Culture, History, UK

A Burnley weekend with a Lancashire twist

February 1, 2015 by Zoe Dawes 10 Comments
If you think of a ‘girlie weekend-away’ where do you imagine going? Maybe a luxury spa break in a country house hotel? Or a city break with lots of shopping and eating out? Possibly a quick jaunt off to a foreign capital or sunkissed beach? What I bet you won’t...
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Culture, History, Interview

What is cultural tourism?

January 19, 2015 by Zoe Dawes 11 Comments
Blackwell Arts and Crafts House Cultural tourism (or culture tourism) A subset of tourism concerned with a country or region’s culture, specifically the lifestyle of the people in those geographical areas, the history of those people, their art, architecture, religion(s), and other elements that helped shape their way of life.      Wikipedia In the...
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Hall Hills The Folly self-catering cottages Cumbria
Accommodation, Cumbria, Personal

Celebrate in luxurious style at Hall Hills Cottages, Cumbria

January 13, 2015 by Zoe Dawes 15 Comments
It was the morning after the night before, and everyone was looking surprisingly chipper. Breakfast was on the table and people were helping themselves to bacon and eggs, cereal, toast, coffee and juice – with an aspirin or two for those feeling a tad fragile. My son and his girlfriend...
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Hummingbirds of Mashpi Ecuador - poster
Blog trip, South America, Sustainable Tourism

Heavenly hummingbirds at Mashpi Cloud Forest in Ecuador

January 7, 2015 by Zoe Dawes 3 Comments
Hummingbirds in flight It’s the sound of whirring wings that you notice first. In front of the wooden observation shelter are pagoda-shaped ‘feeding stations’, filled with sugar water. Hundreds of jewel-feathered hummingbirds zoom off and onto the ledges to sip at this sweet treat. Mashpi rainforest bio-reserve has over 20 different...
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New-Year-Reflections - by The Quirky Traveller
Adventure, Blogging, Personal

New Year Reflections: highs (and a few lows) of quirky travel blogging

January 1, 2015 by Zoe Dawes 7 Comments
London fireworks Big Ben It’s raining in Carnforth. Yes, it’s New Year’s Day, the fireworks are over and it’s tipping down, it’s bucketing, it’s raining cats and dogs, it’s p*****g down, there’s a heavy shower, downpour, rainstorm – take your pick from our well-endowed English language. It’s been raining since...
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Caribbean Tourism Best Travel Blog Award - The Quirky Traveller
Blogging, Competition, Writing

The joy of winning – Caribbean Tourism Organisation Best Blog Feature

December 30, 2014 by Zoe Dawes 6 Comments
When I was about eight years old I won the Egg and Spoon race. I only won because I ran so slowly the white ceramic egg precariously balanced on a large stainless steel dessert spoon had no chance of falling off. The Egg and Spoon Race – image prezzybox.com Those...
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Reading time: 2 min
'The Night Before Christmas' Grandreams pop-up book
Festival, History, Writing

‘Twas the Night before Christmas …’ a magical festive poem

December 23, 2014 by Zoe Dawes 3 Comments
‘The Night Before Christmas’ Grandreams pop-up book I can still remember the simple joy of reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ to my six-month old son as he lay in his cot on Christmas Eve. His bedroom, decorated with ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and Beatrix Potter figures, was dimly lit and...
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David Hockney and Alan Bennett at Salts Mill Saltaire in Yorkshire
Culture, UK

Discover David Hockney at Salts Mill, Saltaire, Yorkshire

February 20, 2017 by Zoe Dawes 7 Comments
David Hockney looking at a picture of fellow Yorkshireman Alan Bennett – photo Salts Mill You may have heard of, or even been to see, the new David Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain in London. One of this country’s most loved and respected artists, Hockney was born in Bradford in 1937,...
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RV Nk'Mip campground Osoyoos
Adventure, Blog trip, North America

Top Tips for your RV (motorhome) road trip in Canada

October 19, 2016 by Zoe Dawes 20 Comments
It looked a lot bigger than I had imagined. It also looked a lot prettier, covered in views of Canada’s splendid scenery. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Once you get on the road, you’ll soon forget its size and be enjoying yourself behind the wheel.” I was at the Cruise Canada pick-up centre...
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Reading time: 11 min
The Laxey Wheel Isle of Man = photo Zoe Dawes
Blog trip, Culture, Holiday, Top Tips

7 quirky things to do on the Isle of Man

April 22, 2013 by Zoe Dawes 31 Comments
With his hands clutching his long, flowing coat tightly around him, Sir William Hillary (1771-1841) stands high above Douglas Harbour, ready to face everything the weather can throw at him.  As founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution he was well aware of the changeable  meteorological temperament of his home,...
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Reading time: 6 min
Scotland, World Travel Blogger

Top 10 Tips for North Coast 500 Road Trip in Scotland

April 13, 2018 by Guest Author 7 Comments
In this article in the World Travel Blogger series, photographer Angus Matheson describes The North Coast 500, a memorable road trip he did with his wife in the Highlands of Scotland. North Coast 500 – the greatest motoring adventure in the British Isles North Coast 500 In 2015 the North Coast...
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Reading time: 5 min
Culture, Festival, History, UK

It only happens every Preston Guild …

September 18, 2012 by Guest Author 5 Comments
Barry McCann explains the history of a northern tradition that dates back centuries and illustrates it with some of photos from this year’s celebrations. Mayor of Preston in Guild Hall Procession There is a saying in Lancashire that goes “Once every Preston Guild” which is probably unfamiliar to anyone outside the county....
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Reading time: 3 min
Europe, Top Tips, World Travel Blogger

Quirky things to do in Lisbon, the must-see capital of Portugal

January 22, 2018 by Zoe Dawes 8 Comments
In our latest ‘World Travel Blogger‘ article, Canadian writer Cindy Baker shares her favourite things to do the beautiful city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal. The clatter of old trams, the smell of sardines on the grill, the haunting melancholy of fado music. In Lisbon, these traditions combine with a...
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Reading time: 3 min
Asia, Blog trip, World Heritage Site

World Heritage ‘Toy Train’: enjoy a unique Indian rail journey to Shimla

March 27, 2018 by Zoe Dawes 5 Comments
The Toy Train to Shimla As we clattered along the narrow track, the mountains gradually emerged like shy ballerinas peeking out from behind a curtain of lush green foliage. Glimpsed intermittently at first, the foothills of the mightiest mountain range on earth rose amidst tiny hamlets and towering pine trees....
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Reading time: 7 min
Top Tips, Writing

Top 10 Tips for Travel Writing Success

February 25, 2018 by Zoe Dawes 13 Comments
“No offence, but I want to be THERE, not here.” This was the response from Amber, a participant in one of my recent ‘Introduction to Travel Writing’ Workshops. The group had been given a table covered in travel magazines and I was asking them what had made them choose the one...
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Hi, I’m Zoë; welcome to my quirky world…

QUIRKY TRAVEL is about seeing the world from a different angle, looking at things from all sides, finding the unusual, the interesting, the fascinating. It’s about quality combined with classiness, it’s about being curious about everything and wanting to know more…

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