Travel Lightbulb

If I were to ask you to think of Tuscany, I bet you'd imagine rolling hills; vineyards, and ancient villages. If that picture appeals to you, then Castel Monastero will too. Located just 23km west of Siena in a country setting, the hotel occupies an 11th century walled hamlet, which was built as a monastery, and later converted into a castle - hence the name.  Photo courtesy of Castel Monastero The  Country House Resort is perched on a hilltop, and c entred on a stunning piazza is a collection of 11th century stone buildings that accommodate 76 guest rooms.  Each room is unique - some have terraces and frescoed walls, others feature exposed wooden beams, and antique writing desks.   Photo courtesy of Castel Monastero Normally hotels in this part of the world have large windows from which to enjoy the view; but you have to remember you're staying in an old castle, and in my opinion, that adds to the ambience. There are two gourmet restaurants w...

Today, Travel Photo Friday features a fantastic photo that makes you want to be in the sunshine! Peter has kindly contributed today, and here is the story behind the photo. Taken in the village of Alte just over the N125 to the North of Albufeira; the photograph encapsulates the  Algarve region of Portugal.....hot; blue sky; pantile roofs; pretty chimneys, and the proud symbol of the Barcelos cockerel. Thanks Peter, and if you don't know the story of the cockerel, read on..... A 13th century legend tells the story of a pilgrim who, on his way to Santiago de Compostela, stopped in the small town of Barcelos, in Portugal. He was wrongly accused of theft, for which the penalty was death by hanging. The pilgrim prayed to Our Lady and St James, the patron Saint of Protection, that justice be done, and as a final effort to save himself, the prisoner pleaded for a meeting with the judge.The judge was about to tuck into a roast cockerel when t...

If you popped in to read my blog post on Monday, you'll know that this week on Travel Lightbulb is 'luxury week'. I'm continuing the theme of beautiful accommodation today by featuring a completely luxurious hotel in Dubrovnik! The Hotel Pucić Palace is one of the finest noble homes in the city. Photos courtesy of The Pucic Palace It's a 17th century Baroque building but is a luxury five star boutique hotel located in the old town. It is located in Gundulić Square, one of the most beautiful spaces in Dubrovnik which serves as a quaint market in the morning and the setting for glamourous alfresco dining in the evening. Photos courtesy of The Pucic Palace What I like about the Hotel Pucic Palace is that, unlike some luxury hotels, this one features just 17 luxury rooms and two suites creating an exclusive and intimate experience for guests. It also has two fabulous a la carte restaurants meaning you don't have to venture out to eat if you don'...

Sometimes on Travel Lightbulb, I like to suggest accommodation that won't break the bank; and then I find totally gorgeous places that I think you'll all love to have a look at whatever the cost! I've decided to dedicate this week to two luxurious places on Travel Lightbulb in what I'm calling 'Luxury week'!  Photo courtesy of The Portrait Suites My first featured luxury accommodation is in one of my favourite cities in the whole world...Rome. The Portrait Suites is in the heart of Via Condotti, which is simply a stone's throw away from the Spanish Steps, and within walking distance to the Pantheon; Trevi Fountain and a metro ride to the Colosseum. The hotel can be found on the upper floors of the Ferragamo store, and is divided into 14 suites and a studio. The design of the suites celebrates Salvatore Ferragamo's creativity, and takes you back to the 1950's. Photo courtesy of The Portrait Suites The idea is that you have the feeling...

Trust me when I tell you today's photo doesn't have a fake background....I know this, because I took it! I was on a trek through the stunning Andes mountains in Peru, and when I got back I thought it was so beautiful it actually didn't look real! So what's the story behind the photo? I was at very high altitude at this point of the trek, and even walking slowly was tough. I stopped for a little rest, and realised that this stunning snow capped mountain range was behind me. I sat down to take the photo, and the little dog came out of nowhere right in front of my shot! I like the fact he tried to steal the limelight and make sure he was the focal point of my photo. In your opinion, did he succeed? I haven't quite decided yet myself!  If you want to s hare your own travel photo with me, just send it to me using the email address on my contact page, and include a short paragraph about where it was taken.  T hanks in advance for your contributions.

Cornwall is a place on my destination hit list that I can't wait to visit. With the longest stretch of continuous coastline in Britain, there is a lot to discover such as small fishing villages, spectacular beaches and gorgeous countryside. The Lugger Hotel is in the beautiful village of Portloe, just 13 miles from Truro. Photo courtesy of The Lugger This unique 17th century inn has a dark history. In 1890, one of the hotel's landlords was sent to the gallows for smuggling! The inn subsequently ceased trading, and was reopened in 1950 with just six bedrooms. Today, the 22 rooms are all en-suite and have crisp white linens and bleached Portuguese woods for a contemporary feel. Photo courtesy of The Lugger The Lugger also has a very good restaurant which is the oldest part of the hotel. As the fishing boats that come into the harbour bring their catch straight to the hotel, it's no surprise that the emphasis on the menu is on seafood! Having said that the menu also ...

Few would argue that Transylvania, a historical region in the central part of Romania, is a relatively undiscovered part of the world. It is often associated with Bram Stoker's novel Dracula (I may as well get that mention out of the way in the first paragraph!) but it's also a region with rich history, and scenic beauty. Many would say it feels like you have travelled back in time. Photo courtesy of www.copsamare.ro Copsamare Guesthouses are a perfect haven for relaxation and discovery in the heart of Transylvania. They are situated in the unspoiled Saxon village of Copsa Mare itself, just two kilometers away from Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photo courtesy of www.copsamare.ro There are just six rooms spread across a few separate houses. All have been restored with traditional architecture, and decorated with local furniture. The price of your stay includes bed and breakfast, but lunch and dinner are also available with 24 hours notice. Photo cour...

I love today's photo - it comes with a great story which has certainly impressed me, over to Steve Fabes.... Like all decisions of great consequence my plan to cycle the length of six of the earth's continents over five years was made in a pub, beer in one hand, mini-atlas in the other! I'm currently two years in and riding through South America. The photo below was taken on a remote Andean pass near the Chile-Argentine border at over 4000 metres altitude. I was suffering a bit from altitude sickness at the time and just wanted to freewheel down the pass, but in the end I'm glad I took the time to line up the shot. Steve - all the best with your incredible adventure, it sounds amazing, challenging and inspirational! If you'd like to follow Steve's progress, click here  to have a look at his blog. If you want to share your own travel photo with me, just send it to me using the email address on my contact page, and include a short paragraph about where it was...

On a recent trip to Edinburgh, I discovered a superb restaurant that I'd recommend to anyone visiting the city. The list of places to eat in Edinburgh is quite extensive and making the correct decision on which part of the city to eat in (never mind which restaurant!) is not easy. So if you're looking for somewhere a little bit different, then I highly recommend Maison Bleue. It's located in Victoria Street, in the heart of the old town, which has started to draw more people to that area since the addition of places like The Missoni Hotel. The restaurant is made of a series of atmospheric small rooms, and there are lovely features throughout - a spiral wooden staircase, and stone arches add to the restaurant's charm. So why does it stand out from other restaurants in the Scottish capital? Well the menu is very different for a start. It offers French, North African and traditional Scottish cuisine, and does each one brilliantly. I s...

When Condé Naste Traveller and Tatler both feature a place in their lists of the world's best hotels for 2011, you have a feeling it's going to be worth checking out - it seems they've got it right! The Giri Residence is in the rural north side of Ibiza, just thirty minutes drive from the airport on the outskirts of the village of San Juan. Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, and lies just 79km off the coast of Valencia. It is well known for summer club parties which attract a large numbers of tourists; but the northern side of the island is beautiful; much quieter, and deserves to be discovered. The website describes this getaway as 'tradition meets fashion at this intimate and hip home away from home', and I couldn't have put it better myself. There are just five unique suites at this hideaway, which is a 150-year old finca. The former farmhouse has been superbly restored, and decorated with outstanding interior design.  The suites...

We are heading to Italy for today's travel photo, which comes from Shanna. Let's hear more about it.... This photo was taken as we were eating dinner at one of those cute outdoor cafes that are all over Rome. The sun had just set, and the street lights were coming on creating a romantic glow. During the daytime hours, the heat in Rome in August is sweltering. The evening ritual of "La Passeggiata" brings everyone out of their buildings to enjoy walking in the cool evening air. This was one of our favourite evenings in Italy! If you haven't been to Italy 'passeggiata' is a ritual where Italians dress up, and take a gentle stroll as the sun goes down. To read more about Shanna's trip to Rome, visit her blog post about it  here , and if you'd like one of your own photos to be featured on Travel Lightbulb, then send it to me at travellightbulb@hotmail.co.uk. Please include your name; and a paragraph about where and when the photo was taken. All co...

At first glance, the photo below looks like a very ornate chapel, but on closer inspection it is something very different. The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) adjoins the church in the quaint village of Alcantarilha in the Portuguese Algarve, yes.....I did say bones! The 16th century chapel was built on the grounds of an old cemetery. The bones of those buried in the grounds were removed, and this macabre chapel was created to house the remains. There are over 5000 bones and skulls displayed on the walls and ceilings of the church, and the most curious thing is the way they are arranged in a specific order. For example, the skulls are lined up to make a row, and the hip bones form a pattern of their own. Aside from the chapel, the village itself is worth a visit. Although you're only a few miles from popular Algarve tourist destinations; the narrow cobbled streets and the cafes, and local restaurants make you  feel like you're taking a step back in time! ...

I can hardly believe it's already a month since my last Monday travel ramblings, but time clearly flies when you're having fun! I certainly had a lot of that having spent most of the month discovering the fantastic island of Tobago. While I was away I was thinking about writing this post, and a question popped into my head - what makes a truly memorable holiday? Personally, the weather plays a huge part for me. Living in the UK, I'm so used to grey skies at this time of year that seeing the bright blue sky has a big influence on the way I feel. Destination is also key, experiencing a new place can be exciting but there's also something lovely about returning to a place you've been before and feeling at home. I don't always stay in hotels when I travel (as you may have gathered by the unique places I feature on this blog!) but a great host can also be the difference between a good holiday, and a memorable one. If you are travelling with kids, then a family ...