It was 9.30 as I parked my car on Park Street in Bristol, hoping to do a spot of Saturday morning shopping, until I realised that the shops didn’t open until 10. I’d liberated a whole half hour from my day, but how to use it? Rather than sit in a coffee shop I decided to walk past the classical church of St Georges and into Brandon Hill Park to make the most of the beautiful day. I’d heard that Cabot Tower had been renovated and was now open, so this was my chance to climb to the top for a view over Bristol.

Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill, Bristol

The tower is named after John Cabot, the Genoese explorer who set sail from Bristol in 1497 for North America on his ship, the Matthew. You can see his statue on the quayside outside the Arnolfini art gallery looking towards the Bristol harbour where a replica of the Matthew can often be seen sailing up and down on highdays and holidays.

I hope you enjoy the video below about Cabots Tower on Brandon Hill, Bristol

If you can’t see the video above about Cabot Tower in Bristol, view it on my blog here

(By the way I shot this video on my iPhone)

John Cabot landed on the shores of Newfoundland and to commemorate his voyage 400 years later, the tower was built and opened to the public in 1898. However, by 2007 cracks were appearing in the stonework so it was closed on safety grounds and repairs went on for four years until Cabot tower re-opened last year in August 2011.

Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill, Bristol

The garden that encircles the mound on which Cabot tower sits has been very nicely landscaped with paths, shrubs and Japanese style pools and bridges. I remember we came up here to watch the fireworks in the harbour one New Year’s eve but didn’t stay long as it was so cold and rainy. On a sunny spring day it was a much more pleasant prospect, so I followed the path up to the doorway at the back of the tower and climbed the stone steps to the first viewing platform. Up here were three viewing balconies at each side with the stairs on the fourth side, but I climbed up more steps to the upper viewing platform where the views were panoramic.

View from Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill, Bristol

At my back were the painted houses leading up to Clifton Village, coming around to the SS Great Britain in the harbour, then the semi-circular building of the Council House and the tower of the Bristol University Wills Building. With the birds twittering around me and the sun shining it was an attractive sight to see Bristol laid out before me, a mixture of old and new buildings and the green Mendip Hills rising beyond the Bristol boundaries. I love living in a city with edges where the countryside is just a bird flight away.

I highly recommend you climb the Cabot tower and see the panorama of Bristol – it’s completely free and open every day.

Compare prices and book hotels in Bristol with Hotels Combined

More things to see in Bristol

 Free and Fun in Bristol – 20 things that won’t cost you a penny
A walk around the harbourside in Bristol – video
A walk in the Bluebell Wood – Prior’s wood in Bristol

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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April and May are the Bluebell months in England but the April showers were also plentiful this year. For several weekends I’d been watching the bluebells in our front garden, wanting to get out into the Bluebell woods around Bristol but put off by the heavy rain. Finally we got a sunny day and set off for our Bluebell walk at Prior’s wood near Portbury, over the Clifton suspension bridge and turn left just before junction 19 of the M5.

Bluebells in Prior's Wood, Nr Portbury, Bristol

We parked the car in a lay-by just beyond the village of Portbury and walked back to the gated lane with the old lodge. The wood was once part of the Tyntesfield Estate near Wraxall that is now owned by the National Trust and timber was used in the estate sawmills.  Luckily I found a handy 1 page PDF guide to Prior’s Wood from the Avon Wildlife Trust, that gave us excellent directions and information for our bluebell walk.

I hope you enjoy the video below about the Bluebell walk at Prior’s wood near Bristol

If you can’t see the video above, view it on my blog here

Following the suggestion on the guide we headed straight up the hill rather than turning right by the lodge like everyone else and passing a house went through another gate on the track. Immediately after the gate we turned left following the Prior’s Wood signs and down some steps to a flat track that skirted the side of the hill. Down to our left was a stream but on the hillside were plenty of bluebells among the clearings of oaks and sweet chestnut trees.

Bluebells in Prior's Wood, Nr Portbury, Bristol

On this side of the hill the background hum of the motorway traffic was more muffled and somewhere high up in the trees a bird was warbling it’s heart out. I experimented with different camera settings, trying to get the perfect bluebell shot until Guy asked “do you think you have enough bluebell photos now?” and we continued our walk. Skirting the edge of the hill on a track that was muddy and churned up (thank goodness for the wellington boots) we eventually came  to the end of the high ground where we could see another gate into the wood and fields beyond. In the distance we could see the Children’s Hospice Southwest who had originally owned the wood and sold it to the Avon Wildlife Trust. Here there was an information sign and map of the woods and we turned down the hill, where countryside was more open but still with clouds of bluebells on either side – who says that bluebells only grow in the shade?

Bluebells in Prior's Wood, Nr Portbury, Bristol

At the end of the path was a stream with a slatted wooden bridge to cross and on the other side, a path that skirted the hill with thick woodland and more bluebells on either side although not quite so many, as the tree canopy was heavier here. After a while the paths opened up showing a vista of a meadow with some onion scented wild garlic (the thugs of the wood) and then we joined an open path with a view towards the motorway and walked back towards the lodge and the start of our walk. We passed a solo woman walking who asked us anxiously if we’d seen any bluebells? “Oh yes”, we said, “just up there and over there and round there”, but she’d have almost done better to turn back and start her walk in the other direction as we had. Behind her were two families, the mums chatting to one another, children banging sticks in mock fights that they’d picked up along the way.

If you get there next weekend, you’ll probably still see some bluebells but a week more and I expect they’ll be gone – I’m sure the walk is lovely just the same and you can always come back next year, from mid April to mid May. When the bluebells are in full bloom in your garden, they’ll be a couple of weeks behind in the woods. For more information about Prior’s wood, check the Avon Wildlife Trust page for Prior’s wood and print off their PDF guide to Prior’s wood before you go. The walk took us about an hour and a half, and if you’d like to try another Bluebell walk in Bristol there’s always the Bluebell wood near Abbot’s Leigh.

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Bluebells in Prior's Wood, Nr Portbury, Bristol

Directions to Prior’s wood from the Clifton Suspension Bridge

Coming from Clifton village, drive over the Clifton Suspension bridge and at the next traffic lights opposite the entrance to Ashton Court turn right. Drive straight ahead along the A369 Abbots Leigh Road for about 10 minutes, then just before the roundabout of the junction 19 M5 motorway turn left following the signs to Portbury. When you reach the centre of Portbury village take the right fork of the road signposted to Portishead/Clevedon and then where the road makes a right turn, go straight ahead along Caswell Lane and park in the layby or in the car park of the rugby club a little further on. Walk back on yourself to the gated lane with the lodge house on the right side where there is an information sign to start the walk.

Directions to Prior’s wood from the M5 motorway

Come off the motorway at Junction 19 and follow signs for A369 , Clifton suspension bridge and Easton in Gordano. Immediately after coming off the roundabout onto the A369 (don’t go into the services), turn right following the sign for Portbury and continue using the directions above.

Bluebells in Prior's Wood, Nr Portbury, Bristol

More woodland walks in England

A Bluebell wood at Abbots Leigh in Bristol
Snowdrops at Lytham Hall – in Lancashire, England
Everyday Lovely – Wild Garlic in the woods near Bristol

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Bluebell wood – Prior’s wood, Bristol photoset

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The hill of Montjuïc may look like any ordinary hill from an outsider’s perspective; however what many don’t realise is the hill is full of great things to do and see for visitors. With an incredible range of activities to please romantics, sports fans, art fanatics and culture seekers, you’ll be sure to enjoy a memorable day out on the hill of Montjuïc, Barcelona.

Estadi Olímpic Montjuic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

Montjuïc is home to the mighty 1992 Barcelona Olympic stadium and Olympic swimming pool. The stadium went under a serious makeover especially for the occasion and was the location of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as all the athletics events. As for the outdoor Olympic pool, during the summer months the pool is actually open for public swimming which can be a great alternative to the overcrowded Barceloneta beach. Due to its high location, you can enjoy breathtaking views while you swim; many have even said it’s just like ‘swimming in the sky’.

Poble Espanyol

El Poble Espanyol

Short of time? Well luckily at El Poble Espanyol you can visit all of Spain in one day. Within its streets you can walk past and admire over one hundred iconic Spanish buildings, enjoy the works of well known painters at the modern art museum, sit through a spectacular flamenco show, go on a treasure hunt and shop till you drop for traditional gifts and crafts. Basically El Poble Espanyol can offer a culture filled fun day out for all ages.

Miró museum

Fundació Joan Miró  and Palaü Nacional

The Fundació Miró is any art lover’s paradise, however even if art ‘isn’t your thing’ you may find that this surrealist museum / gallery is. Even the building itself has been designed to fit the surrealist environment. Miró’s works are fun, bright and colourful and despite not being one for galleries, I personally enjoyed every minute of my visit –especially when I got to witness Miró’s infamous sculptures. If one art museum isn’t enough for you, then you’ll be pleased to hear that you can also find the National Art Museum of Cataluña (formerly the Palau Nacional) further down the hill!

Parc de Montjuïc

Telefèric de Montjuïc and the Montjuïc Castle

Tired of the uphill walk? Give your feet a rest and catch the cable car to the top of the hill. The Telefèric is a great way to sit back and relax whilst admiring the spectacular panoramic views. Once you’re at the top you’re rewarded by the sight of the Castell de Montjuïc. The castle is technically a fort which dates back to the 17^th century, and although relatively modern for a castle, it doesn’t lack history or stories – during the Spanish Civil war both nationalists and republicans were executed there. It’s also the only place in Barcelona where you’ll be able to find a statue of General Franco.

Magic Fountain

Last, but by no means least, this is perhaps my favourite Montjuïc attraction, if not one of my favourite things to see in Barcelona. Call me corny, but there is something very magical about witnessing colourful jets of water dancing along to some of the cheesiest music around. If you want to witness the fountain in front of the Palau Nacional coming to life for yourself, be aware that the timetable changes depending on what time of year you decide to come and visit. Generally during the winter the fountain only comes to life two times per week (on Fridays and Saturday starting at around 7pm) and in the summertime you have four chances to watch the fountain (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at around 9pm).

Magic Fountain in Barcelona

Make the most of Montjuïc and the rest of Barcelona by renting one of the many Barcelona apartments available in the city. This way you’ll be able to truly relax and enjoy your holiday with privacy and home comforts you could only find from staying in an apartment.

Photo credits: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys by Hugo Cadavez, Poble Espanyol by Oh-Barcelona.com, Miró museum by ginsnob, Parc de Montjuïc by laura padgett, Magic Fountain by Keith Laverack, and Montjuïc Palace by gerardo_chinchorro.

More Spanish pleasures

Where to find truly great tapas in Barcelona
From Malaga to El Chorro in the rain – Spain
Palacio de Marques de Dos Aguas – in Valencia

My thanks for this sponsored post to Oh-Barcelona, bringing you comfortable and affordable holiday accommodation in Barcelona

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Whenever you visit a country for the first time, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of new food options on offer. It was apparent to me that I had to get over my English distaste for meats that are not processed to the nth degree (a process which began on my trips to Germany in the previous year). Every country has its own food traditions, and Austria is no different. An Austrian diet is very typical of the national diets of continental Europeans.  Meat is a prominent feature, but with a few subtle nuances to give it an identity all of its own.

Steirersee in Austria

The Cuisine of Syria in Austria

Styrian cuisine takes its influence from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, which adds to the dishes an essence of Italy, Germany, Hungary and The Balkans. The Austrians cook primarily with pork, beef and chicken, while bacon – known as ‘Speck’ – is seen more as a salty spice. A traditional meal in this region is rich, homely and full of flavour.

Murau in Austria

Styria, which covers the central and south-east regions of Austria, has a palette all of its own. Visitors who get to know the food culture of the area will likely experience the chopped bacon spread Verhackertes. This is delicious spread on Emperor Rolls (or Kaisersemmel in the local parlance) or on freshly –baked rye bread. Heidensterz is a sort of mash – very similar to grits but slightly drier, made from buckwheat. The locals often serve this with meat, such as Klachelfleisch (pork knuckle) as part of a Styrian meal along with the very dry rosé wine Schilcher.

Traditional Austrian food in Graz

Perhaps the biggest city in Styria is Graz, and it has plenty of great restaurants the specialise in traditional Austrian food. Among them is Der Steirer, an Austrian tapas restaurant. The tapas style of eating makes it a great way of trying out small portions of unknown dishes to find out what you can and can’t stomach!

For those who are not so keen on the Österreichische Küche – there are a huge range of international eateries across the city of Graz. In addition to specialised food, you’ll find more straightforward American-style diners and the supermarket is always an option if anyone in your party is particularly hard to please when it comes to food.

Franz Josef Markets in Graz

Foraging in food stores in Styria

Family camping holidays lend themselves to self-catering and foraging of the native food stores and markets. This is a great option for families with young children, as kids tend to be a little fussier when it comes to meal time. I found that discovery of the local cuisine was enabled to a greater extent by catering for yourself. Discovery of strange little delicacies and imagination in preparing them for mealtimes is part of the fun for me. I would recommend the region of Styria to anyone with a love for the language, of meat based delights and gorgeous cakes. If you can, check out some of the region’s superb traditional dishes.

Photo credits: Franz Josef Markets by Garton, Steirersee II by *MarS.

More things to enjoy in Austria

Bratwurst and Sacher Torte – or what we ate in Salzburg
Cars, Planes and Smart Food at Hangar 7 in Salzburg
May Day at The White Horse Inn on Lake Wolfgang, Austria – video

My thanks for this sponsored post to Thomson AlFresco

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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With its rich culinary history, France is the perfect destination for foodies and Toulouse is most certainly no exception to this. Come here on holiday and you’ll have the chance to sample a vast array of hearty dishes in the city’s restaurants, cafes and markets.

So, what should you eat first and where should you go to try it? There’s no shortage of wonderful things to sample and places to dine; here’s our guide to five dishes you simply must order.

Foie gras

Made from the liver of a specially-fattened goose or duck, foie gras has a smooth, rich texture to it. Usually available as a starter or as an accompaniment to a main meal, foie gras is traditionally eaten on special occasions, such as New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day.

However, it can be found in restaurants throughout Toulouse all year round, with the Cordon Rose on rue Valade among the establishments to offer it as a starter dish.

Cassoulet

Cassoulet

If you’ve worked up an appetite seeing the various sights of the city, a cassoulet will certainly satisfy your hunger. Named after the cassole – the traditional earthenware pot it is cooked in – this slow-cooked dish contains white haricot beans, vegetables, herbs and a range of meats.

The particular meats found in a cassoulet tend to differ depending on where in France you are, but trying this in Toulouse means you’re likely to have pork sausages and goose or duck confit. Follow the lead of the locals by drinking a hearty glass of red wine – such as one from the Collioure region of France – to accompany the dish.

Taste a true Toulouse cassoulet by visiting Le Colombier, an establishment that has served homemade traditional French cuisine since 1873. The restaurant can be easily reached when using car hire from Toulouse Airport and with the establishment’s wine cellar consisting of vintages from Bordeaux and Burgundy – among other regions – there is plenty of scope to find a bottle that complements your cassoulet perfectly.

Garbure

Garbure

Garbure is the perfect dish if you’re in need of some sustenance. Often served during the winter months, this thick, hearty soup features a mixture of meat and vegetables.

Although the specific ingredients vary depending on where you go to eat – it was traditionally made by peasants who used whatever ingredients were available at the time – cabbage and pork are usually two mainstays.

The meal is cooked in a toupin, an earthenware round-bellied casserole dish, and the sign you can be sure you’re tucking into authentic garbure is if the spoon can stand up straight in the bowl without falling over.

Toulouse Sausages with Pomme Puree and Onion

Toulouse sausage

Lovers of rustic cuisine may be aware of Cumberland sausages, but if you’re on holiday in France it’s well worth seeking out Toulouse sausages. Consisting of diced pork that has been flavoured with wine, smoked bacon and garlic, this tastes great when fried or braised. You can eat it on its own, although you’re likely to discover it while tucking into cassoulet.

Croquants aux amandes

Croquants

Although fairly simple to bake, a croquant is bound to be a heavenly experience for fans of French cuisine. This savoury dessert consists of crisp biscuits that are made from almonds and caramelised sugar and are the perfect way to finish off a traditional Toulouse meal. You can eat them on their own, although pairing them with chocolate or fruit – such as raspberries – is sure to bring out their flavour even more!

Are you planning a trip to Toulouse? Let us know what dishes you’re looking forward to tasting by leaving a comment!

Photo credits: Cassoulet by Jonathan Caves, Garbure by podchef, Toulouse Sausages by avlxyz, and Croquants aux amandes by Seb Przd.

More Food to enjoy in Europe

Eat the Neighbourhood in Nørrebro, Copenhagen
Where to find truly great tapas in Barcelona
Bratwurst and Sacher Torte – or what we ate in Salzburg

My thanks for this sponsored post to Auto Europe who offer Car Hire from Toulouse Airport to start your culinary adventure.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

This is my daughter Sophie-Anne’s account of her trip to Auschwitz as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz project. The visit was arranged by the Holocaust Educational Trust who work to educate young people about the Holocaust so they can see for themselves  the terrible consequences of  prejudice and racial hatred and bring these lessons back to their schools and communities.

Candle of Remembrance at Auschwitz

We woke up early around 4am and headed, partly awake, to the airport. The Lessons from Auschwitz project were out in force and we soon knew where we were supposed to check in by the huge amount of sleepy teenagers milling around. After a two hour flight, where breakfast was thankfully provided, we arrived in Poland.

Please see below the video with my daughter’s personal account of her visit to Auschwitz

If you can’t see the video above about the Lessons from Auschwitz visit, please view it on my blog here
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The first place in Poland where we were scheduled to stop was the town of Oświęcim where we were taken to an empty site which was merely a piece of land at first sight. Our clue was the street sign that translated as “Street of the Jews”. Street of the Jews, and yet there was nothing here. We soon learned that under our feet were the ruins of a once great synagogue that had been at the hub of a previously thriving and prominent community within the small town. This small town would shortly become known to the world in the German translation “Auschwitz”. After a brief trip to the Jewish centre in the town and an introduction to the Jewish faith by Rabbi Marcus we left for Auschwitz Camp.

Site of the Synagogue at Oświęcim

On arrival I was surprised to see vending machines and crowds in a place of trauma and genocide. Nevertheless we entered and saw the famous sign “Work Makes You Free” looming above our heads. Everywhere around us was wire, watch towers and poles where public hangings had happened. One cannot imagine the fear of a prisoner stood in the same place where I was standing, their vision being a haunting reality. To be robbed of your rights, culture, family, name and humanity one after another and then be greeted with such a vision as Auschwitz Barracks is hard to conceive.

Work makes you free - entrance to Auschwitz

The exhibition showed us rare pictures from the camp as it once was and the warning greeting us read ” The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again”. The exhibitions were extensive and we were shown a particularly personal exhibition; a collection of the prisoners belongings. The collection included a mass of human hair that had been shaved off deceased victims, all with the goal to make a more efficient camp.

There were also thousands of shoes but most moving was the display of suitcases. All had a name and date of birth written on them. It was very eerie that I was able to read their names with ease like you might read names on a register and yet they had no life in them. It was really disturbing to understand that these items were preserved and the prisoners were not. A suitcase was worth more to the persecutors than a human life.

Suitcases at Auschwitz

We visited some barracks, such as the Torture Block 11 which was particularly unpleasant. I became increasingly resentful to the persecutors who may have been mislead but still ignorant of their actions. How the scream of a Jewish child be told apart from an Aryan child is something I cannot understand. I was angry for humanity at this point of the trip for it appeared to me so misguided and wrong.

Bikenau - view from the watch tower

The second site of the museum was Auschwitz 2 or Birkenau, some short distance away. When we arrived, the atmosphere was similar to Auschwitz but more imposing. There was barbed wire as far as the eye could see. We climbed the watch tower where the scale of the camp was immense. Many survivors have spoken of how they could never fully get a feel for the scale of Birkenau. We visited some barracks and compared to Auschwitz 1 the structure was awful, originally being designed as stables.They would accommodate 700-1000 prisoners that would sleep ten on one bunk without any heating in temperatures that could reach -20 degrees C.

Bunks in Auschwitz

We then walked along the iconic railway which was the road of no return. We saw exactly where the selections took place, where a man with lower morality than those being judged would decide with the flick of the wrist whether someone would live or die. In Birkenau, there are only ruins of the gas chambers because the guards had attempted in vain to shield the truth from the outside world. The rubble I saw and its purpose is extremely difficult to comprehend, partly because it is so unbelievable and tragic.

Road of no return - Auschwitz

We must learn from this tragedy then, about prejudices and their dangers. I cannot stress enough the importance of educating people so that they understand how important it is to live in harmony and also to remember all the victims who were not granted the life they deserved. Projects and experiences like the Lessons from Auschwitz are truly worthwhile and allow perspective within one’s life.

I feel that I have learned more in one day than I would reading text book for a year.

For more information about the Lessons from Auschwitz Project and the Holocaust Educational trust visit their website.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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Imagine it’s a hot Roman summer’s day, you’ve spent the morning exploring ancient ruins, museums and art, and let’s face it, as beautiful as it all is, sightseeing is exhausting! Sitting down with a cappuccino or gelato watching the crazy Italian world go by is sounding really really good right now… but where to go? You’ll often find a a break sat outside a charming little café in a piazza will do just the job. For times like these make sure you know where to find the best of the best piazzas in Rome.

Piazza Navona, Rome

Best for Tourists – Piazza Navona

This large piazza in the heart of the historic centre (actually dating back to the 15^th century) is well loved by locals and tourists alike. Although there’s no denying that the piazza has been invaded by hopeful artists, entertainers and sellers ready to cash in on tourists’ holiday money, you can’t ignore that it does still hold a certain magical charm. The piazza is always full of colourful characters and the lively atmosphere makes it the perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by!

Vegetables in the market at Campo d'Fiori, Rome

Best for Romance - Campo de’Fiori

The name of this delightful little piazza translates to ‘a field of flowers’, as believe it or  not, it was once actually a field of flowers on the outskirts of Rome, rather than a central piazza in the heart of the city. The square is known for regularly holding a small fruit and veg market by day and for its upmarket restaurants and pizzerias by night. It’s a popular spot for love struck couples as well as groups of friends who are looking to enjoy a trendy drink or two. This area of Rome is very popular amongst the locals and is a great place to stay if you want to see an authentic side to the city. If you want to go one better and truly live as the Romans do, why not stay in one of the many Rome apartments for rent?

View from The Dome of St Peter's Basilica

The best view - Piazza San Pietro

Ok, so perhaps you won’t be coming here to sit back and relax; a visit to the holy Vatican City is a top attraction for most and for some it’s the sole purpose of their visit. Piazza San Pietro is the gathering point for those wishing to catch a glimpse of the Pope who makes regular appearances on the balcony overlooking the square. It’s a really magical experience as long as you don’t mind big crowds.

Turtle fountain in Piazza Mattei

The best fountain - Piazza Mattei

On first sight Piazza Mattei’s may seem like one of the many squares in Rome, not particularly standing out from the crowd. However before you carry on with your Roman adventure, let your eyes fall on the square’s centrepiece – the rather unusual fountain. There have been several theories about the choice of man and turtle supporting the great water basin. The truth is that originally the fountain was supposed to be decorated by dolphins, not turtles; however there was an unfortunate lack of water pressure and so the dolphins were removed and replaced by an altogether chunkier animal – the turtle. And thus was born ‘la Fontana delle Tartarughe’.

More things to enjoy in Rome

Street entertainment in Piazza Navona – in Rome
The view from the dome of St Peter’s – in Rome
The Turtle fountain – in Rome

Photo credits: Piazza Navona, Rome by xiquinhosilva, other photos by Heatheronhertravels.com

My thanks for this sponsored article to Oh-Rome with apartments and accommodation in Rome to help you see the city like a local.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Rome – St Peter’s Basilica photoset

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When you’re a snowboarding student like my 19 year old son William, your money has to stretch a long way. That’s why he and a few mates booked a cheap break to the resort of Pas de la Casa in Andorra, known as a great value European destination for ski-ing and snowboarding. Here’s what the lads got up to on their week’s snowboarding in Pas de la Casa.

Snowboarding in Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Getting to Pas del la Casa

We flew from Gatwick to Lleida, a very new airport in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Spain. It was very small and obviously purpose built recently for Andorra – when we were there there were only 2 flights, 1 to Gatwick and another to Dublin. The company we went with was Irish owned and because of this there were a large number of Irish people in the resort – I’d estimate around 75%.  We got picked up as part of a transfer on a package deal so we were on a big bus of people that dropped us off and picked us up – the transfer took about 3 hours with a rest stop in the middle. I don’t know how else you would transfer because there wasn’t a car rental place at the airport and only cars there were buses for the package companies. You don’t need a car in the resort, it’s small enough to walk around and has everything you need within walking distance.

Cafe on the slopes in Pas de la Casa, Andorra

About the resort of Pas de la Casa

The resort was very big and the ski pass covered a larger ski area of different valleys so we didn’t even get to complete every run by the end of the week. Click here for an interactive piste map The highest you can get on a chairlift is about 2400 ft and there were lots of chair lifts and no button lifts which was good because button lifts are a nightmare on a snowboard. The resort had bars and cafes at the bottom of each valley at regular intervals and they were very reasonably priced for a ski resort – 3 Euros for chips or soup and a beer was about 4 Euros. They had some bars that were like ice caves dug into a mound of snow which were pretty cool and they had carvings inside but were a bit more expensive than the other bars. There were a few different snowparks which were good but weren’t open all week due to snow conditions. The snow conditions (in January) were quite icy at the start of the week but on the fourth and fifth day we had a really good snowfall so snow conditions were perfect for the last few days although it was a bit foggy on one of the afternoon.

Snow Bar in Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Our apartment at Aparthotel Olimpiades in Pas del la Casa

We booked through Neilson and stayed in Aparthotel Olimpiades where my mate had stayed before. The building was 5 storeys with the ground floor being a bar/restaurant. There was an area with lockers for your snowboard/ski stuff and it also had a patio with direct access to the slopes. It was on the side of the main slope about 30 metres higher than the main bottom lift but you could ski in/ ski out. The main shops and supermarket area of the resort were right behind the main lift so to walk there took no more than 2 minutes downhill from where we were staying.

The apartment was really modern, new and nice, it was obviously recently refurbished. We had one large bedroom with a double bed, a large bathroom with a power shower and then another kitchen/dining room area which also had 3 single beds in. The kitchenette had a fridge, sink, 2 or 3 hobs like we have at home, a kettle and a microwave but no oven. It was very clean and modern and in a great location for the slopes however the wifi was very slow and the cleaners were often on our case – I think it is more of a family hotel rather than for 5 students.

Aparthotel Olimpiades, Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Aparthotel Olimpiades, Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Nights out with the lads in Pas de la Casa

The nightlife in Pas de la Casa was really good for a ski resort, there were loads of bars and because we went on a package we had a rep and they organised loads of pubquiz’s, a steaknight, drinking competitions, a free bar night, and this hypnotist that made people get naked and pretend to be chickens which was funny. The main place was Milwaukee, and then later on we went to a club called Bilbord which was open late. It was definitely a young person’s resort and has the nickname “Magaluf on snow“. Drinks were quite expensive but not that bad for a ski resort – 4 euros for a pint, but they didn’t have any cider. There were loads of restaurants which weren’t actually that badly priced for a ski resort – we ate out about 3 or 4 times for about 12 euros a night for basic things like pasta and pizza and chips.

Night out in Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Sandwich on the slopes in Pas de la Casa

How we spent our day in Pas de la Casa

We arrived at the resort late and checked in and got our rooms sorted and then went to get some food and have a few drinks and get a feel for the resort. The next day we got on the slopes, nursery  slopes first to start to get a feel for it, then we stopped and came back for lunch. The rest of the weeks the pattern was out the apartment and on to the slopes at about 10ish, usually a snack somewhere early in to cure hangovers, back to the flat at lunch for sandwiches and then back on the slopes till 5 ish.

When we got back we usually had a nap and a shower and just chilled, then a cook up and a few drinks before we went out to save money. Then we’d go out on one of the nights the package company had organised. For food we did a mix of eating out and cooking up things like pasta but we had no oven, just a hob and microwave.

One of my friends who had never boarded wasn’t very well and did one run all week and couldn’t really do it so just came out with us in the night. On the snowboarding front there was me and one other who were good and 2 beginners who were alright by the end of the week, so we split our time half and half with them and going off on our own and then meeting back up for lunch.

In the resort there were loads of supermarkets and shops with designer stuff, alcohol and cigarettes because Andorra is tax free and there were  a load of huge supermarkets just after the border.

Snowboarding in Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Pas de la Casa, Andorra

 I hope you enjoyed William’s account of his student snowboarding week in Pas de la Casa in Andorra. Apparently it’s known as the Party Capital of the slopes – can’t think why!

Photo Credits: All photos by William Cowper for Heatheronhertravels.com

More ski adventures

The Good Friday Service in the ski resort of Val Cenis in France
Keeping my ski helmet on in Val Cenis, France
Savoyard food specialities in the Alps

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Andora – William ski trip photoset

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In Travel Podcast 21 I’m walking the Tour de Mont Blanc with my friend Julia. The TMB, as it’s known, is a long distance mountain trail that takes a circular route through France, Switzerland and Italy, but rather than take 12 days to walk the whole thing we decided to walk it a few days at a time each year  and this was our second year on the trail. In the podcast you’ll hear about the highs and lows of walking the trail, the pretty hamlets we passed through, the wonderful mountain scenery, the rather basic mountain refuges where we stayed and our encounter with a herd of mountain cattle with very sharp horns. Although my friend Julia had some problems with altitude which meant that we couldn’t walk as long or as far as we wished, thanks to the kindness of strangers,we made it to our end point in good spirits, ready to come back for more mountain walking next year.

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At the start of our walk in Les Houches

The Ultra Trail in Chamonix

After we’d settled into Hotel Slalom in Les Houches, we went into Chamonix to stock up on provisions, get some cash out of the machine for both France & Switzerland and found that the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc was taking place that weekend, with four different long-distance races through the mountains on parts of the Tour de Mont Blanc trail. We sat in a cafe having a beer, watching the exhausted runners coming back into the finish at the end of the race. It was touching to see their families waiting for them, running through with them to the finish line ringing bells to welcome them back in. Another race was starting that evening from Chamonix and was due to pass by our hotel in Les Houches.

View above Tre-le-champ on the Tour de Mont Blanc

From Flegere to Tre-le-Champs

The next day we caught the bus from Les Houches into Chamonix and took the lift up to Flegere to where we had finished our walk last year. We traversed the track that skirted the mountainside and after about an hour reached a waterfall cascading down the mountain. The weather was not too kind and we were surrounded by cloud and drizzle which got worse as we gained altitude. We reached a point where several paths crossed at which point we needed to make a decision on whether to take a route that would take us down a series of metal ladders which was the quickest route, but Julia wasn’t too keen as she suffered from vertigo and we thought that drizzle and slippery ladders were not a safe combination.

Deciding to avoid the ladders due to the rain, we climbed higher and higher until the rain was practically snow and my hands were freezing. Scrambling down a rocky couloir we came out on the other side of the peak to see the road in the valley far below and the weather started to improve. Having climbed so hard to get up high, we wished we didn’t have to come down into the valley and lose the high ground.

Tre-le-champ on the Tour de Mont Blanc

Lunch at Tre-le-champ Auberge la Boerne

We managed to overshoot the correct path to take us down to Tre-le-Champ and so had to walk 15 minutes down the road at the bottom of the valley to reach the pretty hamlet with wooden houses with window window boxes and hanging baskets filled with geraniums and wood piles stacked up for the winter. The Auberge de Boerne there seemed a very pleasant place to stay and we wished we could have spent the night there, although we only stopped for a lunch of quiche and salad.

Tre-le-Champs to Refuge Col de Balme

From Tre-le-Champ we climbed up through shady forest until we were above the tree line and headed higher to the peak of Aiguille de Possette, one of the highest parts of the route. It was an arduous climb with many false peaks but from the top we could look down into different valleys in all directions. As we descended on the other side, passing several green mountain pools, below us we could see a grassy meadow and a ski piste. From here we had to walk up a further hour and by this time it was 6 pm and the darkness & mist was coming in. As we got closer we met a herd of cows on the mountainside which Julia was terrified of, as she had been chased by herd of cows as a girl, so we stepped off the path and waited until they had passed by.

Outside Refuge Col de Balme

Julia was suffering from altitude sickness and had to go slowly but finally we reached refuge Col de Balme in darkness. At first I could not spot any signs of life, but seeing a car parked there I know there must be someone inside. As I skirted around the refuge, I finally saw an old man through the window who asked what we wanted and finally let us in. Inside a warm stove was burning and we were served an Omlette Jambon with bread and local cheese. After we’d eaten a couple of other Italian men with a teenage boy arrived, but there were no other guests. We all had to sleep in one dorm despite the fact that other rooms were available but Madame told us that they were all shut up. She gave us three blankets between the two of us – giving Julia an extra one as she had not been feeling well. When I asked whether I too might have another blanket she told me it wouldn’t be necessary as with 5 people in a room it would be warm enough. I spent the first half of the night feeling cold and trying to put on extra clothes to keep warm without disturbing the others in the room. After our restless night, we were up at 7.30 and after a breakfast of bread and jam we were on our way again. Read my diary of Day 1 on the Tour de Mont Blanc – Flegere to Col de Balme.

Refuge Col de Balme on the Tour de Mont Blanc

Chalet du Glacier near Trient

Refuge Col de Balme to Champex

On the suggestion of the other walkers and the man at the refuge, we took a different way to the one suggested in the guidebook which gave us a great view of the Glacier du Trient hanging above the valley. From the glacier we descended through forest to a river running at the bottom of the valley, hoping to reach Col de la Forclaz before too long. On reaching the valley bottom and crossing the bridge, however, we realised that the cafe here was not Col de la Forclaz but Chalet du Glacier. It appeared to be a favourite weekend spot for people to walk along a flat path to a picnic spot by the cafe. By that time Julia arrived, she was feeling so unwell due to the altitude so we had to stop and rest for some time in the cafe. As the route to Champex was a further 4 hours walk, we realised that there was no way we would reach the hostel before nightfall unless we made alternative plans.

Glacier du Trient on the Tour de Mont Blanc

At Col de la Forclaz, we investigated public transport options and found there was a train from Martigny but unfortunately the bus to take us there would not come for another 2 hours. We looked into taxis but were told they would cost ¢70, so in the end we decided to hitch hike which I had never done in my life. We stuck out our thumbs and within 5 minutes a Frenchman stopped with his teenage daughters at the back and dropped us to the station at Martigny where we could get 2 trains and a bus to reach Champex by evening. We realised that the times given in guidebook were underestimated and so we will make sure we plan for shorter legs for next year. Read my diary of Day 2 on the Tour de Mont Blanc – Col de Balme to Champex.

Waiting for the train at Martigny

Chalet Bon Abri on the Tour de Mont Blanc

What to pack for the Tour de Mont Blanc

It’s worth planning the mountain clothing and equipment that you’ll need when walking the Tour de Mont Blanc, ensuring that you take just what you need, as you will have to carry it all. Key items are a comfortable pair of walking boots with ankle support, a waterproof jacket such as the gore tex jacket that I got from my local Ellis Brigham store and walking trousers made out of lightweight quick-drying material, which often have zips around the legs. I also took a pair of stretchy running trousers and some lightweight running t-shirts that would also be quick drying and not feel sweaty to wear. I recommend taking waterproof trousers but I found I didn’t use them very much so it’s probably not worth spending a lot on them.

The first thing to do when you arrive at a mountain refuge is take off your boots and normally the refuge will lend you plastic clogs or slippers, then you have a shower and change into clean clothes that are just for wearing in the refuge. I also found that it can get cold at night even in summer so a couple of fleeces are also necessary. As the refuges normally have mixed dorms, I would just sleep in your refuge gear rather than bringing special nightwear. A pair of walking poles are also essential and if you can get ones that are telescopic then they will fit more easily in your luggage. Read my article on what to wear  for the Tour de Mont Blanc.

At the end of our walk in Les Houches

Our last day at Champex

The bus set us down in Champex and we walked up the hill to Chalet Bon Abri where we spent the night which was a lovely, efficiently run Swiss Gite and a total contrast from what we had experienced the night before. Read my article on A tale of Two Refuges to see what I mean! Champex is a pretty lakeside town and the next morning we took a turn around the lake beside the sparkling water and relaxed on the lakeside terrace of a cafe. Although she had felt quite weak due to the altitude, Julia had enjoyed our trip but decided that she needed to be fitter next year and would look into ways to avoid the altitude problems. We felt that we had under-estimated the distances involved and found that we were taking far longer to walk each part of the route than the times given in the Cicerone Tour de Mont Blanc Guide. The two different refuges we stayed in were a complete contrast – the first was run by an older couple who only unlocked the bathroom the morning when we left, making us realise how lucky we were to have the luxury of electric light rather than only a head torch to clean our teeth by, while the second was very comfortable and modern and even had wifi!

Champex Lac

In September 2012 we plan to do the next leg of the Tour de Mont Blanc, starting at Champex and ending at Courmayeur, so look out for more Tales from the Tour de Mont Blanc later this year.

Resources for those walking the Tour de Mont Blanc

On the first night of our walk we stayed at Refuge Col de Balme (Tel 04 50 54 02 33) and the cost was around €40 per person with dinner and breakfast in a 6 bed dorm room. On our second night we stayed at Gite Bon Abri at Champex-de’en-Haut, which we highly recommend, with private rooms and dorm rooms. The cost was around CHFR 76 per person with dinner and breakfast in a 6 bed dorm room and the Gite may be booked in advance by e-mail.

For women’s mountain clothing I used Ellis Brigham who have a wide range of waterproof jackets, trousers and other walking gear you might need for a trek on the mountains.

We used the Cicerone Tour of Mont Blanc guide by Kev Reynolds - we found it to be an excellent guide for both the clockwise and anti-clockwise route with detailed route guide, maps, accommodation information and points of interest along the route.

At the start and end of our walk, we stayed at the modern, stylish, budget boutique Hotel Slalom that is perfectly placed in Les Houches for summer walking opposite the start of the anti-clockwise TMB route. Double rooms in the summer season €86-99 plus €10 breakfast and you can compare prices and book through Hotels Combined.

We booked our transfer from Geneva airport to Les Houches through Chamexpress and found them to run an extremely efficient airport to hotel service – cost was €28 + tax per person each way.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ France – Tour de Mont Blanc 2011 photoset

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Holidaymakers seeking a Spanish getaway will usually be dreaming of sun, sea and sand – and heading straight to coastal areas. However, with its rich cultural heritage and gorgeous scenery, the country has much more to offer than a mere beach holiday. One destination that comes highly recommended for those looking to see another side of Spain is the northern La Rioja province.

La Rioja

The region is highly attractive to anyone who is into their fine dining, especially as it is internationally renowned for its delicious wines. La Rioja has more than 500 wineries, and anyone who enjoys pursuing a vineyard and seeing the winemaking process from beginning to end will be delighted with the opportunities on offer.

And what better place to enjoy the sumptuous wines of La Rioja than in front of a backdrop of the region’s breath-taking natural attractions? Colourful Mediterranean forests and a rugged mountainous skyline make for an idyllic location in which to enjoy the region’s wines as the sun descends behind the rolling hills.

Vineyard in La Rioja

However, La Rioja is not just for older wine-lovers (although holiday makers considering a trip to the La Rioja province should look into travel insurance over 65) – there are many more attractions in and around the picturesque landscapes to be enjoyed by the whole family. Horse riding, hot air ballooning and 4×4 routes are just some of the activities that cater to adventurous families that enjoy a good adrenaline rush and are always on the go.

The Camino de Santiago

Culture vultures can head to the region’s capital of Logrono, which holds behind its walls a vast history waiting to be uncovered. Much of the city’s architecture hails from the 11th century, when the famous Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago de Compostela first gained popularity. Highlights of Logrono include the Pilgrim’s Shelter, Pilgrim’s fountain and the church of Santiago, which relate to the pilgrim’s route. The palaces of Marquis de Legarda, Los Chapiteles and the Museum of La Riolaja are also well worth a visit for those wanting to soak up some culture.

More places to visit in Spain

Good history, good eating and great living in Galicia
From Malaga to El Chorro in the rain – Spain
A visit to Ojén – the Pueblos Blancos of Andalucia

My thanks for this sponsored post to Staysure.com, the specialists for over 50s travel insurance

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

London is one of the busiest and most interesting cities in the United Kingdom and having been a city for two millennia it certainly has a lot of history. Founded by the Romans, who called it Londinium, London showcases both the modern and the historical side by side in perfect harmony. And with so much history on offer, any trip to London should include a trip to at least one of the following fantastic historical attractions in the city.

London Dungeons

This attraction showcases London’s history across the ages, with actors re-enacting many of the historical events across the years. Jack Ripper will terrify you, the bubonic plague will leave you reeling, and actors will illuminate the great Fire of London for your viewing pleasure. Tickets for the London Dungeons start at £18.60.

Tower of London

Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous fortresses; having been seen in a number of films and cited in several historical accounts of the reigns of British kings and queens. The tower has had a number of uses, including being used as a royal palace, prison, armoury and even a menagerie. The tower was also home to the Royal Mint at one stage, and has been adapted many times over the years to adapt the building to the needs of the times.

Tower bridge in London

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge takes its name from the famous nearby Tower of London. When the East End began to expand in the latter half of the 19^th Century it became obvious that another bridge, south of London Bridge, should be constructed. Building work began in 1886 and took eight years with five major contractors. The bridges current colour scheme is owed to the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977.

St Paul's Cathedral in London

Saint Paul’s Cathedral

The seat of the Bishop of London is one of the most visited places in the city, and is often the first stop on many people’s tours of the city. Built by Christopher Wren between 1675 and 1711, this cathedral is heavily based on St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The site of many royal weddings and events, the cathedral has played a large role in many of the lives of kings and queens since its inception in the late 17^th century.  The building has been adapted and built on throughout the years, and has only become more impressive over the years.

More things to do in London

06 Weekend in London at the Mandarin Oriental – Podcast
To Kensington Palace and tea at the Orangery – in London
A River trip in London up the Thames to Greenwich – Video

Photo credits. Tower Bridge by Anirudh Koul, Tower of London by  Mark Bridge St Paul’s Cathedral by Garry Knight

My thanks for this sponsored post to Smartsave UK

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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My home town of Bristol is seriously overlooked by tourists yet it’s a great place to live and work, with loads to see and do for visitors. I thought that it was about time to sing Bristol’s praises and let you know about some of the many things to enjoy here that won’t cost you a penny. Here are 20 of my recommendations for free things to do in Bristol;

Bristol City Museum

Free stuff for families in Bristol

Bristol City Museum

At the top of Park St, in the heart of the University district of Bristol, The Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery is a bit of an institution. It still has that slightly old fashioned feel with a mixture of stuffed animals, Egyptian mummies, geological specimens and an old-fashioned airplane hanging in the foyer. One of the things that brings the museum bang up to date, however, are the regular exhibitions on the ground floor – normally photography and painting that are often by artistic masters touring the country from other galleries, such the exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci drawings that will be on show in May and June 2012. For families the museum is ideal for rainy weekends with a large, buggy-friendly atrium in front of the cafe where there is an activity area for children – you might even get away with a cup of coffee while the kids have a play.

M-shed Museum in Bristol

M-Shed

In the harbour where the Industrial Museum once stood, we now have M-shed – a museum that colourful, vibrant and all about Bristol. On the ground floor there’s a Bristol Places area where you can jump on the bus, get on hands and knees to examine the photographic map on the floor to find the street where you live and see if you can learn more about the history of your neighbourhood. Bristol Life is full of people’s stories, where they came from and how life has changed over the years – you can see the dining room table set for different times and classes. Bristol People is about the notable citizens and there’s a mini exhibition about the Slave Trade that brought so much wealth to Bristol. Step outdoors onto the quayside and the exhibition extends to the steam cranes and boats. There’s a cafe that serves coffee, cakes and lunchtime meals with a healthy children’s selection.

Millenium Square

Set a little way back from the harbour is Millenium Square, an open paved space that’s next to the At Bristol Science Centre and Blue Reef Aquarium (I’m afraid these aren’t free). The square’s a great place to let the kids run around in summer – with benches where you could have a picnic as well as plenty of cafes nearby. There’s a large water feature which has plenty of splashing and paddling potential and I love the statues of Bristol citizen such as Archibald Leach, better known as film star Cary Grant, William Penn, and teenage poet Thomas Chatterton. Track back from here to the water and you could cross Pero’s bridge, named after the Negro slave who worked for the Bristol Merchant who built the Georgian House or walk up the towpath as far as the spot opposite the SS Great Britain and take the ferry across.

Millenium square in Bristol at night

Create Centre

The aim of the Create Centre  is to inform and educate about environmental issues. It’s not the easiest to find, set beside the canal by one of the old Bristol Warehouses, but you can reach the centre by bike, bus or ferry as well as by car. The Create Centre is open on certain Saturdays so check the website for event details and it features an Eco-home, a purpose built show-home with practical ideas for greener living. There are also regular exhibitions which cover Green issues.

City Farms in Bristol

Get down on the farm in the heart of the city at St Werburgh’s City Farm. It’s a working farm that is also a thriving community project offering work experience and training for local people. On the farm visitors can see sheep, goats, chickens and pigs which are reared for meat that is sold locally and there’s an award winning cafe next to the childrens’ playground that serves fairtrade, organic and locally grown food wherever possible.

On the south side of Bristol you can visit Windmill City Farm that was started by local volunteers in 1976 to put a patch of wasteland to better use. Now you can see farmyard animals, kids can play in the adventure playground and there’s a cafe serving home-made food where you can buy eggs from the hens and ducks.

Both the city farms are free but donations are appreciated

Bristol’s history and heritage for free

The Georgian House

The Georgian House Museum is an 18^th century townhouse house that has been restored and furnished as it would have been at the time of its wealthy merchant owner, John Pinney. The Bristol Merchant was a sugar plantation and slave owner in the West Indies and had many business interests in the triangular trade that linked Bristol with West Africa and the West Indies. In the ground floor reception rooms, dining rooms and library you can get a feel for elegant life of a wealthy family of the day and downstairs the kitchen is laid out with all the copper pans and the original kitchen range. There’s even a plunge pool in the basement for health giving cold baths. The Pero’s bridge in the harbour is named after John Pinney’s slave who worked in this house as his personal servant. On the top floor and interesting small exhibition room gives insights into the business interests of John Pinney and the Bristol connections with the slave trade. The Georgian House is open from Easter until the end of October.

The kitchen at the Georgian house, Bristol

Red Lodge

Red Lodge is a Tudor house that sits on Park Row, looking down the hill towards the former quayside where merchant ships would have moored. The building was once the lodge of a greater house that was further down the hill on the site of the present Colston Hall and at the back is a small formal knot garden, planted in the Elizabethan style. The highlight is the Great Oak room with an ornate plasterwork ceiling, Tudor oak panelling and a great view over the city. The house was built in 1580 and was used in the 19^th century as a reform school for girls. Red Lodge is open from Easter to the end of October.

Bristol Doors Open Day

Every September interesting and historic buildings in Bristol open their doors to the citizens of Bristol (and anyone else who’d like to look around) – some are open at other times during the year but others are not generally open to the public. In past years we’ve visited Royal Fort House which is a Georgian villa, built on the site of civil war fortifications but now part of the Bristol University Campus. We also had a guided tour through the passages of the Clifton Rocks railway, descending from the old entrance beside the Avon Gorge Hotel to see the old turnstiles and tunnel through the cliffs of the water powered funicular railway that opened in 1892 but closed in the 1930s. Be aware that some of the visits, especially the ones that aren’t open at other times, are very popular, so arrive early for anything you don’t want to miss. The next Bristol Doors Open day will be on Sept 8^th 2012.

Walk across the Suspension Bridge

The Clifton suspension bridge is one thing you can hardly miss if you’re visiting Bristol – even if you don’t make it up the hill to Clifton village from the city centre, you’ll spot this iconic Bristol landmark on practically every postcard or book cover about Bristol. The bridge was the design of Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel who at the tender age of 24 won a competition to design the bridge. The work was started in 1831 and then abandoned but finally it was completed after Brunel’s death in 1864 and has been carrying traffic across the Avon Gorge ever since. You can get the best views of the bridge from the grassy area near the observatory on the Clifton side, or from the bar terrace of the Avon Gorge Hotel, a favourite hangout on summer evenings. Walk across the bridge for views along the gorge and you’ll find the small information centre on the other side, then carry on for a walk in the nearby Leigh woods or straight ahead and into Ashton Court deer-park.

Bristol Parks & Walking for free

Castle Park

Castle Park is in the heart of medieval Bristol and a favourite place for local office worker to have lunch on a sunny day with a view of the canal. The focus is the shell of St Peter’s church, destroyed by wartime bombs and never reconstructed, so only the tower and open walls remain. Tucked behind the church there’s a formal garden with sculptures and water features and the park also contains a large children’s playground. Walk around and you’ll find some remains of the old city walls and the park is very close to the Broadmead and Cabot’s Circus shopping areas too, providing a green escape when you’ve had enough of the shopping. If you want to buy an interesting picnic to eat in Castle Park, I highly recommend the food stalls in nearby St Nicholas market which sell everything from Pieminster pies to Moroccan tagines to Jamaican goat curry washed down by a freshly pressed Wheatgrass juice.

St Peter's church in Castle Park

Brandon Hill

If you want a magnificent view over the Bristol harbour and the green countryside beyond the edge of the city, climb up Park St and to the top of Brandon Hill. The Cabot Tower was under restoration for some years but now it’s open for a climb to the top although I haven’t been. There are benches around the garden at the bottom of the tower and the rest of the park is green open space with a small children’s playground at the foot of the hill. Like Castle Park it’s a green oasis after looking around the interesting shops on Park Street and if you want to take a picnic, you’ll find a good selection of upmarket fare at the Waitrose on the nearby Triangle.

Download a free audio walking tour of Bristol

If you enjoy exploring corners of Bristol that you might not find on your own, download one of the free audio walking tours from the Visit Bristol website. You can look for pirates on the quayside, find out more about the buildings designed by the famous Victorian Engineer, Brunel, follow the slave trade trail that made many Bristol merchants rich and explore the city’s old churches. Download the MP3 file and find out more about Bristol’s colourful past.

Blaise Hamlet in Bristol

Kings Weston House

Walk from Blaise Castle to Kingsweston

One of my favourite Bristol walks for a Sunday afternoon is from Blaise Castle to Kingsweston House. Leave your car in the car park of Blaise Castle estate and first walk back to look around the green with charming thatched cottages of Blaise Hamlet, owned by the National Trust that were designed as housing for the pensioners of the Blaise Castle Estate. Back in the Blaise Castle park and you could easily spend an hour or two, what with the childrens’ playgrounds for different ages, the Blaise Castle House Museum and the folly at the top of the hill. However, I like to walk to the top of the high ground and along the ride towards Kings Weston House, with views towards the Severn Bridge. Within the hour you should arrive at the house, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1710 which is now often rented out for weddings and other functions, but around the side there’s a small tea shop with a terrace for sunny days. Read my article about the Walk to Kingsweston

Free artistic endeavours in Bristol

The Arnolfini

Housed in one of the old warehouses on Bristol’s Quayside, the exhibitions that are held in the Arnolfini celebrate everything that is contemporary, thought provoking and conversation generating. My family’s reaction on entering tends to be either “Is that Art?” or “What on earth is it”?  as we eye up some strange piece of experimental installation art. The big open spaces and family friendly activities make the Arnolfini a great place to introduce the kids to art that’s a bit different. There’s also an arts cinema, cafe and shop in the Arnolfini and the exhibitions and art projects are free.

Arnolfini gallery, Bristol docks

Street art on Stokes Croft, Nelson Street & Banksy relics

Street art is big in Bristol if you know where to look and after doing as much as it could to discourage it on Stokes Croft, perhaps the recent Nelson Street project demonstrates that the Bristol City Council is having a change of heart. After all Street art can be a big tourist draw and crowd pleaser – you only have to go to the East Side Gallery in Berlin to see that. One of the key places for Street Art in Bristol is Stokes Croft – start in the Bear Pit, the underpass at the roundabout near Debenhams which is now being made into an out-door gallery (and not before time) to brighten up the drab walls just crying out for something colourful. Walk up Stokes Croft keeping your eyes and wits about you and on shops, buildings and side streets you’ll find plenty of fine street art, up as far as Jamaica Street. There you should turn left past the Jamaica Street Studios (don’t miss their open days if you get the chance) and take a look in the Selling Gallery run by the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft who are leading campaigners to make the area an outdoor street art gallery. As you walk back down you’ll see the Banksy Mild Mild West Mural above the Canteen in Hamilton House - a place that’s always packed with locals enjoying inexpensive food and live music – there are plenty of other cool bars, cafes and music venues in this neighbourhood.  From here, I’d suggest that you walk through the bus station and along Nelson Street which has more recently been made into an outdoor gallery in the See no Evil Project that brought leading Street Artists to Bristol from all over the world, to brighten up the grey 60s buildings. Read my article about Stokes Croft Street Art

Street art on Nelson St, Bristol

Embrace the spiritual in Bristol

John Wesley Chapel
Tucked away in the middle of the Broadmead shopping area you could easily hurry past the John Wesley Chapel, known as The New Room, on your way to Boots or Marks & Spencer. Walk through the small paved courtyard with benches and espaliered fruit trees and you will enter the oldest Methodist Chapel in the world, built in 1739. The chapel is beautifully simple and open with wooden benches and galleries and was founded by the preacher, John Wesley, one of the leaders of the Methodist religious movement. Upstairs above the chapel are several rooms which are laid out with information about John Wesley and his brother Charles, and show where he slept and worked. Entry is free although donations are welcome for the upkeep of the chapel.

Bristol cathedral

You’ll find Bristol Cathedral on College Green at the foot of Park Street and close to the harbour area. You will be very welcome to join one of the regular public services in the Cathedral, or to walk around the Cathedral when there are no services taking place. Take time to look at all the stained glass windows both ancient and modern and walk up the Nave to the Choir where you can see the carved wooden stalls, organ and lacy carved stonework. The Abbey of St Augustine was founded in 1140 but was destroyed in the 16th century and the new Bristol Cathedral built on the remains of the old. I recommend that you take a look at the patterned marble floors to the side of the choir and also walk down the cloisters towards the Buttery where you can have a cup of tea or a sandwich. Take time to look into the Norman Chapter house, a room in the original abbey there the monks would gather. There’s also a small enclosed garden which can be accessed from a door near the buttery. Entry is free although donations are welcome for the upkeep of the Cathedral. Read my article about a contemplative lunch at Bristol Cathedral.

The choir stalls at Bristol Cathedral

Bristol’s free festivals

Bristol Harbour Festival

On a July weekend the Bristol Harbour festival brings the harbour to life with a free music and street drama with stages set up in a number of different locations. On one side there’s the amphitheatre outside the Lloyds Building, leading into Millenium square, on the other there’s the spaces by M-shed and the SS Great Britain. Queens Square and Castle Park become a seething mass of folk out to enjoy the music and a beer in the sunshine – there are entertainments for the kids and plenty of food and drink stalls. The next Bristol Harbour Festival is on 20-22 July 2012.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

On a summer evening you’re quite likely to see a balloon or two drifting over the rooftops of Bristol and in August the balloons and crowds converge on Bristol for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. There’s a funfair and market stalls but if you want to see the main ascent of balloons you need to be there either early or late at 6am or 6pm. One of the most popular parts of the Fiesta is the Night Glow that’s held in the evening on the Thursday and the Saturday when the tethered balloons rise and sway in town to music creating a glow with the flames with a firework finale. Watch my video of the Bristol Night Glow. On the final Sunday evening ascent, many families take a picnic on to the downs by the sea wall overlooking the gorge or position themselves above the suspension bridge to watch the balloons rise over the Avon Gorge and the photographers are out in force to snap that iconic Bristol shot.  The next Bristol Balloon Fiesta is 9-11 August 2012.

Night Glow at Bristol Ballon Fiesta

Bristol Kite Festival

In September, Ashton Court Estate host the Bristol Kite Festival, on the highest part of the park (here’s hoping for a windy day). The festival area is full of giant kites in all shapes, sizes and colours and there are stalls around the edge where you can buy your own kite and other merchandise. The guest kite flyers come from all over the world and there are other entertainments such as trampolines to entertain the family.

Hopefully you won’t need too much convincing that Bristol is a vibrant, lively city with loads of great stuff to see and do and that there’s plenty here that’s budget friendly for a weekend visit or longer.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

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If you are thinking of spending St Patrick’s Day in Ireland you will not be disappointed. There are festivals and parades galore across the Emerald Isle and there is a great sense of Irish pride. Even if you are not from Ireland , on St Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish!!

St Patrick's day celebrations in Ireland

St Patrick is commonly recognised as the Patron Saint of Ireland and in helping to introduce Ireland to Christianity. Ever wondered what the Shamrock symbolises? Well, according to legend St Patrick used the Shamrock because of its three leaf formation to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish people.

St Patrick died on the 17^th March and so parades and festivals take place in cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland on this date to commemorate his life. Although St Patrick’s Day is a religious feast day, in later times it has become a day to celebrate and commemorate Irish culture.   Therefore, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated throughout the world and reflects the talents and achievement of Irish people everywhere. It is probably the most widely celebrated saint’s day in the world!

St Patrick's day in Dublin

Dublin holds a three day St Patrick’s Festival from the 16th – 19th March and is enjoyed by over 1.2 million people. It ranks amongst the greatest celebration in the world, is massively creative, professional and most importantly fun for all the family! Cork’s St Patrick’s Day festival also runs for 3 days, Sunday 18th – Monday 19th March with fantastic floats, street entertainment and live music and free family entertainment from 10am – 6pm daily. Galway City is holding their 109th parade and will feature marching bands, floats, pipe bands and dancing groups. The city will be full of life and a riot of colour and sound. No matter where you decide to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Ireland you are guaranteed a fun-filled memorable day.

St Patrick's day festivities in Ireland

It is important that you plan your accommodation well in advance as people travel from all over the world to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Ireland . You don’t want to be disappointed when your preferred accommodation is booked out. Family-run B & Bs are great places to stay in as they are in great locations across Ireland and your hosts will provide you with up to date information on what is happening and where. It is also a great way of immersing yourself in the local celebrations and carnival atmosphere. Remember to leave your inhibitions at home as you will be expected to wear funny hats, don the green and maybe even sup a pint of green Guinness! It really is an experience not to be missed and is truly fun for all the family.

If you need some more information on accommodation or Ireland in general, then visit the B&B Ireland Website and Blog. They are also running a 3 night B&B competition, so you will be in with a chance to enjoy all the celebrations knowing your B&B accommodation is sorted! Their Facebook page is a great source of information, you can read visitors holiday experiences and tips on places to visit and things to do and see.

Photo credits: St Patrick’s day in Dublin by LenDog64 other photos by B&B Ireland

More things to enjoy in Ireland

Dublin – top of the quaffs
Dublin tourist attractions – the ones you may have missed
See the sights of Northern Ireland by car

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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Most visitors to the Greek island of Zakynthos are there to enjoy the beaches, sun and relaxation, but if you’re like me and get a bit fidgety after 5 minutes on a sun lounger, you might like to explore a bit more of what Zante (as it’s also known) has to offer. Here are a few places to visit that will give you an insight into the history of this popular Greek island;

Venetian fort at Bohali on Zakynthos

The Venetian Fort at Bohali

Starting in Zante town, I’d suggest that you hike, drive or take the small tourist train up to Bohali, the hill that overlooks the town where you’ll find the Venetian fort or Kastro. The fort occupies a strategic position on the top of the hill with views in all direction, over the harbour and towards the island interior. It dates back to the 15th century and was destroyed by the Turks in 1460 but later repaired with the help of the Venetians and was at one point the capital of the island.

Once you pass through the stone gates carved with the Venetian lion, you enter a surprisingly large area which would have once contained the whole garrison and supporting village but now only a few buildings remain. The area is now covered with pine trees which make it cool and shady in summer time and you can see some of the old canons, and prison cells. Looking over the ramparts the view of the town and the harbour is fantastic and you can finish your visit by taking a Frappé in one of the stylish bars along the terrace below the fort – a favourite place for the Greeks to come in the cool of the early evening.

Romas Mansion on Zakynthos

Romas mansion in Zante Town

Descending back down the hill to Zante town, hidden away in the back streets is Romas Mansion. This historic house was build in the 17th century by the English Vice consul on Zakynthos and was later used as the English Governor’s Residence and centre of government. In the  1880s the house was bought by Alexander Romas, Government minister and President of the Greek Parliament and his descendants who still live in the house have now opened it to the public.

The house is one of the few old houses in Zante town to survive the terrible earthquake of 1953 which together with the fire that raged, destroyed most of Zante town. If you take a look at the small chapel that is immediately beside the mansion you can see how the street level is about a metre higher than before the earthquake as the town was rebuilt on the rubble of older buildings.

The Mansion gives a glimpse into how the aristocracy on the island lived, with beautiful paintings and furniture and a library full of leatherbound books. Once the house had a garden that gave directly onto the sea but after the earthquake the road was built along the sea front and you can see old photos of the house before the earthquake when it had an additional top floor and two side wings.

Zakynthos Museum

Zakynthos Museum of art

A short walk from Romas Mansion and you’re in Solomos square, named after the famous Zakynthian poet, Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the words of the Greek National Anthem. The colonnaded building on the side of the square that faces the harbour, houses the  Zakynthos Museum which is more of an art gallery for the religious artworks that were rescued from churches and monasteries around the island after the earthquake struck.

There are two floor of religious art from the 17th and 18th centuries with panel paintings, icons and entire altar screens from locations around the island. One of the rooms houses the 17th Century frescos that were recovered from the Saint Andrea’s Monastery in Volimes to the North of the island, showing how many of the older churches must have looked. One of the most interesting things were the old photos throughout the museum of different parts of the island showing how things were before and after the earthquake of 1953. In the foyer there is also a model of the town that shows the layout of the town before the earthquake and you may be able to trace the changes around the harbour area.

Monastery of St Denis on Zakynthos Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com

The Monastery of St Denis near Volimes

To see more of the old monasteries that housed these religious paintings you might like to drive up to the north of the island, near the mountain village of Volimes that is known for lace making and honey. The landscape in this part of the island is more rocky and barren and you’ll see the bee hives by the side of the road as you drive up.

The best known monastery is that of St Denis or Theotokos Anafonitria and is a popular stop for coaches on a tour of the island. St Denis is the patron saint of the island and  was born into a wealthy family on the island in 1546, going on to become Archbishop of Zakynthos and being canonised after his death. You’ll find that many of the men on the island are named Denis after the Patron Saint, and is it’s the custom in Greece to celebrate your name day, rather than your birthday, St Denis’s day is one big party on the island.

The church is in a small walled compound with a bell tower and inside is quite bare apart from the decorative altarpiece and the icon of Madonna and Child which is adorned with rows of gold jewellery left by faithful pilgrims. When visiting churches in Greece you should make sure that you are correctly dressed with covered shoulders for ladies and long trousers for men – the Greeks would never think of visiting as if dressed for the beach.

Further up the same road is the monastery of St Georgios Krimnon, a little larger but built in a similar style with a defensive tower and church inside the enclosure, and cloisters along one side of the courtyard, with a large bell hanging outside from the olive trees. While you’re in the area, be sure to visit the shops selling handmade lace in Volimes and then you can drive on to the viewing point for one of the most famous beaches on the island (if not in the world) at Navagio or Smuggler’s cove where there is a picturesque shipwreck on the crescent of sand.

The beach at Navagio or Smuggler's Cove on Zakynthos

On Zakynthos the beach and the sea is never far away but it can also be fascinating to find out a little more about the history of this lovely Ionian island.

This article was brought to you by Flightcenter.com.au - check them out for cheap Athens Flights to visit all your favourite destinations in Greece

More articles about the places mentioned

For all the lovers of beer (and food), Belgium is an unavoidable choice when traveling for pleasure. Situated in-between France, Netherlands and Germany, the country has a distinctive character and its capital, Brussels, is not only the administrative centre of the European Union but also known as the “Capital of chocolate”. As well as Brussels, the other towns and cities of Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and Leuven are popular, but wherever you stop Belgium offers lots of countryside sight-seeing, great food and great beer.

Brewery Westmalle, Antwerp

In addition to the famous chocolate, Trappist cheese and beer are made in Trappist monasteries and enjoy a world-renowned reputation. Belgian people are very sensitive about their beer – every beer has its own type of glass and it is common opinion that beer doesn’t taste the same in different glasses.

In Belgium there are six out of seven Trappist breweries in the whole world and since Trappist monasteries are part of Benedictine order, they have very strict rules. Some of the Trappist beers are brewed in very small amounts, for monastery’s maintenance and charity funds only and being just a tourist may not grant you an entrance to their brewery.

Chimay Grande Réserve Trappist beer from Belgium

Only seven breweries in the whole world carry the title of Trappist beer producers and what makes Trappist beers special is the way they’re produced which is different to other monastery beers.  Starting with all natural ingredients, brewing within the monastery walls, and as to whether the profits are spent on charity, all those monasteries are subject to high quality controls.

Among the most famous Trappist breweries is Chimay, with its 3 types of beer: Blue, Red and Triple; and four types of cheese: Grand Classic, Grand Cru, Old, Chimay with beer, Le Poteaupré. It is said that each Chimay beer has its own personality.

Abbaye d'Orval

Orval has one of the longest histories among Trappists and here the monks make only one type of cheese, brew only one sort of beer. If you’re not planning to drink it in any of the cool pubs in the previously mentioned cities, make sure you have an appointment with the brewery and come preferably at the weekend.

Westmalle brewery makes Trippel, Dubbel and Extra although Westmalle Extra is not available for purchase. There is also Westmalle cheese but it’s sold only at the monastery gates. Achel brewery is one of the smallest but produces few kind of Trappist beer: Blond, Brown, and Extra (with different percentage of alcohol).

Rochefort beers have rather simple names: 6, 8 and 10 – and yes, that’s alcohol percentage. If you’re fond of strong and a bit sour taste, Rochefort is the right beer for you.

Brewery Westmalle, Antwerp

Westvleteren is the kind of brewery you were warned about before – they only sell beers at their own store and if you make a reservation, and you can only take few beers at a time. There are three sorts of Westvleteren: Blond, 8 and 12 (both dark). So empty your trunks and hit the road to the abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren!

After tasting some of the Belgian Trappist beers, one might bravely exclaim that the Trappist beers are the obvious manifestation of a great experience.

My thanks for this Guest Post to Mihaela from Looktrains.com

More good things to eat and drink around Europe

In search of the perfect Smørrebrød – in Copenhagen
Bratwurst and Sacher Torte – or what we ate in Salzburg
Lángos and other street food – in Hungary

Photo credits: Brewery Westmalle by visitflanders, Chimay Grande Réserve by Bernt Rostad, and Abbaye d’Orval by ines saraiva.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

It was February, it was cold and threatening snow in Bristol but we were off to Wales to spend a weekend on the Gower and celebrate my husband’s birthday with the family. My oldest son has just started university at Swansea which is the gateway to the Gower peninsula in South Wales (the bit that looks like the lower jaw of the Welsh wolf’s head on the map) and he was keen for a bit of surfing although I was somewhat doubtful – Brrrr! The Gower is blessed with numerous wide sandy beaches and it’s a well known fact in these here parts that Swansea University is the closest university in the world to the beach (which is just across the road), the other contenders being in sunny California.

Heather at Caswell Bay, Gower, Wales

Driving down on the Friday night we make it in surprisingly quick-sharp time across the Severn Bridge, along the motorway and through Swansea to Mumbles – the attractive village where Swansea stops and the Gower proper begins. We pick up the keys to our holiday house from Home from Home who are specialists in cottages in the Gower and have friendly staff who know the area inside-out and can advise you on which of their properties would be best for you. On through the windy roads to Langland and following the detailed instructions we turn into a narrow private road (plenty of potholes) and into the drive of Maryland, where we will be spending the weekend.

I hope you enjoy my video of our winter weekend on the Gower near Langland and Caswell

If you can’t see the video above about the Gower, please view it on my blog here

We find a house that is newer than I’d expected from a holiday cottage, but what it lacks in roses-round-the-door character Maryland more than makes up in stylish interiors with bags of space for an extended family gathering. The French doors at the front lead into an open-plan downstairs with sitting area, kitchen and a dining area with a large round table where, in a welcoming touch, we find a vase of brightly coloured tulips to remind us that spring is just around the corner.  The French doors off the dining area look onto an enclosed garden with garden furniture on the patio where children could play safely in summer.

Maryland Holiday House, Gower, Wales

The house is well placed behind the Langland Golf course which is set on the cliff-top overlooking both Langland and Caswell Bays (both popular surfing beaches). You can walk down the lane and through the golf course and in 5 minutes you reach the clifftop where the coastal path winds around the headland. From here you overlook Caswell Bay and walk along the path and down onto the wide beach with sandy expanses and rock-pools. Turning the other way out of the house and the muddy footpath skirts the golf course taking us down to Langland Bay with a promenade backed by spiky tropical palms and peeling, green-and-white painted beach huts that give it a retro air.

Caswell Bay, Gower, Wales

The house is almost indecently spacious, with four good sized bedrooms, three upstairs and one on the ground floor as well as another cosy upstairs sitting area which becomes our favourite place to curl up and read on the squashy sofas with the gas fire on. Each of the bedrooms has a modern en suite bathroom so our teenagers think they’re in heaven (no impatient siblings banging on the bathroom door) and the downstairs bedroom, which is ideal for anyone who doesn’t do stairs, also has an adjoining bathroom. My parents who have joined us for the weekend find it blissful to be in a house where everything works and the place is constantly warm  - one of the benefits of modern living rather than the draughty 100 year old house where we live. Downstairs we also find an enclosed TV room tucked under the stairs which proves the ideal place to watch the rugby on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

From the visitors book we discover that the house was built in 2005 and that since then has hosted families from the USA and New Zealand as well as various parts of the UK – many of whom seemed to have been back more than once. The house has seen landmark birthdays and 60th wedding anniversaries, golf and tennis holidays and has even been rented for a local wedding with the bride leaving for the church from this house. Other visitors have returned to discover the beaches they had known as children (tough choice between Langland and Caswell) and there is talk of a ghost which we hope is someone’s idea of a joke!

Langland Bay, Gower, Wales

Our Saturday dawns and snow is forecast for Bristol but luckily with the warming influence of the sea it only proves to be rain on the Gower. At first the shower is light and so we optimistically venture across the golf course and onto the headland, but in the rain my parents find the steep cliff path a bit too slippery and so we return to the house and cheat by driving the short distance down to Langland Bay. With the rain setting in we decided that the best place for us is the Langland Brasserie right by the car park where we settle into a table by the window with a view over the beach.

In summer I would gladly sit on the terrace watching beach life pass by on the promenade below, but it’s not at all bad in winter either, with a coffees being served one side and a restaurant area on the other. We sit poring over the weekend paper, watching the rain drip down the windows, taking in the black and white photos of Langland beach in days gone by and observing the family running the place who all seemed to be Italian. As the closest beach to Swansea, I can imagine that this beach has been popular for years and seen generation after generation taking the bus from Swansea or the coalfields of South Wales or walking around from the Mumbles to spend a day beside the sea.

I’ve been researching local pubs serving good food for our evening meal and have been recommended several such as the King Arthur Hotel at Reynoldston, the Brittania Inn at Llanmadoc or even the local option of the Langland Brasserie. But as the rain continues heavy through the afternoon we don’t much feel like setting out again in the dark, so instead we pop into Mumbles to stock up on food and have a look around. While the family shop I have a quick whizz round, dodging in and out of smart boutiques and gift shops, photographing the ruined Oystermouth Castle which overlooks the town and clocking the famous Joe’s Italian Ice cream parlour  on the seafront run by another Italian family who came to South Wales in the 19th Century. I also drop into the Love Spoon Gallery to hear stories of love messages carved into wood by which a young Welshman might woo his lady and realise that we have been here before during a holiday at Oxwich bay and had bought our own love spoon which still hangs in our bedroom.

Langland Bay, Gower, Wales

On Sunday the weather clears and so after breakfast we set out for the bracing walk that I had been longing for, down the cliff path to Caswell where we pass a group of tiddlers training for tag rugby (they start them young in Wales) and kick around with our Wellington boots in the surf watching the waves break onto the beach. I absolutely love being on the beach in winter when the fresh air and sea winds clear your head and blow the cobwebs of city life away.

We turn back past the Surfside Cafe and back up the coast path, but instead of turning up towards the house we continue on around a well paved path with joggers and other walkers with the sea crashing on the rocks below. Around the headland and we approach the broad sweep of Langland bay where there are benches on the cliff top that made an ideal vantage point to watch the surfers in the water below. There are many black rubber covered heads bobbing in the water, most on paddle-boards rather than traditional surfboards which are like a cross between a canoe and a surfboard, enabling the surfer to paddle around standing up while waiting for the wave.

Caswell Bay Gower

My son has decided against giving it a try on that day and returned to the warmth of Maryland. He assures me that his wetsuit keeps him toasty warm in the water and the surf club at Swansea organises regular outings – he has been known to be in the water before breakfast and back in time for his morning lectures! We continue around to the green and white beach huts of Langland beach which I could see would come in very handy if you need somewhere to change and leave your gear while heading out for a swim or a surf.

Roll-on summer and the family picnics, the sandcastles and ice creams on the beach, but with the July and August sunshine (or not) also come the crowds and the traffic jams. I say, enjoy the beaches of the Gower in winter too with the bracing air and wide horizons and then perhaps come back for your surf lesson at Langland or Caswell when you can feel the sun on your face.

Visitor Information for the Gower Peninsula in Wales

- We rented our holiday home – Maryland at Caswell through Home from Home  who specialise in Gower Cottages and other accommodation in the Gower. Follow them on Twitter @Gowercottages and on their Facebook Page. Click the image (right) to view the Home from Home brochure

- Plan your break on the Gower with information from the Visit Swansea Bay website with information on Swansea Bay, Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula or follow them on Twitter @VisitSwanseaBay and on their Visit Swansea Bay Facebook Page

- For other information on holidays in Wales take a look at the  Visit Wales Website or follow them on Twitter @VisitWales and the Visit Wales Facebook Page

More things to enjoy in Wales

Walking In Wales – 10 Easy And Inspirational Day Walks
Camping in sunshine and showers – on the Gower in Wales
A Fairy Tale of camping in mid-Wales

Thanks to Home from Home for offering us our holiday accommodation at a discounted rate.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Wales – Gower photoset

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Yorkshire is a place that is filled with a mixture of historical sites and natural beauty, and this makes it the perfect holiday destination for all the family. Whether you have a weekend or a week, you will find something amazing in this part of the world. Here are some of the things you might like to see;

Castle Howard, North Yorkshire

Quite easily one of the most famous country houses in the United Kingdom, a trip to Castle Howard is always a great day out. A grand Baroque mansion, it opens in March, there is always an event to plan for if that’s what swings your vote.

However, even when the events aren’t on there is so much to enjoy in both the house and the gardens that you could spend more than a day here. Great for a picnic on the warmer days, there is a garden centre and a farm shop while caravanning and camping is available if you just can’t get enough.

Castle Howard in Yorkshire

York Minster

A truly amazing place, the largest Gothic cathedral you will find across Northern Europe is one of great beauty and wonder. There is a lot to see and hear about the history of this place – there are free guides on offer about how they are  restoring it and you can also take the time to go into the crypt or up the tower to witness the gargoyles and pinnacles of the Minster while enjoying great views of the city.

With so many other things to do in and around the city, York is often used as a weekend destination for families to find cottages to rent in Yorkshire and enjoy the rich heritage of this walled city.

York Minster

The Royal Armouries, Leeds

If arms and armour is your thing, then this is a top spot within the county because you will be taken back in time to see how and why England has changed over time. Their mission is to keep, study and care for objects so that everyone can get a better knowledge of them.

With plenty going on all year round and free entry, it is a great place to take the children – and there is plenty for the adults to enjoy as well. Following this medieval day out, you are in prime position to enjoy the bars and restaurants of canal-front development Clarence Dock.

In the Royal Armouries, Leeds

Flamborough Head Cliffs, East Riding of Yorkshire

If getting into the great outdoors is more your cup of tea, and you want a country cottage to rent for a blissful long weekend then this will be right up your street. Sat some 400 feet high, and stretching for seven miles, this chalk headland is a special area of conservation and a place of stunning natural beauty.

Home to around 200,000 birds, you will find many twitchers in and around taking advantage of the views for nesting sea birds. Distinctive is an understatement for this glorious spot, and it is an excellent spot to enjoy during a Yorkshire holiday.

Flamborough Head Yorkshire

Whitby Abbey

Overlooking the seaside town of Whitby, this abbey was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula and it is easy to see why. From the top you get a great view of the surrounding areas, and you can go into the grounds to see the mystery of the abbey. The town itself has a very unique vibe and atmosphere around it, and is known for some fine fish and chips.

My thanks for this sponsored post to Sykes Cottages, who are specialists in cottage holidays across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

More things to do in the North of England

Getting to know LS Lowry at The Lowry in Manchester
The must-see sights of Leeds – England
Street art and vintage in the Northern Quarter of Manchester

Photo credits: Castle Howard by Darwin70, York Minister by ♍, Royal Armouries, Leeds by reinholdbehringer, Flamborough Head by nick.garrod

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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One thing you’ll learn pretty quickly when you arrive in Gothenburg is that the Swedes are big coffee drinkers – they even have a word for the coffee break – it’s called Fika. Fika can mean a cup of coffee or a social event where you meet friends or colleagues for a coffee and a chat. If you want something sweet to go with your coffee, there are no shortage of delicious cakes and buns to choose from. When you’re in Gothenburg you’ll want to take a break from the sightseeing and find a cosy bolthole in winter or an interesting courtyard in summer to watch the world go by, so here are some of our favourite Fika spots from our trip to Gothenburg;

Buns at Cafe Kringlan in Haga, Gothenburg, Sweden

Cafe Kringlan

In the picturesque old working neighbourhood of Haga, we found a weekend Christmas market going on all along Haga Nygata, the main street on which you’ll find Cafe Kringlan, marked by the golden bagel hanging outside. After listening to an impromptu student choir on a street corner and following a marching band up the street we squeezed into Cafe Kringlan for a restorative milky coffee. The place was packed and I liked to look of the pretty room at the back but after queuing at the counter laden with the traditional cinnamon buns and other tempting pastries we carried our glass mugs of coffee the only free seat by the door. Outside cakes and buns were also being sold including the golden saffron buns that are a speciality at Christmas time. Cafe Kringlan is at Haga Nygatan 13.

Cafe Kringlan in Haga, Gothenburg, Sweden

Cafe Husaren

Cafe Husaren is also in Haga, just a few minutes from Cafe Kringlan and is reputed to the the place where they invented the Cinnamon buns that are a traditional Gothenburg treat and are served in many of the cafes around the city. The buns are so enormous that they’ll probably keep you going from breakfast until dinner if you have one with your late morning coffee. You can see the cinnamon buns prettily piled up in the window of Cafe Husaren as you pass by on Haga Nygata. Cafe Husaren is at Haga Nygata 28.

Cafe Husaren in Haga, Gothenburg

Le Petit Cafe

Much further down Haga Nyata is Le Petit Cafe where we ended up one early evening when everything else was closing in Haga. I like the vintage feel of this friendly cafe with a traditional Swedish feel of painted wooden furniture, pretty turquoise chinoiserie wallpaper and lots of antique finds scattered around. There are benches with cushions but we sat at the stools in the window with a coffee and slice of chocolate cake, watching the dusk fall in Gothenburg. Le Petit Cafe is at Haga Nygata 2.

Cafe Kronhuset

Cafe Kronhuset is set in a different area of the city to the cafes mentioned in Haga, in the Nordstaden neighbourhood close to the port and the Maritiman Maritime museum. The Kronhuset or Crown house is an old artillery store, built in the 1650s  in Dutch style with red brick walls and distinctive copper roof and window shutters and is reputed to be one of the oldest buildings in Gothenburg.  In the courtyard next to the Kronhuset are a number of small craft workshops as well as Cafe Kronhuset which is very cosy in winter and has tables in the courtyard to sit in summer. We sat inside near the back where a fire was burning next to the old anvil and the cafe is a great place for a light lunch of open sandwich or salad as well as coffee and cakes. You can hear us talking about the Fika in Cafe Kronhuset in my Gothenburg Podcast. Cafe Kronhuset is at Postgatan 6-8, 411 13 Göteborg

Cafe Kronhuset in Gothenburg

Buns at Cafe Kronhuset in Gothenburg

Da Matteo

Da Matteo seems to be the local’s Fika choice for great coffee and there are three different branches in Gothenburg that we found. In Victoriapassagen is a small coffee shop where you can sit on a bar stool and watch the world walk along the passage, or the two branches in Magasingaten, one of which is the bakery where they make the bread at the back and grind the coffee – I hear the pizzas are great here at lunchtime. If you’re in Magasingaten on a weekday lunchtime do also look out for the Strömmingsluckan herring cart selling traditional Swedish Fried Herring with mashed potato and lingonberry sauce.

Bread at da Matteo Panetteria in Gothenburg

Da Matteo Panetteria in Gothenburg

Cafe Kanold

I don’t know whether the Fika concept will stretch to include hot drinks other than coffee but if chocolate is your passion then the place for you is Cafe Kanold by the canal. The Cafe was only opened last year by Jeanna Kanold who runs the Kanold chocolate shop just around the corner and I’d highly recommend the hot chocolate with chili flakes which is just the thing to provide protection against the cold Gothenburg winds. I challenge you to leave without trying a few other chocolate treats such as the Gothenburg truffle which has sea salt on the top, invented by Jeanna Kanold and inspired by the ocean and seafood that if so beloved by Gothenburgers. Read my article about Cafe Kanold. Cafe Kanold is at Grönsakstorget 1.

Cafe Kanold in Gothenburg, Sweden

Cafe Kanold in Gothenburg, Sweden

More things to enjoy in Gothenburg

Eight Swedish Foods to try in Gothenburg – video
Staying in Luxury with Mother Swea at Hotel Elite Plaza in Gothenburg
The Christmas Film in Gothenburg Video

Visitor Information for Gothenburg or Göteborg

• The local tourism site Göteborg.com is full of information on the best things to see and do
• For information on West Sweden visit the West Sweden Tourism site or follow them on Twitter @WestSwedenTB or on their Facebook page and you will find their blog at ExploreWestSweden.com
• Another useful site for all things Gothenburg is I Love Göteborg
• If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing it’s worth getting the Gothenburg City Card which will allow you entrance to all the major attractions as well as public transport. Look out for the deals that some hotels offer that include a Gothenburg Card with the hotel booking.
• We stayed at the classic 5 star hotel, Elite Plaza Hotel which is in the Inom Vallgraven district and walking distance from most of the sights of Gothenburg.
• We took flights to Gothenburg from London Heathrow with Scandinavian Airlines who have 2 flights a day to Gothenburg’s Landvetter airport, a 30 minute taxi or bus ride from the city.
• If you’d like to use a guidebook during your visit to Gothenburg I’d recommend the conveniently sized Thomas Cook Gothenburg Pocket Guide which we used.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Sweden – Gothenburg photoset

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

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As we approach the Feskekörka or Fish Church, overlooking the Rosenlund Canal, we can see how it got its name. The brick building that houses Gothenburg’s Fish Market was built in 1874 with Gothic arched windows under steeply pitched eves giving it a somewhat ecclesiastical air. The building was considered quite futuristic in its day with an open interior and no supporting columns and it originally housed the fish auction for the city which was later moved to a new location in 1910. Since then the Feskekörka has been home to the Fish Market with a number of stalls selling fresh fish, ready-prepared fish dishes and two restaurants, including Restaurant Gabriel that we’ve come to visit.

Feskekôrka (Fish church) in Gothenburg

As we arrive only just in time for our 1 o’clock lunch booking at Restaurant Gabriel, we by-pass all the glass cabinets with interesting looking fish on ice and hurry up the stairs to the mezzanine restaurant level at one end of the building. At the top of the steps we are greeted by the tall owner Johan Malm, wearing drainpipe jeans and Doc Martin boots under his chef’s jacket with a close cropped beard making him look like a rather trendy fisherman. (Of course my husband spotted the Breitling watch well before I did). We squeeze in among the closely packed tables to be seated with a balcony view over the fish market below, from where we observe the ebb and flow of business in the fish market and a steady stream of people coming up the steps hopeful of a table.

Feskekôrka (Fish church) in Gothenburg

We study the menu card until Johan assures us that it’s only a guide to what’s on offer and that he can cook anything that’s fresh and tasty in the market today. We start with a shot of frothy fish soup to chase down a lightly cooked mussel and then get on to the oysters that Johan recommends since they are at their peak in December, before the waters off West Sweden become too cold. I feel I can trust his judgement as he’s won countless oyster opening competitions in Gothenburg and Stockholm and was the winner of the oyster opening championships in Galway, Ireland in 2010. “How many oysters would you like?” asks Johan. “Just a few to try” we say, not sure if we are true oyster lovers, so he brings us 3 each and opens them at the table, demonstrating the oyster opening techniques that made him a prize winner.

With Johan Malm the co-owner of Restaurant Gabriel Feskekorka in Gothenburg

Apparently it’s not just about speed in these competitions but about making sure that the shell doesn’t get broken and that you can separate the oyster cleanly from the shell without nicking the delicate flesh with your knife. I’m mesmerised by Johan’s deft hands opening our oysters and even happier after I’d eaten my 3 oysters washed down with a glass of champagne. The best way to eat oysters according to Johan is as natural as possible – with just a squeeze of lemon. These were hand caught yesterday and with something so ultra-fresh it would be a shame to mask the flavour. The trick, he assures us, is to make sure that you chew the oyster properly to get the slightly metallic flavour of the sea and perhaps an aftertaste of water-melon! It seems rather a shame that the oyster that took between 5 and 7 years to grow to full size is swallowed down in a nano-second. Take a look at the video of me eating oysters at Restaurant Gabriel

Oysters at restaurant Gabriel in Feskekorka Fish Market

In between courses Johan tells us how he grew up helping his father in the restaurant; ‘’I got my first chef’s jacket when I was only four years old” he tells us, proudly showing us the framed photo of himself as a child dressed in the chef’s whites. He left Sweden to live for a while in South America and in Spain, before returning to run the restaurant together with his father, Gunnar Malm. I asked Johan what makes the seafood so special in Gothenburg and why there are so many fish restaurants in the city. “It’s a long tradition”, he explained, “We have the water all around us and so fish has always been a major food for us. The water is highly salted and at this time of year the fish grow in deep, cold water and that makes them very fresh and very tasty”. You can hear my interview with Johan Malm in my Gothenburg Podcast.

Our next course is a fish smörgåsbord;  a selection of small fish bites served on a large slate platter to share between us. Of course the herring plays a leading role here, as it’s a staple food in Sweden and one that is typically served at Christmas, washed down with snaps to cut through the rich, oily flavour. Every family has their own special way of preparing the herring, Johan tells us, and we taste the classic style with onion, a sweet and sour sauce with cucumber and a herring with tomato and horseradish salsa – just like Grandma might make. There’s also the fried herring on crispy bread that’s another Swedish speciality – we’d tried something similar at the Strömmingsluckan Herring Cart at Magasinsgaten. There are waxy potatoes and some flavoursome Swedish Västerbottenost cheese that’s a bit like a creamy cheddar, to add a salty element to the meal. It’s all washed down with locally brewed Ocean beer and a shot of snaps.

Johan breaks off to discuss some wedding arrangements with a couple who will be having their reception in the  Feskekörka – after the doors have closed to the public, there are often catered evening events in the central hall down below and later when we are leaving the tables are being set out for that evening. “What else would you like?” asks Johan, and as we eye the cold water from the canal outside, ready to overflow the banks and the grey rain-soaked skies, we shiver a little and ask for something warming. We get just what we need, a bowl of saffron-yellow thick fish soup arrives, with mussels and chunks of fish at the bottom. Just the thing to sustain you on a winter’s day in Gothenburg.

Restaurant Gabriel in Feskekôrka in Gothenburg

Restaurant Gabriel in Feskekôrka in Gothenburg

I ask Johan to tell us the story of how he came to be competing at the Galway oyster-opening championships which he won in 2010. In Gothenburg they had a contest between all the different restaurants that serve oysters, to promote the fish restaurants in the city. As Johan was the winner, he qualified for the Swedish championships where he came second enabling him to go to Ireland to attend the Galway contest. He enjoyed himself so much that he decided to keep going back until he could become the world champion which happened in 2010. He admitted that after opening so many oysters his hands were pretty sore by the end of the competition.

It’s nearly four in the afternoon and I can see the stalls below are starting to pack up so we decide it’s time to leave our heavenly meal at Restaurant Gabriel to have a last look around the Fish Church. There are big bowls of crayfish and lobsters, slabs of fresh fish and plenty of tasty samples to try at the stalls that sell fish dishes to take away. Even if you’re not eating at either of the two restaurants (the other is Kajutan) I reckon you could taste your way round the fish market and in summer buy your picnic to eat by the canal or in one of the nearby parks. The seafood is one of the great specialities of Gothenburg – everyone from the man on the street to the Michelin star chef will tell you so – from the crayfish parties of August to the winter oysters to the endless varieties of Christmas herring – and where better to try the Gothenburg seafood than in the Fish Church itself.

Restaurant Gabriel, Feskekörka, Gothenburg – Facebook Page

Feskekörka Website

More good things to eat in Gothenburg

Eight Swedish Foods to try in Gothenburg – Video
Chocolate with Sea Salt – A taste of West Sweden at Flickorna Kanold in Gothenburg
Gourmet Gothenburg – Our Michelin star meal at Basement – Video

Visitor Information for Gothenburg or Göteborg

• The local tourism site Göteborg.com is full of information on the best things to see and do
• For information on West Sweden visit the West Sweden Tourism site or follow them on Twitter @WestSwedenTB or on their Facebook page and you will find their blog at ExploreWestSweden.com
• Another useful site for all things Gothenburg is I Love Göteborg
• If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing it’s worth getting the Gothenburg City Card which will allow you entrance to all the major attractions as well as public transport. Look out for the deals that some hotels offer that include a Gothenburg Card with the hotel booking.
• We stayed at the classic 5 star hotel, Elite Plaza Hotel which is in the Inom Vallgraven district and walking distance from most of the sights of Gothenburg.
• We took flights to Gothenburg from London Heathrow with Scandinavian Airlines who have 2 flights a day to Gothenburg’s Landvetter airport, a 30 minute taxi or bus ride from the city.
• If you’d like to use a guidebook during your visit to Gothenburg I’d recommend the conveniently sized Thomas Cook Gothenburg Pocket Guide which we used.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Sweden – Gothenburg photoset

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

If there’s a fine line between a neighbourhood that’s trendy and up and coming or slightly dodgy and worth keeping your wits about you, then Nørrebro in Copenhagen must be treading that line. But if you’re a gourmet at heart then this area of the Danish capital is worth exploring, with a number of great food destinations that I discovered when I was there last spring.

Coffee Collective in Copenhagen

In Copenhagen, Coffee Collective is synonymous with a passion for coffee. Although their coffee beans are sold all around Copenhagen, there’s only one small shop with a few ouside tables where they brew the coffee and that shop is in Nørrebro. Apparently, the queues sometimes stretch right down the street as Copenhageners who care about great coffee come to get their coffee fix. The owners use a Direct Trade model, working with farmers in Brazil, Guatamala, Kenya and Panama to pay the best prices for the best quality coffee. Coffee Collective has won numerous awards for their coffee – it’s fair to say that they live and breathe coffee!  However long the line, their baristas will always take care to make you a great cup of coffee.

Coffee Collective, Jægersborggade 10, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark

Claus Meyers Bakery in Copenhagen

To enjoy with your coffee you might want to pop across the road to the Claus Meyer Bakery where you can buy one of  their fruit slices as well as the rustic Danish bread – these guys are passionate about their sourdough.  I visited the Claus Meyer factory on a previous visit to Copenhagen for TBEX – where we saw the sourdough breads being made and then followed on with a tour of the Meyer Vinegar Brewery for a tasting of everything from blackcurrent flavour to a syrupy aged balsamic. The bakery is owned by top Danish chef Claus Meyer who’s  a gastronomic entrepreneur and leading light in the Nordic cuisine movement to bring back seasonal Scandinavian produce, as well as co-founder of Noma, known as ‘The Best restaurant in the world” Phew with such a culinary pedigree one would hope that the bread would be a cut above.

Claus Meyer Bakery, Jægersborggade 10, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark

Relae restaurant in Copenhagen

For top food at affordable (for Copenhagen) prices try Relae restaurant – a brasserie where the style is simple and stylish, with no frills in the decor and service but it’s all about the food. The head chef and co-owner Christian F. Puglisi has worked at Michelin star restaurants such as El Bulli and Noma, but the atmosphere here is much more laid back. Although I didn’t eat here, I did pop in to take a look and I hear the food is something special, with an inventive set menu that offers good vegetarian options.

Relae, Jægersborggade 41, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark

Kiin Kiin in Copenhagen

Complete your food tour of Nørrebro with a special evening at Michelin star Thai restaurant Kiin Kiin. When I met the owner Henrik Yde-Andersen he told me that when they first opened, the area had a rather dodgy reputation so they took something of a risk in opening such a classy restaurant. Henrik worked for several years as a chef in Thailand and brought his passion for the cuisine back to his homeland – his signature dish is frozen red curry with lobster salad and unusually for Asian food he uses his training as a sommelier to marry great wines with the Thai dishes. If your budget can’t stretch to Michelin star prices, don’t worry as right next door there’s his neighbourhood Thai curry cafe, Aroidee,  which is always packed with locals. The cafe started because Henrik hated any food going to waste and used to sell inexpensive take away curries from the kitchen door, but when the queues started stetching down the road, it was time to open Aroidee. You can read my interview with Henrik Yde Andersen and hear the interview as part of my Copenhagen podcast

Kiin Kiin and Aroidee, Guldbergsgade 21, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark

More things to enjoy in Copenhagen

Bike + Train = Adventure in Copenhagen 
17 Podcast – Our long weekend in Copenhagen
In search of the perfect Smørrebrød – in Copenhagen

Resources for visiting Copenhagen

• You’ll find plenty of information about places to eat and things to see on the Visit Copenhagen website
• There is a free Visit Copenhagen Mobile phone app available for iPhone, Android and other smartphones
• If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing then check out the Copenhagen Card for free entry to 65 museums and attractions as well as free public transport around the city
• We stayed at the modern, stylish Ibsens Hotel, set in the arty and up and coming Nansensgarde neighbourhood near the Copenhagen lakes.

Thanks to Wonderful Copenhagen for sponsoring our weekend in Copenhagen.

www.flickr.com heatheronhertravels’ Copenhagen – Food & Drink photoset

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels