Travel Lightbulb

Travel is my passion, and one of the main reasons I work so hard is to be able to go on amazing trips to all sorts of places around the world.  I'm very excited about 2017, because this year I'll be marking a milestone birthday and I plan to do it in style!  I'm planning various trips throughout the year to all sorts of places, and can't wait to tell you all about them! I'm hoping to discover lots of things to feature on Travel Lightbulb, so watch this space! Some people are terrified of milestones, but I'll never understand why - as someone once said to me "it's better than the alternative"! It's time to embrace a new decade, and I plan to do it with passion...bring it on!

When I think of Rome, it conjures up images of sightseeing on warm sunny days, and sitting at cafes watching the world go by. I have decided to visit the city in the winter time, to see it without the huge crowds and long queues at the main sights. The reason for my trip? Well pop back to my blog next week and you'll find out! Arrivederci!

I am a big romantic, but sometimes find the idea of going out on Valentine's day a bit cheesy! So I've come up with a few ideas for things to do in London on the big day, which are more about getting out and enjoying the company of your loved one, rather than spending a fortune on a meal where you might feel forced to have a good time! Why not head to Kew Gardens? From the 4th of February - 5th March, their Orchids Festival returns. It's inspired by the vibrant colours of India, and this year's festival will feature giant floral displays created using exotic orchids, rickshaws and Indian sounds. If you're an old romantic, then there's always Keat's House, said to be the most romantic house in London. This is where John Keats fell in love with Fanny Brawne, the lady who inspired his most passionate poetry. They're holding an evening viewing, where you can listen to Keats's romantic poems and love-letters, and enjoy live jazz at a pop-...

The coastal town of Kotor is situated along one of the world's most beautiful bays on the Montenegro coast. It's an old Mediterranean port and with huge limestone cliffs, the town and its surrounding area form an impressive and very picturesque landscape. Kotor is a very atmospheric place. The town is a maze of museums; churches, and cafe filled squares and is a great place for people watching!  The daily market is well worth a visit. Locals come to stock up on fish, fresh vegetables ad local cheeses. It runs along the city walls, and is open every morning. The prosciutto and smoked cheese are worth buying.  Top tip: The bay of Kotor looks incredible from sea level, but is even more impressive from above. For the best view, head to the medieval citadel (the main entrance is near the river gate) to get your entrance ticket, and begin the ascent up the stone staircase. It takes you all the way up to the old walls to the Castle of St John, a fort dating ba...

Rosslyn Chapel was built in 1446, and is one of Scotland's most remarkable buildings. It's just seven miles south of Edinburgh's city centre, and is still used as a place of worship. It's always been a popular visitor destination, but it's profile increased when it was mentioned in Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code in 2003.  Almost every surface of Rosslyn Chapel is carved featured incredible carvings - there are hundreds of figures and scenes carved in the Chapel, and the Apprentice Pillar is the most elaborately decorated with an incredible story behind it. Read more about it in my original post on Rosslyn  here .

Crane beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados. It is so called because it was a small commercial port in the mid-18th century, and they raised and lowered cargo by crane. It has been rated as one of the ten best beaches in the world - and I have to agree with that tag! It's not just the wild waves; wonderful sea breeze, or the beautifully warm turquoise water but also the incredible pink sand....yes pink!  My first step on the sand on this beach always has to be done barefoot, because it's the most powdery sand I have ever walked on. The pink colour comes from pink coral that has been pulverized and washed up over time. This beach is on the south east side of the island, but is well worth a trip from the west coast if that's where you're staying. Top tip: Park at the Crane Beach hotel and enjoy the view while having lunch or a drink in the bar before heading down to the sea.

Venice is a city with a reputation for being beautiful but expensive, so I'm going to give you a few tips to make it a bit more affordable. Some of the city's most stunning sights don't cost anything. Entry to the Basilica di San Marco is free of charge, and there are also free guided tours between April and October.  Wandering around the city costs nothing of course, and you can easily spend a lot of time wandering around the winding lanes lined with antique dealers and glass merchants - just make sure you take a map, it's easy to get lost!  Venice's bustling Rialto Market is where people have been shopping since 1097, and there's no better show in town! The produce is unloaded from barges which start arriving at dawn, and by 8am the vendors are bargaining with customers! It's best to arrive early, and you can buy wonderful ingredients here for a cheap and healthy picnic - another way to save money. A visit to Venice wouldn't be c...

I took a long time to decide where to feature for my first post of 2017. A new year, a new start....so how about a new destination for a city break, and one that's perfect for those who love their food and their culture. For some reason, Porto is still a bit under the radar when it comes to European destinations, which surprises me because it's both affordable and fun. It's Portugal's second-largest city behind Lisbon, known for it's beautiful bridges and the production of port wine, which is still stored in vast cellars that stretch along the Douro river.  The medieval Ribeira district is the oldest district of the city - a beautiful warren of narrow cobbled streets and plenty of wonderful family owned restaurants and bars. Top tip: If you're looking for a belly busting dish to try, the francesinha sandwich is a Porto institution.  It's a huge doorstep layered with pork, bacon, smoked sausage, beefsteak all topped off with a fried e...