It’s not the Eiffel Tower. Nor is it the Prado in Madrid. Forget Barcelona Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and even the Acropolis in Athens. Today, the number one tourist spot is in Northern Ireland. Have you guessed yet? It’s the Titanic Belfast tourism...
The wreck of the Francisco Morazan can still be seen just a couple of hundred yards from the shore of Lake Michigan. Yet the ship floundered and was abandoned in 1960. The ship was built in 1922 in Germany and you can still tell today, looking at the wreck, that it...
Even though French iconic singer Edith Piaf died as long ago as 1963, most people would recognise her voice today. Even those who aren’t old enough to remember her will probably know this: And there is a private museum dedicated to her in Paris. It can be...
Bunce Island has a fascinating and rather chilling history. Today the island is deserted but in 1670 a castle was built there by a British slave trading company which became a hub for the slave trade. People from the west coast of Africa were kidnapped and shipped as...
York is a truly amazing place. It’s packed with history, ancient architecture, museums, parks … there are fabulous places to eat, the local scenery is unbeatable and it’s even a great place to shop. Bizarrely, you can also – free of charge...
There is a state in Western Australia called Dardanup and within that area is Ferguson Valley. There’s not much there, really. A timber mill was there back in Victorian times but it closed in 1929. In 1950 the town there was mostly destroyed by fire. Yet...
Imagine relaxing under the stars in your own private cocoon watching a fabulous light show provided by Mother Nature. This is exactly what you can do at the Panorama Glass Lodge in Iceland. This private small lodge gives you privacy and spectacular views. As you can...
Lombard Street in San Francisco is one of those strange American sights that are so beloved of tourists. And it’s hardly surprising as it’s known as ‘the most crooked street in the world’. You can see in the photographs and videos below just...
Royal scandals tend to be a thing of the past these days but in the UK in the 1930s there was plenty of royal scandal to keep everyone entertained. The British papers tried hard to rise above these matters but the foreign press had a field day with the new king,...
It seems unbelievable to us today. It was June 2, 1988. Joe Cocker gave a concert in Dresden, Germany. That doesn’t sound too unusual, does it? A musician playing a public concert? But it was unusual when you realise that at that time, Germany was still a year...
Most countries in Europe take their native cheeses very seriously indeed. Countries such as Italy, France and Great Britain are a delight for the cheese-lover. But have you heard of oscypek? This cheese is made exclusively in Poland from sheep’s milk. And...
If you’re flying to Paris and are just about to land at the airport, the chances are that you’ll be flying over the ghost village of Goussainville-Vieux Pays . When you’re read the story that led to this village being abandoned, you’ll be sure...
I love the Greek islands (and Corfu in particular) and I’m all in favour of staying in quirky hostels to experience great fun and also as a budget measure. Sunrock on Corfu is a great example of a backpackers’ hostel in a great location. Did you know that...
England abounds with eccentrics – people and buildings. And the Royal Pavillion at Brighton is so much a part of English culture that it’s only when I take a step back, and see it as a foreigner would, that I realise just how bizarre it is. Let’s...
So you happen to be in Iceland, in Reykjavik. And you see that there’s a museum ahead – it’s the Icelandic Phallological Museum. Do you go in? Actually, I suspect that the real question here is who thought about having a willy collection in the first...
Packing light has so many advantages. In the video below you’ll see a method of packing a carry on bag – a method that I’d call ‘the pack & stack’. This method, which is fully explained and demonstrated in the video, is quick and easy...
Even if it didn’t have important historic associations, Treetops would still be a fascinating place to stay because of its location – – 100 miles from Nairobi in the Aberdare National Park. The hotel is the ideal place to view Africa’s...
There are many incredibly picturesque villages in France and Pont-en-Royans is an excellent example. You can see from the photographs how the brightly-coloured houses cling to the craggy cliff sides with the river running peacefully below. As you can see from the map...
Isn’t it great that the hospitality industry realised just how expensive – in terms of money and the environment – the old habit of daily housekeeping at hotels could be? For several years now, notices in hotel bathrooms have informed us that fresh...
Not all visitors to Fort Lauderdale make their way up Dixie Highway. Those who do are often paying homage to one of the greatest bass players ever – Jaco Pastorius. Before we go any further, let’s listen to him in action. This is from 1978. Jaco...
