The only sounds were the soft splashing of water on water and birds singing in the newly blossom-budding trees nearby.  Gazing at an intricate globe suspended above an oval pool, it was the perfect place to relax on a spring day in the heart of one of Europe's most lively...

Going on holiday abroad or in your own country can be a joy, but it’s always sensible to take a few precautions to ensure you say safe, don’t lose precious possessions and return home in one piece. Here is some practical travel safety tips based on personal experience. Make sure your...

I love spending money on the niceties of life – for example, a decent bottle of wine, turquoise ink for my old fountain pen, a pretty pair of earrings. A teenage son eats into the family budget. Electricity bills, mortgage payments and running a car are unavoidable expenses. Sadly, I’m...

Oh yes, there are plenty of Caribbean islands with beautiful beaches, funky bars and top-class restaurants. But I suspect very few can match St Kitts for the diversity of activities and attractions in such a small area. Reggae Beach babe Of course you can lie on a beach, swim in...

Having lived in the south of England for some years I know how far away ‘the North’ can seem. But it really isn’t, especially if you let the train take the strain, as they used to say, and it’s so worth the journey.  From the outstanding sea-faring heritage of Liverpool, the...

Having been farmed, plundered, conquered and cherished by everyone from Neolithic man, the Romans, Arabs, Knights of St John and the British, today it is tourists who invade Malta every year. Church and yachts near Sliema Malta I’ve been twice, on a recent stay at the very luxurious Azure Golden...

You’ve saved, scrimped, studied and finished your exams – so what are you going to fill your hard-earned three-month break with? Holidays in Europe are becoming increasingly cheaper, with varied accommodation options which range from hostels to couch-surfing attracting more travellers than ever before. Madrid Post Office and fountain –...