There’s been a very decorous rivalry between Guernsey and Jersey, in the Channel Islands, with one, then the other, inching ahead in the “attracting tourists through books and film and TV” stakes. Jersey had the long-running Bergerac series, and now Guernsey has stepped into a very clear lead (its earlier literary appeal was founded on… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel
The Durrells back on ITV to promote Corfu in 1930s time capsule
The third season of The Durrells began on ITV on Sunday 18th March at 8pm. The programme, set in 1937, follows Louisa Durrell’s attempt to make a new life for herself and her family in Corfu, after her husband died. The series stars Keeley Hawes, Josh O’Connor, Daisy Waterstone, Milo Parker, Callum Woodhouse, Leslie Caron, Yorgos Karamihos, Alexis Georgoulis and Christopher… Continue reading →
LA drive to the hill of dreams – how I made it to Hollywood, without a nomination
I wrote this in 2011, more in tribute to the liberating power of satnav than as a homage to Hollywood, which is really a world-wide community of sitting with strangers in a darkened space and being transporting to the far corners of the imagination by images and music. Los Angeles’s dubious reputation is “The city… Continue reading →
Belfast at peace: Lonely Planet’s choice of top place to visit in 2018
Feb 27th 2018 update. April 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. In May (departing on the 20th) veteran television journalist Martin Bell will lead a five night Prestige Holidays’ escorted tour to the province. The conflict had a huge impact on the then young journalist. Martin will give talks about his experiences, illustrated… Continue reading →
Rotterdam’s revival – how direct London trains will boost Holland’s second city
Eurostar launches direct services between London, Rotterdam and Amsterdam through the Channel Tunnel on 4 April, 2018. The first passenger train, for the press and “invited guests” (above), ran on Tuesday, Feb 20th, 2018. The inaugural train was slowed by the congestion caused by regular domestic services in Holland, but it still arrived early at Rotterdam Centraal. From London that… Continue reading →
1066 Country and all that – Hastings battles up the South Coast rankings
President Macron has announced that the Bayeux Tapestry will be loaned to Britain. This will be the first time in 950 years that it is left France, although it’s likely to be five years before it arrives here. It is not known where the tapestry will be displayed in Britain, although the British Museum must… Continue reading →