This is one of Britain’s grandest destinations, all proud history and elegant architecture, set against the commanding backdrop of the Castle Rock and Arthur’s Seat. I was swept off his feet by Auld Reekie’s bagpipe blast of things to do. My list includes the “birthplace” of Harry Potter, a tour devoted to the wee dram, a jolly skater, one of Britain’s oldest gardens, as well one of the world’s biggest arts events – the Edinburgh International Festival.
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Gentle parkland stroll for the wildlife sleuth
The National Trust has charted a circular walk through the national nature reserve that wraps around the 300 year old Calke Abbey, where the rooms were left exactly as they were when the trust acquired the estate in 1985.
Continue reading →Shangri-La on a private headland
Oman is on the NE corner of the Arabian peninsula, with many more natural wonders to build its still small tourism industry on than its near neighbours. The 600 miles of scintillating coast and beach is as undeveloped as the Costa Brava must have been in about 1910. Inland Oman is a power landscape of towering mountains scattered with deserts, lush oasis settlements – wadis – and a surprisingly green south country.
Continue reading →Turn off the TV in your hotel room, and pick up an e-book
I have often stayed in hotels with nothing to watch on TV. Invariably I have a book or magazine in my luggage although I was once in Germany with nothing to read at all — I had to buy the latest Jeremy Paxman, at a premium, when I could have had is three books for… Continue reading →
Let the good times roll, again
The good times are rolling again in the ancient French Quarter of New Orleans. I was in the Big Easy a few days before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. I report on how the USA’s most crazy, wonderful city is returning to its exuberant best, and choose my pick of the things to do there…. Continue reading →
Queen Victoria's favourite old fashioned island
The Isle of Wight is one of Britain’s best loved destinations. There’s plenty to see and do, whether you visit for a daytrip, a pop festival, a spot of yachting or a longer break.
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