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The Merrick: hiking Galloway’s highest mountain

The Merrick: hiking Galloway’s highest mountain

The Merrick - have you heard of it? Perhaps not. When people think of Scottish mountains they usually think of Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms.  However, The Merrick is a Scottish mountain and, in fact, is the highest mountain in the southern uplands of Scotland. It is...

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Machaerus, the fortress of Herod the Great

Machaerus, the fortress of Herod the Great

Machaerus, also known as Mukawir, is an archeological site in Jordan. In truth, there is not a lot of it left, so one has to ask: Is it worth visiting Machaerus? Well, if you have any interest in biblical history, the answer is a resounding yes. Imagine standing on...

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How to spend one day in Amman

How to spend one day in Amman

We only had one full day to spend in Amman. We had just completed a fabulous trip through Jordan and returned to the capital the evening before we were to fly home. Our flight was not until quite late in the evening, so how to spend this one day in Amman? A little...

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What is it like in Shetland?

What is it like in Shetland?

An archipelago of more than 100 islands, Shetland is the most northerly part of Scotland. Our ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick took over 14 hours so it is pretty remote! There is a fascination with visiting places so remote and people have quite a romantic idea of them,...

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Visiting the Ruins of Jerash

Visiting the Ruins of Jerash

Petra? Of course. Wadi Rum? Absolutely! The Dead Sea? Yes, please! The Ruins of Jerash? Err, what are they? Most people planning a visit to Jordan will have Petra high on the list of places to visit, along with Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. But what about the Ruins of...

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The Rannerdale Bluebells

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...

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Swimming in the Dead Sea – and taking a dip in AI!

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...

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What is so special about Wadi Rum?

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...

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Inside Petra: exploring the Rose City, Jordan

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...

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Is it worth visiting Quito?

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...

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One day in Mindo – the Cloud Forest of Ecuador

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...

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A trip to the Galapagos Islands

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...

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Huayna Picchu climb: best view of Machu Picchu?

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...

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Rainbow Mountain Hike

Rainbow Mountain Hike

The absolute best thing to do in Peru is to hike to Rainbow Mountain! Machu Picchu takes some beating, a trek over the Salkantay is fabulous, exploring the Sacred Valley is a must and Lake Titicaca is wonderful, but we both agreed that the Rainbow Mountain hike...

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Stock Ghyll Force: a waterfall walk near Ambleside

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...

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Is it worth visiting White Sands National Park?

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...

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The Gila Cliff Dwellings, New Mexico

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!...

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Is it worth visiting Chiricahua?

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...

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