Quirky Traveller's Tales

The Twizy is quite simply fantastic fun on four wheels. It’s a tiny electric car that thinks it’s a Ferrari. And when you drive one you’ll get as much attention, if not more, as if you were driving one of the most iconic cars in the world.  For the sixth of the ‘Challenge Zoë’ adventures for the Kendal Courier I whizzed off round the little lanes of the southern Lake District to test it out.  Here’s the article that appeared in the December edition of the magazine. 

 “Oh, it’s adorable … What is it?”  The American woman’s response was typical. Everywhere I went in the Twizy, people smiled, took photos, and wanted to have a go.  I explained that it was an electric car and yes, of course she and her friends could all take photos.  Then I was off again on my silent way through the lovely lanes of the Lake District.

An hour or so earlier I had left the Langdale Hotel, where I was staying, having been given a quick briefing on how to drive the Twizy.  “It’s very easy. All you do is turn on the engine, put it into Drive and off you go.  It’ll do at least 40 miles before it needs charging and here’s a map showing routes and free Charge points.  You could head over to the L’al Ratty via the best drive in the Lake District or go over Kirkstone Pass to the Ullswater Steamer. Or just have a wander about the villages and country roads.”

Guests at the hotel can hire a Twizy for £10 per hour.  They are part of Cumbria tourism’s Go Lakes ‘Drive Less, See More’ transport initiative which includes lots of interesting ideas about how to travel around the Lake District.  The Langdale Estate leases the vehicles from Co-Wheels Car Club which provide an eco-friendly alternative to private car use.

 When I parked near the ferry at Ambleside, people gathered round, asking questions and taking photos.  As I pushed up the gull-wing door to get out, there was a little “aaah” from the audience.  A group of Air Cadets insisted on having their picture taken with me holding a mascot and they had lots of questions.

Yes, you can charge it from an ordinary plug, top speed’s about 50 miles per hour and yes, it is a bit chilly with no windows so wrap up warm.   And there are a number of places in the Lakes where you can hire them.  But be warned  – you won’t go unnoticed. This tiny vehicle really has got the X-Factor … and it is so much fun to drive!

You can read more about my stay at the luxurious Langdale Hotel here and experience of Go Lakes ‘Drive Less, See More’ sustainable travel initiative here.

“Ah, you’ve got Room 105.  Very special.  You’re going to love it.”  When the charming guy carrying your bag tells you that, after you’ve checked in to a hotel, you could be forgiven for a slight air of scepticism.  After all, he’s not likely to say, “Oh Room 105 – poor you.”  However, when he opened the door I saw exactly what he meant.  In front of me were TWO seductively curvaceous baths facing out towards a huge bed, a spacious seating area, large bowl of fresh fruit, bedroom slippers, fluffy bathrobe, quality toiletries, huge flat screen TV and iPod deck.  It’s not often I’m really impressed by a hotel bedroom but this time – oh yes.

The room exuded warm, seductive charm – the only drawback was that I didn’t have a warm, seductive guy to share the romantic atmosphere with.  The Langdale Hotel describes it as “Luxurious, Cool, Romantic, Unusual, Stunning, Contemporary, Surprising, Fun, Naughty, Cheeky, Relaxing, Exciting, Different.” Yep, I’d agree with that – and add ‘Quality Quirky’ to the list!

I’d been invited to see for myself what the Langdale offers their hotel or timeshare property guests and also to test drive the Twizy, a tiny electric car that is causing more of a stir on the roads and lanes of the Lake District than any Ferrari or Porsche would.  A quick wander round the hotel was enough to see that there’s every facility you could wish for on a luxury holiday, whether for a family, on a romantic break, business trip or solo traveller like me.  Here are a just three of my favourite things:

• The Langdale Spa – having a facial or massage is always a real treat. When you can combine both in one blissfully relaxing session then tis heaven indeed.  Spoilt for choice with an extensive menu of treatments, beautician Louise suggested I opt for the Elemis Face & Body Sensations which promised a “thermal-soothing massage followed by an anti-ageing facial designed to restore youthful radiance.”  What she actually gave me was an hour or so of sheer relaxation and  indulgence and I certainly FELT rejuvenated, whatever the age I looked …

• The Swimming Pool – with 20 metres to paddle up and down in I could happily avoid the half-term kiddies splashing around and then take a few minutes time-out in the ‘Sanarium’, a Scandinavian-type wooden cabin combining the heat of the sauna with the less dry atmosphere of a steam room. And no, I was not tempted to try the chilly ‘deluge shower’.

• Purdey’s Restaurant – now this is where the Langdale exceeded my expectations by a country mile.  I’d been told the food was very good, but then you’d expect that in a luxury hotel of this calibre.  What I was not prepared for was dishes that would merit a Michelin Star and provide a superb sensory sensation.  Having opted for the Tasting Menu, which at £49.50 is excellent value, I was presented with plate after scrumptious plate of divine taste bombs.  Outstanding was the combination of roast artichokes, Scottish girolles & crunchy samphire. But the craziest dish, which surprisingly worked really well. was the lemon meringue cheesecake & raspberries with a heady basil sorbet.  Masterly, Chef …

After a great night’s sleep wallowing in king-size splendour, I was back in Purdey’s for breakfast.  The restaurant was buzzing as people fueled up for a day out in the autumnal Lakeland sunshine.   Now it was time for my Quirky Travel adventure in the Twizy.  The cute little electric car was fully charged and it’s really easy to drive.  Switch engine on, foot down and off you go.  It charges from an ordinary plug socket and there are power points around the south Lake District.  And what an eye-catching little wowzer it is!

I drove out along the Langdale Valley, through Ambleside and up to Grasmere, relishing the autumnal colours whilst wishing I had brought some gloves, as the car doesn’t have windows.  It has a neat turn of speed and is easy to manoeuvre.  As you probably know, electric cars are virtually silent from the outside (though not from the inside!) so I had to be careful not give the Lake District walkers a heart attack as I crept up behind them on the narrow country lanes.  Everywhere I went people smiled, children laughed and it was more photographed than James Bond’s Aston Martin … With a battery distance of 40+ miles I didn’t need to recharge and was really sad to have to hand back the keys a couple of hours later.  (More details of my trip in The Kendal Courier magazine and to be posted on the blog shortly.)

The Langdale Hotel leases the Twizys from the Co-Wheels Car Club so their hotel and timeshare guests can hire one from just £10 an hour.  Great value for one of the most fun ways to get around the Lake District.

Many thanks to the staff at the lovely Langdale Hotel for making my stay so enjoyable and for that gorgeous bedroom.  Find them on Face Book here. You can discover other interesting ways to get around the south Lake District, including ferries and electric bikes, with Go Lakes ‘Drive Less, See More’ campaign.

When you think of London you think Big Ben, the Queen, Hyde Park, maybe the Imperial War Museum– not an underground movement of urban art slowly crawling its way across the city like a politically colourful Japanese Knotweed. It’s time to see London differently, so set up base in a hotel in central London and head out into the ever-changing world of urban art. 

London Street Art (Stock Images)

The street art scene is slowly but very surely taking over the pavements, walls and tube stations of the city – in almost every corner of every road and building you’ll be rewarded by Space Invaders and miniature heroes, political statements and Banksy wannabes (and Banksy himself, of course).  Street art in London has only recently been recognised as art, probably thanks to Banksy and his blossoming worldwide fame, and is steadily progressing from being an impermanent and uncontrollable pest to a force to be reckoned with. However, this art of recklessness and anti-establishment is being lost behind panes of Perspex and a rise in legal walls around the city – it’s good to see that creativity is being appreciated, but can it really be controlled? 

To get a glimpse of the originality that lurks in London Town, head to a dark alley called Blackall Street just off Old Street. You’ll find yourself under the glaring eyes of neon monsters, blushing whilst passing by an embracing couple and giggling at Stik men childishly scrawled on shutters. The remains of an Invader casually surveys the scene like a surreal CCTV camera and BOREDOM IS COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY loudly remarks the statement this street once subtly claimed.

Shoreditch is the place to go to find a mixture of London most appreciated al fresco art – from the weird and the wonderful, political and sickly sweet to outright rude, Shoreditch is a melting pot of imagination and vulgarity. Look out for samurais, Mickey Mouse and a giant hedgehog to get you going – and remember to keep an eye on the ground; you never know who you’ll see lurking on street corners.  For the Banksy fans out there, London’s Shoreditch is the ideal starting point – you’ll find the evolved Pulp Fiction, the Rat Race and the Chopper all at home here, as well as designated graffiti areas around most corners and prying policemen fading and failing to stop the art revolution.

London Street Art (Stock Image)

However, street art doesn’t have to be limited to 2D paintings on out-of-reach walls – Covent Garden is home to the Big Smoke’s best street artists. Here you can find a bunch of loud performers offering many laughs and gasps, all competing for your attention (and change) whilst you shop, eat and drink. To enjoy some in-the-flesh art in London, find a table outside one of Covent Garden’s hotels, sip on a cocktail, and be prepared to part with any loose change in your pocket.

Juggler 'The Great Dave' Covent Garden by Aqwis

‘This post is brought to you by ‘Grange Hotels’.

2012 has a lot of celebrations and not all of them are in London. Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 20th anniversary and travel writer Laura Porter visited  for the first time with her young daughter.  She shares some some tips to help you make the most of your time at Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris Castle by Laura Porter

From Marne-la-Vallée train station you’ll see Disney Village and the two Disney parks. Disney Village is free to enter and is mostly shopping and dining but it’s popular at night too for the Wild West Show and cinemas. Do note, a sandwich and drink from the station is cheaper at €6-7. Keep your bottle and refill from the water fountains before you go to the parks.  In front of the station are the hotel shuttle buses.   There are plenty of hotels to choose from – book before you go to get the best deal.  My daughter absolutely loved the Magic Circus Hotel. You’ll need at least one day at each park so consider staying three nights.

The Magic Circus Hotel

 Park 1: Disneyland Park

Arrive early, and definitely visit this park first as – yes, I know it’s a cliché – it’s magical!  Four zones branch off from Main Street USA: Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. Grab a map as you enter, along with a daily events schedule.

Cinderella & Prince Charming – by Laura Porter

Go to Fantasyland first as it’s best done in the morning before the crowds get too bad.  Ignore the carousel as it’s a common ride (and had ridiculous turn-around times) and head to Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo or the Tea Cups as they are close and all great fun.

Teacup-ride by Laura Porter

It’s A Small World is an indoor boat ride through displays of moving dolls with a repetitive song. That might not sound appealing but we went twice as little ones love it.  Captain EO, a 3D film, was OK but is only really good if you want to remember what Michael Jackson looked like when he was black.

Even with two days, we only saw Frontierland and Adventureland from the Disneyland Railroad, so plan your days well.

Disneyland Paris Parade by Laura Porter

Where to Eat At Disneyland Paris

Be prepared to live on high sugar treats for a few days. And even though the park is open until 10pm, many food outlets are closed after the 5pm Parade. The best option for dinner is Victoria’s Restaurant (near Central Plaza) where pizza, salad and drinks for two was €16.

Park 2: Walt Disney Studios Park

This smaller park was simple to navigate, easier to find toilets, and less crowded.  The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was darn scary and not recommended for young children even with the 1m height restriction. The ride involves a hotel elevator freefalling again and again. The Flying Carpets over Agrabah is very similar to the Dumbo ride so there’s no need to do both.

Flying-carpets Ride by Laura Porter

Where to Eat At Walt Disney Studios Park

Blockbuster Cafe has the best kid’s meal deals for €6, plus you get a voucher for a free hot drink later too.

FastPass

You can use your ticket on FastPass machines to get an allocated time to return. It’s not at all rides and you can only have one at a time.

Daily Parades

There’s a major parade in each park but get there early as staff (fun police) will constantly move you back, and get in the way of photos, if anyone goes 1cm over the line.

Disneyland Paris Main-Street Parade by Laura Porter

It is slightly odd seeing adults wearing mouse ears – especially ones that light-up at night – but if you don’t give in to the fun at Disneyland then where can you?

Laura Porter is a freelance writer and has About.com London Travel, an online travel guide for visitors to London. You can follow her on Twitter at @AboutLondon All Images © Laura Porter. Disney provided her Disneyland Park Pass.

Bath was en fete for the Diamond Jubilee, and the Highgrove shop was doing a roaring trade. People were queuing outside the famous Roman Baths and Pump Room.  (When you visit, just be warned – the water tastes … well, let’s just say that it must do you good!)  The glorious Cathedral nearby has been recently renovated and in the square opposite a young woman in a red coat serenaded shoppers with operatic arias.

 The River Avon runs through this World Heritage city and the Robert AdamPulteney Bridge, its broad street lined with quirky little shops and inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence was busy with shoppers intent on enjoying this special holiday.  Another well-known sight is the oh-so-very elegant Georgian Royal Crescent, the first of its kind built anywhere in the world, with its imposing Ionic columns, Palladian cornice and inviting doors.

The city attracts pilgrims of one of our most famous writers and a visit to the Jane Austen Centre, just up the road from where she actually lived, was at the top of my list.  A guide gave us a brief history of the author, with special reference to her time in Bath – it seems she was NOT keen the city considering it rather shallow and concerned with frippery things!  We wandered round the charming little exhibition exploring Jane’s life, family, homes and society goings-on in Bath.  Then it was a really excellent lunch in the tea room at the top of the house.

Stepping back in time even further, the medieval village of Laycock is familiar to many as the setting for numerous TV and films, including Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford.  There was a Scarecrow competition throughout the village which went over into the grounds of ancient Laycock Abbey (National Trust), which was getting ready for their Jubilee Picnic. Roses clung gracefully to stone wall and in the kitchen garden bees made tentative forays in the warm air. Harry Potter learnt the Dark Arts in one of the vaulted rooms.  In the Fox Talbot Museum of Photography there was an fascinating exhibition of photos from Michael Palin’s travels around the globe.

A friend and I were staying at the Best Western Blunsdon House Hotel, near Swindon, ideally situated for Bath and a whole variety of places to suit even the fussiest of visitors.  For train buffs the Steam Museum of the Great  Western Railway in Swindon will get the pistons going.  Kiddies can splash to their heart’s content at the Cotswold Water Park and fans of world music can groove the day and night at the annual WOMAD festival in Malmesbury.  Fashionable Cheltenham has festivals and racing almost every day.  The pretty villages of the Cotswolds are only a short drive away and for ancient history enthusiasts, Stonehenge and Avebury are at the very top of the itinerary.

The hotel ticked all my quirky travel boxes … With a huge bedroom and balcony we had plenty of space to spread out and unwind with a glass of wine on the balcony whilst enjoying vies across the gold course and splendid gardens.  On the first night, before our evening meal I had a quick swim and sauna in the Leisure Centre and then a very satisfying roast dinner from the excellent buffet in the informal surroundings of Christopher’s restaurant.

Dinner the following night in Nichols a la carte restaurant was superb – no other word for it.  An asparagus fan with frothy, light-as-air Hollandaise sauce, venison cooked to perfection with beetroot and pan fried potatoes, then a scrumptious frangipane tart, home-made ice cream and berry sauce.  Hotel owner Carrie Clifford joined us after the meal and regaled us with stories of the hotel’s fascinating history, the staff who seem to be with them from cradle to grave and the gardens with over 16 thousand plants.

The next morning, after a substantial breakfast to set us up for the day, I treated myself to a rejuvenating facial in the Spa – so lovely to lie back and be pampered!  The friendly reception staff sent us on our way with directions to Cirencester, a very attractive old market town, ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’ and a whole lot more places to discover …

In high summer, a city break chock full of cultural tours and high-energy activities might not be what you’re after. But European city breaks don’t have to mean nonstop sightseeing and packed schedules. Laidback lounging is what continental cities do best.

Clement climates mean pleasant public parks, wide piazzas for people-watching and ample roof terraces for a sneaky siesta. So sit back with a little sangria or a small aperitif and plan your next stimulating but meditative city break.

Rome

This is one of those sparkling cities where anything can happen. With fascinating architectural ruins on every corner and shrines to Catholic saints adorning every back street, wandering aimlessly with no destination in mind will reap you many rewards.

Of course The Vatican, the Coliseum and the Pantheon, all within a short bus or taxi ride of each other are must-sees. Don’t visit in scorching July and August. Rome hotels will have many vacancies, but once the locals make their mass summer exodus to the seaside the city is unusually quiet.

Berlin

Berlin is a wild and wonderful city for sampling elegant museums, contemporary galleries and surprisingly good cuisine: if spicy sausages are your thing, you won’t be disappointed. Berlin is a malleable melting point of Turkish, Vietnamese and Italian cultures which means fresh kebabs, notoriously good noodle soup, excellent coffee and creamy handmade ice-cream are widely available throughout the city. The upmarket Mitte district teems with young professionals, tech hipsters and Japanese sushi joints.

Barcelona

Spain holidaysare usually filled with Miro, margaritas and moonlit magic. The tapas everywhere is excellent, especially grilled seafood on Las Ramblas, but it isn’t cheap. To get more for your money, consider renting a cheap villa. A shared self-catering apartment with a pool in a beautiful location offers excellent value for money especially if you’re holidaying in a big group.

San Sebastian

If you’re facing a city versus beach holiday dilemma, this might be just the ticket. The northern part of Spain might offer an alternative beach experience. Cities in the gourmet Basque country, like San Sebastian, are great options for a fun-filled break by the sea with a more rural feel.

Lisbon

With some of the best seafood in Europe on every street corner, Lisbon is one of the most popular destinations. Turn up in November and you’ll be in for one of the warmest winters in Europe. Nautical museums and seaside motifs abound, especially in Portugal hotels which are charmingly rustic. Aim for one with a view of the 16^th Century Jerónimos Monastery.

This article is brought to you by Hayes & Jarvis.