Travel
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Ultimate Toronto Walking Tour: Top Attractions, CN Tower & Must-See Sights
We’d arrived into Toronto the previous afternoon by train from Montreal and after a relaxing overnight stay at The Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre we were feeling refreshed and looking forward to a day of city sightseeing. Walking tour with Dave from Buzz Tours Often, the best way to find your way around and to…
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Via Rail Business Class Review: Montreal to Toronto
Arriving at Montreal Central Station Whilst we were planning our trip to Canada and deciding on whether to take a flight or train between Montreal and Toronto, we opted to enjoy a leisurely rail journey. With a journey time of five and half hours by train and the fact that we would be departing from…
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Exploring Montreal’s Heritage & Spirits: A tour of Maison Saint-Gabriel and Cirka Distillery
We awoke to more overnight snow so wrapped up warmly before heading out of our hotel to the nearest metro station. Maison St. Gabriel Our plan for the morning was to take the first English tour of the day at Maison St. Gabriel, which is located in the Pointe St. Charles district of Montreal. This…
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Mount Royal & Olympic Park Montreal: A Guide to Must-See Spots
On drawing back the curtains we awoke to a beautiful, sunny morning so decided to take a walk along the hilltop of Mount Royal. We took the metro to Mont Royal station and from there caught Bus 71 which took us all the way up the hill to the Remembrance / Du Chalet bus stop…
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Exploring Montreal City Centre: Day 1 – Highlights & Travel Tips
We were excited to be visiting eastern Canada for the very first time, arriving into Montreal Trudeau airport late afternoon on a KLM flight via Amsterdam. Getting into Montreal by public transport from the airport Our first task was to purchase Opus Cards, these cost CAD$5 (£2.69) each for the card and a further CAD$31…
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Where to eat in Riga: The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Latvia’s Capital
Fine Dining Experiences Riga, Latvia’s capital, is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Between its art nouveau architecture and cobbled old town lanes lies a vibrant food scene that fuses Nordic precision with Baltic soul. Whether you’re seeking a Michelin-starred dinner, a romantic café, or hearty market fare, hopefully this guide will…
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Day Trip from Riga to Sigulda & Turaida: Castles, Bobsleigh & Nature
Just an hour away from Riga, the picturesque town of Sigulda and the nearby Turaida Museum Reserve offer a perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Often called the “Switzerland of Latvia,” Sigulda is nestled in the Gauja River Valley, with rolling hills, lush forests, and breathtaking river views. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or thrill-seeker, a…
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Why Riga Should Be Your Next Weekend City Break
I’ve recently returned from a long weekend in Riga, Latvia and absolutely enjoyed every minute of my time there. With its old town charm, art nouveau architecture and unique local experiences — from daily live music at Concerto Piccolo to a canal boat trip aboard the charming Darling, there’s something for everyone. Getting Into Riga from…
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The Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent Hotel Review
Hotel Review Location: The Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent is situated close to the M6 motorway enabling easy access from the North West and Midlands. The hotel is located on the edge of Festival Park to the west of Hanley and with Waterworld on its doorstep and the Alton Towers theme park being only a 35…
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The Malvern Hills Hotel, Worcestershire Review
Location: The Malvern Hills Hotel is situated on the A449 midway between Malvern and Ledbury and commands a spectacular location next to the Malvern Hills British Camp hillside. A hostelry has occupied the same spot for over 500 years and this charming old building holds a special place within the landscape and local heritage. Arrival…
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How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway’s picturesque coastal city is the perfect destination for a weekend escape or short stopover while exploring the Norwegian fjords. Known for its colourful wooden houses, UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf and gateway access to the fjords, Bergen offers the perfect mix of old world charm and nature. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or…
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Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Malvern Review
Dating back to the early 16th century, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel was the former home of a closed order of Benedictine Nuns from 1838-2009. With dwindling numbers, the 26 acre estate became too difficult for the nuns to manage so they moved to a new, purpose built convent in North Yorkshire which retains the same name.…
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Eurostar Plus Review: Is the premium upgrade worth it?
Travelling between London and Brussels by Eurostar is a quick and convenient way to cross the English Channel as the train takes passengers seamlessly from one capital city centre to another. I’ve travelled on board Eurostar several times both in Standard and Eurostar Plus so decided to review the upgraded experience to see how it…
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Weekend Guide: Best things to do in Namur and Dinant, Belgium
Day 1:Getting there: Namur is ideally located for a weekend break. We opted to board an early morning Eurostar train from London St. Pancras to Brussels taking just two hours. From there, it was easy to transfer to a local train which arrived in Namur one hour later. For visitors preferring to travel by air,…
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Le Moulin de Lourmarin, Provence Hotel Review
Lourmarin lies in the heart of the Luberon in rural Provence and is listed among the most beautiful villages in the whole of France. I recently had the pleasure to stay at Le Moulin, a converted 18th century olive oil mill transformed into a boutique hotel in the village centre. Location: Le Moulin is located…
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Chateau La Coste: The Ultimate Day Trip from Aix-en-Provence
Chateau La Coste comprises an arts centre, sculpture trail, vineyard, hotel and restaurants and is a delightful place to visit for a leisurely lunch followed by a stroll through the vast estate. Getting there: Château La Coste is located within a 20 minute drive of Aix-en-Provence and 45 minutes from Marseille, making it a perfect…
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Exploring the east coast of Finland Part 2: Strömfors, Hamina and Kotka
The east coast of Finland lies within a 90 minute drive from Helsinki and makes for an ideal side trip from the capital and a chance to explore more of beautiful Finland either for a day trip or a short break. Once you arrive in the region the distance between towns and key sights is…
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Exploring the east coast of Finland: Strömfors and Loviisa
The east coast of Finland lies within a 90 minute drive from Helsinki and makes for an ideal side trip from the capital and a chance to explore more of beautiful Finland either for a day trip or a short break. Once you arrive in the region the distance between towns and key sights is…
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How to spend 48 hours in Turku, Finland
Short Break in Turku Most first-time visitors to Finland naturally head first to the nation’s capital, Helsinki, which is undeniably beautiful but if time allows, and especially for returning visitors, I’d highly recommend a short break in Turku. Located in the southwest of Finland, Turku is the country’s oldest city and is noted for its…
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Tallink Shuttle MyStar Helsinki-Tallinn Review
On our recent visit to Helsinki we arranged a trip on the flagship Tallink MyStar. As ferries depart up to seven times a day we opted to take the popular 10.30 a.m. service. MyStar entered operational service in December 2022 and has since been sailing on Tallink’s Gulf of Finland route between its homeport of…
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H15 Boutique Hotel, Warsaw Review
Hotel Review Location: H15 Boutique Hotel is located on one of the oldest streets in central Warsaw. The 19th century building has served as a grand private residence, a Soviet embassy, a headquarters for the Nazi party, and a prize possession of the People’s Republic of Poland. More recently this impressive building has been transformed…
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A foodie weekend in The Malverns Part 2: All Day Fine Dining
Nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills, the Victorian spa town of Great Malvern has long been a popular tourist destination with visitors travelling from far and wide to take the Malvern spring water for medicinal purposes. In more recent times the town has become a foodie hotspot with numerous high quality bakeries, cafes,…
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Foodie weekend in The Malverns Part 1: Breweries and Bakeries
Nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills, the Victorian spa town of Great Malvern has long been a popular tourist destination with visitors travelling from far and wide to take the Malvern spring water for medicinal purposes. In more recent times the town has become a foodie hotspot with numerous high quality bakeries, cafes,…
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Why you should visit Stoke-on-Trent as it celebrates its centenary
Stoke-on-Trent might not spring to mind as a top choice for a short break but the city has much to offer as I was soon to discover on my recent weekend stay. Stoke celebrated its 100th anniversary as a city in June so there was no better time to visit with a full calendar of…
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