Travel
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Riviera Travel Douro River Cruise: Day One
Day One We were so excited to be setting off on our first ever river cruise and after enjoying a relaxing overnight stay at the Gatwick Airport Sofitel we woke refreshed and then boarded the shuttle across to the south terminal to check in for our TAP flight over to Porto. Whilst waiting in the…
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MS Riviera Rose Review
MS Riviera Rose is a luxurious ship that has been specifically designed to sail along the Douro River in Portugal. Newly launched in April 2025, the ship is 80 metres in length and can accommodate up to 114 guests in 57 cabins, including 4 balcony suites with a total of 38 crew. I was excited…
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Holiday Extras: Park, Stay & Fly – Sofitel London Gatwick Review
We’d arranged morning flights from Gatwick airport and rather than making an early start from home we opted to book a package with Holiday Extras offering parking and overnight accommodation. It was easy to locate the Cophall Parking which was just six miles from the airport. As instructed, we parked in the reception area, unloaded…
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Kynren, Bishop Auckland: A Must-See UK Live Show – Full Review
I was delighted to be invited to attend the press preview of Kynren which is an outdoor theatre spectacle located in Bishop Auckland and now into its 10th year. What is Kynren? Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is a live action show that takes audiences on a journey through 2,000 years of history…
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Denbies Wine Estate: The Perfect Day Out in Surrey
Set amongst the rolling chalk hills of the North Downs, Denbies is one of the largest privately owned vineyards in Europe. The estate is independently owned and comprises 380 acres of which 265 acres are covered in vines. Getting there: Denbies Wine Estate is located in Dorking, Surrey and is easily accessible from Junction 9…
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Exploring the Watercress Line – A Classic Steam Railway Experience
Located close to the historic city of Winchester, the Watercress Line runs through ten miles of scenic countryside between the towns of Alresford and Alton in Hampshire. As fares include all day travel, passengers are able to start their nostalgic journey at either end of the line and stop off to visit the other charming…
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A Day Out in Falkirk: Discover The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel
The Falkirk Wheel The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift, designed and built to connect the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal, which allows coast to coast navigation across central Scotland. Getting to the Falkirk Wheel By car: From Edinburgh – take the M9 west for Stirling. Exit…
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Loch Tay Highland Lodges, Scotland Review
Location: The award winning Loch Tay Highland Lodges are located four miles from Killin in Perthshire, occupying an enviable position on the edge of Scotland’s sixth largest loch. Getting there: By car: From Glasgow, there are two routes to reach Killin. Follow the A82 north for 56 miles, by way of Loch Lomond and Crianlarich then…
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Hotel Indigo Dundee Review
Hotel Review Hotel Indigo Dundee is a four star boutique hotel set on the site of a former textile mill built in 1822, which still retains its Italianate bell tower. Location: Dundee is Scotland’s fourth largest city and is situated on the north coast of the mouth of the Tay Estuary. Edinburgh lies 60 miles…
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Where Was All Creatures Great and Small Filmed? Part 2 of Iconic Locations
Ripon After a fun filled day exploring Thirsk and Newby Hall followed by an evening at Ripon Races, we decided to start the next day with a walk into the centre of Ripon. It’s Yorkshire’s smallest city but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. The centre is easily walkable with…
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Where was All Creatures Great & Small filmed. Part 1 – Thirsk & Ripon
I’ve long been a huge fan of All Creatures Great and Small which documents the life and work of the vet James Herriot. The original BBC television series aired between 1978 and 1990 based on the semi-autobiographical books written by vet Alf Wight. Moving forward to 2020, Channel 5 produced a new adaptation of Wight’s…
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A guide to spending an evening at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong
Horse racing is popular worldwide but few places take it to heart like Hong Kong. I don’t make a habit of going to the races but whenever I visit Hong Kong I find it to be an irresistible evening out. The Happy Valley Racecourse was built in 1845 just four years after British troops landed…
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Travel Guide: Visiting Macau from Hong Kong
Whilst based in Hong Kong it’s a good idea to spend a day over in Macau. Getting there is very easy as you can take the MTR to Sheung Wan where the ferry terminal is located. We boarded the fast Turbojet ferry which has departures at up to 30 minute intervals with a journey time…
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How to Visit Hong Kong’s outlying islands using the Star Ferry
Whilst visiting Hong Kong a boat trip to one or more of its outlying islands provides for an enjoyable break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Many of the islands are easily accessible by ferry and the three I have documented below are all within an hour’s distance of Hong Kong Island. Cheung…
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How to Spend a Perfect Day at Hong Kong Disneyland: A Complete Guide
Despite travelling widely, I’d never visited any of the Disneyland theme parks so when an opportunity arose to spend a day at Hong Kong Disneyland I jumped at the chance. Disney tells us all that their theme parks are where magic happens and where your dreams come true. Whilst spending a week in Hong Kong…
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Ngong Ping and Tai O Day Itinerary: What to See & Do in Lantau
I recommend allocating one of your days in Hong Kong to taking a day trip over to Lantau Island by cable car, enabling you to visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. As the quaint Tai O Fishing Village is located nearby, this can also easily be included into your itinerary. Getting to…
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Visiting Victoria Peak and Sky100: Hong Kong’s Top Viewing Spots
There are several vantage points in Hong Kong where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city’s jaw-dropping city skyline and this post documents a visit to what I consider, two of the finest spots. Victoria Peak Hong Kong is one of my favourite Asian destinations and I always look forward to spending time there.…
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Aix-en-Provence: the ultimate travel guide
Aix-en-Provence is situated between the Rhone River and the foothills of the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. With over 2,000 years of history, the elegant old town is delightful boasting Provencal charm, historic sandstone buildings, narrow, car free streets and beautiful squares adorned by fountains. With over 250 gracing the city, fountains have become the emblem…
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Exploring Luberon: A Guide to the Most Beautiful Villages and Vineyards
Continuing my series of posts documenting my recent visit to the Luberon. Day 2 Morning drive to the hilltop village of Gordes I knew that Gordes was a hilltop village but nothing prepared me for my first enchanting view, it was so beautiful with its medieval stone cottages clinging on to the hillside. The centre…
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Exploring The Luberon, Provence
The Luberon is a natural park in Provence, with the Luberon mountain running its length and separating the north and south of the region. After reading ‘A Year in Provence’ by Peter Mayle many years ago I’d long wanted to explore this idyllic part of the south of France and in April this year I…
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The William de Percy Inn, Northumberland Review
Location: The William de Percy is a luxury boutique hotel located in the pretty village of Otterburn, on the edge of the scenic Northumberland National Park. The hotel lies 30 miles north west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and about 16 miles from the Scottish border. Arrival and check-in: The smart grey and white former 17th century coaching…
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Exploring Stockport: Top Places to Visit and Things to Experience
In this, the first of an occasional series on Days out in Manchester, I’m shining the spotlight on Stockport. Read on to discover 15 splendid reasons for visiting the town. Getting there: Stockport is located eight miles south east of Manchester and is easily reached by train taking only ten minutes from the city centre…
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The Perfect Weekend in South Derbyshire: Top Attractions & Tips
We’ve enjoyed numerous lovely weekends away in Derbyshire’s Peak District so for a change we decided to explore South Derbyshire which is noted for its gently rolling countryside and characterful villages. Follow my suggested itinerary for the perfect short break. Day 1: Getting to South Derbyshire We planned to base our trip in the historic…
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Wotton House Hotel, Dorking, Surrey Review
Hotel Review Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Surrey Hills countryside, Wotton House Hotel is a historic 17th century country house hotel set within 13 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. The hotel was originally the centre of the Wotton Estate and the birthplace of the diarist and landscape gardener John Evelyn, who constructed the first Italian garden in England…
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