It was the mention of the famous pirate Capt. Henry Morgan that first sparked my interest when my cousin Nicola suggested we visit Tredegar House in Wales. Although Capt. Morgan, for whom the famous rum was named, was a distant grandson of the original owner of this 17th century Charles II era country house, it somehow …
Does it get much more spectacular than Northern Sweden? Boasting a wilderness of vast natural wonder, ultra clean air and a year-round bounty of outdoor-driven delights, Northern Sweden can’t be beat. Here, the Aurora Borealis dances over night skies like emerald lava, and the 24-7 Midnight Sun takes center stage in the summertime. As the third largest country in …
Let’s take a look at a few of Scandinavia’s unique hotels. Accommodation across the world has come a long way in recent decades: with the rise of posh-tels, flashpackers, and Air B’nBs; the diversity of accommodations for travelers has never been greater. Sure, the commonplace hotel continues to provide, but others have embraced the shifting industry by …
Waterfall Country in Fforest Fawr Geopark and Brecon Beacons National Park is one of South Wales’s natural gems, a collection of deep valleys, rocky gorges, ancient woodlands and over 16 stunning waterfalls connected by some 25 miles of walking trails. While visiting the park this summer, my family and I had a wonderful time exploring one of …
Scandinavia: that little bit further up, that little bit more mysterious, that road slightly less travelled. For those who summon the gumption to venture north to more intemperate climes, Sweden is a must. Its rewards lay out in abundance: one of its chief selling points, its capital. There is just so much to do in …
Like the first monks and today’s travelers, I first glimpse the holy Isle of Iona in the Scottish Hebrides from the sea. This birthplace of Celtic Christianity has attracted the faithful for nearly 1500 years and I wonder how Iona has drawn so many pilgrims and tourists to such a remote spot. Its enormous appeal …
Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of time-travel— never into the future, always to the past — but the closest I can achieve without magic is traveling amongst history. The Outer Hebrides of Scotland, the Western Isles, proved one of the best destinations to feed my dreams. . They are empty of soaring Gothic …
The English do love to read. And nowhere is this more evident than in London Town’s plethora of bookshops. Although I long ago tapped out London’s most noteworthy tourist sights (and many of a lesser degree) I still schedule a hedonistic day or two taking a book tour of London when I’m passing through. Also read: …
I ripped open my package from the Isle of Harris. As I pushed my nose into the fabric, it smelled of lanolin and scratched my face. I had chosen it a month before because its color would forever remind me of the heather, sky, and rock that cover this Hebridean island. The fog was thick …
The opening sights and sounds of the Edinburgh Tattoo are spectacular, set against the backdrop of ancient Edinburgh Castle. In the distance, behind the castle walls, I hear the sinister rattle of dozens of snare drums followed by the wail of a single bagpipe. Then, suddenly, 600 pipers fire up their instruments in a loud …