Travel Lightbulb

Greece is a country I have only recently started discovering and I have to say it has blown me away on several occasions! The islands are stunning, Athens is crazy but fantastic, and the Acropolis.....wow. I visited in September when the temperatures were still high, but it didn't stop me enjoying my visit. I took the shot above from one of the hills on the ancient site, and love how the green trees contrast with the creamy white of the acropolis. The marble can really start to hurt your eyes after a while, such is the reflection in the summer sun, so my top tip would be to go early, and try to beat the crowds. Also take your own water and food if you're going to be there over lunchtime - the stalls inside are expensive. It takes a good four hours to go round, but you could happily spend all day wandering around the site.

Sicily is one of my favourite places in the world. It's such a diverse island - you can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, or tour the island exploring all the stunning villages it has to offer. One of the best, in my opinion, is Ragusa, set on top of a hill it's not only dramatic, but the Baroque architecture will blow you away.  There is so much to see and do - and so much good food and drink to enjoy that you could easily spend three or four nights here, using it as a base to explore this part of Southern Sicily.  For today's Flashback Friday, I'm taking you to the  Baroque beauty that is Ragusa.

Tiny Green Mountain Falls has been a resort destination side the late 1800's. Situated northwest of Colorado Springs, it rests along the historic Ute pass, with the area's most well known attraction, Pike's Peak, rising in the distance. It's secluded and peaceful in the winter, and it comes alive in the summer when local and national artists take part in annual outdoor events. The Outlook Lodge was built in 1889 and has been turned into a contemporary escape - maintaining a rustic simplicity, but providing the creature comforts you'd want. There is a kitchen in the main lodge that guests can use, and the hot tub seems to be a favourite spot to chill out in as well! There is a wonderful hands-off approach here - you're left to enjoy the lodge as if it were your own. Instead of a front desk, the key to your room will be in a secure lockbox at the Lodge, and all the information you need will be in your room. Having said that, there is a free conci...

The city of Fez is the third largest in Morocco, and is home to over one million people. Fez is famous for its leather products, and most of them come from the leather bazaar, otherwise known as a souq. There are three ancient leather tanneries, one of which is almost a thousand years old.  Vast stone vessels are filled with dyes and liquids (including pigeon droppings!) and look like little pots of paint! The leather is dyed into beautiful colours; and the tanners stomp on the hides working them with their feet until they're soft and pliable, and eventually turned into leather products. The process hasn't really changed since medieval times, and it's an incredible sight. Well worth visiting if you're ever in Fez.

Regular visitors to my blog will know that one of my favourite places in the world is Barbados. Some may fine it quite commercialised in comparison to the other Caribbean islands, but when you know where to go, you can still find deserted beaches and enjoy top end restaurants at the same time. If you're looking for a boutique hotel, one of my top tips of would be Lone Star on the West Coast - a restaurant which has rooms that James Bond would be quite happy to stay in! Click on the link to flashback to  Boutique Barbados .

Athens is a city full of colour; smells, sights and sounds - and nowhere will you see more colour than at the very funky Fresh Hotel! The neon touches throughout the hotel brighten up the perfect sightseeing base for your trip. It's situated just ten minutes from Monastiraki metro station in the heart of Athens.  There are 133 rooms, and while small, they have everything you need - high speed internet connection; air con; a small balcony; a tv, and lovely products in the bathroom. Despite being in such a central location, the rooms also very quiet at night. Breakfast is served on the first floor, with everything from a continental breakfast, to a full English to local Greek cakes - yummy. The perfect way to fill up before a busy day exploring everything the city has to offer! One of the high points of the hotel is on the top floor. There is a small pool which provides the perfect place to cool down after a busy day of sightseeing in this bustling city! ...

With Valentines day approaching, I decided to feature something romantic! What could be better than a hot air balloon trip - and where better to do that, than Cappadocia. It's in the central Anatolia region - a historical part of Turkey. The region's conical rock formations are known locally as 'fairy chimneys' - and must look stunning from the air. Perhaps you could do this next year and get big brownie points for Valentine's Day from your other half! 

Majorca - a stunning island, the largest in the Balearic archipelago, and something to suit all tastes. If small, stunning villages is what you're looking for - try Deiá.  This picturesque village on the West coast of Majorca has become a millionaires' hideaway. English poet Robert Graves moved here in 1932 with his mistress, and it shouldn't be missed if you're on the island. There's also a beautiful beach nearby - read more about it here:  A piece of heaven in Majorca .