Travel Lightbulb

As we approach the end of the year, I thought this was an appropriate photo to feature! I took it on a hot summer's day in Portugal. The Algarve railway line runs just behind one of the main beaches just outside the pretty town of Lagos, and when I was crossing to get to the beach, I couldn't help but stop and take a photo. Now it's your turn to decide - is this the end of the road, or the start of the tracks of a journey - a bit like whether your glass is half full or half empty! I welcome photographic contributions from any of my followers, so if you have a cool photo you would like to send, e-mail it to: travellightbulb@hotmail.co.uk - all I need is your name, and a little bit about where the photo was taken. You may see it on Travel Lightbulb in the near future! I look forward to your contributions!

As we approach New Year (or Hogmanay as it's known in Scotland), I thought it was only right to feature a place to stay in the country that celebrates New Year more than any other nation. Scotland has so many beautiful places to visit; and so many great hotels, so to win Scottish Hotel of the Year 2011, The Torridon Hotel has to be pretty special. It is located in the Northern Highlands; and is perfect for both a romantic getaway, or a fun filled family weekend. Photo courtesy of www.thetorridon.com If you like the great outdoors, the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands should not be missed. Whether the weather is good or bad; there is something about the rolling mountains that looks good in both blue skies; or the more typical moody, unpredictable Scottish weather. Photo courtesy of www.thetorridon.com Torridon itself is a tiny village beside a loch and mountains. Tucked behind forest is the Torridon Hotel which dates back to 1887 when it was build as a sh...

Travel Lightbulb would like to wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas, wherever you are in the world. I've loved every minute of writing this blog over the last few months, and it gives me so much pleasure to get feedback from all my readers out there. So, while this time of year is all about reflection, I can't help but get excited about where to feature on my blog in the upcoming twelve months. If you've been to a fabulous place that you'd like to see on Travel Lightbulb, then please let me know - I'd love your input. In the meantime, enjoy every single moment of your Christmas Day with your loved ones whether you're in the sunshine, or the snow. Thanks for your support. x

As it's only two days until Christmas, today's photo had to have a snowy theme! I took it out of a car window on a journey from Edinburgh to Manchester. I left a very chilly but sunny Edinburgh, and within 30 minutes, the snow was blanketing the fields. It's never nice to drive in those conditions, but doesn't it look pretty? If you have a photo you'd like to see featured on Travel Lightbulb, then please send it to me at travellightbulb@hotmail.co.uk. Please include your name, and tell me where, and when the photo was taken. All contributions are welcome!

A couple of years ago, I came up with a fundraising idea at work, and several months later, ended up on a trek across the Sahara desert. It was such an amazing experience, that I would highly recommend it to those who want a bit of adventure during their holidays. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful the scenery is in the desert - it almost looks fake, it's so stunning! I travelled with Charity Challenge, who were fantastic at both organisation, and looking after everyone on the trek itself. We trekked 110km over 5 days; had sore muscles; blisters, and sleep deprivation, but despite all that I have to say it was one of the best experiences of my life! One thing that did shock me was how much of the terrain was rocky, and not sandy. I think everyone has the image of sand dunes when they think of the desert, and the rocks were totally unexpected, and it proved tricky to trek for 8 hours whilst looking at your feet the whole time. When our group of 23 tre...

If you've read the book or seen the film, 'The Da Vinci Code', then you've probably heard of Rosslyn Chapel. It was used as the location for the plot climax, and has become famous worldwide, and attracts massive visitor numbers. It's so beautiful that I think it deserves a mention. The chapel is located in Roslin, which is a small village seven miles from Edinburgh. It has been described as an architectural wonder, as practically every surface is covered with carvings of individual figures and scenes. It is truly stunning, and has to be seen to be believed! The chapel has a great history, and lies at the centre of numerous legends (some even claim the holy grail lies buried beneath the building!) but it is the story of the "Apprentice Pillar" that interests me. It gets its name from a legend dating from the 18th century. A master mason, who was in charge of the stonework in the chapel, didn't believe his young apprentice could ca...

Another Travel Photo Friday to get you thinking about any upcoming journeys you may have planned, and today is a bit of an odd one but I like it! A couple of years ago, I took a road trip through Europe, and drove back to the UK through France. This photo was taken after driving some of the famous mountain passes of the Tour de France - just after the descent from the Col du Tourmalet. We came around the corner to be met with these guys sprawled across the middle of the road - some looking like they'd been shot, and none of them in a rush to go anywhere! So there was only one thing for it - to get out of the car, and take a photo! If you have a photo you'd like featured here on Travel Lightbulb then please send it to me by email: travellightbulb@hotmail.co.uk. If you have your own blog I'll happily link to it, but it's not just for bloggers. Let me know where the photo was taken, and a bit about the location and it could be your photo on here soon!

Having been to the Caribbean over twenty times; I like to think I know the islands well, but I recently discovered one I'd never even heard of! Saba (pronounced say-bah) is the perfect place if you're looking for a secluded haven in peaceful and friendly surroundings. While some islands are now becoming a touch overdeveloped, Saba seems to have retained the feeling of the ''real Caribbean', and would be the perfect place to escape the buzz of bigger islands for a few days. You get to the island via St. Maarten - it's a fifteen minute plane ride; but if you don't fancy the slightly scary take-off and landing (at around 400m long, the airport has been compared to an aircraft carrier!), there are two ninety minute ferries that run visitors between the two islands. I stumbled upon the island after reading a review of The Cottage Club Hotel which is in a central location in Windwardside. This is the main tourist hub on the island - nea...

It's no secret that London is one of the UK's top city break destinations. In fact there's so much to do in the English capital, you could easily spend longer discovering the city. One of the biggest difficulties many people have when planning a visit to London is finding quality accommodation at a reasonable price. I recently stumbled upon a hotel that I think ticks both of those boxes.  When I checked the website, I could find a smaller room without a window for just £66, and although the prices do rise for larger rooms and last minute bookings, I reckon you could get a real bargain here by booking up in advance. When I've paid around £100 for cheap London hotels in the past, I've always had a poor experience (awful single rooms, shared bathrooms etc.), but it seems this newly opened hotel is offering something others can't. As well as an en-suite wet room in each room; you can expect complimentary Thierry Mugler toiletries; 40" HD televisions, free ...

Last month I started a new segment on my blog called 'Travel Photo Friday'. Each week I'll be featuring a photo on the blog to get you in the mood for the weekend; and I'm also looking for contributions from you. So if you have a travel photo you'd like to see featured on here, then I'll tell you at the bottom of this post how to get in touch! Today's photo was taken in September on Meia Praia beach in Lagos, Portugal. It was a scorching hot day and as the sun got lower in the sky, I noticed the shadow of the rope in the sand - I had to grab my camera! The beach is 5km long, and curves its way from Lagos to the Alvor estuary. While some sections of the beach can get busy in peak season; it is so big, you can always find a more secluded spot to sit and chill out with a picnic - which is exactly what I did the day this photo was taken! Share your own travel photo with me, and I'll feature those I like on this page in the future. Just use the email add...

I try to make Travel Lightbulb accessible to everyone, whether you can afford a luxury holiday, or a budget backpacking experience. I hope everyone finds something that suits them. However, I also want to feature places we all dream about, and decided to blog about one of the most exotic places I've been to...the Maldives. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in the Indian Ocean islands back in September 2010, and it was totally stunning. We stayed at Veligandu Island Resort, and were lucky enough to be upgraded to a jacuzzi water villa - on stilts above the ocean - it was complete paradise!  I spent a long time researching various resorts in that part of the world, but this one stuck out a mile because it was a small island, and also because of the rave reviews it had received. While our weather was unusually wet for that time of year, it didn't spoil our trip, and the staff could not have been more helpful. There is a 'no news, no shoes' policy at Veli...

As always on the first Monday of each month, it's time for some travel ramblings, and today I'm encouraging you to dream! Do you ever imagine waking up on your own private island? I do! Sometimes I wish I had enough money to be able to buy my own little piece of the Caribbean and REALLY get away from it all! Marlon Brando owned an island in French Polynesia, and was once quoted saying: “I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I first stepped ashore from the motor launch. The sand was pristine, not even a footprint. I walked around that whole island and couldn’t believe what I saw…that first walk was one of the big moments of my life.” Can you imagine that – stepping onto your own piece of sand, and knowing that you are the only one who’ll make footprints in it? Wow! We all know of multi-millionaires like Richard Branson (Necker Island, the Caribbean) and Johnny Depp (Little Hall’s Pond Cay, Bahamas),  who have successfully purchased islands,  but how realistic is i...

Last week I started a new segment on my blog called 'Travel Photo Friday'. Each week I'll be featuring a photo on the blog to get you in the mood for the weekend. Not only my own photos, but I'm also looking for contributions from you. So if you have a travel photo you'd like to see featured on here, then I'll tell you at the bottom of this post how to get in touch! Today's photo comes from Nicky Sterland, and I love it! It was taken at Aphrodite hills in Cyprus; and I'm not sure about you, but it makes me want to be there watching that sunset right now! Thank you Nicky, and I hope this encourages the rest of you to get snapping, and send your photos to me at the e-mail address on my contact page. Thanks in advance for your contributions, and have a great weekend!

I absolutely love visiting Paris; but every time I go, I always have a problem deciding which area of the city to stay in. There are so many amazing districts and hotels to choose from, but today I am featuring somewhere that will give you a bit more freedom in a city that can be very pricey.  Photo courtesy of Paris Saitonge apartment I came across a superb little studio apartment in the heart of the Marais district, which many feel has a similar feel to the West Village in Manhattan. It may have different architecture (with small medieval lanes) but like Manhattan; it comes alive with bars, restaurants, and shops. The area is very quiet, so no noise problems, but you can find everything you need nearby.  Photo courtesy of Paris Saitonge apartment The apartment is a short stroll away from several sights (such as Notre Dame Cathedral), and is also within walking distance of several Metro stations. It has a double bed in a mezzanine (an air bed in the living roo...

As regular readers of my blog will know, I am a big fan of Portugal and I love to discover new places I think my followers will love. A couple of months ago, I visited a stunning beach hotel that Tatler magazine describes as the "hottest ticket this year" - a description I find hard to disagree with. Hotel Martinhal is located in the south of Portugal near the town of Sagres, in the western Algarve. Positioned within the grounds of Martinhal Beach Resort it is the first five-star property in the Sagres region; and has just 38 rooms (including two beach suites), all with private balconies or terraces with impressive ocean views. Hotel guests have full access to all the other resort facilities; but even if you're not a staying here; the staff are very welcoming if you pop in for a meal, or even just a drink. The hotel sits in a beautiful location looking onto Martinhal beach, which is large enough to still feel uncrowded in the busy summer months. It can be a w...

As you may have noticed, I normally publish my blog posts on Mondays and Wednesdays, and now it's time to add something new to my blog! So, today I'm launching a new feature...Travel Photo Friday! As most of you will have realised by now, I love my photography and find myself most inspired when I'm travelling but even at home in day to day life, I can't resist picking up a camera, and snapping away. So....from now on, I'll be posting a photo each Friday to get you in the mood for the weekend, and I'd welcome any comments on both my amateur photography, and the locations I feature! Even more exciting though, for the first time on Travel Lightbulb, I'd also welcome contributions from you guys out there; so if you have a cool travel photo of a location you love; or have just snapped something when you're out and about and think I'll like it; please send an e-mail letting me know your name; where the photo was taken, and you may see it featured on Tra...

If you haven't experienced a villa holiday, then I have to say you're missing out! There's nothing better than having the freedom to go out when you want; stay in when you want, and relax as you would in your own home. However if you're going away as a couple rather than a family, it can often be difficult to find villas that sleep two, but I may have found the perfect pad on the Italian riviera.  Photo courtesy of http://www.invitationtotuscany.com/ Ameglia is an ancient village in the Italian region of Liguria, about ninety kilometres southeast of Genoa, and Casa Guelfi is in a quiet hillside position opposite the village. It has beautiful views, and a swimming pool and patio from which to marvel at the scenery.  Photo courtesy of http://www.invitationtotuscany.com/ On the ground floor, there is a sitting room; kitchen (which leads to a furnished pergola); and a bathroom with separate shower. Upstairs is a double bedroom with upper terrace, complete with ...

Dublin is one of the liveliest cities I've visited. There is always something going on, and I love the buzz of the bars and restaurants in the city centre. However just under an hour from Dublin centre and airport, on the banks of the River Boyne in County Meath, is a stunning Georgian mansion. If you want to escape the city vibe, this could be just the place to do it.  Bellinter House has all the typical features you'd expect of an 18th century mansion; with a gated entrance, and tree-lined drive. However after a three year restoration the inside retains the traditional feel; but is also very much up to date; with modern art, and contemporary furniture. The main house has five bedrooms (four original Georgian rooms, and one modern attic conversion), with more accommodation available in the East and West pavilions, and duplex apartments in The Stables. All the rooms are gorgeous but it has to be said, the views from the main house rooms through the huge sash windo...