This is a story of three variations on that great British success, afternoon tea. All quite different, but each, in its way meeting the same need, to halt and relax in the mid-afternoon, before a pot of tea, a plate of sandwiches, and a pyramid of cakes. We’ve been putting the afternoon on pause… Continue reading
Browsing Category Travel
Our day in Homs, just another nothing special city in Syria
Homs, in Syria, is a good example of the dull, nondescript place that, in iteself, would never interest the average tourist. It has no buildings or historical landmarks of note and no stories from the past worth retelling. Now, quite unexpectedly, it has an awful celebrity. An evil government is bombarding its own innocent… Continue reading →
Canadian resort shows how to tread lightly on the environment
Taking a long distance, expensive holiday can test your conscience. You worry about the Co2 emissions from the flight, about that big expensive hotel with all those staff and that enormous heating (or air conditioning) bill. Isn’t the best model for sustainable tourism a cosy little “staycation” in your home country to which you travel… Continue reading →
Peaceful Abu Dhabi passes new tourism test
The second test match between England and Pakistan (January, 2012) shone a fresh media spotlight on Abu Dhabi. I was there recently. The place of the gazelle is less frantic than Dubai, its near nighbour in the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf. As well as a peaceful place to play big sporting events, the… Continue reading →
Countryside retreats for all seasons – UK holiday parks, the reality
Wanted. Somewhere to take 11 family members and friends, aged 12 to 90, for a big birthday celebration. It had to be in the South of England, and in the country. We didn’t want to pay hotel prices. And we needed self catering. Oh, and entertainment and activity to suite three generations. And it was… Continue reading →
Birmingham receives double tourist boost
I cannot fathom why Birmingham is routinely mocked, if only in fun. The city centre is grandly impressive, with powerful, restored old buildings such as City Hall, integrated across a great European style piazza with Symphony Hall and the conference centre, leading through to the resplendent canal district. The mistakes – the Bull Ring and the cramped… Continue reading →