The best day trip from Paris you could do this Christmas has to be a visit to the magical Château Vaux-le-Vicomte to see it’s spectacular festive displays.
Top 10 things to do in London at Christmas
Famous department stores decorated in festive bling, twinkling lights draped above the streets as bright red double-decker buses pass by and sparkling Christmas trees of every size are plentiful. Wine is mulling, chestnuts are roasting and a rosy-cheeked, white-bearded Santa seems to be everywhere at once — how does he do that? — there really is no place like London at Christmas.
Where to find the best Christmas lights in London
Christmas in London is just magical. And the annual Christmas lights display, in particular in Regent Street this year, is not to be missed. Follow my self-guided walking tour to see the best of the festive displays.
Celebrating the grape harvest at Locorotondo, Puglia
The squelch of grapes and squeals of joy met us in Locorotondo, Puglia, to celebrate the grape harvest in this lovely region of Italy.
Celebrating Christmas around the World
Every 25th December my family come together for the most important meal of the year, Christmas Day lunch. Curious to know how different people celebrate Christmas I asked a few friends from around the world what they traditionally eat for their festive feast.
The Futampaf Festival, an upcountry adventure with the Jola Tribe, The Gambia
"Unnerving but fascinating to watch, they used everything from cutlasses and razor blades to energetically strike their bodies without ever leaving a scratch! The Futmapaf, a traditional initiation festival of the Jola people was an upcountry adventure like nothig I...
The magic of Brussels at Christmas
Dazzling Christmas lights, spectacular ice-skating shows, Wittamer hot chocolate, a glass of Delirium or two, not to mention the beauty of Grand Place decked out in its festive finery, there are many reasons for visiting Brussels in December.
Salon du Chocolat visits London… oh my!
When I was given a pair of tickets to visit Salon du Chocolat in London, how could I refuse? This world famous chocolate show visited London for the first time last weekend bringing together the best chocolate companies from the UK and around the...
On the trail of the mythical Kumpo of Kanuma, The Gambia
When I heard that a kumpo, a mythical character of the West African Jola tribe, had been spotted near the village of Kanuma, just a few hours drive from where we were staying in The Gambia, there was only one thing for it; I was determined to arrange an expedition f...
Winchester Christmas Market
Winchester Christmas Market, which has been running since 2006, has established itself as one of the best in Europe. Inspired by traditional German markets, all the stalls are in delightful wooden chalets in the grounds of the city’s majestic Cathedral. If you live or...
A Victorian Christmas Festival
For one weekend every year the historic docklands of Portsmouth are transformed into a scene straight out of a Dickensian novel! Singing street urchins, chimney sweeps and ladies of the night (hold on to your husbands girls) are among the many characters...
A typical English fete with a twist
Last summer I discovered the Weed and Wild Flower Festival in a little village in the Sussex countryside. A wonderful fantasy woodland had been recreated inside Bignor's ancient church. I can't imagine how long it took to build (or clear up!) but the effect was...
Smiles, from the smiling coast
The Gambia is known as the smiling coast of Africa for good reason and I love the smiles of this brother and sister playing around together at a Jola Festival where the brother was initiated. You can read about the fabulous day I had and see more photos on my post An...
Happy Tobaski!
Once a year, about 70 days after the end of Ramadan, virtually the whole of The Gambia holds a barbecue! This is the festival of Tobaski (also known as Tabaski or Eid Al Adha) when Muslim families ritually kill a ram in commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to...
Zombies and protesters clash on Brighton seafront
Locals and tourists alike looked on in horror as Halloween arrived early to the normally easy-going and friendly seaside resort town of Brighton on the south coast of England this afternoon. Thousands of zombies appeared from nowhere, to the dismay of many a bemused...
Images of la Balagne, Sounds of A Filetta
In my last post I shared with you my experience of the wonderful festival held every September in Calvi Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi hosted by the polyphonic singing group A Fileta. For those of you not familiar with this form of singing here's a...
Ancient squares and cobbled alleyways overflowing with song!
Every year Calvi's citadel, which was built over 500 years ago, is the stunning setting for Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi. Although I've visited Corsica a number of times, this was the first time I've been lucky enough to be there for this festival and I...
Calvi Jazz Festival… not just jazz
Held every June (21st to 26th June in 2011) the Calvi Jazz Festival is a wonderful time to visit Northern Corsica. I came across the festival by accident during my first visit to Corsica many years ago. I fell in love with Corsica and the Jazz Festival. Here's why!...
Singing the Forest Awake
Last month I felt I needed a bit of a boost, having just come out of a 12-year relationship feeling emotionally battered and bruised. Thinking a change of scene would do me good, I asked some friends if they fancied going to the New Forest, in the south of England,...
