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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

‘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...

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,...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

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...

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....

“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...