Travel Diaries

From personal trips to work-related jaunts – here,
you can read about our travel experiences.

We really do our homework: the team are constantly
exploring the places we think you'd like to go.

It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it...

Diary

Destination:

Yifeng-lu-1217036-unsplash

5 minute read

8 photos

Uncorking the delights of La Rioja

To many people, Spain’s province of La Rioja is immediately synonymous with its full and fruity red wine. Indeed, the wine culture of the area is the main attraction for many of its visitors – wine has been produced here since Roman times, and today there are over 500 wineries...

Jackie Cook

By Jackie Cook

26th Apr 2019

Venice-cityscape-view-on-Santa-Maria-della-Salute-basilica

4 minute read

13 photos

Escaping the crowds on a Venice city break

The unique city of Venice must surely be on everyone’s wish list of cities to visit at least once in their lifetime. A logic-defying marvel built on more than one hundred small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, this city of canals and bridges has to be seen to be believed...

By

8th Feb 2019

Budapest-Parliament-Building-small

5 minute read

7 photos

Beautiful Budapest: a perfect weekend break

Although I absolutely love exploring with my children – whether on a holiday, a weekend away or a day trip – our trip to Budapest was that rare treat: a child-free break. I have wanted to visit Budapest for some time, drawn by images of its stunning skyline and its...

By

30th Jan 2019

Lisbons-Gloria-funicular-located-on-the-west-side-of-the-Avenida-da-Liberdade-connects-downtown-with-Bairro

4 minute read

7 photos

Exploring the atmospheric towns of Portugal’s Silver Coast

My favourite kind of places to visit are those that achieve that fine balance of being vibrant and upbeat, yet remaining friendly and welcoming: I find this creates a unique, lovely and memorable atmosphere. I was delighted to discover these very qualities on my trip to Portugal, which was based...

Lisa Starr

By Lisa Starr

14th Jan 2019

Imagna-Valley-from-Monte-Linzone_shutterstock_740915722

4 minute read

5 photos

Uncovering secrets and authenticity in Italy’s Imagna Valley

Northern Italy is well known and much-visited thanks to its beautiful landscapes and the stunning lakes that sit in the Lombardy region. However, despite the hordes of tourists that flock to the sparkling waters of Lake Como (and rightly so, for it is beautiful), it’s surprisingly easy to get off...

Tony Flanagan

By Tony Flanagan

10th Jan 2019

Assisi_lachlan-gowen-736911-unsplash

4 minute read

8 photos

Enjoying the quirks of local life in Umbria

For travellers wanting to experience the glorious art, culture and landscapes of Italy, Tuscany is a hugely popular choice, yet sitting right next door to this is the lesser-known but equally stunning Umbria. Aptly named the ‘green heart’ of Italy, the region is characterised by undulating hills lush with vegetation...

Laura Edwards

By Laura Edwards

8th Jan 2019

Rovinj-Croatia

4 minute read

8 photos

Autumn sun in Rovinj, Istria’s most enchanting town

Istria is a green and rural region in the far north of Croatia, and is a destination I’ve wanted to explore for some time. Sitting on its own peninsula by the border with Slovenia, for much of its history Istria has been under various divisions of Italian rule before becoming...

Jackie Cook

By Jackie Cook

19th Dec 2018

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