LATEST ARTICLES
The Colditz Cock
It's still a very imposing place. But had I been there towards the end of the Second World War, I think I would have found Colditz completely terrifying. Seeing it today, in the sunshine, it's hard to believe that this was the most secure Nazi prisoner-of-war camp...
Which Country Has a Newspaper Called The Penguin News?
Yes, it's sort of a trick question. The Penguin News is a proper newspaper and is published once a week giving local news to the residents. Its office and its readership are located in a place where penguins outnumber the human residents by a hundred to one....
Visiting Norway: Z2 Georg Thiele
Visit the Narvik area in Norway and you'll find that the scenery is breathtaking. And as you look out over the fjord, at the blue waters, you might spot an incongruous man-made object. It's been there since 1940 and was once the proud ship, the Georg Thiele. This...
Chuck Berry’s House. St Louis, Missouri
Chuck Berry was known as the father of rock 'n' roll and today, the house he lived in for several years and where he wrote several of his most well-known classics, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was already 40 years old when the Berry family...
St. Peter’s Church, Woolton, Liverpool
St. Peter's Church has an unusual connection. The clue is in the church's location. Wikipedia describes Woolton as 'an affluent suburb of Liverpool' and this might suggest something to you. Liverpool is well-known for many things, one of which exploded to fame in the...
Airbnb Scammers Beware
Wandering about on the internet today, I found this on Wikipedia: Of course, anyone can edit any page they like. But this page had not been edited for three weeks. So in those three weeks, anyone checking out that page on Airbnb has been warned about Royal, the host....
Visiting France: Chez Claude Monet
In the late nineteenth century, Claude Monet - the painter who was known as the Father of Impressionism - was travelling on a train in northern France. He spotted a very small but very attractive village called Giverny. He decided that this was where he wanted to live...
Air Travel: Worried About Bird Strikes?
The first report of a bird strike, a bird crashing into a flying plane, was made in 1905 - by Orville Wright. So even when air travel was in its infancy, birds were a problem for aviators. And they still are. One of the most famous bird strikes was relatively recently...
Strada del Ponale, Italy
This fabulous road, which hugs the side of a mountain, was built in Victorian times and used by traffic until its usage was banned in 1995. It was simply too dangerous. At first, I thought this was such a shame - what an incredible drive this would be - but because of...
Sputnik Design Hostel, Moscow
Sputnik Hostel is in a fantastic location in the heart of Moscow. Take a look at the map below. It's convenient for so many places that you'll want to experience and sights you'll want to see. In addition, there are many nearby bars, cafés and restaurants. You can get...
Hampton Springs, Florida
In 1908, the Hampton Springs Hotel opened its doors. It was more than just a luxurious hotel. Local man Joe Hamilton became aware of the area's sulphur springs that were believed to be health-giving. As his wife suffered from rheumatism, he had an added incentive to...
Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsveien) Norway
Norway's Atlanterhavsveien (the Atlantic Ocean Road) is just over 5 miles long and is considered by many to be the world's most beautiful road. Rather like the Overseas Highway in Florida, the road travels over small islands and bridges - it curves and undulates over...
Visiting the UK: Blackpool Tower
I've written before about the northern seaside town of Blackpool in the UK and how it's reinventing itself. And it's doing a good job of reinventing what is probably its most famous feature, Blackpool Tower. Blackpool never really had much going for it as a seaside...
When You Travel: Drink Wine, Stay Well
A couple of years ago, Wine Spectator published a research study which demonstrated that travellers who drink wine with their meal are protected from food-borne illnesses. Evidently, there are components in the wine (in alcohol to be exact) that scare off the nasties...
Ghost Town: Oradour-sur-Glane
It was June 10th, 1944 - at the height of World War Two. The village of Oradour-sur-Glane in Nazi-occupied France was destroyed by the Germans. The inhabitants, over 600 men, women and children, were massacred. In the entire village, there were only six survivors. In...
Air Travel in the 1950s & 1960s
The two videos below give us a lovely insight into what air travel was like in the 1950s and 1960s. It was just so elegant. Immediately you'll notice how the passengers are dressed - the men in suits and often hats, the ladies in demure frocks or suits and also hates...
Blue Hostel: Rome
Although the Blue refers to itself as a hostel, many guests prefer to call it a hotel due to the high standard of the facilities. Plus of course, the fact that private rooms are available and not the regular hostel-style dorms. (See examples in the images below)....
Baku, Azerbaijan
The photograph above typifies Baku as the city is an unusual mix of extremely modern architecture plus ancient buildings. It is one of the quickest-growing cities in the world and has every possible modern amenity along with a huge slice of history and romance. The...
Alcatraz Island, California
Imagine. You're going to stay at a private island in sunny California. It has amazing wildlife and a fascinating history. What's more, it's not going to cost you a penny - your stay will be absolutely free of charge and even all your meals will be provided. Your...
Movie Locations: The Lady in the Van
I can't even begin to describe to you that wonderful moment when I realised that Maggie Smith was going to play Miss Shepherd in Alan Bennett's Lady in the Van. And a marvellous film it is too. For those who don't know, it's the (largely) true story about Miss...
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