Bute
Rediscovering Rothesay and the Island of Bute in Scotland
Bute is an island with a history that’s as rich as a Tunnock’s tea cake but that’s for another blog, this is more a whistle stop tour of some of my favourite places. […]
Month: January 2014
Europe
The Colours of Provence
Provence did not disappoint. She may have lost her lavender and sunflowers for another year but all that served to do was to focus the attention on the beauty that lies beyond her seasonal glories. […]
Europe
Tasting Valais Wines at Château De Villa in Sierra
There are 643 wines from 140 growers in the cellar of the magnificent 17th century Château Ville and I am currently speed-tasting four of them because my Swiss Grand Tour is running late. […]
Europe
Gran Canaria Rural, a Surprising Gastro Hike Destination
Over the last couple of years we’ve spent quite a bit of time walking on Gran Canaria. On one trip we walked from the hills above the south coast right to… […]
Camargue
The Gypsy Spirit of Saintes Maries de la Mer
Scents of the gastronomic specialities of the region assail visitors from every side as you stroll through narrow streets lined with whitewashed shops, beneath the constant gaze of the Romanesque steeple of L’Eglise de Saintes Maries. […]
Europe
Review of Hotel Victor in Beauvais
The Hotel Victor’s brasserie is what really makes it a pleasurable place to stay. It was the sort of place we’d have chosen to eat and drink… […]
Europe
La Graciosa, Paradise in Pictures
We’ve written about the tiny island of La Graciosa beside Lanzarote before. Once you know that La Graciosa is basically one huge beach populated by… […]
Europe
Review of Calitxo Hotel and Restaurant in Molló, Northern Spain
A mountain lodge-style hotel that knows how to make its guests feel welcome, the Calitxo Hotel and Restaurant combines rustic charm with contemporary comfort and a superb restaurant. […]
Travel Talk
Travel and Tourism Trends for 2014
The ITB World Travel Trends Report by Messe Berlin GmbH highlighted some surprises relating to current future travel trends. One thing that is certain in 2014 is… […]
Europe
Looking for Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls
Would Holmes have allowed a little thing like missing the connection to his hotel prevent him from ridding the world of Moriarty? Undeterred, I set off at pace, taking the steps two at a time… […]
Croatia
No Celebrities but Bags of Charm in Hvar Town
We had no idea it was a favourite haunt with the rich and famous and that the likes of Bill Gates and George Clooney had strolled across Hvar Town’s old cobbles. […]
Bute
The Scary Rothesay Lade and why Alcohol is Good
When I was growing up the Rothesay Lade scared the hell out of me. To look at it you might wonder why a narrow channel of murky water running from Loch Fad… […]
Bute
A Pee and a Pic in Bute’s Victorian Toilets
The Victorian Toilets are one of the first things you’ll see after stepping off the ferry at Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Years ago, when I was growing up on… […]