Travel Lightbulb

With the European Championship currently taking place in France, what better time to flash back to one of my posts on Paris. It's such a beautiful city - one of my favourites in the world, but there are so many things to see you don't necessarily want to spend lots of time in a hotel, so why not get an apartment instead, and head out to make the most of the sights. The apartment I feature in my post gives you the chance to experience authentic local Parisian life in a beautiful old building. Why not click here  to read my original post.

When I decided to pick three Caribbean islands to feature, I should have known it would be tough to narrow it down to only three! Where to visit depends on what you're looking for, as the Caribbean offers so much choice for different tastes and budgets. I finally whittled it down, but couldn't bring myself to put them in any particular order! Nevertheless, here are my top 3! St. Vincent and the Grenadines Made up of 32 islands and cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines lies to the west of Barbados and south of Saint Lucia. The islands are relatively deserted, with just nine of them inhabited, and they're simply beautiful. As well as luxury accommodation, the islands offer rainforest adventures and miles of powder-white sand beaches.....what more could you ask for! Barbados Regular visitors to this blog will know I have a soft spot for  Barbados . The most easterly of the Caribbean islands has the perfect blend of classy resorts and calm waters on the West ...

Some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth are in America's national parks. Think Yellowstone, and Yosemite - and I'm sure you get the picture. In 2016 the National Park Service, the government body which protects and maintains America's 59 national parks and historic landmarks turns 100 years old. The NPS is desperate to ensure the parks are at their best for the centenary, so what better time to visit. The parks are full of granite cliffs; stunning waterfalls, and incredible geysers spurting hundreds of feet high. Nature at its best, so why not mark the anniversary with a visit!

I don't know about you, but I just love a traditional English country pub! It's even better when you find one not only with great food, but also a great history, and that's just what this post is all about. The Bells of Peover, near Knutsford, is an iconic Cheshire pub which is believed to date all the way back to 1839. It sits opposite the half-timbered mediaeval church of St Oswald, whose own records date back to 1269. At the end of a quaint cobbled lane, you'll find a real warm welcome - the staff are fantastic. The chef's idea is to use the best of British seasonal ingredients, and I have to say the food is just perfect. I had a fabulous goats cheese dish, but it's an ever changing menu so don't get your hopes up for that one! As well as superb food, the wine list is fantastic. We had a great chat with the manager about the wines on offer. Not only was he very knowledgeable, he also seemed to value our opinions on the prices and ...

This is my view for the next couple of weeks....a stunning balcony on the West coast of Barbados. For those of you who have visited the island before, I bet you can almost hear the tree frogs singing as the sun goes down on another blissful day! I'm a sucker for a good sunset, but it also makes me sad that another day of my travels is over. A great way to get over that is to enjoy a sundowner though, and that's what I'll be doing as soon as it starts to drop in the sky! Cheers everyone, and wherever you are reading this - happy holidays for you too when they come!

Today I'm flashing back to a place that would suit families looking for a place where adults can relax, and the younger generation are also well catered for.  Martinhal Beach Resort and Hotel is near Sagres in the Western Algarve and is a beautiful spot for a chilled out holiday, but also a lovely place to enjoy a spot of lunch or a cocktail as the sun goes down. Click  here  to read my original post.

Last year I took the whole summer off for the first time since I was a little girl. I have wonderful childhood memories of enjoying the freedom that school holidays allowed with not a care in the world. My work allows me to take some much needed down time in the summer months, and this is the last post that I'll be writing before my adventures begin. I have eleven weeks in which to recharge my batteries, and plan to head "where the weather suits my clothes" as Harry Nilsson sang in the brilliant song Everybody's Talkin'. If life isn't for living to the full, then what's the point of working hard all year? Make the most of your own time off work this year, whether you're going away or spending it at home. There's a big wide world out there, and it's ready to be explored!

Regular readers of my blog will know that I love photographing signs when I'm on my travels. Over the years I've taken pictures of beautiful old signs in Italy; amusing ones in the Caribbean, and today's shot was taken in Lisbon. I think this one manages to be beautiful yet amusing at the same time!  Have you taken any photos of signs on your travels? If so why not share them with me - details of how to get in touch are on my contact page.