The capital of Hungary, Budapest is getting more and more popular each year. Being the biggest city in the region, there is a lot to see, however when booking a hotel in Budapest, it can be hard to find just the right one.

The tourist hot spots of Budapest are in a 6 km circle most easily reachable by public transport, which is very good, even if the vehicles are a little shabby. Nevertheless, you need to find a good hotel, from which these areas are reachable and which meets your expectations. The hilly region on the right bank of the river Danube is Buda, which is mostly a green area, however there are some places with lots of traffic, as well. The Castle Hill and its surroundings are a relatively nice spot, where visitors can find several popular hotels, like the Buda Castle Hotel. You can walk around in the centuries old streets of the Castle District, visit the former Royal Palace, the Matthias Church and the other well-known spots of the Castle. The Gellért Hill with the Citadel and its unmatched view is in the neighborhood and it is also easy to reach the downtown area in Pest, on the left side of the Danube, where most shopping areas, pubs and clubs can be found.

When deciding onaccommodion on the downtown Pest side – which is preferred by most tourists  – it is recommended to stay within the Ring area or not too far from it. The financial district is near the Parliament and the National Bank, which is not a noisy part of the city, with no much traffic and less pubs and clubs. The Vaci utca area from the Great Market Hall to St Stephen Basilica is the typical tourist area with pedestrian zones, lots of shops, restaurants and pubs. It is somewhat noisy, but at least there are not many cars. One of the key amusement areas is to be found near Oktogon square: Liszt Ferenc tér is a preferred place for younger people with its terraced cafés and lovely restaurants. There are many hotels in the area, like the Hotel Queen Mary. You can find the “Budapest Broadway”  (Nagymezö utca) with its theatres, and the Opera House only a few steps away. Another famous amusement area is Ráday street, this is located near  Kálvin tér and the Great Market Hall, south from Vaci utca.

Budapest is a wonderful city to explore and this is just a brief summary of the possibilities, there are a lot of other places to visit in the city, and it won’t matter whether you stay in either Buda or Pest.

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Newcastle is a great place to visit and is an excellent base for exploring umpteen other attractions. Flights to Newcastle offer travellers ready access from many airports all over the UK and Europe. You could also arrive there by car easily from many parts of Britain and there is also an outstanding rail service offering London rail breaks offers from the capital to Newcastle. Instead of Newcastle flights you may get one of the many cheap Edinburgh flights and travel to Newcastle by rail or rent a car.

Newcastle is situated in the north east part of England a short drive south of the border with Scotland. Newcastle is a great place to visit for its great nightlife and fun atmosphere. However for visitors looking for something more than just going to the pubs, clubs and shopping there are numerous nearby attractions you can see.

Tanfield Railway is the earliest example of an existing railway in the World, which was earlier constructed to service the coal industry. The earliest part of the railway system dates from as far back as the year 1647. At the railroad there are regular unique events all year, which are perfect for a family day out.

The Angel of the North is one of the most iconic landmarks in England and is visable from the A1 road. The statue measures 20 metres high and is seen by thousands of motorists utilising the nearby roads each day.

Beamish open air museum is set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside. Beamish is a living museum and portrays the spirit in the turn of the twentieth century in the north east of England. There is a replica of a typical street scene from 1913 complete with bank and dentist. Beamish is an excellent location for a day trip from Newcastle by car.

Life Science Centre is a wonderful day out for all the family where everyone can see about science in an intriguing and fun way. Discover about the story of the planet and all about DNA. This attraction is located in Newcastle itself and is within walking distance of most hotels. If the weather is not so great then a trip to the Life Science Centre is a wonderful option for a fun day out.

The shopping mall at Gateshead is one of the biggest in the area and could keep most shoppers going for days. There is also a movie theatre and bowling for the children and dads whilst mum shops.

Newcastle is a wonderful location for a hotel break and going to Newcastle is easy as there are a number of cheap Newcastle flights within the UK and all over Europe. If you are planning on getting the most of your stay then find some Bargain car hire so you can go to all the nearby attractions.

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Most people have in their long term travel view, a plan to explore Europe.

One of the best ways I have found to cover the European continent and to really have a great trip experience, is by rail. Depending on when you wish to travel, how much time you have for your vacation and how quickly you want to get from place to place will determine which type of train travel is best.

Most high-speed trains now require you to reserve a seat and if you hold a rail pass usually the seat reservation cost is reduced. However getting the actual train that you want at your preferred time of departure can be the challenge.

Sometimes buying a point to point ticket can work out to be cheaper or a pretty similar price. If however you want lots of flexibility, and like to get off the beaten track then a rail pass maybe just what you need.

A rail pass is certainly a great way to explore Europe as all passes allow unlimited travel within specified validity boundaries, on the national rail networks of a particular country.You just need to be vigilant and check how long the pass is valid for (usually ranges from 15 days to 2 months)and the number of days that are allowed for actual travel (usually between 3 and 10 days).

Deciding how you want to get from place to place is the next thing. Do you want to go high speed or take the slower option on regional trains?

High speed trains have a big advantage in that they are more direct, linking greater distances and reducing travel times by about one third that of regional trains. They also offer more flexibility, more frequent services, more comfort, but are also more expensive and a reservation is a must.

Regional train services are of course cheaper and tend to include more stops and are less direct(maybe a need for train changes). They usually have the older style carriages with compartments that hold 6-8 people but on the plus side you generally don’t need to make a reservation.

I have traveled on both high speed and regional trains and loved both. It really comes down to the amount of time you have to explore. Combining your train travel with a bargain airfare or, depending on your needs even first class airfares, travelling europe can be the trip of a lifetime.

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Now here is a really great travel experience if you are searching for something a little different on your visit to Italy or France.

Seeking out the elusive truffle has been in existence for a very long time and it is the scent of the truffle that has long been the key to its exclusivity. For years pigs were used to sniff out the rare fungi (and yes for the uninitiated it is a fungus), which grow at the root of oak trees in south eastern France and north western Italy. At over $1500 per kilo, it’s a costly snack if the pig starts a chomping, so trained sniffer dogs were introduced instead.

A typical ‘truffle hunt’ involves you, a truffle hunter and their dog walking through some wonderful French or Italian woodlands. On finding the truffles you can enjoy a guided tasting accompanied by bread, salami and local wines and usually culminates with a truffle menu dinner that night – sounds good to me!

The most common truffle is known by chefs as the ‘black diamond’. You can also join the search in Piedmont for the elusive ‘white truffle’ which, wait for it, fetches over $2000 per kilo. Maybe searching for your own is not only a travel experience but also a saving in your pocket by adding to your own recipe!

OK now I know I have been a little slack with my Top 10 Travel Experiences but am back on track again and up to #4 which just happens to be Paris.

So much has been said and there is so much Paris information but if you want to get to know the real Paris stay out in the suburbs or arondisements. We based ourselves in Paris arondisement #5. Just a short walk to the metro and a quick 15 minute train ride right into the heart of Paris and oh so much cheaper accommodation than in the centre of Paris.

Paris is definitely a travel experience. The city of love, the place of luxury, the home of the Eiffel Tower, the land of baguettes, smelly cheese and a fantastic glass of wine in the middle of the day. It is a city that is easily one of the most popular cities in the world which hosts several million visitors per year.

The first thing that you will be confronted with when you set foot on Parisian soil is that the Parisians like the good things in life. They enjoy spending hours in cafes with friends and a glass (or two or three or more) of wine, or going for long walks along la seine to enjoy the beautiful architecture that frames the iconic river running straight through the city.

Parisians enjoy the beautiful creamy delicacies that can be found in any restaurant that litter the streets. The French love their food. Escargot, cheese, mussels, baguettes (which can be found at any boulangerie), ice cream, sweets, macaroons, the list goes on. Word of warning: visitors have a high risk of putting on weight once they arrive in the city. Like the French, small portions are advised. That way, there is more space to try more.

Out in the Paris arondisements you will see the same but without the teaming crowds. You will be able to enjoy the wonderful market streets, crowded with restaurants and fresh food and wonderful people who are happy to chat.

Another thing that you will be struck with is the plethora of museums that can be found throughout the city. Some, like the Louvre, are hard to miss with not just the mile long entrance queue, but also its beautiful palace setting housing the world famous Mona Lisa.(Remember in previous posts I recommend traveling in the off season – cheaper and no queues)  Then there is the architecturally defying Centre Georges Pompidou where the structure of the building has been turned inside out. This national museum is the place to go for lovers of modern art.

If museums are not what interest you, there are so many other attractions to keep you amused for hours, days, and even weeks. Of course, there is the renowned Eiffel Tower which lights up ever hour after 6pm. Walking along Pont Neuf, you will be astonished by the beauty of the sparkling tower as the Seine runs rapidly underneath your feet.

Close by is also the cathedral of Notre Dame. The gothic masterpiece is a popular religious tourist attraction, and so is the spectacular Sainte Chapelle which is famous for its awe-inducing stained-glass windows. Built in thirteenth century, Sainte Chapelle represents one of the most complete examples of the stained-glass window art of the time-truely amazing!

Another impressive place of worship is the Sacre Coeur. Sitting on top of Montmartre, it is not so much the building that induces wonder, but rather, the view from the top. The basilica looks over the whole of Paris and arguably, the steps of the Sacre Coeur is the best view to be had.

Now how do you get around to see all these attractions? One word: Metro. The Metro is a quick and easy way to get around the city, with a metro station within 2 minutes walk away from anywhere in the city centre. City maps and metro maps can be found at all station counters and special travel passes are also available for tourists. (Where we stayed in arondisement #5 we were only a 5 minute walk to the metro).

One thing that I have not mentioned, but it is definitely not an insignificant part of the city is the shopping. Fashionable and luxurious. The shopping is not only found along the distinguished Champs-Elysees, but can also be found on little side streets. Have a little ramble and you will be sure to find something new and fantastic to take home.

If you tire of street walking, there are also several department stores that supply an unbelievable range of things. Galleries Lafayette(this is an adventure in itself), Printemps Haussmann and Bon Marche are just some of the many department stores dotted around the city.

This exploration does not even scrape the surface of what Paris has to offer. It is fun, dazzling, classy, beautiful and most importantly, a great place to explore and if you set yourself up in a Paris arondisement like #5 then you will be able to have the best of both worlds and create your own Paris tale.

Sure, the old adage says a man’s home is his castle, but for most of us, that doesn’t mean it’s really a castle, as in turrets and towers and tapestries and huge tracts of land.

However, even we commoners can bed down like royalty while on holidays as plenty of former castles now offer lodging, where you can pretend to be king or queen for a day – or a fortnight!

Ashford Castle
Ireland
This impressive castle dates from the 13th century and looks exactly as you would imagine a romantic Irish castle to. Guests enjoy fine dining, activities on the estate’s grounds and impeccable service. Situated on a lake in the midst of woodlands, visitors feel transported to another, more refined time; however, Galway lies a mere 30 minutes away.

Borthwick Castle Hotel
Scotland
Those longing for historical accuracy and authenticity, rather than strictly luxury, will relish their stay at Borthwick Castle. Visited by Mary Queen of Scots and besieged by Oliver Cromwell in 1650 (the scars remain), the castle has been authentically restored (but with modern conveniences). And like a proper castle, it comes with a ghost or two.

Dromoland Castle Hotel
Ireland
Able to host conferences as well as individuals, Dromoland Castle provides personal and exquisite service to its guests. Mere minutes away from Shannon Airport, the battlements and turrets set the stage for stepping out of real life and into your own fairytale. Whether you come for business or pleasure, you won’t want to leave this luxury hotel.

Glenapp Castle
Scotland
Topped by a crenellated tower fit for Rapunzel, Glenapp gazes out over the Irish Sea – as do most of its guests. The castle began offering accommodations in 2000 after a six-year restoration. Warm, attentive service combines with high-quality appointments throughout to create a memorable visit. Visitors will come away enchanted and longing to return.

Glin Castle
Ireland
In the FitzGerald family for more than 700 years, Glin Castle now extends its hospitality to the public. This romantic escape delights guests with an intimate yet opulent atmosphere, and careful attention is paid to their every need. Enjoy such noble pastimes as archery and croquet, and watch for the 29th Knight of Glin, who lives on the estate.

Inverlochy Castle
Scotland
Nestled below Ben Nevis (the U.K.’s highest mountain) and overlooking lochs, Inverlochy has garnered praise from no less than Queen Victoria, who declared she “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.” Guests here agree with her. The sumptuous accommodations and dining and varied activities on the estate reinforce the feeling of royal treatment.

Thornbury Castle
England
The real deal, Thornbury satisfies even the most persnickety Anglophile’s dreams. Upscale, elegant and ancient, the castle’s history dates back to around AD 940, and Henry VIII and Anne Boylen stayed here. Guests today can enjoy the oldest genuine Tudor gardens in England, sporting activities on the estate, impeccable service and historic quarters.

Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Club
Ireland
Even the approach to Waterford Castle (via ferry and tree-lined drive) sets this world-class retreat apart. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing sojourn or participate in estate activities on this island sanctuary, and immaculate service is a given. The turreted castle dates back to the 12th century, with a mix of period furnishings found throughout.

Castle on the Hudson
New York
Not quite where you would expect a castle, but if you still want royal ambience, head up to the Castle on the Hudson. Although only built in 1897, the atmosphere it brings to mind predates the founding of the USA. Guests, however, will appreciate the contrast of a modern and state-of-the-art fitness centre and heated outdoor pool.

And for something completely different …
Kemi Snow Castle
Finland
If ancient stones and turrets aren’t to your liking, skip over to Lapland to the opposite end of the spectrum at the Kemi Snow Castle. Built by local architects and builders, this castle changes each year but always turns snow and ice into dramatically lit parapets, sculptures, bar, chapel and guestrooms. Oh and state-of-the-art sleeping bags provided!

The countdown is on for Christmas and I thought this an appropriate time to discuss Santa and whether he really could be classed as the world’s greatest traveler.

Santa commenced his current career when he was Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna (Izmir) in what is now Turkey during the 4th century AD. The tradition started when in order to give joy to poor children he would throw gifts in through their windows. Since then business has grown substantially and the territory has expanded to cover the whole world.

Based for a while at the North Pole, Santa moved in 1925 to Korvatunturi in the Finnish Lapland, where there is better feed for his eight reindeer. He travels on a daily basis to Napapiiri, near Rovaniemi, where he has his main office, and spends the day listening to what children want for Christmas.

The internet has impacted on the way Santa receives the requests from children for gifts with a lot more request by email and less by regular mail now. This has assisted the elves with their processing of the requests, and the mass production of the most popular toys.

The current economic climate has had an affect on the demand for some of the more expensive gifts, however Santa believes that over a period of time this will change. “I have seen it all before, and these economic times tend to be cyclical,” he said.

Despite the advent of jet aircraft, Santa – the worlds’ greatest traveller, has not had any change in his mode of transport. It is still the same eight reindeer that haul him and his sleigh full of gifts around every country in the world every year on the night of the 24th December.

It is more in the nature of the gifts that Santa has noticed the big changes having gone from simple hand-made wooden toys early in his career to far more sophisticated electronic toys now. That, and the decline in the number of new houses that are being built with a chimney, his traditional means of access to the home. One change that he has enjoyed however has been the variety of different beers that are left out for him. They help to keep his nose nice and red, although he thinks that Rudolph may also have been sampling some of the treats left for him.

Let me know your thoughts on whether you agree that Santa is indeed the world’s greatest traveler?

Liechtenstein has been in the news far more often these days than this little principality is accustomed. A place where discretion and quality are best friends, Liechtenstein offers a surprising array of activities for those who have seen it all before. Fine diners and winers will be especially well catered for, literally, in the exceptional restaurants serving the freshest of fare to guests accustomed to the best in the only country in Europe named after its owners, The Princely House of Liechtenstein.
Virtually unknown outside the country, Liechtenstein wines are very fine, indeed. The scale of production is low due to the small size of the vineyards—no industrial grape growing here—which means the quality vintages are snapped up by the locals before they ever have the chance to make it to the export market.
Torkel is the principality’s finest dining experience. The official name of Torkel is The Princely Restaurant Torkel. It is owned by the prince, as are the vineyards. The restaurant is set up in a 700-year-old wine press, last used in 1958. The surrounding vineyards are of the same age and still yield some of Liechtenstein’s finest wines, appropriately accompanying some of the country’s finest dishes inside Torkel. With a charming service staff and the intimate ambience despite the hulk of the press centre stage, eating here is like eating at your friend’s grandmother’s house. The small number of tables ensures careful attention and any one of the other guests may be of the type read about in newspapers for one reason or the other. All enjoy the food; how Mr. Burger elicits such nuanced, delicate flavour from Central European stalwarts like trout, potatoes, and dill is a divine mystery. That’s why people come here.
Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz, is tiny, but it offers some excellent diversions in the form of the first-class Liechtenstein Museum Of Art and the National Museum Of Liechtenstein, which offers an interesting and surprisingly diverse array of exhibits.

For those looking for something different, there is Falknerei Galina, located in the village of Malbun; owner Norman Vogeli is a dedicated falconer who shares his love for raptors with visitors to his hotel/restaurant. Unlike other places, the birds are not on exhibit, thus minimising their contact with humans. Galina is the only falconry in Europe to offer offsite experiences; it is possible to arrange a private outing into the countryside high in the beautiful landscapes of Liechtenstein’s Alps and yourself be the person in charge of the birds. The golden eagle is the most sought after for this very special experience, though the cakes served in Galina’s restaurant are enticing enough without the additional attraction of birds.

photo credit: juanRubiano

There are four language skills: reading, writing ability, knowing how to listen and ability to speak. All those things must be developed in order to achieve the ability to understand and express yourself in authentic communication situations. Travel in Rome and staying in Italy for a medium period, can give the opportunity to learn the Italian language together with the history and culture of one of the greatest civilizations of all time.

The Colosseum – the most important monument of ancient Rome, built in 75 A.C. and opened in 80 A.C., the area of about 19,000 square meters was organized into four orders, each of which could contain up to 70,000 spectators. At centre stage was the emperor, who with a single gesture could decide the life or death of the many gladiators who fought there.

Roman Forum – The Roman Forum was built in the sixth century B.C., on swampy land that was drained by the sewerage system. In a short time it became the centre of political and social life of ancient Rome, enriched century after century by new buildings, statues, temples and courts. From Via Salaria (parallel to the Via dei Fori Imperiali) you have access to this incredible archaeological area, almost a city within the city.

Circus Maximus – This huge structure was used as an entertainment arena with shows such as exciting  chariot races, much loved by the Romans. The building was able to accommodate up to 250,000 spectators and is one of the oldest in Rome. Other places to visit are Domus Aurea, Pantheon, Terme di Caracalla, Ara Pacis Augustae, Piramide Cestia, Castel Sant’Angelo, Circo di Massenzio, Cloaca Massima, Ludus Magnus and many others. The most important squares of Rome are : Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Barberini.

It is very easy to find good accommodation in Rome: Bed & Breakfasts and hotels are the most popular housing but you can also find accommodation with host-families or in backpacker accommodation where you sleep in single or double rooms and have free use of the bathroom and kitchen.

Rome is located in the centre of Italy, 20 minutes from the sea. It has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino), located 32 km from the city centre and Ciampino, 15 km away. The main railway station in Rome is Termini Station, located in the heart of the city. There are two subway lines and many bus-lines. There are many Italian language schools, with a wide choice of courses and of course is only one of many Things To Do In Rome.

As mentioned before I always travel when possible in the off season and my visit to Prauge was no exception. Yes it was cold but the gems of experiences that were found made up for any inconvenience 10 fold.

When visiting it is so important to be nearby the ‘old town’ – there is history in every step you take and every monument or building that you look at. Our stay was at the the very quaint Charles Bridge B&B situated just off the Charles Bridge(middle bridge in picture) and right at the foot of Prague Castle in ‘lesser town’. The B&B was a former merchant’s house circa 1357 (about the same time as the bridge was built) and a trip down to the cellars showed us the storage area where the boats would pull in laden with all the merchant’s goods. It was an easy stroll across the bridge to the ‘old town’ and even closer in ‘lesser town’ on the castle side to fabulous little restaurants and shops.

The off season it was, and cold it was but it was also just before Christmas and treat of treats are the fabulous Christmas Markets and associated concerts, gluweine, really cheap tickets to a performances of Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven and Mozart classics, and standing in Wencelas Square singing “Good King Wencelas” and other favourite carols.

An absolute must do is to hire a local guide. We had 2 guides in our time there and both were fabulous, they give you information that you just don’t find in a guide book or by going it alone – where to eat, best places to shop and the extra bits of local history that you wouldn’t otherwise know.

There are also a number of personally guided tours to other areas in the Czech Republic like the spa town of Karlovy Vary and the beautiful castles of Karlstejn and Cesky Krumlov.

If you have the chance to go, take it as you won’t be disappointed and if you are fond of a little beer you can get an original Pilsener and of course Budweis which both originated in the Czech republic and take home some Bohemia crystal to sit on the mantel or in your display cabinet.

If you have had other Prauge, Praque or Prague moments please leave a comment it will be great to hear from you.

Over the next 10 weeks I want to give you an insight into my favourite top 10 travel experiences in no particular order (so far). I would love to hear from you about your favourite destination/s so please feel free to leave your comments below.

#1 The Colosseum in Rome

Steeped in history, the Colosseum

I am an avid history buff and from reading in a text book about the Roman empire, the emperors,the Christian slaves, the gladiators and chariot races to actually standing in and on that history is just amazing.

To step on the same steps that those citizens of Rome did way back in 82 AD was just spine tingling. The photo above shows the partly recreated floor of the Colosseum and underneath you can see the narrow alleyways and rooms where the lions and tigers, Christians and Gladiators were housed.

One of the other things I try to do when traveling is to do so in ‘off peak’ times. This saves you money but more importantly there are less people around and if you go when the gates first open, then you are more than likely like I was, to be the only person there.

Then you can just close your eyes and imagine the scene – the sound of thousands of people yelling, the emperor and his entourage sitting pompously in prime position overlooking the gladiators doing battle with each other or perhaps against wild animals, swords clashing and screams of terror and pain amongst yells of ‘live’ or ‘die’.

There are also wonderful exhibits to see within the walls of the Colosseum and many nooks and crannies to explore and of course many photo opportunities(including locals dressed in costume trying to make a few extra euros).

Well that is #1 – the Colosseum. Maybe you have been too and have a different story to tell so please leave your comments below.

Everyone has heard of ‘fast foods’ but have you heard about ‘slow foods‘? Just like the experience of travel slow foods is the experience of savouring food.

Slow Foods is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

Let your taste buds do the walking as you are immersed in the ecogastronomic wonders of the two regions – Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. You will experience Barolo wine, the legendary white truffle of Alba, porcini mushrooms, parmesan and prosciutto. Add to this beautiful hotels, stunning walks, fascinating history and culture, plus exceptional food and wines and you have the makings of a remarkable travel experience.

Following is what you can expect to be included on this small group journey

* 8 nights beautiful accommodation (3 different hotels)
* An experienced and knowledgeable guide who will look after your every need and bring this stunning area to life
* All meals including wine.
* Gourmet meals in a variety of superb restaurants, including several award winning establishments.
* Support vehicle, enabling you to walk as little or as much of the trail as you please
* Transport to/from Genoa in air-conditioned minibus
* Comprehensive pre-trip information.
* Luggage transported for you so all you need to carry is a small backpack with water etc.

photo credit: _Zeta_

The Walking Part
Shortest day: 6.3km/4miles
Longest day: 11.2km/7.1miles

There are 5 half-day walks offered on the trip. You walk on farm and woodland tracks, through vineyards and along quiet tarmac roads. Day 3’s walk is on a well graded mountain path. Although the walks are relatively short it is recommended you wear sturdy walking boots, with good ankle support.

The Weather Part:
Average daytime temperature: September 20°-25°; October 13°-21°
Monthly rainfall average: September 70mm; October 150mm
Average sunshine: September 6hrs/day; October 5½hrs/day

If you have experienced or would like to experience the slow food movement please leave your comments below, I would love to hear your stories.

15

If you are a book worm in general a great place to head is the historic Langham Hotel in London. If you are an Agatha Christie fan then Brown’s Hotel in Piccadilly might be your pick.

Just for you after their great refurbishment they now have a ‘book butler uk‘ service. When you make a booking, you can advise your preferred reading material and a selection will be available to you on your arrival.

The hotel also makes recommendations from authors who have in fact been past guests at the hotel including Oscar Wilde, Somerset Maugham and Arthur Conan Doyle (the Langham London was mentioned in one of his Sherlock Homes books).

Brown’s Hotel has also had a face lift. One of their famous guests was Agatha Christie. A copy of her book (most of which was written whilst in residence at the hotel) ‘At Bertrams Hotel’ will be found in every guestroom.

Absolutely Abruzzo

Experience the journey of a lifetime as you discover the Abruzzo region – Italy’s little known area in the eastern Appenines stretching down to the Adriatic coast. Marvel at the glorious countryside with endless vineyards and ancient olive groves. Meet the local growers and producers of Montepulciano wine, exquisite fruity olive oils and cheeses. Experience the pleasure of making fresh pasta and delicious pastries with local Abruzzese women, all complemented by fine music and song. Travel to this green heart of Italy, where remote hilltop villages harbour wonderful ancient traditions and rich folklore. You will have time to explore monasteries, museums and colourful markets. Throughout your journey you will travel in a private minibus and stay in carefully chosen accommodation.

Tour Highlights for ‘Along The Shepherd’s Track’

• Guided visits to Appenine hilltop villages and coastal towns.
• Guided explorations of monasteries, archeological sites, medieval castles and churches, museums.
• Cellar tastings of local Montepulciano wine.
• Grape picking during Autumn harvest.
• Meet producers of fine olive oil, wine, cheese and pasta.
• Cooking class with local Abruzzese women.
• 2 Unforgettable Concerts with international star tenor, Michael Howard.
• Guided gentle walks in Maiella National Park and al fresco picnic.
• Superb Dining Experiences of Abruzzo’s regional specialties.
• 17 meals including 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
• 7 nights Comfortable Accommodation in the Abruzzo Countryside including immaculately restored 19th century farmhouse.
• Option to be pampered in a Wine Spa Bath and have a Grape Seed Scrub!

Tour highlights for ‘Medieval Magic of Abruzzo’

• Experience a Medieval Joust with all its pagentry
• Explore mountain top castles and ancient monasteries.
• Cellar tastings of local wines.
• Meet producers of fine olive oil, wine, cheese and pasta.
• Cooking class with local Abruzzese women.
• A private concert with international star tenor, Michael Howard.
• A sumptuous al fresco picnic with local delicacies.
• Superb Dining Experiences of Abruzzo’s regional specialties.
• 17 meals including 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
• 7 nights Comfortable Accommodation in the Abruzzo Countryside including an exclusive stay in a beautifully restored medieval village.

If you are a lover of Italy or have experienced the Abruzzo region I would love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below!