I’m a city girl at heart, but it takes a certain magic combination to win me over. If you asked me to define it I’d say vibrant, colourful cities full of music and culture always have a certain appeal. I like quirky places that have their own soul as well. So I’m starting an occasional…
Author: Claire
Hidden Holland: tips and highlights off the tourist track
Despite (maybe because of) being married to a Dutchie, I’ve never written much about the country here. A couple of recent trips have inspired me to put that right, so I’m starting an occasional series on hidden highlights that aren’t on the usual tourist route in Holland. There’s more to life/travel than just Amsterdam and…
From Argentina to Sri Lanka: five World Heritage sites you shouldn’t miss
I’m not really a country-counter. I’d rather return to somewhere I love and discover more than add somewhere new just for the sake of it. But when someone tweeted a link to a list of World Heritage sites recently, I have to admit taking a look. Surprisingly I’ve visited over forty, yet only written about…
The day Le Tour came to town
“Unforgettable moments? There are many. But the one that stands out is the day Le Tour came to my little village, St Martin de Landelles-Plouay . As a young boy I dreamed of seeing the Tour for real on my streets, and on that day that dream became reality.”* Daniel Mangeas, the voice of Le…
A lesson in life and inspiration
My mum passed away nearly three weeks ago. It still feels strange to see those words on the screen. It was expected, but not as quickly as the end came. It doesn’t matter what the cause of her death was (a stage IV cancer), just the fact that she’s gone. But what’s important is the…
Manaus, the Amazon city where the waters meet
As the home to England’s first World Cup game, the spotlight falls on Manaus this weekend. (England are already phoning in their excuses about the humidity which can be brutal). Manaus often gets overlooked by visitors to Brazil. It’s a long way from anywhere (a four hour flight from São Paulo), and those who do visit are…
Destination guide to Itacaré for South America Backpacker
The World Cup is just around the corner and interest in Brazil is higher than ever. Which is a perfect opportunity to give a little love to one of my favourite places in Brazil, Itacaré . I’ve written a destination guide to Itacaré for South America Backpacker, a great new site from the people behind…
Sea lochs and sunsets: a Scottish photoblog
I’ve visited the west coast of Scotland many times in the past ten years, and I never tire of the dramatic scenery. Loch Lomond is a great area to stay, but there are also many lovely villages along the sea lochs. Thanks to the Gulf stream there are hundreds of rhodedendrons blooming in May. The…
It’s festival time in Brighton!
Colour, excitement and new discoveries – May in Brighton always delivers. I think I enjoy it even more now I’m an active part of the opening festival event, the joyful explosion of colour and sound that is the Childrens’ Parade. This year I’m planning to see Toumani Diabete and his spellbinding skills on the kora…
Cartagena, you’re not how I pictured you
“To him she seemed so beautiful, so seductive, so different from ordinary people, that he could not understand why no one was as disturbed as he by the clicking of her heels on the paving stones, why no one else’s heart was wild with the breeze stirred by the sighs of her veils, why everyone…