Unique and Boutique Hotels and Experiences. Less Ordinary Travel and Lifestyle Blog for Independent Travellers in Europe.
This year we will spend Christmas in Northern Ireland with family and, with an inevitable stopover in London, I thought I’d make the most of the opportunity. With 50,000 points in my Platinum Elite IHG Rewards, I do just that, and I reward myself with a stay at the InterContinental London Park Lane. After two …
Winter Time in the InterContinental London Park Lane Read More »
For the past two nights I’ve been staying in the Riad Star – the former home of 1930’s vaudeville star Josephine Baker in Marrakech. Baker dropped out of school at the age of 13 and lived as a street child in the slums of St. Louis, sleeping in cardboard shelters and scavenging for food in …
In honesty, I rarely hear much praise for Dubai, a city often dubbed fake with its shiny new facade overshadowing authenticity and its origins. Fanfan was one of those unimpressed after flying to Dubai for her first-ever travels outside of Thailand. She booked a week’s stay in Dubai only to leave three days later because …
Recently I was asked if I had experienced scary moments during travel… I completely drew blank. In Thailand and Southeast Asia I can find none, certainly none worth mentioning. So after giving more thought to the question I have finally come up with my most terrifying travel experience. An experience not in Asia but on …
Cute side streets. Corner Cafes. Fromageries, Boucheries, Brasseries. The authenticity of Montparnasse area of Paris is what makes it my favourite part of the city. In a convenient location for tourist attractions the area brings a happy mix of local life and affordable tourist accommodation. A short trip on the Paris Metro reaches all major attractions yet the …
Coming from Belfast (as with most UK regional airports) there is an inevitable stopover flight on the way to Asia. For me a London stopover. I’ve passed through the city countless times; rarely venturing from airport benches to find central London. This time with Fanfan by my side I will make the effort. With 24 …
Arriving from the hospitality of Thailand to the hospitality of Rome is like walking from a massage to the boxing ring. An extreme contrast. This was Fanfan’s first trip to Europe, long in planning, starting with her dream destination Rome. Two days later we leave Rome completely disillusioned. Not the best of experiences… While I …
Following two weeks in Europe through Rome, Paris, London and Belfast I find the perfect moment to propose to Fanfan. While the Eiffel tower or Trevi Fountain may be thought of as the perfect scene for the occasion; trust me they are not. My original intention to propose in Paris was scuppered by touristic, unromantic and …
What I miss most when living in Bangkok is Christmas time; the snow, festiveness and of course the Christmas markets. With plans for snow and skiing in China this Christmas it will likely come second best to my Christmases back home and in Europe. Christmas is the one time I want to be home and …
