Travel
Discovering the soul of sauna in Finland’s Tampere
Did you know that there are around three million saunas in Finland? And given there are only around 5.5million people, that’s an awful lot of Löyly (that’s the steam that is generated when water is poured over hot coals) per head. And nowhere has more steam than the city of Tampere. Situated slap bang in…
Read MoreTravel: Going green in Prague and Central Bohemia
Living just outside Edinburgh, I’m all too aware that the effects of tourism on some of the world’s most visited cities can be negative as well as positive. And that’s at the front of my mind as I fly into another of the world’s most beautiful and historic cities – Prague. I enjoy travel but…
Read MoreReview: Maften Hall, Northumberland
Megan Amato escapes to the Northumberland countryside for a stay at Maften Hall. Like much of the north of England, I had romantic notions about the rolling hills and historic treasures to be discovered in the Northumberland countryside – notions that were not at all distilled after my visit to Maften Hall. Located only a…
Read MoreReview: The Caledonian Hotel, Edinburgh
It was Coco Chanel who said ‘luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it’s not luxury.’ And I think it’s fair to say the purveyors of grandeur at Edinburgh’s famous The Caledonian Hotel have taken this motto to heart. An imposing block of red sandstone on Edinburgh’s premier Princes Street, The Caley, as it’s affectionately known, oozes…
Read MoreReview: The Atlantic Hotel, Jersey
‘I could move here.’ We’ve all said it. You’re on holiday, drinking in the sun’s rays and (most likely) a cold one from the local brewery. And whether it’s the unfamiliar warmth from the skies kissing your cheek, the undeniably impressive views, or the rich abundance of fruits de mer on offer, you’re suddenly dreaming…
Read MoreThe INEOS Grenadier: How does this 4×4 fair on the sodden hills of Royal Deeside?
It’s rare that I need to be asked twice to head for the hills, but if there’s an opportunity to go off road then I’m definitely most at home on my own two feet, or sat astride a faithful steed. But life is all about stepping outside you comfort zone, so swapping horsepower singular for…
Read MoreHop On Hop Off vs. Traditional Bus Tours in Edinburgh: Which is Right for You?
Sponsored Content | Exploring the historic and scenic city of Edinburgh offers an array of experiences, with its rich tapestry of culture, architecture, and natural beauty. Visitors often find themselves pondering the most effective way to absorb the essence of this vibrant city. The decision frequently boils down to choosing between the flexibility of Edinburgh…
Read MoreReview – Hotel Edelweiss, Zurs, Austria
Watching the progress of our journey on my phone map and looking up towards our destination, Zürs, it was difficult to imagine how our transport would manage the near vertical ascent to our hotel from the valley floor. The traverse of twists, turns and tunnels brought us up and over the Flexen Pass and to…
Read MoreReview: A Car-Free Adventure to Carlisle
The cathedral city of Carlisle may not be your first thought when planning your next weekend away, but the small border city has much more to offer than as a refuelling stop on the way to the Lake District. From its Roman beginnings and royal connections to its hundreds of years of skirmishes with…
Read MoreSearching for Sugarlandia – The Philippines with Don Papa Rum
I’ve always been captivated by the stories behind Scotland’s whiskies. Tales of illicit stills, brave pioneers, families working together and on occasion tearing each other apart, have always been whispered on the wind that sways the fields of barley and in the rushing rivers that provide the crystal-clear water that make Scotch whisky. Today, they…
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