Some years ago, if I was asked to describe Blackpool kindly, the best word I would be able to come up with would have been kitsch. Blackpool is a seaside town in the North of England that became a popular northern holiday-making destination in the mid-nineteenth...
Probably best known as one of the two furthest apart points accessible by road on the British mainland, the village of John o’ Groats lies way, way up on the northeast corner of Scotland some 876 miles from its southern counterpart, Land’s End at the southwest corner...
Between Fort William and Inverness there lies a Great Glen. Running for 62 miles like a long, thin, diagonal sword-slash struck into the land it bisects the Scottish Highlands into the Grampian Mountains to the southeast and the Northwest Highlands to the northwest....
Yes, you can drive one of the world’s most luxurious and powerful cars (and to me, the most beautiful) at a prestigious British racing circuit. This is a great opportunity for any keen driver or motorsport enthusiast. Your adventure includes full briefing from...
Have you seen what hotel prices are like in Central London? London is on everyone’s wishlist as one of the places they must visit but accommodation prices can be prohibitively high. The answer is to look at home stay alternative like the one you see featured...
If you are spending any amount of time in central Scotland there is one tourist attraction and impressive feat of engineering you really must visit!Connecting two largely disused waterways the Falkirk Wheel, the largest ‘functional sculpture’ you are likely to see...
What would you like to drive at high speed? Would you choose a Porsche, a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin (my own choice), a Ferrari? All these and more are available for you to drive in scenic North Yorkshire. This also makes a great gift for the petrol-head in your...
Most tourists who visit Scotland will take the usual well-travelled routes to see Scotland’s ancient castles and historical sites, swing by Loch Ness hoping for a glimpse of ‘Nessie’ or take a driving tour following Scotland’s spectacular coastline with its...
If you’re visiting England, then consider visiting the fabulous Blenheim Palace. Not only that, but enjoy seeing the splendour of the palace and its grounds and then enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea – complete with champagne. See how the other...
Hereford is a rural cathedral city which is to the west of London – about one hundred and thirty miles from the centre – and located near the Welsh border. It’s an ancient city and a truly interesting place to visit but for couples, there’s an...
Originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland, Traquair House, located in the Scottish Borders Region not far from the border with England, is Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited house. For nearly a thousand years Traquair House has been home...
I’ve loved Cornwall since I was a child and the cottage you see here is a wonderful place to stay. See the photographs further down the page. The tiny and ancient town of Lostwithiel is well-located within the county and the perfect base for exploring. That is,...
Coming to Edinburgh? No vacation trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, would be complete without paying a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction. Launched in 1953 Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia was a much-loved favourite of...
Here’s a vacation idea that is truly something different – yet inexpensive. Very few vistors from overseas venture far into the country of Wales when they are visiting the UK and this is such a shame because it’s a very attractive country. Wales,...
Yes, the photograph you see above once housed pigs! But don’t worry, they are long gone and just wait until you see how beautifully this farm building has been transformed into stylish and comfortable accommodation. It’s located in Wales in the grounds of...
Many visitors to Scotland look forward to savouring a ‘taste of the country’. Food and drink like atholl brose, cranachan, the fine malt whiskies of Islay or even Scotland’s ‘other national drink’ may be consumed and the historic castles of Dunrobin, Edinburgh and...
Most tourists who visit Scotland head for the highlands and islands for the spectacular scenery or maybe to the big cities of Glasgow or Edinburgh to soak up some of the culture but for those with a couple of days to spare or who are seeking something a bit different...
Staithes is one of the best coastal villages in the north of England. And we have found the perfect accommodation for you. This historic cottage – see the photographs below – was most likely once the home to a hard-working fishing family. Now it is...
What could be more relaxing than drifting down a French canal in a luxury barge – through wine country? An eight-day cruise from G Adventures allows you to do just that. The luxurious modern barge accommodates twenty two people and features stylish cabins and an...
‘’It’s by Shiel water the track is to the west, by Ailort and by Morar to the sea.’’ These lines are from a well-known traditional Scottish song ‘’The Road to the Isles’’ describing a weary travellers’ journey and the long road he must travel to reach his home...
In recent years, the popularity of vacations in Croatia has been exploding. And it’s hardly surprising. This is an ancient European country and has so much to offer to visitors. The country has fabulous landscapes, fascinating places to visit and wonderful...
It bothers me that so many visitors to the UK see only London. And this is why I love writing about places and experiences you can enjoy in England away from the capital. Certainly, there’s so much to see and do in London but the UK has so much more to offer....
Mont Saint Michel is an almost magical place and if you’re in France it’s a must. It’s also an easy trip from Paris and can be budget friendly too. It’s a truly astonishing place. It’s capped by a monastery, which almost seems to defy...
Have you read Murder on the Orient Express? Or seen the movie? Here’s your chance to solve your own murder mystery aboard the famous and historic Orient Express! You’ll be transported to 1933 as the train takes you through the English countryside during...
Ireland has a fascinating history – and quite a bloody and plague-ridden one. Dublin in particular in an ancient city with plenty of horrors in its past. So if you find yourself in this famous area be sure to set aside a couple of hours to enjoy (if that’s...
What a fantastic treat for a family of four. Stay in a genuine – and very stylish – treehouse in the stunning Snowdonia National Park in Wales. Not only will you be staying in your own private dwelling-in-the-trees, you access your temporary home via a...
I’m sure that you’re familiar with the famous Kalamata olives, but how much do you know about their origin, the city of Kalamara in Greece? If you’re planning to go to the region, I have found the most fantastic accommodation for you – at a...
If you have always wanted to visit Scotland but have a limited budget then you will be pleased to know that there is a very affordable alternative to expensive hotels. The Scottish Youth Hostels Association, along with its affiliates, runs a network of self-catering...
It’s no secret that I love to travel by train and if you’re on a trip through France, did you know about the low-cost service offered by Ouigo? It’s an excellent budget option that leaves you with more money to spend on wonderful French cheese and...
Just north of Edinburgh the East Neuk of Fife is renowned for its splendid golf courses and for the town of St Andrews which is home to one of the oldest golf courses in the world and of course the R&A, the ruling authority on golf for most of the world, is also...
I’m on something of a mission to help foreign visitors to England to realise that there are some great places to visit other than London. One of them is Southampton in Hampshire. It’s only eighty miles from the centre of London and takes less than two...
Many Americans have asked me this question. The ‘tipping culture’ in the USA is widespread and well-understood but few people from the US understand the British way of showing your appreciation – especially in pubs. It’s likely that just about...
Are you planning to visit London? If so, then you can spend a splendid day seeing the sights from a Thames riverboat – you’ll see all the iconic City of London landmarks. Then, to have a truly splendid end to an exciting day, enjoy a meal at one of Marco...
Edinburgh is justly popular as a travel destination. It is a sophisticated city with a huge amount of history and there’s so much for the tourist to see and do. But did you know about its hidden side? The area was first inhabited over 10,000 years ago and was...
If you’re visiting Paris then it’s an excellent idea to check out the services offered to you by the Paris Pass. You’ll discover ways to save money on visits to attractions, bargain transport within the city, make tours much kinder on your wallet...
So many people visit the UK and only see London. London is a great city but there’s so much more to see in the British Isles. Today, I’m recommending that you take a trip north – to the ancient city of York. The city was founded by the Romans and...
