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  • Scandic Helsinki Hub

    Scandic Helsinki Hub, Finland Review

    Hotel Review  Location:  Scandic Helsinki Hub is a recently opened hotel housed in an impressive former 1920’s print works overlooking Old Church Park, Helsinki.  The hotel enjoys a city centre location close to metro and tram routes and is just a short walk from the tree lined Esplanade with its designer shops and stylish cafes. …

  • Jersey coast

    Jersey: The ultimate guide

    Jersey Travel Guide Jersey is a self governing British Crown dependency and the largest of the Channel Islands situated just 12 miles (19 km) west of France.  I’d never visited before but when I was invited on a press trip to Jersey with Jet2holidays.  I jumped at the opportunity. Jet2 offer holidays from Leeds Bradford…

  • The Swan, Grasmere

    The Swan at Grasmere Review

    Hotel Review The Swan, Grasmere is a characterful inn located on the edge of the village of Grasmere enjoying a backdrop of spectacular fells yet within a few minutes walk of the village centre and beautiful lakeside.  Grasmere is one of the Lake District’s prettiest villages and is famous for its association with the poet…

  • Queen Victoria Statue, Reading

    The Reading Walks Festival: A Guide to exploring Reading on foot

    The inaugural Reading Walks Festival took place over five days in May and was such a huge success that it’s now been firmly placed onto the town’s calendar as an annual event.  We were invited to attend and with over 40 guided walks taking place and most of them free, we were spoilt for choice.…

  • River Kennet, The Oracle, Reading

    How to Spend the Perfect Weekend Break in Reading

    Getting there: Reading lies on the River Thames in the county of Berkshire, south east England and is easily accessible by car as it is just two miles from Junction 11 of the M4 motorway.  For visitors arriving by train GWR operate regular services between London and the west with Reading being the first stop…

  • Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden, Finland

    Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden, Finland Review

    Location: Hotel Tapiola Garden is a four star hotel located in the garden city of Tapiola and is only 15 minutes by metro or car from the centre of Helsinki. We arrived by public transport from Helsinki International Airport which was very easy as trains run at 10 minute intervals into Helsinki central railway station…

  • Castle Wharf, Nottingham

    Discover Nottingham: The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary

    Nottingham is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the East Midlands’ as the English Kings held court there when they went hunting in its surrounding forests.  It’s famous for the legendary Robin Hood, lace making and much more.  We’ve just returned from a fabulous short break so why not take a look at my…

  • Coach and Horses, Bolton by Bowland, Lancashire

    The Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland, Lancashire Review

    Location: The Coach and Horses is a delightful AA five star country inn located in the picturesque village of Bolton-by-Bowland in the Ribble Valley.  This scenic part of east Lancashire is centred around the prosperous market town of Clitheroe six miles away and is easily accessible from the M6 motorway with Lancaster being 18 miles…

  • Asparagus Festival characters, Vale of Evesham

    The British Asparagus Festival, Vale of Evesham

    Asparagus is a highly regarded vegetable grown in the Vale of Evesham and celebrated in style with an annual festival.  This part of rural Worcestershire benefits from perfect growing conditions with asparagus being widely available from late April to late June. Getting there: The Vale of Evesham is located in Worcestershire, West Midlands 14 miles…

  • Blossom sign in Evesham, Worcestershire

    Exploring The Vale of Evesham Blossom Trail: A Springtime Delight

    The Vale of Evesham in rural Worcestershire has been famous for fruit and vegetable growing since medieval times with the delicate blossom from its fruit trees giving stunning displays between mid-March and mid-May.  The Blossom Trail stretches for 55 miles with AA yellow signposts marking the way.  Japan might have its Sakura but by visiting…

  • Go Outdoors Chester

    GO Outdoors Chester – Grand Opening

    Being a lover of the outdoors and walking in the countryside I was delighted to be invited to the Grand Opening Event of the newly refurbished GO Outdoors store in Chester on Saturday 20th May.  We were up bright and early to ensure we would be there on time to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony…

  • The Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge

    The Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge, Lancashire Review

    Hotel Review  Location:  The Alma Inn is located in an idyllic moorland setting high above the village of Laneshawbridge on the East Lancashire/ North Yorkshire border. Although seemingly remote, it lies within 5 miles of the M65 motorway and less than an hour from Manchester.  The inn is also convenient for exploring North Yorkshire and…

  • Cannes sign

    How to Spend One Day in Cannes, France

    From our base in Nice it was easy to visit Cannes by public transport as it’s possible to travel there either by bus or train.  We chose to take the train (final destination Marseilles) departing from Nice Ville central station (single tickets € 7.20).  Do try to sit on the left hand side of the…

  • Menton, France

    Best Things to Do in Menton in One Day

    There are just so many beautiful places that are easily accessible by public transport from Nice that we were able to select a different destination each day.  Our plan for the day was to visit Menton, the pearl of France which lies close to the Italian border.  It’s possible to reach the town by either…

  • Ventimiglia, Italy

    A day in Ventimiglia, Italy

    From our base in Nice we planned a day trip to Ventimiglia, 8 km across the border in western Liguria, Italy.  We took the 10:36 train from Nice Ville station (single tickets €8 for the 55 minute journey).  As with our visit the previous day to Antibes we opted to buy single tickets as these…

  • Antibes Harbour

    Best Things to Do in Antibes in One Day

    A day in Antibes was our plan so we took a tram to Nice Ville railway station where we paused briefly to admire its beautiful façade before buying tickets from a machine on the station concourse.  As there was no difference in price between purchasing singles or returns we opted for singles so we didn’t…

  • St Jean Cap Ferrat marina

    How to Spend a Day Exploring Èze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

    After breakfast in our aparthotel we caught Bus 82 to the village of Eze which was included in our 7 day travel card, otherwise a €1.50 single fare.  The journey took just 25 minutes and on leaving the bus it was then just a few minutes walk up to the village centre which dates back…

  • Monaco harbour

    Visiting Monaco in a Day from Nice: What to see and do

    The principality of Monaco lies 8 miles (13 km) from Nice, with Monte Carlo often being referred to as a playground for the rich and famous.  However, Monaco is an affordable place to visit for a day as it is easily accessible from Nice by public transport. The ultimate way to arrive is by helicopter…

  • Nice Waterfront

    Exploring Nice, France: Top Things to Do on the Côte d’Azur

    It had been thirteen years since our last visit to Nice so we were long overdue a return trip.  Our week long stay back in 2010 was memorable in more ways than one as it coincided with the Icelandic ash cloud grounding all flights resulting in a prolonged stay of an additional seven nights. Returning…

  • Falcon Manner, Settle

    Falcon Manor, Settle, North Yorkshire Review

    Hotel Review Falcon Manor is a beautiful country house hotel dating from 1841 that was constructed for Reverend Swale with money provided by his two grandmothers to befit his status in the local community. Originally known as Ingfield Hall after the field in which it was built, this grand Tudor mansion has changed ownership several times.…

  • The Brudenell hotel, Aldeburgh

    The Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh, Suffolk Review

    Hotel Review Location: Aldeburgh is a seaside town in Suffolk, south east England situated between the county town of Ipswich and Norwich just across the border in Norfolk.  The town has good road links being just off the A12 and for guests arriving by train, the nearest station is Saxmundham 7 miles away. Arrival and…

  • The Swan at Lavenham

    The Swan at Lavenham, Suffolk Review

    Hotel Review Lavenham is one of the country’s best preserved medieval villages with its streets lined with Tudor half timbered houses and cottages.  The village has been used as the backdrop of numerous television programmes and films such as Lovejoy and Harry Potter. Location: The Swan Hotel is situated in Suffolk, south east England, lying…

  • The Angel Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds

    The Angel Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk Review

    Hotel Review The Angel Hotel is a luxury hotel and former historic coaching inn spread across Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Angel Hill.  No. 3 was the original building constructed around 1778 with the remainder added in the 1830’s.  Charles Dickens stayed at the hotel on two occasions, once in 1859 and again in 1861…

  • Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest

    Best Things to Do in Bucharest on a Weekend Trip

    After a good night’s sleep at the Mercure Bucharest City Centre we walked the short distance to the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall which stands on the edge of Revolution Square.  This ornate domed, circular building is an architectural gem and is the city’s main classical music venue. As well as being able to purchase tickets for…

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