Travel & Cruises

UK Life / Travel 2026-07-23

From "Diddly Squat" to a Hilltop Brewery: A Cotswolds Day Drive with a Friend from Japan

A day trip through the Cotswolds with a friend from Japan — Diddly Squat Farm Shop, made famous by Clarkson's

UK Life / Travel 2026-06-25

A Day Among a Thousand-Year Castle and English Roses — A Little Journey to Rockingham Castle

Just over an hour from our West Midlands home: Rockingham Castle, a David Austin rose expert day, 350 years of

Philippines 2024-12-29

The Reef Resort, Mactan Island, Cebu Stay

The Reef Resort. We stayed at The Reef Island Resort Mactan, Cebu — about 20 minutes from Mactan International

Philippines 2024-12-28

Two-Base Living Begins: Part 5

Moving to a condo in Cebu. After 3 comfortable hotel nights, our bodies gradually adapted to the heat. Jet lag

Turkey 2024-12-05

Istanbul Trip: Part 5

Day 3 of sightseeing — our last day. After breakfast, we took the T1 tram to the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market

Turkey 2024-12-04

Istanbul Trip: Part 4

After disembarking, we went for an early dinner. Highly recommended by a local guide: Sehzade cag kebap in the

Turkey 2024-12-03

Istanbul Trip: Part 3

Day 2 of sightseeing. Exploring the new city across the Golden Horn. Took the M2 metro (green line) to Taksim

Turkey 2024-12-02

Istanbul Trip: Part 2

Istanbul is vast — much larger than you might expect, with more people than Tokyo! With 3 full days, we planne

Turkey 2024-11-29

Istanbul Trip: Part 1

Istanbul, Turkey — September 2024. 4 nights, 5 days. Istanbul sits between the Aegean and Black Sea, uniquely

Philippines 2024-11-28

Two-Base Living Begins: Part 4

Two-Base Living Part 4. Staying at a hotel on Mactan Island, Cebu. We stayed at The Reef Island Resort — about

Philippines 2024-11-27

Two-Base Living Begins: Part 3

Two-Base Living Part 3. Narita to Cebu. After an enjoyable Japan stay, heading to Cebu Island. Checked out at

UK Life / Travel 2024-08-12

Digital Art: Beyond Van Gogh Exhibition

August 2024, NEC Birmingham. 2-month exhibition. Entry £26. The famous immersive Van Gogh digital art experien

Spain 2024-08-11

3 Nights in Mallorca, Spain — July 2024

Booked a last-minute 3-night trip to Mallorca via Tui — discounts kick in a week before. Mallorca has blue ski

Bulgaria 2024-07-31

Tui Package Holiday: Bulgaria Black Sea

Tui package holiday ✈️🏖️ — 1 week at a hotel in Burgas on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. May 2024. 7 nights. Bur

Spain 2024-06-22

Spain: Basque Country & San Sebastián Trip

June 2024. Birmingham to San Sebastián. San Sebastián in the Basque Country — world-famous for gastronomy, kno

Malaysia 2020-04-11

Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur Food Diary

3 nights in Kuala Lumpur. Our food diary. First stop: airport food court — chicken rice! Hainanese chicken ric

Philippines 2020-04-06

Philippines: Bohol Island One-Day Tour (Part 2 of 2)

Continuing from Part 1. Mahogany Forest: mahogany is prized for fine furniture. Once heavily logged, this gove

Philippines 2020-04-06

Philippines: Bohol Island One-Day Tour (Part 1 of 2)

We took a one-day Bohol Island tour. Bohol — just a 2-hour ferry from Cebu, the Philippines' 10th largest isla

Malaysia 2020-04-05

Malaysia: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Stay

2 nights at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A solid and comfortable stay in a well-located prope

Malaysia 2020-04-03

Kuala Lumpur: Le Méridien Hotel Stay (Part 2 of 2)

Continuing from Part 1. Airport access: KLIA Express train to KL Sentral (30 min), or airport bus/taxi (approx

Malaysia 2020-03-30

Kuala Lumpur: Le Méridien Hotel Stay (Part 1 of 2)

One night at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur. A brief but informative stay — sharing everything we observed...

Philippines 2020-03-29

Blue Star Dive & Resort — Complete Guide (Part 2)

Continuing from Part 1. Restaurant dining. Breakfast served from 7am to 11am. American breakfast set with Fili

Philippines 2020-03-29

Blue Star Dive & Resort — Complete Guide (Part 1)

3 nights at Blue Star Dive & Resort in Aguado, Bohol Island, Philippines. March 2020. A wonderful dive resort

Philippines 2020-02-17

Toyoko Inn Cebu — Complete Guide (Part 3 of 3)

Continuing from Part 2. Sky Water Park: on the 6th floor lobby there is a pool that young guests love. Several

Philippines 2020-02-14

Toyoko Inn Cebu — Complete Guide (Part 2 of 3)

Continuing from Part 1. Breakfast views from the 6th floor dining room overlooking central Cebu and the hills

Philippines 2020-02-11

Toyoko Inn Cebu — Complete Guide (Part 1 of 3)

4 nights at Toyoko Inn Cebu. Top recommendations: airport pickup, reliable Wi-Fi for remote work, comfortable

Travel 2020-02-02

JAL Dreamliner Business Class Flight Review

We flew JAL from London Heathrow via Frankfurt. December 2019: Frankfurt to Narita in JAL Business Class on th

Philippines 2020-01-29

Dusit Thani Manila Stay

January 2020 — 5 nights at Dusit Thani Manila. Top finds: oil massage price comparison between Makati and Cebu

Philippines 2020-01-25

Travel Itinerary: 6 Days in Manila Summary

Travel diary 93-day summary, Part 2: January 5, 2019 to January 10, 2020. Our long-dreamed adventure. Nine cou

Japan 2020-01-25

InterContinental Hotel Osaka Stay

One night at InterContinental Hotel Osaka. Used IHG credit card points. Our IHG Mastercard (£80/year) is great

Japan 2020-01-15

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka Stay

Staying at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka — said to be Osaka's finest hotel. Opened May 1995 as Japan's first Ritz-Car

Japan 2020-01-12

Apa Hotel Matsuyama-jo Nishi Stay

Staying at Apa Hotel Matsuyama-jo Nishi — a rebrand of the former Chisan Hotel, over 20 years old. Reception i

Japan 2020-01-09

Japan Travel Itinerary: 11 Days Summary

Finally setting off on the 3-month trip we always dreamed of. Destinations: London, Narita, Matsuyama, Osaka,

Japan 2020-01-07

Osaka: Futaba — Traditional Eel Rice & Ohagi

Visiting Futaba — famous for charcoal-grilled domestic eel. Located near Tennoji, Osaka. Trying the Osaka-styl

Japan 2020-01-05

Narita Gateway Hotel Stay

One night at Narita Gateway Hotel. Reason: arriving late from London, needing easy access to an early domestic

Cruise / Caribbean / Nordic / Mediterranean 2019-12-08

Cruise Recommendations: Complete Summary

What is a cruise? Our recommendations: first cruise on MSC Mediterranean, why we love cruising, packing guides

Cruise / Nordic 2019-10-07

Nordic Cruise: Arctic Circle & Fjords — 11 Nights (Part 5)

Norway's fjords and Arctic Circle — 11-night cruise, final part. Our concluding impressions of this remarkable

Cruise / Nordic 2019-10-01

Nordic Cruise: Arctic Circle & Fjords — 11 Nights (Part 4)

Norway's fjords and Arctic Circle — 11-night cruise, part 4. Days among the stunning Norwegian coastline...

Cruise / Nordic 2019-09-24

Nordic Cruise: Arctic Circle & Fjords — 11 Nights (Part 3)

Norway's fjords and Arctic Circle — 11-night cruise, part 3. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic...

Cruise / Nordic 2019-09-16

Nordic Cruise: Arctic Circle & Fjords — 11 Nights (Part 2)

Norway's fjords and Arctic Circle — 11-night cruise. Continuing our 5-part series...

Cruise / Nordic 2019-09-01

Nordic Cruise: Arctic Circle & Fjords — 11 Nights (Part 1)

This year's cruise: 11 nights to Norway's fjords and the Arctic Circle — a long-held dream. Our 4-part series

Philippines 2019-08-27

Cebu Parklane International Hotel & Crown Regency Hotel, Philippines

Reviewing the Cebu Parklane International Hotel and Crown Regency Hotel & Towers — two very different properti

Philippines 2019-08-18

Philippines: Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort (5-Star)

Reviewing the brand new 5-star Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort on Mactan Island — a truly impressive property..

Philippines 2018-12-09

Island Hopping: Pandanon & Hilutungan Islands, Cebu

10-day trip to Cebu. Island hopping is an absolute must for any Cebu visitor. Pandanon Island, the island clos

Travel / Philippines 2018-12-06

Cathay Pacific: Birmingham to Cebu Flight

10-day trip to Cebu, Philippines. Our full travel day from Birmingham Airport to Mactan-Cebu Airport — two con

Philippines 2018-11-29

Philippines Cebu Island Trip: Food Edition

10-day trip to Cebu. Sharing the most delicious and memorable food from the island. After a week of Filipino c

Philippines 2018-11-26

Philippines: Pacific Cebu Resort Hotel Stay

10-day trip to Cebu. Reviewing our stay at Pacific Cebu Resort Hotel on Mactan Island, just across from Cebu C

Philippines 2018-11-23

Philippines: Radisson Blu Cebu Stay

10-day trip to Cebu. Reviewing our stay at the Radisson Blu Cebu — exterior, surroundings and facilities...

Philippines 2018-11-19

Philippines: Bai Hotel Cebu Stay

A 10-day trip to Cebu, Philippines. First report: our stay at Bai Hotel Cebu. Cebu City — the Philippines' sec

Spain 2018-10-11

Frigiliana Morning Walk & Malaga to Heathrow — Day 5

Thursday, late September — our final day. Morning walk in Frigiliana, staying at Miller's de Frigiliana. Back

Spain 2018-10-10

Granada, Alhambra Palace & Frigiliana — Day 4, Part 2

Continuing Day 4 Part 1. After the Alhambra, we drive towards Spain's most beautiful white village, Frigiliana

Spain 2018-10-09

Granada, Alhambra Palace & Frigiliana — Day 4, Part 1

Wednesday, late September. Left the Marriott Vacation Club village to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Alhambra

Spain 2018-10-08

Marriott Vacation Club Costa del Sol Presentation — Day 3

Tuesday morning — final day at this hotel. At 9:30am we attended the Marriott Vacation Club presentation. An i

Spain 2018-10-07

Spain: Mijas, Sweet Shops & Costa del Sol Beach — Day 2, Part 2

Continuing Day 2 Part 1. On the way back from Mijas, we stop at an Andalucian sweet shop. Polvoron — the tradi

Spain 2018-10-06

Spain: White Village Mijas, Cats & Restaurant — Day 2, Part 1

Monday, late September. Another beautiful sunny day. Breakfast of ham, cheese and eggs bought at the marketpla

Spain 2018-10-05

Spain: Malaga Costa del Sol 4-Night Holiday — Day 1, Part 3

Continuing from Part 2. Our first 3 nights are at Marriott Playa Andalucia — a Marriott Group resort on the Co

Spain 2018-10-04

Spain: Costa del Sol 4-Night Holiday — Day 1, Part 2

Continuing from Part 1. Arrived safely at Malaga Airport — one of Spain's largest, fitting for its most popula

Spain 2018-10-03

Spain: Malaga Costa del Sol 4-Night Holiday — Day 1, Part 1

Late September Sunday. Heathrow T5, BA412 depart 9:25am, arrive Malaga 1:15pm (1hr time difference). Staying n

Japan 2018-08-05

Must-Eat Sweets in Japan: Part 3 of 3

Story-themed cafes — the newest trend in Japanese sweets. In Tokyo's Shimokitazawa, Cafe Tint serves whimsical

Japan 2018-08-02

Must-Eat Sweets in Japan: Part 2 of 3

Japan's parfait culture. After traditional wagashi comes the extraordinary evolution of the Western-style parf

Japan 2018-08-01

Must-Eat Sweets in Japan: Part 1 of 3

The sweets edition! First: Kyoto's Ajari-mochi from Mangetsu, founded 1856. The signature sweet was created by

Japan 2018-07-30

Must-Eat Foods in Japan: Part 2 of 3

Continuing our must-eat Japan food series. Special bonus: Tokaido Shinkansen bento boxes — we always buy one f

Japan 2018-07-29

Must-Eat Foods in Japan: Part 1 of 3

We visit Japan once or twice a year. Here are the foods we absolutely must eat. First up: tonkatsu. Crispy por

Japan 2018-07-07

Delicious Japan: Tokyo Food Walk Diary

Wednesday June 20, 2018. 2nd night at Keikyu EX Inn Haneda. Rainy season. First destination: the famous Juris

Travel 2018-07-03

British Airways Premium Economy Boeing 777 Flight Review

June 2018: Haneda to London Heathrow. British Airways flight 008. Depart 8:50am, arrive 1:10pm. Flight time: 1

Japan 2018-07-01

Keikyu EX Inn Haneda Stay

Keikyu EX Inn Haneda, opened November 2017 by Keikyu Railway. We stayed in June 2018 for easy access to Haneda

Japan 2018-06-26

Delicious Japan: Kyoto Food Walk Diary

Two days in Kyoto, June 17–18. Many wonderful coffee shops and unique independent stores. Kyoto beautifully bl

Japan 2018-06-25

Marriott Biwako Hotel Stay: Marriott Platinum Challenge

Marriott Platinum Challenge 3rd stay. June rainy season — visiting Lake Biwa with our daughter during her 32nd

Japan 2018-06-17

Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho Stay: Marriott Platinum Challenge

Marriott Platinum Challenge 5th stay — moving to Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho. What is Moxy? Opened in Tokyo in 2018,

Japan 2018-06-16

Yokohama Bay Sheraton Stay: SPG Platinum Challenge

Our SPG & Marriott Platinum Challenge (9 stays by July 31st). SPG and Marriott are the same group, but with se

Japan 2018-06-15

Marriott Izu Shuzenji Stay: Marriott Platinum Challenge

Marriott Platinum Challenge 4th stay. Travelling to Marriott Izu Shuzenji by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to

Japan 2018-06-14

Marriott Karuizawa Stay: Marriott Platinum Challenge

Our Marriott Platinum Challenge (9 stays by July 31st). 3rd stay — departing from the Westin Ebisu in Tokyo. A

Japan 2018-06-11

Visiting Nadeshiko Sushi in Akihabara

A sushi restaurant in Akihabara run entirely by young women. Only 15 seats — always queues outside. Located up

Japan 2018-06-08

IHG Hotel: Yokohama Grand InterContinental Stay

What is IHG? InterContinental Hotels Group, established 2003. We review our stay at the impressive Yokohama Gr

Travel 2018-05-26

Long-Haul Flights: DVT Prevention, Skincare & Dry Skin Tips

DVT (economy class syndrome) — blood clots forming in leg veins during long immobile flights. Here are 4 simpl

Cruise 2018-05-19

Why Cruise Travel is the Best Holiday

Before discovering cruising, our holidays were typical — fly to a destination, stay in hotels, explore. But cr

Cruise / Mediterranean 2018-05-18

First Cruise Recommendation: MSC Mediterranean Journey

Why is a first cruise always special? Even after 7–8 cruises, the first on MSC's Musica remains unforgettable.

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-16

Caribbean Cruise Diary (7)

Final day, March 17. Fort Lauderdale arrival at 7am. London flight at 6:10pm. Up at 5:30am, out of bed by 6. S

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-14

Caribbean Cruise Diary (6)

Day 10: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Arrived 8am, departing 3pm. A relaxed morning rising at 7am. Calm sea, 21°C. T

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-13

Caribbean Cruise Diary (5)

Day 8: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. March 14. The island is split — western half US territory, eastern half

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-12

Caribbean Cruise Diary (4)

Day 7: Puerto Rico, San Juan — US Territory. Arrived at 1pm, departed at 11pm. Morning spent on board. The Mai

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-11

Caribbean Cruise Diary (3)

Day 6: A day at sea. Had ordered room service the night before for 7am delivery. You fill in a form and hang i

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-10

Caribbean Cruise Diary (2)

Day 3 of the Caribbean Cruise: a full day in Fort Lauderdale. Woke at 4:30am due to jet lag. Overcast and cool

Cruise / Caribbean 2018-05-09

Caribbean Cruise Diary (1)

The Caribbean cruise I had always dreamed of. High season is European winter — a perfect escape from dark, col

Travel 2018-05-03

Europe & Italy Holiday: Tips for Travelling Abroad

Living in the UK for 28 years now. Here are the things I have learned to prevent problems while travelling in

Cruise 2018-05-03

Cruise Packing Guide: Essentials, Luggage, Shoes & Clothes (Part 2)

Continuing from Part 1 — a complete packing list for clothes and essentials. For underwear and socks, choose q

Cruise 2018-05-02

Cruise Packing Guide: Essentials, Luggage, Shoes & Clothes (Part 1)

A typical cruise lasts at least a week, sometimes 10 days or two weeks. If you fly to the port, you'll also st

Cruise 2018-04-30

Why Cruise Travel is the Best Holiday (1)

The first time we boarded a cruise ship was in November 2012 — an MSC vessel called Musica, carrying 3,500 pas