Introduction The Scottish city of Glasgow has undergone a successful metamorphosis from unappealing post industrial gloom to a popular global tourist destination. How was this achieved? What lessons can be learned for other cities keen to make themselves more attractive to potential visitors with so much competition from other possible destinations. Glasgow from Queens Park [...]
It seems everyone was quite interested in my mention of Europe’s most westerly point – all four or five of them! It seems that Europe’s boundaries are a very antiquated way of defining the continent. Do you count the sovereign islands that dot the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean? What about Russia – is it in Europe? For your sun [...]
Let’s be honest. What’s a holiday without a bit of local shopping. Browsing the markets, looking out for souvenirs, even buying necessities just to find out which brands such and such country has and how the locals do things is fun and educational at the same time. Thinking about Istanbul, such world famous places like [...]
Gustave Flaubert famously described the fortified port of St-Malo, on Brittany’s northern coast, as a “stone crown over the waves”. Indeed, the view of St-Malo from the sea is incredibly impressive. It is an extremely pretty and elegant town, with its imposing, grey granite walls and charming streets and it is a wonderful place to [...]
Endless books and stories have been written about Turkish food which does not come as a surprise because this country with influences from many cultures has a sin fin of culinary delights to offer. Not only do the Turks treat their food with respect which means only fresh ingredients are used and nothing is boiled [...]
Here is my personal opinion on the “Travelodge versus Premier Inn, Which is Better?” debate. I made my evaluation by looking at four criteria; price, room quality and amenities, customer service and location. Travelodge Edinburgh Central Background In December 2007 I wrote a post entitled “Which is the best UK budget hotel chain?” where I [...]
I was surprised to read in the recent Foreign and Commonwealth Office report that 20% of Britons travelling abroad don’t have travel insurance. I think it’s downright silly not to buy travel insurance and leave yourself exposed to the possibility of being thousands of pounds out of pocket, for the sake of saving a few [...]
Marseille may only be the second largest city in France, but it is the oldest. It was the Greeks from an ancient town of Phocaea (Asia Minor) who in about 600 BC founded the city as a base for their maritime trade on the Mediterranean. And ever since, Marseille has played a prominent role in [...]
About a month ago, my inbox was suddenly filled with links to a new hotel in Sweden. Usually, I could care less. When I travel, I travel cheap. I have few requirements in a hotel room other than a bed. And no bats or cockroaches. After a fateful trip in Australia in which both were [...]
During my Summer 2010 Scotland Blog Tour, I visited the Biblical Garden in Elgin which is just across from Elgin Cathedral. I don’t know if I happened to go at the most colourful time of year, or if it’s always as beautiful. As I’m not religious I enjoyed Elgin’s Biblical Garden for the floral displays. [...]
