A visit to Edinburgh doesn’t just include exploring the culture, history and entertainment. The city may be famous for its majestic castle, impressive Hogmanay celebrations and the incredible Fringe Festival but it’s also a gateway to the great outdoors. With hills, rugged landscapes and miles of adventure on the city’s doorstep, it’s a perfect place to base yourself if you want to discover what the surroundings have to offer. Check out any … [Read more...]
Pre-Christmas Break Vs. Post-Christmas Break: Which One Is Right For You? Guest Post
Christmas is a magical time of year. Family, friends, neighbours and strangers all gather together to share wonderful memories, delicious food and exchange thoughtful gifts. The kindness and generosity that is generated in people at this time of year is admirable. However, with our generosity towards others and our selfless giving, we often forget to make time for ourselves and treat ourselves to something special. We think there is no better … [Read more...]
Visiting London for first timers with an eye on Scotland
This post is about London, one of the world's major International cities. With two major airports (Heathrow and Gatwick) and two smaller ones (Luton and Stansted), there is no shortage of flights to and from here from all over the globe. Once in the city, the famous red double decker buses will take you anywhere you need to go within the city limits - and some of these run all night. The also famous "tube" looks like a birds nest when you see it … [Read more...]
Northern Ireland: Terra Titanicus
The only thing Belfast does in moderation is moderation. Always, it has been Brobdingnagian in spirit. Always, it has lived large. Belfast, reaching for the sky, Photo by Didrik Johnck Once it was the largest linen producer in the world. And had the largest ropeworks. It was the largest manufacturer of fizzy drinks; largest shirt maker; had the largest flax machine works; largest tobacco factory; largest handkerchief factory. … [Read more...]
Exploring the United Kingdom
"Exploring the United Kingdom is more affordable you think, with discount voucher sites giving you more for your money." The lure of overseas travel can provide a wonderfully satisfying way to dream away the colds winter months but sometime it's worth considering the options closer to home. In these harsh economic times were all watching our budgets so it's a great time to explore the depths the our country has to offer... In the UK we're … [Read more...]
European Getaways – Paris and London and everything in between
Vacation time is any time in the climate of today's world travel. Just hop on a plane and in no time at all, or maybe a little bit more than that, you can be anywhere your heart desires. How does London with its fascinating history sound? Or Paris, the city of Light? Both cities boast super shops for inveterate shoppers; restaurants featuring every type of cuisine; museums, nightclubs, theatre the list goes on and on. Just footing around … [Read more...]
Puffins in Pembrokeshire, West Wales
As an international holiday destination, Wales is a little way off the beaten track. All the great cities of the UK- London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow- are far away. While Wales has a rich culture and history of its own, they are much less well known than those of England or Scotland. Pembrokeshire lies in the extreme south-western corner of Wales- it's a quiet and sparsely populated even for a part of Wales, but those visitors who … [Read more...]
Travelling with Kids: 10 Best Hostels for Families
Offering a practical and affordable place to stay, hostels are becoming increasingly appealing to travelers with children. Family hostels can offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and to really keep costs down, the self-catering kitchens are ideal places to prepare packed lunches. Most hostels offer games rooms and children will be happy watching TV in the comfortable lounge areas after a busy day of sightseeing. Hostels often organize free … [Read more...]
In My Grandmother’s Footsteps
Ever since my grandmother died, taking the last living link to my Scottish ancestry with her, I have vowed to get off my backside, travel up country from my home in Yorkshire, England, cross the border and find my Scottish roots. My grandmother, whose maiden name was Angus, had always talked about this rather mythical place in Scotland where our family hails from. Nobody down here in England had ever set foot on our ancestral soil, although they … [Read more...]
Cotton Tree: Year-Round Sketch Classes Draw Cultural Travelers
Experience the Art of Travel at Authentic Caribbean Outpost Grand Cayman - Experienced and beginning sketch artists will find artistic inspiration and the perfect way to relax at Cotton Tree, the Cayman Islands' first boutique cottage hotel, where on-site classes led by a local artist provide a picturesque instructional brush-up amid the beauty of Cotton Tree's lush gardens on the Caribbean Sea. Sketch classes at Cotton Tree include all … [Read more...]