Tag Archives: Travel

Re: Joyce! It’s Bloomsday! (OneTravel)

Considered to be Joyce’s masterpiece and a seminal piece of 20th century literature, the modernist novel Ulysses is known for its dense and dialect rich text and tells the story of a day in the life of Leopold Bloom. Bloomsday … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Ireland, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy 150th to The Langham London

One of London’s most lauded luxury destinations, The Langham, celebrated a stately 150 years as a hotel last week. I tagged along for some of the birthday fun and had a peek at what’s new and upcoming for this upscale mainstay of impeccable hospitality. Continue reading

Posted in Celebrities, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Festivals at London’s South Bank (OneTravel)

Summertime in London means it’s time to head to the riverside to see what’s up and festive. A calendar full of events scheduled for London’s South Bank aims to delight locals and visitors alike with something for virtually every interest … Continue reading

Posted in London, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Taste of Puglia: Craving for More

Did you have fun reading my series of posts about the great time I had visiting the boot heel of Italy? I certainly got a kick out of my trip! But such a short jaunt of Puglia only proved to be a tease, and now I’m craving to discover more about this sunny region. Continue reading

Posted in A Taste of Puglia, Food, Italy, Puglia | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Taste of Puglia: Drinking

The last post in my Taste of Puglia series was about the best bites from the region. But what drinks pair well with all that excellent southern Italian food … wine … coffee? Sure! Puglia can be proud of its contributions to these two most significant liquid elements of Italian culture. Continue reading

Posted in A Taste of Puglia, Coffee, Drink, Food, Italy, Puglia, Shopping, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Taste of Puglia: Sightseeing in the Salento

So as I alluded in the intro to this series about my time in Puglia, my aim is to share the best bits of my time there as well as highlight some Pugliese treats I’ve come across here in London. But where to start? I suppose at the source is as good a place as any, especially when it’s as beautiful as the Salento, the very bottom of the country’s so called boot heel. Continue reading

Posted in A Taste of Puglia, Apps, Italy, Puglia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Taste of Puglia: Alluring and Suggestive

When travelling in Italy, my experience has been that the deeper south I go, the more beguiling the country becomes. This observation held true in mid May when I ventured to Puglia – the heel of Italian boot – for a whistle stop press trip and my first time in this sunny and rustic region. During my few nights visit, things often occurred in manners and for reasons beyond my comprehension. For sure, some of that could be chalked up simply to me being a dumbass. Still, a lot of it – much of it – had way more to do with the place, the people, and the culture. Continue reading

Posted in A Taste of Puglia, Italy, Puglia, Travel | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Celebrate the 4th of July at an American National Park! (OneTravel)

Stuck for ideas for making the most of the 4th of July? Not into the beach scene and the crowds? Why not hit one of the United States many National Parks or other “areas” in the National Park System? The … Continue reading

Posted in OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Chimborazo Day – It’s the Highpoint of the Year! (OneTravel)

Part of the Ecuadorian Andes, Mount Chimborazo is an inactive volcano completely covered by glaciers at its peak. It is the highest mountain in Ecuador and in the Andes north of Peru and is higher than any summit north of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer with Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon (OneTravel)

Summertime’s a fine time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare, with calendar filled with special events and activities for the family. Here’s a look at some of the fun ways to make the most of this beautiful English … Continue reading

Posted in England, OneTravel, Theatre, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Nutty Way to Have Coffee in Lecce, Italy (espressoCrazy)

One of the perks of getting to travel as much as I do is the opportunity to have a peek at (and of course a taste of) local coffee customs. Recently, I was found myself in the Southern Italian city … Continue reading

Posted in Coffee, Drink, espressoCrazy, Food, Italy, Puglia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Canary Islands Day (OneTravel)

Today is Canary Islands Day, an opportunity to celebrate Spain’s archipelago of fun-in-the-sun island destinations just off the coast of southern Morocco. There are seven main islands in the Canaries – Fuerteventura, Gomera, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, Lanzarote, La Palma, … Continue reading

Posted in OneTravel, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Barcelona’s Spa at the Top of the World (OneTravel)

That the tallest building in Barcelona is the five-star waterfront Hotel Arts speaks volumes to this sensational city’s much-lauded reputation as the dream Mediterranean getaway. The 43-storey luxury hotel is situated at a marine between town and beach and caters capably to guests seeking both seaside chills and urban thrills. At the very top of the Arts is 43 The Spa. For rarefied pampering with a view to match, the spa’s signature 43 Sea Experience allows the body to unwind while the mind and spirit soar. Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Hotels, Luxury, OneTravel, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3 Supremely Sunshiny Reasons to Visit Southern Italy’s Salento (OneTravel)

Just back from a too short, but super sunny and fun-filled visit to Salento, I’m eager to rave about how wonderful this part of southern Italy is. Located in the region of Puglia, Salento is at the very bottom of … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, OneTravel, Puglia, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Find Sicily’s Tastiest Spots with the Free Agromobile App (OneTravel)

A recent and delicious visit to Sicily was made all the more juicy, fruitful and scenic with the Agromobile app. Agromobile is a website and a free to download app sharing food and wine related itineraries in Sicily. Interested “land … Continue reading

Posted in Apps, Drink, Food, Freebies, Italy, OneTravel, Restaurants, Shopping, Sicily, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barcelona Brief: What a Brilliant Time!

There’s somewhere for just about any taste or interest readily at hand and to be enjoyed to the fullest extent – and all with its own distinctively Catalan flair. I had a wonderful time taking in the sights and delights of Barcelona and loved this opportunity to share the very best of that trip with you. Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tel Aviv Makes Online Access Easy and Free (OneTravel)

Ever been having an amazing time while traveling in a foreign country when you needed to check something online or simply wanted to share an awesome instance with the world only to thwarted by no access to the internet or … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Barcelona Brief: OneOcean Club at Marina Port Vell

A key component of my brief Barcelona visit was a browse around OneOcean Club at Marina Port Vell. When it opened at the end of 2014, this private club raised the bar (and expectations) for the boating world by offering a range of luxury services and facilities just steps from the boundless amenities and amusements of an ever buzzing metropolis. Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barcelona Brief: The Stylishly Sumptuous Hotel Majestic

If you’re keen to hold convenient court in Barcelona’s elegant and central Eixample district (yet never realise it as long as the door to your room’s terrace is kept shut to not allow even a decibel of noise to seep in from the streets), then this five star hotel’s location is for you. Within easy reach of Las Ramblas; loads of upscale shops; Gaudi’s Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and Sagrada Familia; and the Barri Gòtic, it’s a fine location for sightseeing. The hotel is also only a minute’s stroll from Passeig de Gràcia station, where you can hope a train to the airport and be there in about a half hour. Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clearing up the Mystery of Blogging with the HMA at 17 June at Royal Garden Hotel

Aimed at an audience of bloggers, social media specialists, hospitality marketers and operators “who understand the importance of social media in matters relating to reputation management, promotion, consumer purchasing behaviour and the evolving service culture,” the seminar’s focus will be “experiences, case studies, pitfalls, best practice and how best to develop relationships for your specific marketing needs.” Following the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity to network. Continue reading

Posted in Blogs, Hotels, London, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Barcelona Brief: Ah-Inspiring Hotel Arts

The highest building in Barcelona? It’s the five-star, 43-storey Hotel Arts. At the top floor of this seaside beacon of luxury is 43 The Spa. For rarefied pampering with a view to match, the spa’s signature 43 Sea Experience allows the body to unwind while the mind and spirit soar. That guests can have a gorgeous al fresco lunch several floors down just minutes after … or a stroll the beach … or hit the far humbler but nonetheless inviting neighbourhood bars in nearby Barceloneta … or hop the Metro/hail a cab for more decidedly Barcelonan delights adds dreamy depth to such splendorous me-time. Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Barcelona Brief: High on Generator

For my first of only two nights in Barcelona, I stayed at Generator … in the 8th floor penthouse … and absolutely loved it! If you hanker for a bit of luxury and a chance to spread out when in Barcelona (while still holding on to more than a few spare euros in your pocket), this suite is hard to beat. But whatever you might hope to achieve when booking a budget conscious visit to this bodacious city, you’d be smart to keep in mind Generator’s rather broad spectrum of possible overnight arrangements. Continue reading

Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Chocolate, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Barcelona Brief: Too Brief but Brilliant!

Just back from far too few but still wonderfully rejuvenating days in Barcelona, it’s easy to proclaim it as the ideal getaway. So ideal, I can’t stop thinking about what it might be like to getaway there for good! No matter your “thing” – art, food, beach, luxury, street life, shopping, history … etc etc ad nauseum – or whether you’re one to zealously guard a small budget or magnificently blow a big one, you can do so with flying colours in this captivating Catalan capital. And if you’re like me and want the best of it all in maximum dosage, then keep an eye out for upcoming posts in my Barcelona Brief. Continue reading

Posted in Apps, Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Light, Camera, Cannes! (OneTravel)

For movie buffs, Francophiles, and paparazzi wannabes, the coming of May means it’s time for the glitz and glamor of the world’s most famous film festival: Cannes! Celebrating its 68th “edition” of showcasing the world’s best cinema, this year’s Festival … Continue reading

Posted in France, Movies, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Basics for Having the Best Time in Bath, England (OneTravel)

A comfortable gateway to England’s rugged West Country and easy excursion from (or chilled out alternative to) London, lovely and compact Bath is an excellent destination for experiencing the best of contemporary Britain coupled with an accessible and superbly preserved … Continue reading

Posted in England, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Le Vie della Zagara: Zestful and Juicy Sicily

I hope you’ve enjoyed this online tour of Sicily’s via Le Vie della Zagara. I certainly had a wonderful time discovering this distinctive destination for myself and sharing the most zestful bits of that journey with you. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DFDS Best Travel Photo Blogger 2015? Thanks!

So, when I posted (and tweeted) about my blog being nominated by DFDS Seaways as a contender for 2015’s Best Travel Photography Blogger I guess some as you paid attention and agreed with DFDS as I just got the word that … Continue reading

Posted in Blogs, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Le Vie della Zagara: Ceramic Dynamic Caltagirone

Caltagirone was one of those places where soon into my time there I started wondered about the price of local property. Could I afford to chuck it all in and relocate? How could I make such a transition work – and what kind of work would I even be able to do if I actually did settle there? Such a feeling of immediate attraction to a place often used to overwhelm me when travelling in my 20s and early 30s. It’s a less frequent – but much deeper and more exacting – experience when it hits me these days. No, I don’t think I’ll actually up and move to Caltagirone (and I very much love my life here in London), but that possibility lingers still in my thoughts as I remember it. And I sorely hope I’m don’t have to wait too long to return there for further exploration. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Drink, Food, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Museums, Restaurants, Shopping, Sicily, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Le Vie della Zagara: Limone di Siracusa

A fertile coastal plain stretching between the mountains and the sea with plenty of sea air and consistent year-round sunlight make conditions right for growing Limone di Siracusa, aka Syracuse lemons – some of the juiciest and zestiest on the market. Such conditions add up to a gorgeous place to visit too. The last of the low hanging PGI fruits picked along my journey across Sicily, here’s why I’m a sucker for the aroma and flavour of this mighty if diminutive squirt! Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Shopping, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Le Vie della Zagara: When Life Hands You Lemons Make Granita!

One of the zestier episodes during my zip across Sicily’s Le Vie della Zagara was a visit to the seaside town of Alì Terme in the province of Messina. Here and along the Valle del Nisi, aside perhaps from the tourist trade, the locally grown Limone Interdonato is the main draw – whether on its own with a skin so sweet you can eat it raw or transformed into one of many refreshing delicacies at the local bar/pasticceria/gelateria/bomboniere. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Restaurants, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Le Vie della Zagara: Sicily’s Beautiful Blood Oranges

The three varietals of Sicilian blood oranges include the deeply crimson Moro, the Tarocco (a great all rounder and Italy’s most popular orange), and the sweet and succulent Sanguinello. During my time travelling Le Vie della Zagara, I got a taste of all three blood oranges (and more – keep reading!) while visiting two places involved in the production of aranchia rossa: the lavish San Giorgio Estate with its upscale luxury Aranjaya villa and the more pragmatic but nonetheless impressive processing facilities of Pannitteri & C. Both are located in the eastern area of Sicily within the province of Catania and bestowed with jaw-dropper views of smoking and snow-capped Mount Etna. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Luxury, Shopping, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

4 Awesome Travel Ideas for National Bike Month (OneTravel)

Did you know May is National Bike Month? Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and “celebrated in communities from coast to coast” since 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to get on their rides more often. So, why not make the most of it with a scenic ride on your favorite two-wheeler? Continue reading

Posted in OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Le Vie della Zagara: Balanced and Scenic Ribera

The world’s only orange with PDO certification (protected designation of origin, DOP in Italian) grows in Ribera, Sicily. Belonging to the family of yellow navel oranges, it’s not all that different in appearance to any run of the mill orange you’re apt to come across at any supermarket anywhere in the world. But bite into a Ribera or drink some of its juice and what sets it apart becomes clear. It’s a juicy fruit with a balanced ratio of sugars and acids – not too sweet or tart – with a firm and smooth flesh and no seeds. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Shopping, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Le Vie della Zagara: Ciaculli and its Anti-Mafia Mandarins

First stop on Le Vie della Zagara was the Palermo suburb of Ciaculli, home of the juicy Mandarino Tardivo di Ciacualli, where land once owned by the Mafia has been confiscated and converted into citrus groves by the locally run Consorzio il Tardivo di Ciaculli. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Shopping, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Le Vie della Zagara: Experiencing Sicily with Gusto!

Le Vie della Zagara is a new initiative encouraging visitors to Sicily to take at least a little time of their beach bound holiday to explore the island’s surprisingly diverse landscape and enjoy its equally varied bounty of citrus and many more treats along the way. Continue reading

Posted in Apps, Food, Italy, Le Vie della Zagara, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments