22 August 2023

Krakow is a beautiful city to explore, from it's intricately decorated buildings which hide a whole world of treasures to a day trip to one of Europe's most thought provoking and sombre museums- Auschwitz l and Auschwitz ll- Birkenau. If you are interested in visiting, I would highly recommend a guided tour as it is very informative. We were lucky enough to see the Christmas Markets in the square, which had an array of hot food and gift stalls, definitely a great time to visit. Krakow is home to affordable restaurants, museums, tower climbs, vodka bars, boutique shops and outdoor heated bars to people watch, or just to watch the day go by. When it comes to top sights, you can take your pick from this stunning blend of architectural wonders: St. Mary's Basilica, Florianska Gate and Rynek underground museum. There is also the Salt Mines, which is located 135 metres underground and certainly one of the top places to visit. Krakow is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities I've visited and it certainly tells a story, it's an incredible place and I would recommend a visit to this unique city.

10 August 2023

Barbados is full of vibrancy and culture. This was my second visit to Barbados, I visited here back in 1999 and it hasn't changed much. We stayed in Hastings, on the South Coast for ten nights. The only coral island in the region with all white sandy beaches. You see the locals fishing from the rocks and it's such a laid back atmosphere with Bob Marley in the background and Reggae wherever you venture. In addition to its lush tropical scenery, Barbados is known for its delicious and eclectic culinary scene, you can experience authentic culture and island flavour through the food of Barbados, influenced by Creole, Portuguese and British cuisine. We enjoyed the local beaches lined with palm trees, a feel of total calm and relaxation. We also rented a car for a few days to explore the island, we went east and headed through Saint Lawrence Gap and made our way to Crane Beach- a truly outstanding beach that has been voted one of the top beaches in the world.... This place has dramatic cliffs and the softest white sand with a hint of pink.... The Crane Resort is perched on the cliffs, overlooking the stunning beach and sea.. driving out of Crane beach towards Bathsheba, we noticed wild monkeys on the wall of a house, we stopped to take a few pictures. Bathsheba, my favourite part of the island with its untouched beauty and a photographer's paradise which is on the Atlantic coastline. You can stop and have a drink in the local bars which overlook the crashing waves and ragged rocks, whilst watching the brave locals surf!!! This place is not a typical tourist town, but home to the local fishing community. We headed across the island to Holetown, a completely different resort to Bathsheba, where there are boutique designer shops and good restaurants, a very tasteful resort with still ocean and sandy beaches. The drive is beautiful along the coastal road towards Bridgetown. If you want to purchase gold jewellery, Bridgetown is the place to go. A walk around the place is also recommended. We also went on a boat trip in Holetown, which was a great experience. We were able to swim in the sea quite far out and that was fantastic. You can also go on an excursion where you can swim with the turtles and snorkel, you also get the chance to see the shipwreck ‘The Neptune Goddess’ sunk off Accra Beach on the South coast. Lots to do, or you can just chill out on the beach with a cocktail. You may also see the race horses late at night bathing in the sea, that is a wonderful sight. I loved Barbados, the local people are so friendly and if you care to take a bus ride, it's a free for all and you may see people sat on other's knees... with the sound of Reggae playing on the stereo. A great place that everyone must experience in their lifetime.

28 July 2016

Bergen is a beautiful city which is on Norway's southwestern coast. It is surrounded by mountains and fjords which make this place a real incentive if you want a city break combined with sheer beauty. An important Viking stronghold and seat of the medieval kingdom until the 14th century, bustling Bergen's highlights include its Fish Market, Aquarium and funicular railroad up Mount Floyen, as well as Troldhaugen, the museum dedicated to composer Grieg (a former resident). The Bryggen district consists of the old historic wharf and features beautifully coloured wooden houses, which are now used as shops and restaurants, great for walking around and taking in the Norwegian history whilst exploring the narrow alleyways in between. There are some fantastic restaurants too and it's certainly worth taking the time to do some research in finding them. There is a whole range of restaurants, ranging from Bistro style to fine dining and there is certainly a good range to choose from. There are also small cafes where you can get coffee and have lunch too... There is plenty to do in Bergen and there are excursions available, so if you would like to take advantage of a mini cruise for the day or explore Mount Floyen and the Funicular, it's all on your doorstep. I would certainly recommend Mount Floyen and the Funicular, as the views are incredible and overlook the whole of Bergen. There is a coffee/souvenir shop at the top that sells great Danish cakes. Beyond are walking trails which lead into the surrounding forest and there's also playgrounds for children. Great if you go in the summer, you can take a picnic. We stayed in Bergen for three days and then went to Alesund on the Hurtigruten Cruise ship with an overnight cabin. The Hurtigruten cruise ship was MS Polarlys, which is a fleet of 11 ships in Norway. These ships feature modern facilities carefully blended with true character. The MS Polarlys also has large panorama and observation lounges with great views which are a huge benefit and very comfortable. The town of Ålesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its architecture in Art Nouveau style since it was rebuilt in 1904 after a devastating fire. It has rugged mountains and sapphire blue fjords, this gives the perfect opportunity for an active holiday. It is a great town to explore, where you can get on a ferry and drive anywhere. This place has a port and an airport, so it is easy to get to if you want to see the fjords and indulge in a piece of heaven. From here we drove to Geiranger, created during a succession of ice ages, this is known as one of the jewels of the Norwegian Fjords. I have to say that this place is beyond all expectations, it's one of the most spectacular places I've ever seen with it's cascading waterfalls and stunning scenery. We spent eight days exploring parts of Norway, certainly an adventure and a wonderful place to get away to.