle-stop tour of Belfast and it was certainly fast – the driver sped around all four ‘quarters’ of the city at […]
Ithaca: The quieter side to the Greek islands
You could be forgiven for thinking – especially if you’ve stumbled across certain TV documentaries – that cheap holidays in the Greek Islands are all about night clubs and bargain boozing, but on the island of Ithaca in the Ionian Sea, the pace of life is rather different to that […]
Cuba: The band plays on in Trinindad
The former colonial town of Trinidad in Cuba is a symphony of pastel paint, with every house a different colour but somehow complementary. Plaza Mayor is Trinidad’s shop window, and the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Site old quarter. The fine Spanish colonial buildings surrounding the square include the […]
England: Things to do in Chester
Once you’ve exhausted the bright lights of London, you’ll probably be looking for somewhere which can offer you the best of both worlds; big city excitement with much-needed relaxation. If that’s the case, look no further than Chester, a small but perfectly formed city in the north west of England […]
Ireland: How I lost my heart to Donegal
It has been said that you can never really leave Donegal for good and after the last week I can confirm a little piece of me will always remain there, calling me back. This is a northern country where the mountains, glens, sea cliffs and moors contrast with sinuous blue […]
East of England Spa Break
Looking out across the Essex countryside from the terrace at Maison Talbooth, I stretch out my legs after the afternoon’s walk. Following the River Stour that marks the border between Essex and Suffolk, the meadows and woods extend from John Constable’s much-painted Flatford Mill to the village of Dedham. It is […]
India: Travel tips for first timers
India is an amazing country to explore (I have included a number of India attractions in my Top 30 things to see in Asia) but I must admit it can be an intimidating prospect for first timers. If you’re in the process of arranging your first holiday to India, there are […]