Tag Archives: Travel
A Look at a Few of England’s World Record Sites (CheapOair)
England. It’s a land that’s as celebrated as much for its pomp and circumstance as for its more subtle eccentricities. Those who know the English well are aware of their love of competition – whatever the contest. No matter how … Continue reading
Portugal Please: Morgadio da Calçada
Situated atop a plateau yielding (yet more) beautiful panoramic views of the Douro River and its undulant valley, the tiny ancient village of Provesende was my final stop in the area. Here I took a quick wander round the village and a proper snoop inside 17th century mansion (with contemporary accommodations) Morgadio da Calçada. Continue reading
App Review: Cruising with “Two Taps” from Addison Lee Minicabs
If you’ve been paying any attention at all to this blog over the past couple of weeks, then you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been bouncing round between airports a lot more than usual (and having an absolute blast between each bounce). On the ground here in London, the new and improve iPhone app from minicab maestros Addison Lee has been significantly simplifying how I’ve been getting to and fro my flights as well taking a chunk of hassle out of more locally-minded jaunts around town. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Even More Douro Valley Quintas
No, I didn’t just lounge around at a couple of scenically situated hotels while in the Douro (although, that would be a terrifically recuperative way to spend one’s time). When I wasn’t enjoying my stay in the luxury laps of Quinta do Vallado and Quinta Nova, I was bopping all over the rest of the valley trying to visit as many different vineyards as possible – and loving every minute of it. Here are a few brief notes about the rest of the Douro Valley quintas I visited, including Quinta do Crasto, Quinta da Pacheca, Quinta do Panascal and Quinta do Seixo. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Quinta Novo de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
A lovingly restored 18th century manor cum 21st century four star hotel and the centrepiece of a lofty patchwork of vineyards rolling down to the Douro River: Quinta Novo de Nossa Senhora do Carmo was my home for a night. Leaving Vallado for a full-on day of winery visits around the Douro, my second evening in this idyllic valley wound down in equal parts elegance and comfort. Continue reading
5 Great Authors to Take with You on Your Next Trip (OneTravel)
Text messages, emails, tweets, status updates – when’s the last time you read something more than a few paragraphs long and solely for the sheer joy of reading it? Got a long haul flight or some time lounging by the … Continue reading
Portugal Please: Sniffing Around Quinta do Vallado
After a quick sightseeing jaunt and overnight stay in Porto, I was off to the Douro Valley for a few days of scenic sipping. My first night there, I had the ultra-luxe pleasure of spending some time – and a very restful night – at Quinta do Vallado. To put it plainly, I loved everything about this place. It hurt a little to have to leave and I’m aching to return for another chance to admire in situ this wine hotel’s blend of tradition with modern design; savour more of its homey food; and, of course, enjoy its fabulous wines. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Porto
My Portugal Please tour commenced in the compact and cosy city of Porto, which proved to be an excellent gateway to the Douro Valley and a fine place to visit in and of itself. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit for a city break, Porto is only a two hour flight away from London with plenty to see and do and eat and drink and browse and buy. Here are some highlight from my all too brief time there. Continue reading
Portugal Please: Wão. What a Trip!
Does it ever seem like far too many folks are stuck in the same tired rut of a far too well beaten path, only hitting a few main sites in a short selection of only a few Western European countries – namely Spain, France, and Italy – and never realising that there’s so much more to explore just as close, just as scenic, just as steeped in tradition … and often accessible at far greater value than most of the EU? Not you and me though. We’re going to Portugal! Continue reading
Celebrate Record Store Day in Soho, London (OneTravel)
Fingering your way through crate after crate of vinyl discs in search of that one final piece of sonic perfection that’s been eluding your otherwise complete collection of cherished LPs is a lot like hunting for Easter eggs, just way … Continue reading
Istanbul in an Instant
For my birthday, Kemey and I spent a long weekend in Istanbul. Yes indeed, ya gotta do the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia/Basilica Cistern/Topkapi Palace/Grand Bazaar shuffle when you’re there, but there’s so much more to see and do in this massive and dynamic city. Here are just a few of the “other” highlights from our trip. Continue reading
Tops Sights and Sounds Around Muscle Shoals, Alabama (OneTravel)
Nestled along the banks of the Tennessee River, the area of Muscle Shoals in northwest Alabama is a nature lover’s dream. It’s a music lover’s dream too, where a small handful of recording studios have been responsible for some of … Continue reading
Infographic: UK Flight Disruption Infographic
Flight Disruption Infographic from Sainsbury’s Travel Money
Amsterdam’s Best Museums (OneTravel)
From the exquisite art of the famed Dutch Masters to a humble home made famous by the diary of a brave little girl whose family had been forced into hiding, Amsterdam’s museums are among the best that Europe has to … Continue reading
London’s Best Record Stores (CheapOair)
Record stores: London’s got ’em. Some of the best in Europe actually, and here’s a crème de la crème list of this city’s finest establishments dedicated to the needs of the finickiest vinyl junkies. Sound good? Then you better hurry up and … Continue reading
Time for Art at the Folkestone Triennial 2014 (CheapOair)
The seaside town of Folkestone is located about 70 miles from Central London on the southeastern coast of Kent. High speed trains run regularly to/from London St Pancras International with a journey time that’s just under an hour. Every three … Continue reading
7 of NOLA’s Oldest Restaurants (OneTravel)
Here’s a historically delicious look at seven of the finest and oldest restaurants in New Orleans. It makes a heck of a gourmand wish list as well. I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting one of these places, Tujague’s (love … Continue reading
5 Travel Photographers You Should Know About (OneTravel)
What could be better inspiration for planning your next trip than browsing the sites of a few of the world’s best photographers? Here’s a list of five of my favourite photographers with their lenses turned toward some of the world’s … Continue reading
Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery to Re-Open Autumn 2014 (CheapOair)
A glimmering gem in the crown of British art spaces, the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester has been closed to the public for several months but is to reopen this autumn following a £15 million (roughly $25 million) transformation. On … Continue reading
7 Blogs You Should Read Before Traveling to London (OneTravel)
Narrowing down a list of the best blogs to read to help plan your trip to London is no easy task! There are some great London-centric blogs out there with excellent suggestions – and strong opinions – on what makes … Continue reading
USA to the UK? Tips for Future Expats.
Tapping into the worldly wisdom of all these globetrotters and hoping to give a little something back to people who use their services (or might need to in the near future), HiFX has recently asked expats who blog (and there seems to be quite a lot of us out there doing just that) to contribute some advice to their new Expat Tips page. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’d qualify as any sort of expert or not, but I certainly have my opinions about being from one country and living in another. I was happy to pitch in with some thoughts for US citizens contemplating a move to the UK when asked if I’d like to participate.” Continue reading
Miss Camel Beauty Contest (Vice)
The desert may be one of the last places on earth you’d expect to find a beauty pageant. But on Christmas Day, while you were busy testing the limits of your digestive system, VICE’s Charlet Duboc was negotiating sand dunes … Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!
Happy Mardi Gras! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Dixie Detours miniseries featuring the highlights from my recent trip to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida along with suggestions for planning your own sojourn to the Deep South. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Chattanooga, Choo Choo City
Chattanooga is my old teenage stomping ground. Since I’ve moved away, every year or two when I’ve managed to make it back for a visit (usually around Christmastime), the area always seemed to have gotten better than I remembered it being. Same holds true this time round. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Tabasco Tourism on Avery Island
Louisiana’s most iconic brand, McIlhenny Company’s Tabasco brand Original Red Sauce packs a wallop of distinctively spicy flavour. For all its flavoursome punch, it’s comprised of only three natural ingredients: aged red peppers, vinegar and salt from Avery Island, which is also the home of all Tabasco production. In addition to the pepper sauce factory, the island (roughly two hours from New Orleans and 40 minutes from Lafayette) is also a botanical garden, bird sanctuary and wildlife refuge. Our last day in Louisiana, Kemey and I spent a fantastic morning on Avery Island before carrying on with our Dixie Detours road trip. Here are some highlights from the fun time we had there. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: A Cajun Good Time in Lafayette
It’s a down home kind of place, Lafayette, where a koozie for your cold one is handy asset indeed. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: New Orleans School of Cooking
Wow. Our afternoon visit to the New Orleans School of Cooking on St Louis Street in the French Quarter was a lot of fun – and well worth its own write up among all the entries in my Dixie Detours miniseries. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Overnight Luxury in Mobile, Alabama
The rather underrated and often overlooked Gulf Coast town of Mobile proved to be an excellent choice and our time there an all too short and actually quite luxurious stay. Continue reading