Exploring the History of Pembroke Castle, Wales
I visited lots of medieval castles on my recent trip to Wales. However, the one that made the biggest impression on me was Pembroke Castle. Privately owned and imaginatively managed, Pembroke Castle has an enviable location, with a long history stretching right back...
The Walled Towns and Fortifications of North Wales
The Norman castles and fortifications of North Wales are one of the area’s major tourist attractions. And rightly so: the buildings are majestic and offer spectacular views of the Welsh countryside. But why were all these fortifications necessary in the first place?...
Exploring the Architectural Folly of Portmeirion
Mention the Welsh village of Portmeirion to any Briton of a certain age, and chances are they’ll immediately say, “The Prisoner”, referring to the cult television show of the 1960s that was filmed there. Or they’ll say that they’ve got a piece of Portmeirion pottery...
Why I’d Love to Stay at the IceHotel in Swedish Lapland
This post has been sponsored by Best Served Scandinavia Every so often it is fun to write about a place I’d like to visit, rather than somewhere I’ve already been. One such place is the ultra-cool (in all senses of the word) IceHotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland. I...
TBEX Killarney, A Sneak Preview
My first TBEX (Travel Bloggers Exchange) conference was in Ireland, in the capital city of Dublin. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve been to all the TBEX European conferences since, as well as this year’s TBEX International in Jerusalem. In October this year, TBEX is...
St Winefride’s Well: The Lourdes of Wales
Everyone has heard of Lourdes, the French town that pilgrims have been flocking to since 1858 in the hope of miraculous cures. Yet St Winefride’s Well, in the north Wales town of Holywell, is much lesser known. Even though it has been a place of pilgrimage and healing...
The Story of the Eleanor Crosses
If you’ve been to London you may have noticed the elaborate monument in the forecourt of Charing Cross Station. But did you know that there were once twelve "Eleanor Crosses" between London and Lincoln? And did you know the story behind them? The Death of Queen...
Staying in Trastevere, the “Other Side” of Rome
Across the river from the main city, Trastevere is Rome’s “left bank”. A slightly bohemian area of students and artisans, its old narrow streets packed with bars and restaurants. I’d never explored the district before, but on my recent trip to Rome I stayed in an...
The Renaissance Art of the Villa Farnesina, Rome
Rome is full of art treasures. Grand buildings from every stage of history, churches full of statues and other artworks, and much, much more. So it would be easy to miss the Villa Farnesina. I discovered it by chance, passing it on an early morning walk. It was a...
New Excavations to Explore at Rome’s Circus Maximus
Last time I was in Rome the Circus Maximus was just a vast grassy area. A pleasant place for a walk, or a picnic perhaps, but nothing more. But now excavations at one end of the site have uncovered some of the original brickwork – seating, shops and more. The...
