Travel
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How to spend a day on Iso Vasikkasaari, Espoo, Finland
There is something rather special about discovering an island just a short ferry ride from the city. It feels like you have escaped somewhere much further away, even though you have barely travelled any distance at all. That was exactly how we felt when we decided to spend the day visiting Iso Vasikkasaari, just off the…
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Viking Cinderella Helsinki to Stockholm Review
Well, what a lovely time we had! Our mini cruise on board Viking Cinderella was so much more than simply travelling between Helsinki and Stockholm. From the moment we stepped on board, it felt as though our holiday had begun, and we soon discovered that the journey itself was just as enjoyable as the time we spent…
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Exploring Heidelberg and Journey Home – Days 7 & 8: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
A Final Excursion to Beautiful Heidelberg It was hard to believe that we had reached our final full day on board our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise. The week had passed incredibly quickly, yet it felt as though we’d packed so many wonderful experiences into just a few days. After another leisurely breakfast, it was time for…
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Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise – Day 6: Discovering Obernai and Enjoying a Spectacular Gala Dinner
A Different Start to the Day After several days of leisurely morning sailings along the Rhine before heading ashore in the afternoon, Day 6 brought a welcome change to our itinerary. Instead of cruising first, today’s excursion was scheduled for the morning, meaning we were up a little earlier than usual. Breakfast, however, was just…
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Cruising Through Locks and Discovering Beautiful Strasbourg – Day 5: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
A Fascinating Morning Cruising the Rhine After another leisurely breakfast aboard our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise, we headed straight up to the sun deck to enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the scenery unfold. The morning promised something a little different as we were due to pass through two of the Rhine’s deep locks, and we…
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A tour of the Wheelhouse and an excursion to Speyer – Day 4: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
A Relaxing Start to Another Wonderful Day on Our Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise After another delicious breakfast on board our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise, we decided to take life at a slower pace for a while. One of the many things we’ve come to appreciate about travelling on a Rhine river cruise is that there is never any…
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Koblenz to Rüdesheim – Day 3: Riviera Resplendence Rhine River Cruise
Breakfast with a View Another leisurely morning began with breakfast in the main restaurant on board Riviera Resplendence. We chose a table beside the large panoramic windows so we could enjoy the ever-changing scenery as we sailed along the Rhine. It’s one of the things we’ve come to love most about river cruising, the views are…
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Cologne to Koblenz – Day 2: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
Waking Up on the Rhine After a wonderful first day on board Riviera Resplendence, we enjoyed one of the best night’s sleeps we’ve had in a long time. Our comfortable Ruby Deck cabin was so peaceful that we barely noticed the ship had set sail. It was such a lovely moment to draw back the curtains…
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Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise – Day 1: Embarkation in Cologne
The Start of Our Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise The wake-up alarm wasn’t particularly welcome, but the excitement of setting off on our Rhine cruise aboard MS Riviera Resplendence soon made up for the early start. Our journey began with a morning Eurowings flight from Manchester to Düsseldorf. Riviera Travel also offers departures from Heathrow, Edinburgh and…
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Riviera Resplendence Review: Maiden Voyage on the Rhine River Cruise
A Comprehensive Review of Riviera Travel’s Newest Five-Star River Cruise Ship There are few travel experiences quite as exciting as stepping on board a brand new cruise ship and sailing on Riviera Travel’s maiden voyage of MS Riviera Resplendence made our Rhine cruise particularly special. We were so excited and from the moment we embarked, there…
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Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Proms in the Park
We were thrilled to have been invited to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Proms in the Park event titled: Pop Orchestra Symphonic Smash Hits: The 90s concert at Meyrick Park, Bournemouth. This was the concluding part of the BSO’s ever popular two day Proms in the Park Bournemouth event. The previous evening welcomed audiences to a selection of classical greats…
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Borrowdale Gates Hotel Review – A Luxury Lake District Escape in Borrowdale
Location Borrowdale Gates Hotel enjoys an enviable location in the picturesque Borrowdale Valley, one of the most scenic parts of the Lake District National Park. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, peaceful woodland and stunning walking routes, it provides the ideal base for exploring Keswick, Derwentwater, Buttermere, Grasmere and many of the region’s best-loved attractions. Whether you’re…
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Park Head Hotel, Bishop Auckland Review
About I’d heard wonderful things about Park Head Hotel before visiting, but what really drew me in was its connection to the incredible regeneration of Bishop Auckland. The hotel is part of the wider vision of the Auckland Project, a charity dedicated to transforming the town into a cultural and heritage destination. It’s inspiring to…
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Kynren Review: Everything You Need to Know for the Perfect Day Out
Stepping into history: Our unforgettable visit to the opening day at Kynren and The Storied Lands. What an extraordinary day we had! If you love history, immersive storytelling and breathtaking live theatre you need to add Kynren in Bishop Auckland to your summer days out. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to…
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Holiday Extras: Park, Stay & Fly Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Airport Review
For anyone facing an early morning flight from Manchester Airport, I’d highly recommend considering a Holiday Extras Park, Stay & Fly package. Ours included an overnight stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Airport, located directly beside the airport, along with overnight parking in the hotel’s own secure car park and Meet & Greet parking for the duration…
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Star Castle Hotel, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly Review
Location The Star Castle Hotel is one of the most distinctive places to stay in the Isles of Scilly, sitting high on the Garrison overlooking Hugh Town harbour on St Mary’s. From its elevated position, the hotel enjoys sweeping views across the water, with boats coming and going throughout the day and the neighbouring islands visible on the…
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Kilbirnie Hotel, Newquay Review
Location The Kilbirnie Hotel sits in a prime elevated position overlooking the coastline of Newquay, giving guests sweeping Atlantic views and easy access to beaches and the town centre. The hotel offers a lovely British seaside experience with fresh sea air, coastal walks and acts as an ideal base for exploring further afield. Getting there Reaching…
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Weekend Escape to the Isles of Scilly: Ultimate Travel Guide
Where are the Isles of Scilly? The Isles of Scilly are a breathtaking archipelago lying around 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, just beyond Land’s End. Despite their close proximity to the mainland, the islands feel like a completely different world. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and a wonderfully relaxed pace of…
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The Ultimate Newcastle Weekend Guide: Where to Stay, What to See and the Best Places to Eat & Drink
Friday evening Arrive in Newcastle on a Friday evening and check in to the Maldron Hotel, a modern four star hotel located in the heart of the city. Its central position makes it an ideal base for exploring Newcastle’s historic streets, cultural attractions and vibrant nightlife. After settling in, take a leisurely walk along Grey Street,…
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Maldron Hotel Newcastle Review
Location The Maldron Hotel enjoys a superb location in the heart of Newcastle city centre, making it an excellent base for both business and leisure travellers. For those arriving by train, Newcastle Central Station is just a five minute walk away, allowing for a very easy arrival and departure experience. The hotel’s central position places…
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Why Beamish Museum is one of England’s best attractions
Have you ever wanted to literally walk through a history book? That is exactly what it feels like the moment you step onto the grounds of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. Spread across 350 acres of beautiful County Durham countryside, Beamish isn’t your typical museum with dusty artefacts behind glass. Instead, it’s a fully…
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Rest at the Nest County Durham Review: Our Stay in the Wren Treehouse
Location: Nestled in the peaceful countryside of County Durham, Rest at the Nest offers the perfect opportunity to switch off from the demands of everyday life and reconnect with nature. Set amongst rolling fields and overlooking a tranquil pond and surrounding countryside, this luxury retreat feels wonderfully secluded while still being within easy reach of…
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VIBE Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Northern Territory Review
Location: The VIBE Hotel Darwin Waterfront is perfectly positioned within the lively waterfront precinct in Darwin’s centre. With restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and a swimming lagoon just a short stroll away, it’s a convenient location for exploring. Arrival and Check-in: We arrived into Darwin airport in the early hours of the morning on board a…
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Courtyard by Marriott Düsseldorf Medien Hafen Review
Location: The Courtyard by Marriott Düsseldorf Medien Hafen enjoys an excellent position in Düsseldorf’s vibrant Medien Hafen district, one of the city’s most modern and architecturally striking areas. Surrounded by contemporary office buildings, waterfront promenades, stylish restaurants and bars, the hotel offers a perfect base for both business and leisure travellers. One of the highlights…
