Travel Lightbulb

The clocks have gone back, the weather is getting colder, and I'm sitting here dreaming of far flung places with endless sunshine and a bit of heat! The Maldives has been in the news a lot recently - partly because the country has kept corona virus rates low throughout the pandemic having made the decision to close its borders early.  Of course, it helps that many of the 1,200 islands are isolated, and that's probably why the country has now made it onto the UK Foreign Office's safe list. That means travellers from the UK can now visit without invalidating their travel insurance.  I went to this stunning country about ten years ago, and always promised I'd return. It was the perfect place to relax and get away from it all. The resort I stayed in, Veligandu, had a "no news, no shoes" policy, and I can assure you that wearing no shoes for two weeks helps with the relaxing experience! The only thing you need as a visitor is to have a negative Covid-19 test before...

It feels like the Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives forever, but I have finally managed to find one small positive to come out of it. When the tough restrictions came in earlier in the year, we all suddenly became obsessed with getting our permitted hour of exercise in each day. While travel was restricted I don't think I'm alone in saying many of us discovered wonderful walks right on our doorsteps.  I have friends who live in big cities who discovered beautiful winding lanes, and canal walks which were much more enjoyable without the crazy crowds that would normally occupy those parts of the UK. I'm lucky enough to live on the outskirts of a city, within close reach of the countryside, and I unearthed some wonderful walks and the best bit was there were hardly any other people around.  It has been difficult to stay positive with everything that we're experiencing in the world just now but keep your chin up; get out in the open air whatever the weather and discov...

I get the feeling that 'stay-cations' are something we're all going to be doing for many months to come, so if you need some inspiration for a UK trip, then how about this for an idea - luxury boutique accommodation in Wales.  Ffynnon (which means spring or well in Welsh) is a chic guest-house located in Dolgellau in the Snowdonia National Park. Converted from a Gothic Victorian rectory, there are six individually designed rooms that are in keeping with the property, while also managing to be contemporary.  The rooms are all different styles, shapes and sizes. I stayed in a beautiful, spacious oriental style room called Annis. It had a beautiful high ceiling; all the mod-cons that you'd expect, and beautiful views. The bedding is of fabulous quality, and the best bit was the peace and quiet - I slept so well here! The bathrooms have big windows, luxurious bath products and come with waffle bathrobes.  Breakfast is served in a lovely dining room - and they don't hold...

 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...

The legendary Tour de France cycling race has kicked off, coinciding with a heightened interest in cycling worldwide. In recent months, changing consumer habits have driven much higher demand for bicycles, so much so that it has provoked a scarcity of supply in many countries. Many people who rediscovered the fun of cycling in lockdown are now passionate about the sport, and I've been taking a look at some of the bucket list bike rides that could take that interest to another level.  Credit: Visit Isle of Wight For those not wanting to travel too far from home, the 'Round the Island' route on the Isle of Wight is a possibility. It's home to over 322km of traffic-free cycle routes through some of the most scenic countryside in the UK. The cycling route offers 113km of trails, and Lonely Planet rated the Isle of Wight as one of the best places in the world to explore by mountain bike.  Further afield in Columbia, cycling is more than a sport - it's a way of life, and ...

 July in Portugal is normally a time when the temperatures rise and the number of tourists increases, but this year the high season painted quite a different picture. Global travel has been hugely affected by Covid-19, and the traditional tourism sector in the Algarve has been suffering the effects of a lack of British tourists. More than 15 percent of the visitors that head to Portugal are from the UK, and when I first arrived in the country I couldn't believe how quiet it was for that time of year.  I normally spend a couple of months in the Algarve each summer - arriving as May draws to a close, and leaving at the end of July. By the end of my stay I usually notice an upturn in traffic; the need for restaurant reservations, and slightly busier beaches -  not so this summer. While there has been a small increase in travellers from other countries (mainly Spain), it seems the Portuguese had decided on so-called staycations and at this moment in time, they make up the maj...