Travel Lightbulb

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!