When travelling to Spain, most people don’t opt for Benidorm. Most will choose somewhere like Barcelona or Madrid. Benidorm has a reputation for being a mini-Britain, and some even see it as the homeland of smut and cheap alcohol. It had never been on my list, but it was my friends’ birthday and we go where the birthday boy says. My job was to find out if there is more to Benidorm than being a warmer version of Skegness.
Continue reading “What is in Benidorm besides excessive drinking?”
I’ve not long got back from a short break in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, and thought it would be handy to make a quick guide of the do’s and don’t’s, complete with some mini reviews, so you know what to do in Lanzarote.
To some this place is merely a warmer Benidorm, to others it is a volcanic wonderland.
Continue reading “What to do in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote”
La Tomatina is the festivals official name, and throwing tomatoes in Spain is the game, but is it any good? I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to review La Tomatina, which had been on my bucket list for over a decade! This classic tomato throwing festival dates back to a 1940’s feud in Spain and has grown exponentially ever since. Is it just a tourist trap now? Read on for a complete guide to La Tomatina festival, including everything you need to know and all the tips and tricks to maximise your time there.
In January I had the opportunity to review the quirky Lady Hamilton Hotel in Stockholm.
Nestled in Gamla Stan, the location on paper looks unbeatable, within walking distance of everything Stockholm has to offer. The reality when you arrive is no different, and after a swift 15 minute walk from the Arlanda Express terminal (if you are flying in) you are in the beating heart of Stockholm on the doorstep of a very funky, folk style hotel.
Basalt columns jutting out of the ocean spectacularly… but is it worth such a long journey? And what is the best way to get there?
Who could say no to Lake Como? The ultimate in style and romance, no? After a disappointing trip to Milan, Como had a lot to make up for.
Okay, so I have to say straight off the bat… I don’t like Milan. I am sorry if you’re here for insider tips and to get excited for an upcoming trip, but it’s just not my cup of tea.
Continue reading “A short visit to Milan that was still too long”
The lovely Irish lads and lasses over at Guinness Storehouse in Dublin invited me over to review their Guinness themed tourist attraction that is the Guinnesse factory tour at St James’ Gate Brewery, Dublin.
I was excited by this for several reasons. Firstly, I’ve never been to Ireland, and secondly, I love alcohol. The old tale goes that Guinness tastes better in Dublin, but how true is that?
During a visit to Denmark, I had the opportunity to stay at the prestigious Andersen Boutique Hotel in the uber-trendy Vesterbro “Meatpacking” area of Copenhagen. Before I blog my full post on our trip, here is the Andersen Boutique Hotel review.
My parents and I travelled up to the beach resort of Paihia, Bay of Islands for the last weekend in January. They had just flown in from Christchurch after spending 4 nights at Arrowsmith Lodge, which is a totally isolated private lodging, complete with its very own private lake. How posh.
I was great to reunite with my parents after our joint trip to the South Island. I met them at Auckland airport around 2pm and we headed straight up the highway towards the Northlands. It took us under 3 hours, which is pretty good for a Friday afternoon. The drive up is lovely too, just like the majority of drives in New Zealand.
Continue reading “A weekend in Paihia and the Bay of Islands”
We left our motel in Te Anau nice and early to go back past Queenstown and headed towards the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier areas. It was a long drive so Dad and I shared the driving.
As we approached the Fox Glacier, I mentioned that our luck with the weather (glorious sunshine for two weeks) may have run out. The grey clouds were descending rapidly around the peaks above us, and we crossed our fingers and wished for it to clear for tomorrow. Continue reading “Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier – how not to see them”
What to do on a day in Queenstown? It is the adventure capital of the world, but when you’re on a budget that means nothing! My parents and I opted for the luge. The luge is a go kart type contraption that is powered by gravity. The long race track is fun with humps and corners galore, and a great view over Queenstown to boot. The first time you race down the track you are given a quick intro (brake by pulling the handlebars, don’t kill yourself etc) and you have to race on the slow track, recommended for kids and families.
