It may well be that you’ve been to Charing Cross station in London and, like me, not really noticed the lavishly decorated monument that stands right outside. And if you’re English – we tend to be a bit blasé about the history that’s liberally...
Just before Christmas in 1958, twelve couples driving through California received an unusual Christmas gift. Independently of each other, they all spotted what seemed to be a new motel – the Madonna – and stopped to stay there for the night. The next...
Recently, we’ve discussed the Swedish fika and the English custom of afternoon tea so it’s interesting to see what other countries have as afternoon traditions. What about the Spanish? When you’re visiting Spain will you find an afternoon tradition...
The news is full of it at the moment – the Aurora Station that plans to be the first hotel in space. Hmm, so let’s forget for the moment that reports are saying that a 12 day trip into space, inclusive of transportation and accommodation, will cost...
Number two Willow Road is the central apartment in a row of three – built in the late thirties and designed by Ernő Goldfinger. Goldfinger was a well-known designer and architect – he was originally from Budapest but made his home in London for many years...
Have you ever wanted to see a huge elephant? An elephant that is actually a building you can go into? No, I thought not… But just in case you have, then Margate City in New Jersey is the place to head to. This Lucy, this humungous elephant, could be deemed a...
They were a fierce lot, those Scots. And this castle, located right on the Scottish border has seen more than its fair share of what newsreaders today would call ‘skirmishes’. It was built as long ago as 1470 by the Kerr Clan and is said to have been built...
Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd created The Knotted Gun, also known as Non-Violence, after the shooting of John Lennon in 1980. As an activist for peace, Lennon would have been appalled at the situation with guns today, especially in his adopted homeland, the...
Did you know that the aisle seat on an aircraft can be one of the most germ-ridden places on the plane? It makes sense when you think about it. Bear in mind that the airline cleaning crew only have the time to straighten up the plane interior when they are getting it...
It started in the 1930s on the west coast of America. The tiki culture, exotic and at that time a new style, gradually travelled across the country. It was inspired by the South Pacific and the exciting culture of what was then a far off land. As the Second World War...
Quite a simple one, this. Popular to drink at leisurely breakfasts and brunches is the delicious Buck’s Fizz. Or is it Mimosa? Are they the same thing? Both are a mixture of orange juice (preferably freshly-squeezed) and champagne. And the chances are that if...
It’s funny but there are tourists who visit London and ask their hotel concierge or the local tourism office about how they can get tickets to tour 10 Downing Street. I really doubt that in their country you’d be able to book tickets to tour the...
Superkilen is a public park with a difference. It wasn’t created by city planners but by a design group who aimed to demonstrate the multiculturalism of the area within the design of the area – a feature that the park intends to promote. It has three main...
Seriously, one of the worst things about travelling is using public loos. I mean it. When you spend so much of your year using your own private and personal facilities, those loos on planes, trains, in restaurants, truck-stops, public parks – and the list goes...
Andy Sweet was only 28 years old when he was murdered in Miami Beach. But he left a legacy we can all enjoy. Andy was fascinated by the area where he was born and brought up and documented it on film. Andy was born in 1953 and when he grew to adulthood he realised...
In 1935, there was a hit song that had been featured in a film. The song was considered to be terribly English and was performed by British actor (actually Scottish), Jack Buchanan. The title of the song was ‘Everything Stops For Tea’. Of course,...
With an increase in people taking cruises each year, it’s obvious why over 25 million people choose this form of vacation. It combines the best of everything, including beautiful views, boating, entertainment, and travel within your own country or further afield. A...
I am particularly fond of artworks that change along with the weather, the time of day or the human interaction that’s going on in the vicinity and Cloud Gate in Chicago ticks all those boxes. The fact that we, as human spectators and passers-by, can affect a...
Have you ever read the page about Denmark on Wikipedia? You probably know that Denmark is consistently at the top of the charts as a great place to live – the people seem to be so happy. But why? First, let’s see what Wikipedia has to say: Denmark is...
Until it was closed in 1853, Cross Bones was an unconsecrated, unofficial graveyard. Many of the corpses that were buried there were those of babies due to the high infant mortality rate in earlier times, or those of women thought to be prostitutes. It was closed...
