Travel Lightbulb

I really can't believe we're almost at the end of 2018. The year seems to have flown by, but it's been filled with wonderful times spent discovering new places, and re-visiting wonderful countries.  As you prepare to ring out the old, and look ahead to 2019, make sure you take a moment....life passes us all by so quickly, so pause....reflect...and then party! Thanks to everyone for supporting my little travel blog over the years. I wish you all a happy new year when it comes. xx

As this is my last blog post before the 25th of December, it's a simple message. I just want to wish you all a very happy Christmas!  Wherever you're spending the festive season, make the most of precious time with your loved ones, and enjoy the festivities! From Travel Lightbulb.....have a wonderful Christmas! xx

Many of you will be embarking on holidays in the coming weeks, as you head off to celebrate Christmas and New Year somewhere special. So I've come up with some top tips to help you have the best holiday ever.  Many people booking a holiday at Christmas time want to go somewhere warm, which means prices in places like the Caribbean and Mexico can be extremely high. Instead, why not go closer to home, to Italy, Greece or Spain - there is a much higher potential for cheap airfares.  Depressingly, lost bags on busier travel days of the year have a 50% increase, so the chances are you've got more chance of losing your bag in December than in March. Make sure you have a change of clothes so you aren't caught out!  If you're on a budget, consider celebrating away from home at the start of the New Year, rather than in the peak Christmas period. Travelling after January the 3rd can cut prices dramatically, and can also mean your destination is a bit less...

Argentina is the most visited country in South America, and one I'm desperate to travel to! Last year nearly seven million tourists visited Argentina and to further its appeal; the country is increasing flight connectivity, and turning its sights to promoting eco-tourism. There is so much to discover in Argentina. While it's well known for its gastronomy and huge passion for both football and tango, it also boasts 46 national protected areas - four of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Now the tourism authorities are hoping to promote another side of the country - including the hillsides of Cordoba; glamping in Patagonia, and glacier trekking in El Chalten. I've looked into both areas, and I think they sound amazing. It just goes to show Argentina has something to offer everyone....including some wonderful vineyards that I will discover....one day! 

With Halloween on the horizon, I thought I'd feature something a little bit different this week rather than the usual spooky, haunted house ideas! For those who don't know what dark tourism is, it's visiting destinations usually associated with death and suffering.  It's a trend that is on the rise with British holiday-makers, and data released by Kiwi.com has revealed the top destinations visited by Brits in recent years. Considered the most disastrous nuclear power plant accident in history, Chernobyl has become an unlikely tourist destination in recent years, as travellers risk being exposed to lethal levels  of radiation in a bid to get a glimpse of the derelict town which has been left untouched since 1986. Another destination that draws many is Auschwitz, the concentration camp operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. Having been truly horrified after my own visit to a concentration camp in Germany, I think it's import...

I'm sure that readers of my blog from all over the world will recognise Eilean Donan Castle. The stunning castle was first inhabited around the 6th century, and the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century. Since then, after being partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built.  Sometimes as a photographer, you just get lucky....and that's what happened to me on a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands. I stopped to visit the castle, and before going in and starting my visit, the rain cleared, and a stunning rainbow emerged perfectly over the iconic landmark. Some say it's the most beautiful castle in Scotland, I say it looks even better with a rainbow over it! 

Road trips are a great way to see the sights at your own pace, and discover new places that are totally off the beaten track. If you've never travelled this way, then I'd highly recommend it!  I regularly post my travel pics on social media and TravelSupermarket recently analysed some of the most picturesque pit stops and driving routes that get shutters clicking whilst on a road trip. The most Instagram-worthy road trip in the world, and the most popular over the summer months is....Route 66. Incredibly, the 2,448 mile long American hot spot was papped 1,198,035 times - no surprise given its stunning views! Second on the list is the stunning Great Ocean Road in Australia. It winds alongside the wild and windswept Southern Ocean, home to the world-class surf at Bells Beach and the craggy limestone spires of the 12 Apostles.   Closer to home, the UK has also made the top 25, with Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland making it the 20th most ...

If you're into extravagant holidays and want something that is totally out of this world, then I'm sure you'll be interested in the world's most luxurious new yacht. While this is definitely for special occasions, it could be the perfect honeymoon idea, or could even be chartered for a wedding. Launched in September, super-yacht Prana by Atzaro, is a stunning handbuilt boat and is the biggest of its kind in the world. At just over 55 metres in length, it has been crafted in the style of a traditional Indonesian Phinisi - a sail boat with two masts, and is build entirely of ironwood and teak, according to traditional methods. The yacht has been designed with the utmost luxury, offering guests space and comfort in nine elegant suites, each with their own private ensuite bathrooms. It has all the mod cons of a lavish five star hotel, and the 18-man crew are on hand to ensure all your needs are met. Moored in Indonesia, a voyage on Prana is a once in a lifeti...

Sometimes you visit a place that leaves you speechless, and Hunte's Gardens in Barbados does just that to me - and those who know me well know I'm not often left lost for words!I think you may feel the same when you see my first photo of today's location. This tropical paradise is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Located in the lush hills of St. Joseph's, it's accessible from anywhere in Barbados, and is probably one of the best signposted places on the island! The gardens were created by a legendary horticulturist, Anthony Hunte, and even if you're not green fingered, I guarantee you'll be blown away by what he and his team have created. The gardens are in a sink-hole like gully; and there is an easy path to take you round, as you pass the exotic plants and incredibly vibrant colours. If you're lucky, you may meet Anthony at his extraordinary house (which was converted from an old stable) which is signposted ...

I've visited many busy tourist destinations in my years of travelling, from the crazy crowds at Machu Picchu, to the madness of Tokyo. I loved every minute of those trips, but there's also something wonderful about discovering places that are almost devoid of tourists. The last time I went to Rome, my main aim was to find places where the locals hang out, and avoid the tourist traps. I proved it was possible, and even came home with money....from Rome....amazing! A survey by Travel Supermarket has revealed the fastest growing tourist destinations across the globe, and the places we should be visiting before the get oversaturated with fellow travellers. Top of the list is Jakarta in Indonesia, with visitors numbers predicted to double by 2025.  India has the highest number of destinations set to grow the fastest in the next seven years, with Jaipur likely to see an 88% increase in tourism.  The research shows that if you want to be the first to go som...

I've yet to meet someone that doesn't enjoy getting away from it all, and having a little spa break. Whether you love being pampered with a facial, or just reading your book in peace and quiet it's a great chance to have a bit of "me time"! National Spa Week runs from the 10-17th of September, with the intention to encourage more people into spas, more often.  To mark the occasion, I thought I'd point you in the direction of my personal favourite spa - Stobo Castle. It's in the heart of the Scottish countryside, but just 20 miles from Edinburgh city centre. I've yet to find a spa I love more, so why not discover it for yourself! Click  here  to read more about the delights of Stobo Castle.

If being eco friendly is important to you, then you're going to love today's post. Built on an island right off the Finnish capital Helsinki is a beautiful little cabin that has a minimal environmental impact.  Designed by Finnish designer Robin Falck, the cabin has been built from sustainable materials, and designed for a simple lifestyle with almost no emissions. The great thing is, it also takes into account the stunning surroundings.  The cabin is only a 20 minute boat ride from the Helsinki market square, and will be there until the end of September. It's the size of a small bedroom and can be assembled and transported without heavy machinery, leaving its environment nearly untouched. The Nolla cabin has been enlisted for booking a two-night stay during September through Airbnb, offering accommodation for two. Why not book and experience something a little bit different!

Did you know that watching the sunset has been proven to relieve stress? To me, that's just the best excuse to take a few moments to sit and enjoy the wonder of the world! The best thing is no two sunsets will ever be the same; and when I return from travelling, I find my photos are full of stunning sunsets all full of different colours. This one was taken in the Caribbean this June and was one of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen - the white cloud glowed a fiery red after the sun went down, and it almost looked like an alien spaceship hovering overhead! If you're having a rough day, take a moment to appreciate the sunset and let your worries drift away - it always works for me.

I'm a very positive person, but I start this blog post on a negative note! I'm not a fan of whoever said all good things must come to an end, because my summer of fun has just finished! I had an absolute ball discovering new places in the Caribbean, and Portugal - two of my favourite destinations.  However it's now time to return to reality, and get back to the day job I love! The good thing is, I have some wonderful places to share with you over the coming months, from funky beach bars to a stunning part of Portugal with no tourists. I hope you'll keep following my blog, and if you have any suggestions of your own from your summer travels, I'd love to hear about them. 

Who would have thought that my little travel blog would reach the grand old age of seven! It's been such a great journey and I'm proud to have had lovely reactions to my travel musings with those of you who take time to read it each week.  Thanks so much for your support, and keep travelling!

In just four days time, I'll be finishing work for a couple of months and heading off on my travels. Not only do I plan to find more amazing places to feature on my blog, but I also need a bit of downtime, so forgive me if I don't post for a few weeks - I'll be back with some holiday ramblings very soon!  In the meantime I'd love to hear where you plan to go this summer, whether you're planning an exotic trip or staying at home to explore the delights your own country has to offer. Whatever your plans, let me know them, and if you find anywhere I should be featuring on my blog....please get in touch. Happy travelling, and don't worry.....the 'lightbulb' will be switched on again soon! 

The Greek island of Skyros is so picturesque that I really struggled to pick one photo to feature - I could have used a whole lot more, but to me, this one sums up what the Greek islands are all about. Baking heat; stunning scenery and beautiful islands in the distance longing to be explored!  If you've got a top tip for a particular Greek island you've enjoyed visiting, I'd love to hear all about it! 

If you find yourself on the subway in New York City, then make a special trip to Eighth Avenue station because you will find a surprising little collection of permanent art.   'Life Underground' is a cartoon inspired project by Tom Otterness that was commissioned when the station was renovated in the 1990's.  He was inspired by going through old photos of the construction of the subway in the 1890s, which showed workers carrying giant tools. Another source of inspiration was the work of 19th century political cartoonist Thomas Nest.   Whatever the inspiration though, I loved discovering the little figures - and it could take you quite a while, because there are around 130 sculptures hidden all over the station - and too many to include in one blog post, so you'll have to go and discover them for yourself!  Some of the sculptures are shiny having been touched by commuters, so it's easy to spot the most popular ones! If you wa...

The 22nd of April is Earth Day 2018. This environmental movement began in 1970, and has been been bringing conservational issues to the forefront of the minds of the public ever since. This year, they're highlighting an issue that many of us are becoming more aware of - plastic pollution.  When I travel I spend a lot of time by the sea, and I hate to think of the effect that our plastic waste is having on our beaches, streams and landscapes. Let's do our bit to try and make a difference, whether it be ditching a plastic straw in a cocktail whilst on holiday, to refusing a plastic bag and taking your own to the shops. We all want our seas to be as clear and beautiful as the one above....every little move we make could make a big difference. 

If you're a sun worshipper, then you could do worse than head to Palm Springs in Southern California. It has 360 days of sun-kissed weather and stunning scenery. It is sometimes called Hollywood's playground because of its nightlife, but is also known for the hot springs; golf courses and stylish hotels. A few years ago, I featured a quirky party hotel with a real retro feel, so why not flashback to my original post, and read more about it  here !

If you find yourself on the beautiful island of Barbados, you must sample the delicious rum punch on the island, and Cutters Deli is the place to do it. It's a lovely little place, just ten minutes from the airport, and not far from Crane Beach - in fact they will even deliver your food to the beach if you like! Roger and Kim Goddard created this lovely place having moved to Barbados in 1999. They knew this area needed a neighbourhood deli - a place to enjoy good food, and for friends to meet - and so Cutters was born! In case you're wondering where the name comes from, a "cutter" is the Bajan word for a sandwich made with a bread roll.  The first time I visited Cutters I went for breakfast, and boy did it do the job - delicious pancakes with bacon, which certainly set me up for a day of wave jumping on Crane beach.  I loved it so much, I went back for rum punch.....warning......it certainly packs a punch!  One of their main products is Cutt...

Today's shot comes courtesy of Paul Ashley who took it on a recent trip to Brussels. It might take you a moment to work it out, but what a clever shot! This is Grand-Place, the central square of the City of Brussels. It's considered as one of the most beautiful places of the world, and was registered on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO in 1998. The square is surrounded by public and private buildings dating mainly from the late 17th century.  It follows on nicely from my recent blog post about photography - if you look at things differently, this is proof you can get an amazing shot unlike your fellow travellers - thanks for the donation Paul!

Tomorrow sees the start of the legendary Milan-Sanremo cycling race - the longest one day race in the professional calendar. It's the 109th edition of the race , and is famously referred to as the 'Sprinters Classic'. Contenders race over 291km, before finishing the competition with a flying descent into the Ligurian city of Sanremo.  If you're inspired by those sprinters; love cycling, or just love stunning scenery, then this part of Italy is definitely worth a look. It's in the northwest of the country, and is also known as the Italian Riviera.  The long and narrow coastal region is recognised for its capital Genoa, the UNESCO World Heritage Cinque Terre villages, and for being the home of pesto! Renowned for its incredible beaches, beautifully preserved medieval villages, stunning mountains and unique cuisine - what's not to like!

You've chosen your location; booked your flights; and now it's time to capture the local sights on camera. I've got some top photography tips for you from the Jessops Academy team to help you plan ahead and take photos you'll be proud to show off when you return.  Do your research Before you arrive, research the best places to visit and the top tourist attractions. Sometimes I have a look and see how others have captured it, and think about what I could do differently. Would it look great with the sun high in the sky, or at sunset? The rule of thirds The secret to mastering this technique is to visualise a grid of lines running horizontally and vertically breaking your image into thirds. Compose your key point of interest by placing them in one of the thirds or intersecting points of the grid, and that will instantly draw attention to them and make your photo pleasing to the eye. Foreground detail Finally include something in the foreground...