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The Rannerdale Bluebells
It is that time of year: the bluebells are out! And the best place to see bluebells in the Lake District is at Rannerdale Knotts. This area is one of my favourite places to hike at any time of year and there are some fabulous trails around Buttermere and Crummock...
Swimming in the Dead Sea – and taking a dip in AI!
I had just spent a few hours creating a blog post about swimming in the Dead Sea, carefully researching my keywords, writing meta descriptions, endeavouring not to use the passive voice too much etc etc. Bloggers will know what I am talking about. Then, on a whim, I...
What is so special about Wadi Rum?
Wadi Rum, a Martian landscape on planet Earth, has become very popular in recent years. It is up there with Petra as one of the must-see places in Jordan. But just what is so special about Wadi Rum? Does it warrant all the hype? In short, is it worth visiting Wadi...
Inside Petra: exploring the Rose City, Jordan
Visiting Petra in Jordan had been on my wish list for quite some time. It did not disappoint! Our visit to Petra was one of the most memorable trips ever. Exploring inside Petra, seeing its beauty for ourselves, was a magic experience. Forget Indiana Jones! Petra has...
Is it worth visiting Quito?
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was the start and end point of our trip to the Galapagos Islands. Since we were travelling all the way to South America, it made sense to add on a couple of extra days to explore one of the highest capital cities in the world. This is...
One day in Mindo – the Cloud Forest of Ecuador
Our research told us that whilst we were in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, we really should take a trip out to the village of Mindo in the cloud forest. By all accounts, it was stunningly beautiful with lots to see and do. Also, it was only a two-hour drive from...
A trip to the Galapagos Islands
I can’t remember who first said, “Let’s go on a trip to the Galapagos Islands!” Our ski buddies from the US were visiting us in the UK, the wine was flowing and the wanderlust took hold. I do recall us all agreeing that we did not want to go on a cruise, the usual way...
Huayna Picchu climb: best view of Machu Picchu?
“Climbing Huayna Picchu has the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu.” All the blog posts and tourist guides promised that the best views of this wonderful archeological site were from the summit of Huayna Picchu. Huayna Picchu - you know - that fabulous, pointy...
Rainbow Mountain Hike
The highlight of our recent trip to Peru was the hike to Rainbow Mountain. Machu Picchu takes some beating, but we both agreed that hiking to Rainbow Mountain eclipsed even this fabulous archaeological site. We had the perfect day - clear blue skies, a nip in the air...
Stock Ghyll Force: a waterfall walk near Ambleside
Visiting Ambleside or Windermere and fancy a country walk, but have limited time? Stock Ghyll Force ticks all the boxes. Stock Ghyll is a 70-foot-high waterfall situated in a lovely, woodland setting. It is absolutely beautiful. The water tumbles down the hill towards...
Is it worth visiting White Sands National Park?
It is in a desert, miles from anywhere and in the middle of a missile range. Given these facts, is it worth visiting White Sands National Park? The short answer to this is: "Yes! White Sands National Park in New Mexico has the "Wow Factor." This makes it well worth...
The Gila Cliff Dwellings, New Mexico
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in New Mexico is one of the most remote parks we have visited in the USA. Is it worth taking the long and winding (very winding!) road to visit these ancient dwellings carved into the side of a cliff? Without a doubt, yes!...
Is it worth visiting Chiricahua?
..."You must visit Chiricahua!" We love chatting with people on our travels, both locals and fellow travellers. This is how we often find new places to explore and pick up lots of tips and inside knowledge. It was chatting to a couple at the RV park in Lake Mead that...
Visiting Carlsbad Caverns
Visiting Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico was one of the highlights of our road trip in this area. The caverns are huge! The formations inside the caverns are spectacular. I am tempted to say that this subterranean landscape is "out of this world" and, figuratively...
Visiting the World Expo, Dubai
Our visit to the World Expo in Dubai was a fascinating experience. A phantasmagoria of light and colour, the Expo was a wonderful demonstration of how art can be created by technology. At times, visiting the Expo was like being in a giant kaleidoscope. Each...
Lochnagar, one of the best hikes in Scotland
Our recent hike up Lochnagar turned into one of the best hikes we have tackled in Scotland. The fabulous weather with which we were blessed certainly went some way towards cementing this view, but the landscape around Lochnagar would be spectacular in any conditions....
Hiking Ben Cruachan – watch out for starships!
It is a few weeks now since we set off to hike Ben Cruachan in the Scottish Highlands - and found ourselves in a galaxy far, far away! It was quite a dreich day for a hike, misty and threatening rain, but Peter had wanted to climb Ben Cruachan for some time, so we...
Pet Hates From My Travels
I’m feeling grumpy today so thought I would have a rant and share some of my pet hates when travelling. Actually, these are pet hates when not travelling too, so really this post is just about pet hates – or what my American friends call “pet peeves”. Pet Hate...