Two Legends of Pardubice – and why you should visit! RyanAir has just opened a new route direct from London Stansted to Pardubice so if you are planning to visit the Czech Republic it is now very easy to reach and still much cheaper than Prague both for hotels and food. While accommodation choices may […]
Dining at The Don, City of London
Proper Dining in the City – The Don: Once upon a time, I worked in the City. One of my favourite places to eat was called ‘The Bleeding Heart’ – a charming French Bistro tucked away in a secret courtyard near Farringdon. Named after a 17th-century beauty, Lady Elizabeth Hatton, who was found murdered there, […]
Culture and Casinos in Baden-Baden
Spa town Baden-Baden has culture, casinos – and roller coasters: Guest post by Oliver Segal Our trip started in Baden-Baden, a deeply Germanic spa town. Like Bath in Avon, its history goes back to the Roman empire. Emperor Caracalla built the original bath, but it was transformed from a forgotten city in the 19th century […]
Vicenza – Birthplace of Palladian Architecture
Vicenza – Laced with History and Thriving with Life: It was over ten years ago that I first briefly visited Vicenza, for not much more than a lunch break, while we were travelling from Venice to Lake Garda. I was totally charmed and vowed to return. By chance, at the time I was planning this […]
First Impressions of The Tarn
A Gastronomic Trip to The Tarn: Although I have travelled widely in France, I continue to find new and unique pockets of the country which surprise and delight. The Tarn, a Departement in France that is situated to the North East of Toulouse is part of Occitanie – a region with its own cultural heritage […]
The Star Castle Hotel – Scilly Isles – Review
Capturing the Castle in the Scilly Isles – The Star Castle Hotel: I love the romance of staying in a castle hotel. So, on my recent short break to the Scilly Isles I was thrilled to be offered the chance to stay at The Star Castle Hotel, an historic hotel on St Mary’s. One of […]
A Day in the Country – Cowdray
Exploring Cowdray – Polo and much more at Cowdray: Arriving at the magnificent Cowdray House, we drove through the gates flanked by two demi-gryphons, half eagle, half lion, each holding a millstone,(the crest of the Cowdray family) and up the sweeping driveway. It was something of a Brideshead moment and I can just imagine how […]
A Tale of Two Cities – Brno to Prague
Czech Republic – Part I – Brno: Prague and the Czech Republic has, for a very long time, been on my travel wishlist. There have been periods when I’ve waivered – perhaps due to stories of out of control stag parties and hen weekends in the papers which made Prague seem like a chillier Ibiza […]
Eat, Sleep, Do in Porto
A quick guide to Porto – Northern Portugal – Porto Part II While for some, the whole point of Porto is Port Wine, there is a lot more to discover in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The second largest city in Portugal, Porto really does have a charming personality of its own. A brief visit […]
Exploring The Heritage of Garda Trentino
Garda Trentino – Mountains, Lakes, History and Passion: Last year’s trip to Garda Trentino came with a few surprises for me. Living in the UK, I tend to forget how dramatically the shape of mainland Europe has changed over the centuries. It’s easy enough to remember those changes which have happened within my lifetime, but […]