Learn Japanese with Eurotalk – travel review
Most of us might have learnt a little French or German at school, although in the 60s when I was treading the corridors of wisdom...
Brooklands Hotel Surrey – travel review
I live in West London but whenever I consider a weekend break I turn right instead of left at the end of the road. That...
Bern – classic and chic – travel review
Bern might not be the first place one would think of for a short city-break. In fact, Switzerland probably isn’t a country one would list...
Champagne – a brief encounter – drinks review
One is spoilt for restaurants in London. Highend Michelin-starred, white-tableclothed establishments abound. The weather becomes warmer. We dream of those balmy days and longer evenings...
Strawberry Hill House – Former grandeur restored – travel review
Strawberry Hill. Even the name conjures visions of pastoral idylls, perhaps a water-colour of mature trees with the promise of a gently-flowing river just over...
The Three Faces of Richard – travel review
You couldn’t make it up! A story that, on the face of it, sounds quite improbable. The King in the Car Park … indeed a...
Famous Detective Falls in Switzerland! Sherlock! – travel review
Now I have the attention of my dear, curious reader! Always eager for some dramatic news. Did our hero trip over a ski pole? Perhaps...
Romantic Takayama – travel review
I admit it. I am now an unashamed Japan evangelist. I had always wanted to go and as a much younger person I had a...
WSET Japan Tour Winter 2014 – travel review
Sake is more popular than ever outside Japan. There is a growing body of beverage professionals who are now turning their attention to Japan’s iconic...
Rotterdam – beds, buildings and gastronomic surprises – travel review
It’s attracting lots of gastronomic and architectural attention, and it does indeed offer a wealth of national and international food outlets. The new Markthal is...
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....