I started writing this post while on the Eurostar travelling between London’s St. Pancras International train station and Paris’ Gare du Nord. I was not supposed to be on the train. I was supposed to be flying from London to Paris but our EasyJet flight, along with about four others, were canceled due to issues…
Colourful Cork
The port of Cobh (pronounced Cove) located on the south coast of County Cork in Ireland can occasionally be found on a British Isle cruise itinerary. If it’s one of your stops rejoice, as this is a beautiful area rich in history and culture, and a great place to spend the day. If you have…
Why A Cruise is the Perfect Family Vacation
We have just returned from a 5 day Carnival Cruise out of New Orleans, LA, with stops in Cozumel and Progresso. Although Ken and I usually cruise on another line we joined most of our family to celebrate a milestone birthday for our son-in-law. Carnival offered everything that a multi-generational family holiday would want, making…
Castles in the United Kingdom, Part 2
Last week we talked about three amazing castles that we visited in England in September. There are so many more, both in the city of London and throughout the countryside that you could spend your whole visit just going from one castle (or palace) to the next. After London we spent time on a cruise…
Castles in the United Kingdom – Part 1
With its storied past, the United Kingdom has been the front for many conflicts. From the Norman Conquest of 1066 to the Second World War many a battle has been fought on its lands. As a result there are a number of castles still standing that can be visited; some no more than ruins and…
London Calling II
London is one of my most favourite cities. It could be my English heritage, or that fact that I love the Royals, or that I love the cuisine and pubs that serve it, and the multitude of museums and art galleries to browse through, and West End theatre and castles and…well you get the picture….
Our Top 5 Cruise No-Nos
As encouraging and tolerant as cruise lines are and as much as they want you to have fun and enjoy the vacation you planned, there are still a few things that you cannot do on a cruise ship. These may seem obvious to you but the rules are in place to ensure everyone knows what…
Location, Location, Location!
Despite Airbnb being unwelcome in some larger cities, such as Barcelona and New York, it is an important resource for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the cities they visit. Hotels insulate visitors from the reality of the destination whereas staying in an apartment in which you are…
The Grand Tour
We are leaving from Toronto tomorrow for our five week jaunt throughout Europe, a trip we have been referring to as our Grand Tour. Today that term conjurers up visions of young people lugging backpacks, staying in hostels and enjoying their freedom following years of academic pursuit. That vision is not far from the historical…