Travel
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How to Spend the Perfect Day in Manhattan, New York City
We started the day by taking a B train to 81st Street in the Upper West Side, an upscale neighbourhood located west of Central Park. This leafy, residential district is categorised by its four and five storey brownstone townhouses built between the late 19th and early 20th century. American Museum of Natural History After popping…
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Visiting Liberty and Ellis Island and riding the Roosevelt Tramway New York
We drew back the curtains to a bright, sunny morning, just perfect for our planned excursion over to Liberty and Ellis Islands. The nearest subway station is at Whitehall Street – South Ferry just a short walk from the ferry terminal in Battery Park. Fortunately, we didn’t have to join a lengthy queue to purchase…
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New York City: Exploring the Financial District
Day 1: It had been more than eight years since our last visit to New York City so we were overdue a return trip. We had booked flights with British Airways to JFK with a connecting flight from Manchester to Heathrow. Since last travelling long haul with British Airways they have upped their game with…
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The World of Volvo, Gothenburg
A treat lay in store for our last full day in Gothenburg as we had been invited to visit the newly opened World of Volvo exhibition centre located close to the Liseberg Amusement Park. We boarded a tram to the nearest stop at Liseberg Södra from where it was just a short walk to the…
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What to See and Do in Gothenburg: A Complete Travel Guide
After enjoying a delicious Scandinavian buffet breakfast at the Scandic Gothenburg Central we strolled along to the nearest tram stop to get us into the spirit of exploring a tram museum. Gothenburg Tram Museum is housed in an old tram depot not far from the city centre. We have a special affection for transport museums…
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How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Gothenburg, Sweden
With low cost flights on offer to Sweden’s second city, a city break to Gothenburg was very tempting and so on a recent Friday evening we boarded a flight from Manchester airport over to western Sweden. I’m a big fan of the Nordic region and after enjoying visits to Stockholm and Uppsala, I felt certain…
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How to Spend a Day at World of Wedgwood: Tours, Workshops & Afternoon Tea
World of Wedgwood is an award winning tourist attraction set in 240 acres of countryside in the village of Barlaston, Staffordshire. The area is known as ‘The Potteries’ and is home to the world famous Wedgwood brand, a company is steeped in rich heritage. Spanning over 260 wonderful years, Wedgwood continues today to be renowned…
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Exploring RHS Harlow Carr Garden in Autumn: What to See and Do
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Harlow Carr Garden is one of five public gardens run by the RHS and is located one and a half miles from the centre of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Getting there: We arrived by car, with ample free parking available. For visitors using public transport there are regular trains to Harrogate from both…
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Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Review
Hotel Review Location: Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is linked via a covered walkway to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and with the city centre being only 20 minutes away by train, the hotel is ideally located for a city break or overnight layover. Arrival and check in: After arriving into Schiphol Airport on board a KLM flight…
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Dinner at Hotel du Vin, Harrogate Review
We were recently invited to experience the Hotel du Vin’s taster menu with wine pairings at its stylish hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The hotel is located on an elegant Regency terrace in the centre of the spa town and overlooks the Stray which is one of Harrogate’s best known landmarks. The Stray covers 200…
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Exploring Sunny Bank Mills Museum: Leeds’ Hidden Textile Heritage
Sunny Bank Mills is a former woollen mill that has found new life as a cultural and commercial destination near Leeds, West Yorkshire. Established in 1829, the mills have been regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners to create a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Last year marked 10 years of…
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Exploring Fazer Experience: The Ultimate Chocolate Tour in Vantaa, Finland
The Fazer Experience Founded in 1891, Fazer is one of the most famous Finnish food companies, producing chocolate, cakes and confectionery since 1894. Whenever I visit Finland I always return home with a selection of their delicious chocolates so it was a perfect opportunity for me to learn more about the company and to sample…
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Exploring Pellinge Marina: A Hidden Gem Near Porvoo, Finland
Resort Review Pellinge Marina is located on the idyllic island of Pellinge in the Porvoo archipelago of eastern Finland. The historic fishing farm has been transformed into a luxurious resort with the dark wooden cluster of buildings forming the marina complex blending in beautifully with the natural environment. Getting there: The resort is accessible both…
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RUNO Hotel, Porvoo, Finland Review
Hotel Review Whilst visiting the Finnish capital of Helsinki it’s also a perfect opportunity to spend a couple of days exploring Porvoo. Located 50 km east of Helsinki, it’s Finland’s second oldest city and its best preserved. The small city is noted for its old wooden town, charming cobblestone streets and ochre painted riverside warehouses. …
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Cruising Between Helsinki and Stockholm: Tallink-Silja Deluxe Class Review
Whilst staying in Helsinki recently we planned a two day Roundtrip Cruise to Stockholm. Cruise ferries depart daily at 4.45 p.m. and arrive in Stockholm the next morning enabling visitors to spend a day in the Swedish capital before returning to the ferry for the return voyage. Embarkation: Tallink-Silja Line have two identical cruise ferries operating on…
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Park Hotel Post, Freiburg, Germany Review
Hotel Review Park Hotel Post is a four star hotel located in a beautiful old building on the edge of Freiburg’s old town. Location: Freiburg is a university town and popular tourist destination on the western edge of the Black Forest in south west Germany, lying close to the Rhine river in the state of…
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Moxy, The Hague Review
Hotel Review: The Hague is The Netherlands’ third largest city after Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the administrative capital of the country. It’s the home of the Dutch royal family, the government and the base for numerous international organisations. Rich in history, art and architecture this compact city is the perfect location for a weekend city…
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From The Little Mermaid to Rosenborg Castle: Top Copenhagen Attractions
The Little Mermaid Our final day in Copenhagen started with a stroll to the northern part of Copenhagen’s harbour to view Denmark’s most famous statue. The bronze sculpture of the Little Mermaid is located just off the shore and has been sitting on a rock in the harbour for over a hundred years. Despite its…
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Discover Copenhagen’s Must-See Spots and the Home of Carlsberg Brewery
After an early breakfast at the Scandic Copenhagen we set off for a visit to Christiansborg Palace, one of the city’s premier attractions. Located in Slotsholmen, the palace has an 800 year old history as Denmark’s centre of power. The present building was completed in 1928 and is used by the Royal Family for official events…
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Copenhagen City Break
It’s always fun to explore somewhere new, so we woke with excited anticipation in readiness for our early morning Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport. With a flight time of just 1 hour 45 minutes we were touching down at 10.45 a.m. local time. With Scandinavian efficiency, we passed through immigration and…
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School Lane Hotel, Liverpool Review
Hotel Review: Location: School Lane Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel housed in an 1850’s building located along a quiet lane just steps away from the heart of the Liverpool One shopping district with its many high end shops, bars and restaurants. Getting there: Liverpool is well connected by road via the M6, M62, M58…
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Mons, Belgium – the best things to see and do
Mons is the capital of the Hainaut Province of Wallonia in southern Belgium and was awarded the European Capital of Culture in 2015 as it resembles an open-air museum with its wall murals, stunning architecture and heritage buildings. Getting there: To make the most of your weekend I suggest an early start. We took an…
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Twr y Felin Hotel, St. Davids, Wales Review
Hotel Review Twr y Felin Hotel (translated from Welsh to mean Mill Tower) started life as a windmill built in 1806 and is perfectly positioned on the Pembrokeshire peninsula to harvest the ever-blowing winds. It operated for 100 years before the sails fell off and then became a temperance hotel. Today it is Wales’ first…
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The Falcondale Hotel, Lampeter, Wales Review
Hotel Review The Falcondale Hotel is a 150 year old Italianate style villa situated just outside the university town of Lampeter in mid-Wales. Being only 30 minutes drive from the coastal villages of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains the hotel is an ideal base for exploring the area. Location Take the M4 and follow…