Berlin or Bust – a Short Break: I’m getting to be quite a regular visitor to Berlin. I’ve been on several occasions over the past couple of years primarily to come review a new production of a circus show at the splendid CHAMÄLEON Theatre in the Hackesche Höfe area. This year I was here to […]
Quebec City in the Snow
Quebec City Winter Carnival: When a trip to Canada was mentioned and the possibility of visiting Quebec City, perhaps taking part in a few winter activities, I jumped at the chance. I was particularly intrigued by the trip because though it is translated as canoeing, the Circuit Quebecois de Canot a Glace race, held as […]
Four reasons to ski in Saalbach/Hinterglemm, Austria
Come and ski in Saalbach/Hinterglemm Austria: I’ve always dreamt of doing a ski season – but had to wait patiently until my kids had left home to have my chance! Having worked one winter season for Inghams in Switzerland last year, this time I am based in Saalbach, Austria, for the 2017/2018 ski season. I’m […]
Beyond Beer and Waffles in Bruges
Where to Eat Well in Bruges – The Best Restaurants in Bruges: Just as for many people, London means Fish and Chips, Curry and a Cup of Tea, anywhere in Belgium is obviously the place to drink beer and eat waffles… You might push the boat out and try some moules or indulge in some of […]
In Bruges – Pand Hotel Boutique Luxury:
Classic Belgian Charm at Pand Hotel, Bruges: The term ’boutique hotel’ is one which is quite wide-reaching and can be misleading. Sometimes a synonym for ‘small’, at other times something quite special and unique. Pand Hotel is definitely the latter – an elegant Belgian town-house hotel where you can’t help but feel at home and […]
A Winter’s Weekend in Barcelona
Short Break in Barcelona: Barcelona is a ‘must visit’ destination so the opportunity to experience a weekend winter’s getaway combined with an invitation to stay at the glamorous Cotton House Hotel was too good to turn down. It’s a city you would need to spend a few weeks in to really get underneath its skin but […]
Prague – A Short Break to a City with a Long History
Short Break in Prague: My first brief encounter with Prague just gave me an appetite to explore more of the City so I was more than happy to have the chance to spend another night there. Travelling to Prague from within the Czech Republic deserves a special mention. We’d been visiting Pardubice and our itinerary had […]
The New Alentejo
Travels through Alentejo – A Changing Landscape: If the start of my trip to Alentejo took me through the ancient villages to the historic palace in Estramoz where I first fell in love with Portugal, the second part of our trip was focused on the changing landscape of this rural region which accounts for a […]
Costa Navarino Cultural Weekend – Under the spell of Greek costume
Costa Navarino Cultural Weekend – Messinia, Greece The Costa Navarino Cultural Weekend is a new initiative which I was fortunate enough to be invited to join. There were numerous activities and events over the course of the two days and I welcomed the chance to learn more about the traditions, heritage and way of life […]
Antwerp – A City of Hidden Gems
24 hours of sparkling discovery in Antwerp: They’ve been trading diamonds in Antwerp since 1470. It’s the diamond capital of the world with 84% of all rough diamonds and 50% of all polished diamonds bought and sold here. Every diamond sold anywhere in the world probably passed through Antwerp at least once. And this year, […]