Featured Archives - Holiday-Golightly

21st April 2024

The best routes to Scotland’s Highlands and Islands

In March 2024, we traveled to Scotland’s Outer Hebrides .Opting for car hire in Edinburgh for flexibility, we compared three travel routes to the Western Isles, enjoyed dramatic Scottish landscapes, and navigated unpredictable weather. We emphasize the importance of early booking, particularly in peak season, and share practical tips on accommodations, car hiring, ferry services, and potential public transport use – all based on our first-hand experience, without any sponsorship.

14th April 2024

Cool Oman mini road trip to Al Hamra and Nizwa

On a mini road trip in Oman, I explore beyond Muscat, visiting culturally and naturally rich destinations like Nizwa, Bahla, and Al Hamra. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Bahla Fortress, charming traditional villages, and bustling souks, all easily navigated by a hired car for an immersive two to three-day journey.

1st April 2024

Two Wheels and a dram: Our Islay whisky trip – with a bit of cycling

While unable to travel, there’s an opportunity to recap something older that may otherwise never see the light of day. It may delight, in this case, lovers of whisky. I never wrote about my Islay whisky trip. It’s been a while, but as I occasionally …

1st April 2024

Where to stay in Muscat on a budget

Oman is still an affordable destination, but definitely not a budget destination. Are there even nice hotels to stay in Muscat on a budget? When I recently visited the capital of Oman on a diving trip, I was quite conscious on where to find good …

18th February 2024

Why Oman is great for solo female travel

Oman is an excellent destination for solo female travelers, mixing traditional and modern influences with a history dating back 8,000 years. Despite limited public transport, renting a car makes exploring its spacious towns feasible. Oman’s people are known for their genuine friendliness and tolerance, due to the Ibadi Islam practiced there. The country offers diverse activities and safe, budget-friendly accommodations, with a more conflict-free environment than neighboring states. Despite being an absolute monarchy, travelers can enjoy its rich culture and nature with peace of mind.

14th January 2024

Treasure Hunting in Arita

Treasure Hunting in Arita was dream come true. I love Japanese ceramics and porcelain. Many years ago, trips to the now defunct Oriental City were a wonderful respite from toiling away in a laboratory. Years later, my already decent Japanese tableware collection was supplemented by …

7th January 2024

Okawachiyama, the Beautiful Village of the Secret Kilns

When you love Japanese ceramics, visiting Saga Prefecture on Kyushu Island is highly recommended. I studied in Nagasaki this year , so a trip to the kilns of Arita and Imari was pretty high on my wish list. When I wrote my Japanese Ceramics Dream trip …

29th December 2023

“A Red Letter Day”: My 2023 travel year review

So, the end of the year is near… let’s write a wrap-up of the years travels. The traditional “between the years” 2023 travel year review. As the title suggests, it was a pretty good one! And, in the words of my teenage favourites, the Pet …

10th December 2023

The Stunning Ravenna Mosaics

Ravenna in Northern Italy flies pretty much under the radar unless you are massively into history or Byzantine art. I might be leaning out of the window by saying that the Ravenna Mosaics are one of the most stunning, most beautiful ensembles of religious art …

3rd December 2023

Fabric Shopping in Uzbekistan: Gorgeous ikat and vibrant colours

Fabric Shopping in Uzbekistan is brilliant. I mean, definitely if you are into traditional ikat pattern or very glitzy colourful material. I am not going to say visit Uzbekistan for fabrics alone, but if you plan to visit and if you are into sewing or …

21st November 2023

The best Eastern German Christmas Goodies

Some amazing things come from Eastern Germany but are below many people’s radar. Eastern German Christmas goodies are one such thing, and it is a real shame they are not celebrated worldwide. And as a proud Eastern German, I see it as my job to …

21st November 2023

Eastern German Christmas Markets – the best and most underrated Christmas Markets of Germany

Hallo! Proud Eastern German here, and now the festive season is approaching, let’s take a look at Eastern German Christmas Markets. Time to do a post about the most common travel reason to Germany in the cold and dark season: Christmas Markets! Indeed, hardly anyone …

8th October 2023

Travels with my Godmother: Bangkok Shopping and Eating

So, what happened after we had finally passed the Thai border after our minivan trip from Kampot? Bangkok Shopping and Eating seemed a long way away – 400km to be exact. We were stranded on the Thai side of the border, 90km separating us from …

20th August 2023

On finding Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan – I should be so lucky

Can you find Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan in easily? I would say it is one of the harder countries for me, but then, I have never been to South America or elsewhere Central Asia. So, the answer is, Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan in relatively easily …

13th August 2023

The Tasty Tea of Sonogi on Kyushu Island

Now that I had successfully made it to the University of Nagasaki, I spent my first two weeks there studying, venturing out on trips inside the city only. Then my husband came to visit, so we hired a car and went to explore the countryside. …