On the west coast of Ireland lies Galway, the fourth largest city in the country. The city is known as the culture capital of Ireland and is so nicknamed “Ireland’s Cultural Heart” for the plentiful festivals held each year. The Galway Arts Festival, held every July, may be the most famous. Over 100,000 people attend this celebration of the visual and performing arts, including ... Read Full Article
England’s Dartmoor Prison Museum
The Dartmoor National Park, located in Devon, in southwest England, spans 368 sq miles and is characterised by its rugged moors, granite tors and windswept valleys. Whilst many people enjoy the outdoor life and activities around the moors, a more unusual museum giving insight into life inside is the Dartmoor Prison Museum, at Princetown. The small town of Princetown lies at 1300ft above sea ... Read Full Article
Visiting Ireland’s Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is a beautiful and massive park tucked away in the far southwest corner of Ireland. Surrounding the shores of the also-enormous Lough Leane, the park is full of fun and is almost a holiday in itself. To help you navigate the park, here are a few suggestions in getting there and what to see once you’re there. Getting There The easy option is to join one of the many ... Read Full Article
Exploring Dorset: The Sherborne Castles
If you’re in the Dorset area of southwest England, then it’s well worth scheduling a visit to the town of Sherborne – especially if you enjoy history and castles. Although only a relatively small town, it’s got not one, but two, ancient castles to explore – one ruined and one intact. >>Take a look at these things to do in Dorset Located about ¾ of a mile outside the town centre, ... Read Full Article
Walking Scotland’s Fife Coastal Path: Anstruther to Crail
The Fife Coastal Path is an 82-mi/132-km trail that runs along the southern and eastern coasts of Fife from North Queensferry (near Edinburgh) to Tayport (near Dundee). It takes approximately six days to walk the path in full. A small stretch of it, to which I became particularly attached during a yearlong residency in the area, connects the two fishing villages of Anstruther and Crail. This ... Read Full Article
Instow, England: North Devon’s Hidden Gem
The North Devon coast of England is blessed with many picturesque villages, gorgeous beaches and stunning coastlines, but one gem that shouldn’t be missed is Instow. This small village is located about halfway between the towns of Barnstaple and Bideford. Most of the life in the village centres around the seafront where there’s a large expanse of golden sand dunes, a cluster of shops, ... Read Full Article
Reykjavik Dining and Drinking Guide
For a small city of only about 200,000 people, Reykjavik has a disproportionately large number of restaurants and bars. You'll find the classics of Icelandic cuisines, new twists on local traditions, and international dishes from places like India, Nepal, Mexico, Spain, China, Japan, and Italy. Dining in Reykjavik can be expensive, with entrees at the trendier Icelandic cuisine ... Read Full Article
Outdoor Adventures in Iceland
Iceland’s varied topography and beautiful landscapes makes it an ideal place for the outdoor and adventure enthusiast. Long daylight hours in summer mean there’s plenty of time to pack in activities and your favorite adventure in Iceland - like golfing, white-water rafting, and hiking, but even in winter you’ll find plenty of action in this small but stunning wonderland. Tour companies ... Read Full Article
Reykjavik Up Close City Guide
Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and largest city. In fact, of the approximately 300,000 people who live in Iceland, about 200,000 live in Reykjavik. Situated on the harbor, in the shadow of snow-covered mountains, the size and sensibility of a small town meets the style of a city here. There’s plenty to do to keep a visitor busy for a few days, yet it’s easy enough to get around on foot. Despite ... Read Full Article
Broaden Your Palate With Traditional Irish Food
The people of Ireland have long celebrated their culture and strong national identity through music and food. Yes, food! Many tourists and travelers consider the entire country's cuisine to be nothing more than hearty pub food to be avoided. And, of course, there have been significant international influences (Chinese, French, West Africa, Polish, Tex Mex, Indian, etc.) which have served to ... Read Full Article