Exploring the world, one place at a time
No trip to Venice would be complete without a visit to its most famous square, the Piazza San Marco, and the iconic sites that surround it, the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale and the Campanile. So after cruising down the Grand Canal, we disembarked at San Marco, where we stopped to take some... Continue Reading →
I first heard about The Wallace Collection years ago when I was writing a secret guide to Marylebone for a magazine I was working on at the time. As part of the feature, I was interviewing locals to find out their favourite spots in the area and one woman I talked to mentioned The Wallace... Continue Reading →
The picturesque port of Roscoff on Brittany's northern coast is the perfect introduction to France's westernmost region. Famous for its pink onions (the Roscoff onion) and the Johnny Onions who cross the channel to sell them from their bicycles, Roscoff boasts elegant grey stone buildings, a lovely and unusual church, and a charming high street.... Continue Reading →
Of all the many castles I've visited (and let's face it, there've been a few!), the one I have the fondest memories of is Carreg Cennen. Perched atop an enormously tall limestone crag on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in south-west Wales, the castle is an impressive and unforgettable sight. I first remember visiting... Continue Reading →
When I think of the food in Porto, I think of sardines, pastries, the francesinha sandwich, and lots and lots of port. Portugal's second city is a culinary delight, with a host of superb restaurants and cafés. Pretty much everything I had to eat or drink was excellent and Porto has since become one of... Continue Reading →
Before my trip to Paris, I'd asked a friend who lives there for a list of non-touristy things to do in the French capital. One of the many suggestions on her list was a visit to Angelina to try it's renowned hot chocolate. The grand tea house is a Parisian institution established in 1903 and... Continue Reading →
If you were looking for a picture-perfect spot on which to build an abbey, Tintern, on the banks of the River Wye in Monmouthshire, would tick all the boxes. Beside a bend in the river, Tintern is surrounded by steep hills covered in lush, green forest and is so lovely it's inspired artists and writers,... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite places in London for a Sunday stroll is Hampstead Heath in the north of the capital. When I lived in London, I spent many a morning tramping through the heath in all kinds of weather, but I hadn't been back since I left the Big Smoke more than three years ago.... Continue Reading →
Gloucester Cathedral might not have the same instant name recognition as some of England's other great ecclesiastical buildings, such as Westminster Abbey, York Minster and Canterbury Cathedral, but it should – as it's one of the country's most magnificent cathedrals. Dating back almost 1,000 years, it's a huge structure with lots of elements to explore, including spectacular... Continue Reading →
After visiting the Winnie the Pooh exhibition at the V&A, my friends and I headed east, stopping for lunch at Madame D, a Nepalese restaurant on Commercial Street. The restaurant's menu features a series of sharing plates so we each chose one and shared them between the four of us: Naga chilli beef puffs, hakka... Continue Reading →
Little Old World 