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Tuscany’s gifts to the world

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Tuscany, or Italy for that matter! My love affair with Tuscany began more than two decades ago. I think it started the moment I had my first meal at a cosy trattoria in Florence. The food was absolutely divine. Simple, fresh and cooked with a passion [...]

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Ten things to do in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a small volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco. The island, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, is a popular holiday destination for Europeans who come here to bask in the sun and explore the extraordinary volcanic landscapes. From the air, Lanzarote looks like a chain of volcanic cones, [...]

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covent-garden-punch-and-judy

Unravelling the mysteries of theatrical Covent Garden

A guest post by Andrea Kirkby. Covent Garden wasn’t quite in at the start of London’s theatrical tradition – Shakespeare’s Globe for instance was south of the river and other early playhouses clustered in the East End – but it’s been the centre of London’s theatreland since the time of Charles II. Nell Gwyn acted [...]

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Explore the temples of London

A guest post by Andrea Kirkby. Sometimes you know when you step into a place that it is holy. You feel the weight of the years, the atmosphere charged with silence and veneration; the air seems colder and thinner than in the street outside and there’s a sense of something invisible being there. I never [...]

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gulfoss-waterfall-iceland-photo

Velvet moments: travel photo – Gulfoss, Iceland

The Gulfoss waterfall is located in southwestern Iceland in a canyon formed by the Hvítá river and is one of the country’s prime attractions. The waterfall’s diagonal, three-tier drop is a sight to behold. At the last step, the water seemingly disappears into a dramatic crevice – you can only see the river continuing its [...]

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Five alternative things to do in Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is arguably one of the most intriguing cities in the world. The city played a prominent geopolitical role in the first half of the 20th century before being completely destroyed and divided into two. It then staged a remarkable comeback after the fall of the infamous Berlin Wall in 1989 [...]

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Mas Perafita: a lovely retreat in the Cap de Creus

The Cap de Creus is a rugged wind-swept peninsula in the far northeastern corner of Catalonia, not far from the border with France. A large part of the peninsula is a designated national park and is famous for its nature trails and secluded coves and inlets. There is also a variety of picturesque fishing villages [...]

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toledo-spain-view-from-air-photo

Plane views: Toledo, Spain

Toledo is an historic city, located 70km south of Madrid. Declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986, the city is most famous for its magnificent Cathedral and the Alcazar (a fortress that was built by the Romans in the 3rd century and later renovated and expanded by various Castilian kings). Toledo is [...]

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Winter adventures in Lapland

For many of us who live in temperate climes, the dreary, rainy weather that winter brings is sufficient reason to want to pack up for an all-inclusive holiday on the beaches of a sunny, warm land. For those of us who enjoy the perks of a refreshing chill in a snowbound land, there are plenty [...]

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aigua-blava-bay-photo

A relaxing holiday at Hotel Aigua Blava

The road from the town of Begur to Llafranc winds past some of the most beautiful villas on the Costa Brava. After several miles, a left turn in the direction of Fornells leads visitors to arguably one of the most charming hotels along the coast: Hotel Aigua Blava. Situated on a promontory, this family-run hotel [...]

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