LATEST ARTICLES
Florence Cathedral: The Way Of The Future?
The creation of the stunning Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore began in 1296. It was finally completed in 1436. Whichever way you look at it, that was a long, long time ago. But when the cathedral reopened to the public after the coronavirus lockdown, they used...
Visiting Italy: The Fisogni Museum
When I was a kid, my dad's business was the motor trade. His businesses sold cars, repaired cars, sold petrol, sold oil ... this was a long long time ago and it seemed that this relatively new business - based on the motor car - would be around forever. It still is,...
Ten Ways to be a Really Bad Airbnb Guest!
Thinking about using Airbnb or a similar short-term rental service? Well here's how to really piss off your host. If you're looking for bad reviews and a definite thumbs down (meaning you'll have a hard time renting from that service again) then just follow these ten...
MoMath – in Manhattan
For people of my generation anyway, if we were asked the question 'what subject did you really dislike at school' then many of us would have the same answer. Mathematics! I don't really know why that is but I have an idea. Could it be that it was taught to us in a...
Ureddplassen, Norway: The Loveliest Loo
You're driving along one of the most scenic routes in Norway. The views are breathtaking. But, as is often the case on road trips, you feel that it's time for a rest stop. Actually, you need the loo. And what better place to stop that the place you see in the image...
Visiting the UK: White Swan Hotel, Alnwick
The sub-title for this article could be 'Dine in the Olympic' - except the word 'Olympic' could be crossed out and the word 'Titanic' substituted. But I'm getting ahead of myself... I'll get back to that in a minute. The White Swan Hotel in Alnwick, England, contains...
Why The Traveller Needs To Know About Mark Smith
Why do we so often hear or read that people find travel stressful? Mainly I think because people are really referring to how stressful the airport is and the whole rigmarole of air travel. So why do you need to know about Mark? Because of his fantastic website. Let's...
Isokon, Lawn Road Flats: London
Built in 1934, this modernist building housing small but efficient (and wonderfully designed) apartments became popular with its inhabitants - and those inhabitants included artists, designers, writers, architects ... and even spies. Today the building is devoted to...
What’s In Your Happy Guest Kit?
You've allowed for just about everything your guests will need when they're staying at your Airbnb or rental. There's the first aid kit, you supply toiletries, a fire extinguisher is on hand, there are board games for rainy days, towels to take to the beach ... but...
Best Budget Dining: A Picnic
Now I'm not saying this to be snooty or seem to be swanky but I've been in some pretty posh restaurants in my time. And what's crazy is that I would honestly rather have a picnic in gorgeous countryside / on the beach / in a Mediterranean village square / in a pine...
Fiat Tagliero Building, Asmara, Eritrea
You could describe Asmara as a tiny chunk of early twentieth century Italy, right there in Africa - close to the Red Sea. Why Italy? Italy occupied Eritrea for many years and during the Mussolini days, modern architects were encouraged to travel there to create the...
The Glacier Express, Switzerland
One of the world's most scenic railways, the Glacier Express, is a trip that should certainly be on your list. It travels through mountain terrain, encountering bridges, tunnels and viaducts, meanders through picturesque villages and offers panoramic views for a...
Airbnb Hosts: The Lost Art of Conversation
Have we lost the habit of conversation? It really wouldn't surprise me if we have. After all, today we are more accustomed to our conversations and interactions with others being by text, email, Snapchat, What's App, Instagram... And for the older generation, our...
Palácio da Alvorada, Brazil
This amazing mid-century building is the official residence of the President of Brazil but it is open to the public who wish to visit this Oscar Niemeyer-designed masterpiece. It was built in 1957 and 1958. Needless to say, because the building is the home and...
Chain of Rocks Bridge
Believe it or not, this scary bridge was open to regular traffic for forty years. Now the trucks and cars that used to cross the Mississippi via this bridge are now ghosts of the past - but the bridge is still open for foot and cycle use. It was first opened in 1929...
How Much Does The Hotel Charge For Parking?
When you're booking a hotel, have you noticed that the price you're quoted doesn't necessarily include all those 'little' extras that hotels stick on your bill at the end of your stay? And one of the highest-ticket items is simply for parking your car. Most of us tend...
Millau, France
The town of Millau dates back over three thousand years. And yet look again at that photograph above. The silver structure you see towering over this tiny town is the Millau Viaduct that majestically spans the valley. It is part of the autoroute system from Paris -...
Visiting the UK: Banbury
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To see a fine lady upon a white horse; Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, And she shall have music wherever she goes And you can go and see her. See the image above. Banbury is located about 75 miles north of London and is...
Food Costs Around the World
One thing about travel is pretty certain - and that is, just like when you're at home - a large part of your budget will go towards keeping body and soul together. In other words, food costs. Most smart travellers know that to rent self-catering accommodation - a...
Airbnb Hosts: When Your Guests Have Left
Meeting and greeting your guests is an important matter and one that should be carefully considered. However, it's equally important for you, or your co-host, to be on hand when your guests leave your rental. Some hosts would say that it's more important. And here's...
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