A Packed Life

06/12/2020

Throughout this year, one of the most consistent pleasures in my life had been the beauty of the forests, woods and trees. In addition to finding peace and tranquility there, it's been wonderful to observe nature doing what nature does best: getting on with living its best life. Writers and travelers alike have been inspired by life deep in the woods, and here's a selection of my favourite quotes about life under the canopy.

These quotes about forests, woodlands and trees evoke the beauty and tranquility of nature. Come take a walk in the wild.

16/02/2020

Deva Victrix. It's tempting to consider that as my feisty alter ego, but in fact it's the Roman name for Chester. This compact and historic city should be high on your list of places to visit in England. It has the most complete set of city walls in Britain - just 100 metres are missing - and you can walk atop them to see the beautiful city and its surroundings. Take a trip on the River Dee, or go exploring cathedral, castle and all other the delightful city destinations. Imagine yourself a medieval shopper in the black and white houses that make the unique Chester Rows. And when you stop for lunch at Marmalade, mine's a coronation chicken sandwich and a piece of lemon drizzle cake...

Searching for the very best things to do in Chester? With ancient city walls, the Rows, Eastgate Clock and more, there's a wealth of treasures to explore.

09/02/2020

If you've ever seen the wonderful Ealing Comedy "Kind Hearts And Coronets" (my mum's favourite film of all times, so I have a few viewings under my belt), you'll recognise Chalfont here. It's one of our choice of 12 epic castles near London. Here you can choose from romantic ruins to explore, or intensive tours of rooms of state, studded with curios and elegant furnishings. Why do we like castles so much? A quick Google brought me to images of power and romance. For me it's the deep sense of history, and the stories that echo within the stone walls.

Enjoy visiting 12 of the most epic castles near London with our guide to England's historic fortresses. We've included travel times to plan your trip.

02/02/2020

If you think you've seen a lot of what England has to offer, we've tried to find you some new travelling temptations. From a spa village of bikers and a cliff walk named Giddy Edge to England's narrowest street and Sir Francis Drake's local pub, there's a whole lot of new discoveries to be made. Did we leave out your favourite place? Please tell!

If you think you've seen England, we've got 12 more hidden gems for your next trip. These epic destinations show the best of secret England.

26/01/2020

We were asked whether it was possible to explore the UK by public transport. The answer is a very resounding yes, and today's link will take you to our suggestions for exploring London and the South. We've got the Magna Carta (one of only 4 copies), the oldest mechanical clock, city gates, castles, Roman spa treatments, talking lifts, Jane Austen at her best, Anglo-Saxon gold and Tolkien's Shire. On, and London. Head on over for 10 packed days of UK touring, but with time enough to see the highlights of each place.

This 10 Day UK Itinerary is designed for public transport. Enjoy the spectacular sights from London via Stonehenge and Bath to Cardiff by train.

17/12/2019

Antwerp is wearing its finest Kerstmarkt.

15/12/2019

It's taken a little while for me to absorb all the great experiences during our recent trip to Japan. One of the places we visited was Hakodate on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. And it's truly a delightful spot. Closer to Siberia than you'd imagine, it's described as the land of ice and fire. One of Japan's 5 Treaty Ports, there's a kaleidoscope of influences, traditions and sights to navigate and enjoy in this city. Plus a gathering of road safety squirrels. You heard it here first.

We visited Japan's northernmost island to check out Hakodate attractions. With jaw-dropping scenery and culture, it's a fascinating destination.

03/12/2019

There's much talk about fall foliage in the USA, particularly in New England. But if you want to see the streets and hills bursting with colour, try the islands of Japan. This is Hakodate on the northernmost island of Hokkaido in mid November. We went tracking the koyo zensen - the autumn colours - in our trip around Japan. You'll see Japanese maples, ginko, poplar, birches and chestnuts adding to the extravaganza of colours.

13/11/2019

Sunrise over the coast at Kochi, Japan. Just how it came out of the camera. Nature is a stunning artist.

11/11/2019

What it's like to sail out of Yokohama port, Japan, with music and lights. Two hours into an amazing two weeks.

20/10/2019

Planning a trip to the UK? Here's how to get your head around the many sights and attractions while sorting out your travel, accommodation and food. So if you, like us, have times when you are struggling to pull all the arrangement for a trip together, we've got you covered. Top tip? Don't try and do everything. Our vote is wringing out every drop of pleasure your preferred spots have to offer for your visit.

Ready to start trip planning UK? We've got tips from a local for your itinerary, transport, food, accommodation and how to make the most of your trip.