Exploring Tuscany – Town and Country Day Trips from Florence. Why would you want to take a day trip from Florence? There’s a wealth of things to do in Florence, the capital of Tuscany. It’s known as the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ for good reason. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded […]
Where to stay in Edinburgh – Boutique Hotels and more
Top Hotels in Edinburgh – Boutique and Beyond. Well may Edinburgh be called Auld Reekie! The houses stand so one above another that none of the smoke wastes itself upon the desert air before the inhabitants have derived all the advantages of its odour and its smuts. You might smoke bacon by hanging it out […]
OMG! Van Eyck Was Here
Ghent – Van Eyck and More. OMG! Van Eyck was here is the slogan currently displayed all over Ghent on flags, flyers, billboards and even refuse bins. Van Eyck fever is taking hold in the city where throughout 2020, celebrations of this Flemish master will showcase both his work and enduring influence. One of the […]
Mallory Court Hotel and Spa – Review
Luxury life in Leamington Spa at Mallory Court. Leamington Spa, just south of Coventry and Birmingham and to the east of Stratford-upon-Avon, deserves to be better known. A pretty spa town that rivals Bath for Georgian and early Victorian architecture, I suspect it suffers from proximity to Stratford-upon-Avon. My soft-spot for Leamington comes from having […]
Land of my fathers, land of some exceptional food and drink – part one.
Tour of Mid Wales – Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks from Wales. Introduction. In Part One of this tour, we’re looking at some of the area’s best in wine, beer and soft drinks. In Part Two we will meet some great producers of chocolate, preserves and desserts. Food & Drink Wales are again running a […]
Hotel Gotham – Manchester – Review
Luxury hotel with decadent style in the heart of Manchester – Hotel Gotham. With my daughter in her second year at university in Manchester, I have become a regular visitor to the city, so it’s great to discover one of the best, coolest places to stay. It should take around two and a half hours […]
Wonderful Wales: focus on fabulous food!
Exploring restaurants, cafés and bars in Mid Wales – a Welsh Food-fest. With St David’s Day on 1st March fast approaching, what better reason to head off to Mid Wales to discover some of the region’s exceptional pubs, restaurants and cafés. Due to its fabulous mountains and green rolling hills, you’ll be hard-pressed to find […]
Andaz Hotel Review – Liverpool Street London
The City, Shoreditch and Spitalfields on your doorstep at the Andaz, London Liverpool Street. Walking into the lobby of the Andaz Hotel on a freezing Saturday afternoon, I found the welcome warm and the complimentary Prosecco well chilled. The following 24 hours were spent in the luxurious setting of this 5-star hotel, conveniently located alongside […]
Great Fosters Hotel and Gardens, Egham Surrey
Surrey Steeped in History – A Luxury Hotel Break at Great Fosters. What’s your idea of luxury? For me, it’s feeling that someone has anticipated everything I might want – and makes sure that anything more is easily on hand. Some luxury hotels are just that, super luxurious places where your every whim is catered […]
Nira Caledonia – Edinburgh – Review
A Perfectly Formed Boutique Hotel in Stockbridge Edinburgh – Nira Caledonia. Thinking of visiting Edinburgh? Stockbridge is one of the few central parts of the City that still has a village feel to it. On the edge of what is known as ‘Edinburgh New Town’ – built from the 1760s to the 1830s after an […]