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 It's now over six months since restrictions came into all our lives. Things have changed in ways that we could never have imagined at the turn of the year. None of us know what is going to happen with the pandemic, but one thing I think we'd all agree on is that it has changed travel forever. There are many people who've decided that staying home for now is the best thing to do. There are others that feel that this pandemic shouldn't put our lives on hold, and that we should still travel if it feels safe and possible to do so.  When numbers were lower in the UK in July, I decided to head off to my little hideaway in Portugal. My own experience of travelling back then was a fabulous one - empty flights; no queueing at airports, and deserted beaches. However good that felt at the time though, it's clear that isn't sustainable for airlines and the businesses that rely on tourism. Travel was as popular as ever at the start of 2020, before grinding to a halt by Marc...

 Portugal's Algarve coast is a wonderful destination for those seeking some of the best beaches in Southern Europe, but it also offers fascinating and authentic places to stay. Only 10km from Faro airport, it's an easy transfer to the wonderful Palacio de Estoi. Only a few years ago, it was a semi-ruin, but has now been restored to its former grandeur and is now a small luxury hotel. From the moment you park up in front of the main building with its distinctive pink colour, you get the feeling that your stay is going to be special.  A contemporary wing was constructed in 2009, and somehow gels well alongside the old building. The 63 guest rooms are spacious with floor to ceiling terrace door windows and a minimalist look and feel. The rooms have all you'd expect, such as slippers; a fridge, and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom is large, with some lovely products by Portuguese perfumery Castelbel of Porto.  The main building is what staying here is all about though. This Baroque 1...

Capri is quite simply a stunning island, and comes high up on my list of recommendations if you haven't been before. I had visited on day trips in the past, but on my last visit to Italy I decided to stay for a few days. There is nothing better than enjoying the island when all the day trippers have gone home! If, as I did, you are struggling to decide which part of the island to stay on let me try to help. It is split in half by a mountain called Monte Solaro. To the East you have the lively area of Capri, to the West the quieter Anacapri. I decided on the latter because it's not only more peaceful; it's also much cheaper, and is still perfectly located for exploring the island. The first thing that I searched for was a hotel that offered a free shuttle service to and from the ferry harbour. Taxis can be a bit pricey, but a transfer takes the stress out of arriving at the harbour with all the other tourists! I booked Hotel Il Girasole - a three star hotel with sim...