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Take the ferry from Cais do Sodre for the ten-minute crossing to Cacilhas (€1.25), avoid the street traders at the exit and turn sharp right to walk along the quay. There are wonderful old industrial buildings and eventually, the maritime museum and an elevador or a steep series of steps up to the small town of Almada and the Cristo Rei statue, from where there is a great view back across the Tejo as far as Sintra.
Monkton Wyld Court is an environmental education centre that does family activity holidays, B&B and retreats. It's a beautiful place and ideal for anyone wanting a break with a difference. Guests stay in the Victorian Gothic house which has wonderful original features and overlooks the terraced lawns and Dorset countryside. The gardens are abundant with wildlife, we saw a baby deer just yards from us and at dusk sat in the courtyard sipping wine and watching some rare bats fly in and out of the buildings. B&B is reasonable (£26) and it's great for walks to the coast and sight seeing. The place is very relaxed and family-friendly. Our kids loved playing in the gardens and finding all the tree houses and swings. Food is wholesome organic veggie served fresh from the garden. Couldn't recommend it more highly. Beats stuffy old guest houses!
www.monktonwyldcourt.org
Axminster is nearest staion
01297 560342 to book.
This is an old fortress/prison set on the island of If a few kilometres from the main port of Marseille.
While the fortress has been on the island since the 16th century, its main claim to fame is as the place of imprisonment of the fictional inmate Edmond Dantès, the hero of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Montecristo.
Only 20 minutes by boat from Quai des Belges in the old port of Marseille.
Café de Paris is situated in the historic centre of Sintra Vila with fine views of the National Palace. A beautiful 19th century building built in the classical Parisian café style, covered in blue tiles. You have the choice of dining on the balcony, the terrace or the beautiful French style interior decorated with painted murals.
The café offers excellent Portuguese cuisine with a French flavour. After a long walk to the palace and castle on the hill spend the afternoon relaxing here with a bottle of Borba red wine.
Restaurante Café de Paris: 21 923 23 75
We enjoyed dining at Manolo Caracol (casual, locally owned) and Astrid y Gaston (more formal, originated in Peru).
As for places to see, I recommend the Baha'i temple, walking in Soberania National Park, and visiting Miraflores Locks.
Astrid y Gaston: www.astridygaston.com
Bahai Organization: www.bahai.org
Miraflores locks: www.pancanal.com
Full trip report, with photos at www.travelmusings.net
A relaxed farmstead one hour’s drive from Salta on the outskirts of sleepy town Coronel Moldes. Owned by Carlos and Valeria Lewis. We spent three days riding their horses and enjoying the surrounding views of the Dique Cabra Corral and El Fuerte mountains. The couple keep goats and Valeria has won many slow food awards for her outstanding goat’s cheese – a welcome respite for two vegetarians visiting Argentina…
Accommodation consists of simply furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms overlooking the garden.
Carlos has created the only tobacco museum in Argentina full of artefacts and is passionate about the history of the plant. He was endlessly helpful and nothing seemed to be too much effort to arrange. The family could not have been more hospitable and friendly and when we next visit north-west Argentina we will most definitely be staying here again.
Warmly recommended.
Coronel Moldes, 4400, Argentina
+543874905050
clewis@salnet.com.ar
Google map: tinyurl.com/ly4tpn
A family-run four-star hotel right on the edge of the lake. Large comfortable rooms; wonderful lake views; great food and welcoming and helpful owners.
hotelladarsena.it/darsena_tremezzo/index.html
Fly or take the train to Milan or Como; use the public boat or bus service to reach Tremezzo
This has to be the best veggie cafe in the Lakes.
I had an awesome breakfast, looking over the mountains, in the (very rare!) lakeland sunshine. Great food, good portions, and a cool bike shop upstairs too.
Bell Close, Keswick, Cumbria
www.lakelandpedlar.co.uk
017687 74492
I visited Ireland recently and for a change we went to counties Carlow and Kilkenny, very nice as both are full of history and ruins. Easy access from Dublin (only one-hour drive to Kilkenny), Kilkenny castle is fantastic with lots of nice accommodation. I found a good restaurant especially if you're a beef eater. Enjoy...
www.butlercourt.com (guest house)
www.celticbedandbreakfast.com (B&B Carlow)
www.langtons.ie (restaurant Kilkenny)
It's hard to find high quality accommodation in a stunning location, but Spinneywood has it all. Panoramic coastal views, a beautifully furnished and well-equipped property and an acre of private garden all to ourselves. We had a lovely holiday. I only wish we'd been able to stay for longer.
We took a chance on all aspects of our Peak District 'adventure' tour in May: weather, accommodations, sites and proximities, near constant driving on the 'wrong' side of unfamiliar roads, not knowing any other North Americans who'd travelled there. But our primary purpose - to experience the contrasting landscapes and see-for-miles views was stupendously satisfied! Quite by accident we stumbled upon a listing for Bretton Cottage on the web, and booked it, as it was 'central' to all the areas we wanted to tour and visit. Little did we know that it was an extraordinary establishment, a 15th century listed but renovated farmhouse, in a hamlet of only three buildings, situated on an edge with endless views in three directions.
Creative local cuisine available on an expansive breakfast menu, and the faultless Barrel Inn cuisine 10 yards from the gate for dinner. We had one of two spacious suites with private entrances, ours with twin beds, a sitting area, kitchenette, fully modernised bath, and the softest of sheets and bathrobes. (The other suite is a king bed.) We simply made ourselves at home for more than a week! The cost was very reasonable at 80 quid, the privacy complete, and the gracious and welcoming hosts a joy! (Breakfasts stretched to two-hour affairs as conversation and shared laughter grew day by day.)
We both returned to the US certain that much of the success of the trip was due to the unexpected luck in finding such a fine 'base' for our travels. The proprietors also operate self-catering cottages throughout the district.
Bretton, Eyam, Nr Foolow
Hope Valley, Derbyshire
S32 5QD
Tel: 01433 631076 / 07900 192838
The centre of the city is not large, so it makes this place easy to visit in a day.
You can choose to visit Florence by bike, following the cycle tracks that reach the most famous historic sites.
What to see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)
- The Bargello Museum
- Ponte Vecchio: To one side of the bridge there is the majestic bust of the most famous Florentine goldsmith, Benvenuto Cellini.
Scenic views:
- Bike along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the wonderful landscape of Florence
- Panoramic view of the Boboli Gardens
Bike rental estimated prices:
1 hour - about 3 Euro
1 day - from a minimum of 14 Euro to a maximum of 27 Euro
It's a luxury B&B on the Tuscan/Umbrian borders. Has great rooms with views and is only 40 minutes' drive from Perugia airport, near lots of medieval towns.
The hamlet of Lugnano between Citta di castello and Umbertide
A beautiful peninsula just west of Swansea in South Wales. Simply breathtaking landscapes and coastal walks. An enchanting place to explore!
I would definitely recommend a look when you visit Venice. It's inside the Church of St Mark (Basilica di San Marco) and as well as the fantastic ceiling mosaics, offers has a great view of the piazza.
Go up the (steep!) staircase on the right as you go from the narthex into the main body of the church. It's worth the effort, though.
The real horses of San Marco are up here too – the other ones are only modern replicas.
San Marco, Piazza San Marco
Great selection of self-catering holiday flats on Scarborough's beautiful esplanade on South Cliff. Lovely views across harbour and out to sea. Mexican restaurant on site and sports bar.
The Villa Esplanade, South Cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2QA
www.villaesplanade.co.uk
Cliff-top hotel located on the north bay of Scarborough, offering the best sea views you may ever see! Excellent rates and cheap deals always available. Perfect for families - only five minutes from many attractions and one minute from Blue Flag Beach. Nice rooms, good food and friendly service. Perfect for anyone looking for a seaside holiday on a budget.
The Clifton Hotel,
Queen’s Parade, North Bay,
Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 7HX
www.clifton-hotel-scarborough.co.uk
Hog Island Oyster Company is about 10 miles north of the town of Point Reyes on Highway 1. There are tables and grills where you can shuck your own oysters at the edge of Tomales Bay. In Pt. Reyes, you can buy a baguette at the Bovine Bakery, some local cheese at the Cowgirl Creamery and some wine or beer.
Then drive north to Hog Island. The ocean fog often burns off in the late afternoon. A marvelous way to induce a sense of wellbeing.
Beautiful country house hotel in Scalby Village near Scarborough in North Yorkshire. Attended a small wedding here and it was absolutely stunning. Great rooms, great food, nice wines and some of the most beautiful uninterrupted views of Yorkshire you may ever see!
Wrea Head Country House Hotel in Scarborough
Barmoor Lane, Scalby near Scarborough
www.wrea-head-hotel.co.uk
Possibly the best hotel in Scarborough. Central location and sea views! Full leisure facilities, good food and great service.
The Royal Hotel in Scarborough
St Nicholas Street, Scarborough YO11 2HE
www.royalhotelscarborough.co.uk
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