Valencia Old Town: One Day, Ten Sights
The remedy for dark autumn nights and the chill of the first frost is a weekend trip to sunny Valencia. At this time of year, Spain’s third largest city is warm, […]
Destination
Cap de Creus: A Spanish Wilderness
The point at which the Pyrenees roll down to the Balearic Sea, lies a magnificent Spanish wilderness. Vertiginous cliffs provide captivating views across the deep blue sea, before giving way […]
Visiting Versailles
On a cool, drizzly morning, cowering under an umbrella, we arrived at the Palace of Versailles. The crowds that visit this symbol of avarice and lasciviousness are copious – around […]
Cycling Through the Ancient Vineyards of Beaune
To cycle or not to cycle, that was the question one spring afternoon. Sitting in a holiday apartment, in the beautiful French town of Beaune, we pondered our dilemma. Bicycles were […]
Sleeping Monarchy – Where the Kings & Queens of France Rest
A short metro ride from the centre of Paris lies the troubled suburb of Saint Denis. In the third century, the area was revered as the burial site of the […]
Paris in the Rain
Paris might not seem an obvious destination for a winter weekend break, but in fact it is one of the best times to visit. Tourist numbers take a tumble which means the […]
Visiting the Musée des Arts décoratifs – Five Tips
Sitting alongside the Louvre Museum on rue de Rivoli is the exceptional Musée des Arts décoratifs. It has a magnificent collection related to design and interiors. The museum houses furniture, interior design, altar pieces, […]
Visiting the Musee d’Orsay – Five Tips
The Musée d’Orsay has the biggest collection of impressionist and post impressionist art in the world. If you are a fan of Monet or Renoir, or simply want to understand […]
Visiting the Louvre – Ten Tips
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. It is also one of the largest with eight miles of corridors and 300 rooms housing 35,000 art works. It […]
Why Metz?
This was the incredulous question that greeted us during a recent trip to Metz, a city in north-eastern France. The Messin (as the city’s residents are known) are very friendly, […]
Love and Revenge in the Loire
A couple of years ago we had an autumn break in the Loire valley, France. It is a wonderful time of year to visit the region. Chateaux litter the valley, like stars […]
Echoes of Time at Chaumont
A couple of years ago we had an autumn break in the Loire valley, France. It is a wonderful time of year to visit the region. Grand chateaux lie nestled among golden autumn […]
Sezincote: India in the Cotswolds
It means ‘home of the oaks’ and there are plenty of oak trees on the estate. But that’s not what you will remember when you leave. The broad views across […]
Paris: A Walk Through the City of Light
“Paris is always a good idea”, says Audrey Hepburn in the film Sabrina. In summer, it is a glorious idea. This city of light sparkles in the sunshine. Stepping off […]
Marrakesh
Marrakesh offers designers a wealth of ideas. Every sense is stimulated by the city. Colourful mosaics, delicate metal work, noisy scooters in the souks are just some of the elements make […]
Finding Gaudi’s Barcelona
Barcelona is a fabulous city thriving with artists and designers. The Picasso Museum and Joan Miro Foundation are highlights, but it is Barcelona’s unique Gaudi heritage that thrills millions of […]