Rotterdam – building with new energy, treasuring old charm – travel review
I had visited Holland once before. That was Amsterdam and many years ago. I travelled by air and the flight was quick – Holland is...
Art on the Plate – Styling Traditional Food from the Punjab – travel review
I am, at first sight, overwhelmingly English. Yes, well, no, not quite. I have a family connection to India which is distant yet strong. That...
Southern Oregon – sleep and eat in style – travel review
The average British tourist heading for the US on vacation will likely have limited horizons. There is the Big Apple with the draw of bright...
The Markthal, Rotterdam – travel review
We are thinking about a pre-Christmas break, a rejuvenating Spring get-away, a Summer city break, and there are the familiar cries of ‘Let’s go to...
Portland, Oregon – colourful in every way – travel review
The Portland area was originally inhabited by two bands of Upper Chinook Native Americans. The Multnomah people settled on and around Sauvie Island, and the...
Discover Japanese Sake with Discovery Channel – travel review
We are invited to ‘Travel with Sam to Japan and uncover the secrets of sake’. But the first questions are likely to be ‘Who is...
Groningen – Contemporary and Historic – travel review
Groningen isn’t the first destination in The Netherlands of which one might think. It’s invariably Amsterdam that gets that accolade, and a very fine city...
London Southend Airport – travel review
I am a West London girl (OK, more accurately, mature woman of a certain age) and therefore ideally positioned for Heathrow. I have had reasonable...
The Netherlands – A Liberating Interlude – travel review
I am, as regular readers will have noticed, an unapologetic supporter of The Netherlands. It’s a small country that not only welcomes the British tourist...
10 Favourite things to do in St Kitts – travel review
This is a stunning little island that offers so much. There are hot golden beaches, cool and tranquil rain forests, history, food, adventure and entertainment....
St Kitts – History and Tranquillity – travel review
I am no expert on the Caribbean. Truth to tell, this was my first visit to the islands. Friends had described their vacations to some...
The Tomb of the Unknown Uncle – Flowering of Liberation – travel review
2014 is a special year and after my recent visit to the Netherlands I am reminded that every year should be special. This year we...
The War of Jan Loos – interview
The last year of World War II offered the hope of an end to hostilities, but they were, in fact, a long way from being...
Koichi Saura – Samurai for Sake – interview
We, at least in London, are becoming more familiar with Japan’s iconic national beverage. We are tempted to take our first sips in the increasingly...
Washoku – Japanese cuisine recognised by UNESCO – travel review
We in the West might consider that we know all about Japanese food and indeed all about Japan. It is, I guess, a consequence of...
Toshie Hiraide, Sake Samurai Japan – interview
Japan has many icons. Sumo, sushi, kimonos are among the first that spring to the non-Japanese mind …along with sake! Japanese food and sake are...
Norcia – Umbria, Italy – travel review
Anyone with a molecule of romance in their hearts will have considered a vacation in Italy. Any lover of good food and wine would have...
Valencia, Spain – travel review
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. The Port of Valencia is the 5th busiest container port in Europe and...
Oriana Christmas Cruise 2013 – travel review
There is a whole section of the British population that lives to float. They are dedicated cruisers and remain faithful to their chosen line. P&O...
Oriana – cruising for adults – travel review
I am not, by Oriana standards, a seasoned cruiser. I have only had three floating holidays to date and this was the first with P&O....