Shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar: “Just gorgeous things, you know”

Shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar: “Just gorgeous things, you know”

Fresh off the taxi, we pause on the large Konak Meydani by the seaside, where pidgeons and a huge banner of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk dominate the scene. We’re here to do a bit of shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar. But I know exactly where I 

Hotel Review: Cumbali Konak Alacati

Hotel Review: Cumbali Konak Alacati

Where can you spend a few relaxed days on the Turkish Coast? The Cumbali Konak Alacati has the answer. Why I’m publishing this now – a bit of current affairs I’ve been to Turkey three times now, and while I am no expert,  I  loved 

Hotel Review:  Hotel Niles Istanbul

Hotel Review: Hotel Niles Istanbul

When Turkey opens its borders again to tourists, I will go on a city trip to Istanbul again. And I’ll probably revisit the lovely Hotel Niles Istanbul. What can I say? I love Istanbul, and I love the Turkish people. While I don’t agree with 

Travel in Germany and Coronavirus – is it safe?

Travel in Germany and Coronavirus – is it safe?

Last week, I left my home town for the first time since the end of January. Do Travel in Germany and Coronavirus go together? I ventured to Southern Germany on a long-planned business trip to find out. After a wonderful short holiday in Jordan in 

Learn to sail  – which courses are best?

Learn to sail – which courses are best?

In my late 30’s,  I did finally learn to sail. It is certainly possible to start something new  later in life.  Combined with the great outdoor exercise and seeing new places, sailing is a fabulous sport if you love water. I have always loved water 

Sailing in Scotland for Advanced Beginners: RYA Day Skipper Course

Sailing in Scotland for Advanced Beginners: RYA Day Skipper Course

It took me nearly ten years of living on a large island, and over five years of living close to the sea to be bitten by the sailing bug. Which eventually led me to Sailing in Scotland. Why? I honestly think it was a combination 

Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar

Learn to Sail on a RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar

Throw back to late summer 2012, and a boat trip through the Vieux Port: As we glided past moored sailing yachts against the backdrop of a sunny Marseille, I decided that I must learn to sail. I have always liked water, and anything on or 

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

This mad dog is back from Florence! So, what is Florence in high season like? After seeing to the killer migraine and draining a few humongous blisters, I now want to tell you all about it. Is Florence in high season a good idea? As 

Budapest Sugar Rush: Visit the best Budapest Cafes

Budapest Sugar Rush: Visit the best Budapest Cafes

What could be better in winter than to soak in hot thermal waters and enjoy some very fine cakes? Budapest is perfect for this, and I will show you some of the best Budapest cafes! As a child, my family and I would visit Hungary 

Travel ban, pah! Try living in existing socialism

Travel ban, pah! Try living in existing socialism

At present, our travels are grounded or on hold. There is a travel ban for many countries. Its the virus that now appears to travel faster. It shuts down travel more efficiently than we have dared to think even a month ago  in Europe. It 

Where to go in Greece if you love animals

Where to go in Greece if you love animals

Some  destination in Greece are more suitable for animal lovers than others. This post is about  Where to go in Greece if you love animals. However, some of the information on this site applies to most travel destinations. Having travelled to Greece quite a few 

What to buy in Turkey

What to buy in Turkey

Shopping in Turkey is a dream – if you know where to look. Here are my tips on what to buy in Turkey.  Four years ago, I spent two days in Istanbul and came home laden with spices and home wares, so with the festive 

Where to buy Marimekko Fabric in Helsinki

Where to buy Marimekko Fabric in Helsinki

Can you buy Marimekko fabric at good prices in Finland? Let’s continue on the great fabric quest, shall we? When you visit Finland, even fleetingly, you think of Marimekko, a design brand of great longevity and perpetual good taste. Marimekko – a Finnish Design Company 

Visiting the amazing State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg – Do’s and Don’ts

Visiting the amazing State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg – Do’s and Don’ts

When in St. Petersburg…  the State Hermitage Museum is probably on most visitors itineraries unless their time in the city is extremely limited. One of the largest publicly accessible palace complexes in the world, the Winter Palace and its annexes house an amazing collection of 

Fabric Shopping in Tallinn and St. Petersburg: Looking for Linen and finding Silk

Fabric Shopping in Tallinn and St. Petersburg: Looking for Linen and finding Silk

This almost sounds like it’s too good to be true, right? The Baltic States, Belarus and Russia are linen producers and well known for good quality linen. So, it made sense on my recent trip to St. Petersburg and Tallinn to increase the stash –