Another new sightseeing spot to check off our Isle of Wight list is up next – the quaint little hamlet of Steephill Cove. Tucked away at the foot of the Ventnor Undercliff area, and only accessible by foot it really is one of the Isle of Wight’s true hidden gems. From a distance it isContinue reading “Steephill Cove”
Tag Archives: traditional
Paignton
The next town on our Devon explorer is Paignton. Another traditional seaside destination. Paignton, along with Torquay and Brixham form the borough of Torbay which was created in 1998. The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera. Like the rest of the English Riviera, Paignton benefits from a mild climate andContinue reading “Paignton”
Blissful Bournemouth
Next up on our whirlwind tour of the South of England is the seaside town of Bournemouth. Founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell, the area was marketed as a health resort and the town received a boost when it appeared in Augustus Granville’s 1841 book, The Spas of England. The first mention of Bournemouth comesContinue reading “Blissful Bournemouth”
Surf & chocolate box sweet
From the endless sweep of beach at Sandown, which has a Ozzie vibe in the hot sunshine to the chocolate box cottages at Shanklin, the Isle of Wight has something for everyone. Shanklin has a sandy beach, a tooth achingly sweet old village and a wooded ravine, Shanklin Chine as some of its attractions. ForContinue reading “Surf & chocolate box sweet”
Scarborough
We’re careering onwards with our whistle-stop tour of Yorkshire highlights and our bed for the night is in the faded old grande dame of the seaside resorts – Scarborough. As we chose to live as far from the coast as it is possible to be in the UK (the landlocked Midlands) any trip to theContinue reading “Scarborough”
Yorkshire rainbows
The back streets of Staithes are a riot of colour and quirky sights. This tiny seaside hamlet is know, most famously, the home of a community of well-known artists. The Staithes Group were active in the late 19th century and had as many as 30 artists at one time. They painted local scenes including theContinue reading “Yorkshire rainbows”
Toledo tour
Beautiful Toledo was the capital from 542 to 725 AD of the Visigothic kingdom which followed the fall of the Roman Empire. Today it is a vibrant, bustling city full of beautiful architecture and colourful shops. The city retains plenty of evidence of its long and chequered history, having lived under Roman, Visgoth, Moorish andContinue reading “Toledo tour”
Vistoso Toledo
One of the most pleasantly surprising places we visited from Madrid was the gorgeous city of Toledo. Located on the banks of the Tagus Toledo is known as the “Imperial City” because it was the main venue of the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in Spain. It is also known as the “CityContinue reading “Vistoso Toledo”
Books, beautiful books.
As we leave Retiro park I stumble upon this bibliophile’s dream! Open air book stalls in weathered little cabins . . . . You can find this cornucopia of the written word on a small pedestrian street known as the Cuesta de Moyano. Running down from El Retiro Park to the Glorieta de Carlos VContinue reading “Books, beautiful books.”
Tiled wonder
Wandering the maze of gritty streets in the Malasaña neighborhood of Madrid, you might come across the tiled wonder that is the Juanse Pharmacy. Founded in 1892, this colourful, 130 years old jewel has seen a lot of history come and go. The impressive tiled facade acts as an advertising hording stuck in a timeContinue reading “Tiled wonder”