Three reasons to visit St Quentin, Aisne, France. Why visit St Quentin? The largest City in the Aisne, at the beginning of the 13th Century it was a thriving city thanks to the wool textile industry and its proximity to the Champagne region and to the cities of Flanders. Saint-Quentin Town Hall with its flamboyant […]
The Cutty Sark Tea Clipper – A Century and a Half of History in Greenwich
The Cutty Sark – Greenwich – 150-year anniversary: (#Ad – paid content) If you haven’t yet visited the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, this year is the time to make sure you do. Built in the famous dockyards of the River Clyde in Scotland, the Cutty Sark is 150 years old in 2019. One of the […]
Mini-break in Royal Windsor & Eton
With the Royal Windsor Pub as your hub, take another look at historic Windsor on London’s doorstep. With its iconic round tower, Windsor Castle is instantly recognisable to those who fly into Heathrow, regularly drive along the M4 motorway or are one of the millions around the world who watched last year’s Royal Weddings. Easily […]
What to do in Lisbon Portugal
Whistlestop Lisbon – What I saw and what I missed in Lisbon Portugal The capital city of Portugal, Lisbon arguably should be the first stop for anyone visiting the country. Rich in architecture, food, music and the arts, Lisbon is a vibrant place with great nightlife and plenty to see during the day. It’s historically […]
Palma Mallorca Food
The Food of Mallorca – Culinary Heritage and Must Try Dishes in Palma: I’m standing on the stairs leading down to an ancient kitchen in one of Palma’s bakeries, Fornet de la Socà. The baker standing in front of the now disused wood oven, the oldest in Palma, is carefully teasing out his dough for […]
Palma de Mallorca – Sun, Sand and Special Shops!
Emblematic Shops in Palma de Mallorca: (invited press review) What comes to mind when you think of Mallorca? For me, it’s beaches, nightlife, bars and restaurants. A holiday vibe and a happy place with a great Marina. We can easily forget is that places like Palma existed before the Brits arrived and for that matter […]
The Mayflower, Plymouth UK – Sailing for the New World
Plymouth – The Departure of the Mayflower, the Demise of The Speedwell: She is open and leakie as a sieve; and thr was a bourde, a man might have puld of with his fingers, 2 foote longe, wher ye water cam in as it at a mole hole. I thinke, as others also, if we […]
County Durham – Seaham Sea Glass and a Heritage Spa Hotel – Seaham Hall.
Seaham, County Durham – Byron, the Beach, a Spa and Sea Glass. Arrive at Seaham Hall at dusk to a stunning classic mansion fronted by a striking contemporary water feature. First impressions count – mine was one of fascination. I’m used to the juxtaposition of old and new, but the water feature at the approach to […]
The Mayflower Pilgrims in Delfshaven
Delfshaven and the Mayflower Pilgrims departure for the New World: In 1608 a group of religious Separatists who ultimately became known as the Mayflower Pilgrims escaped from England and made their way briefly to Amsterdam before the Mayflower Pilgrims settled for 11 years in Leiden. Here they enjoyed enough freedom to pursue their religious life as […]
Things to do on a short visit to Winchester
Top places to visit in historic Winchester An introduction to Winchester: Winchester is a beautiful, historic, city in Hampshire known today for the Cathedral, connections to Jane Austen and a famous Public School, Winchester College. It was also the ancient capital of Wessex and some say of England! In 827, Egbert, the first king of […]