Hello Reader It's hardly any time since I was in Scotland, enjoying the colourful rhododendrons and azaleas. Last weekend I was back again, this time on a trip to Glasgow. It's obvious from the grand and confident Victorian architecture that this was a city built on money, but not so long ago the decline of the shipbuilding industry meant the city developed a rather more gritty reputation. We noticed loads of building going on in anticipation of the city hosting the Glasgow Commonwealth Games...
29 days ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader As we head towards the end of May, the weather is warming up in Bristol and it's a great time to visit northern Europe. While I love the heat of Greece and Spain, I also appreciate that not everyone likes burning hot weather. If you are more of a cool climate lover, seeking sunny days but temperatures that are comfortable for sightseeing, then northern Europe is a great option for trips in May and June. In this newsletter, I decided to focus on some travel inspiration for...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader I'm just back from Scotland, where we spent a long weekend staying with friends and visiting some of the lovely Scottish Gardens. The area of lowlands around Perth has some glorious rolling countryside, where the soil is perfect for the colourful azaleas and rhododendrons that we saw flowering in all the gardens. This newsletter includes my impressions of three very different gardens that we visited, including Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Talking of...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader It's cherry blossom time, not only in Japan but in London too! I know this because having recovered from my Australia trip in February ( the jet lag is real!) I've been out exploring London. I grew up in London and go back often to visit family. So I thought I'd make use of these visits to explore some neighbourhoods - both new and familiar to me. Spring is a great time to see things afresh! I'd eaten out in Kings Cross but not discovered the extent of the new development in this...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader Since the war kicked off in the Middle East I've been thinking a lot about the people in that region and the trips I've made there. Luckily, our return flight from Australia transferred smoothly through Doha's impressive Hamad International Airport, just days before its airpace was closed. I visited Jordan a couple of years ago for a friend's wedding and was overwhelmed by the warmth and friendliness of the people. After the wedding, we drove south to the UNESCO World Heritage...
3 months ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader It's been a fun 3 weeks in Sydney, Australia, (read about our last visit here) but now it's time to head back to the UK. We've had so many memorable moments on this trip visiting family and I'm feeling quite at home with the relaxed Bondi Beach lifestyle, coastal walks and stylish cafes of Sydney. One of the highlights was a 4 day trip to Tasmania, just a 2 hour flight from Sydney. This island state of Australia is paradise for outdoor and adventure lovers, with rolling...
4 months ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader I'm currently in Sydney, Australia visiting family, so this newsletter is a chance for some Aussie updates. We came through the 26 hour flight from the UK relatively unscathed - I'm almost over the cricked back and jet lag! So far I'm loving the early morning swims on Bondi beach followed by the essential cappuccino. We couldn't quite believe how busy a beach can be at 6.30am, when everyone in Bondi is out swimming, jogging, kayaking and generally hanging out. The brunch scene...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader For the last couple of weeks I've been dreaming about sunny days, whether it's a relaxing break in the Caribbean or catching some early season sunshine in southern Europe. But next week the dreams become reality, as I head back to Australia to visit family and soak up the sun. Next time you hear from me I'll be sharing tales of brunch in Bondi, hiking in the Blue Mountains or a weekend break in Hobart, Tasmania. I've already written about the best things to do in Sydney and our...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader Last week I featured some amazing Caribbean islands, where sunshine is pretty much guaranteed at this time of year. However if you live in the UK or Europe, and are looking for somewhere warm that's a little closer to home, I have plenty more ideas. Warmer weather arrives in Southern Europe around the end of February. It may not be sunbathing weather but the temperatures are perfect if you enjoy sightseeing or activities like hiking. I've previously enjoyed early spring trips to...
5 months ago • 5 min read