Category: Activities

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Antigua Beach Caribbean Cruise Sun Winter Sun

Antigua

In Antigua, as there are 54 miles of coastline, to walk along. There are in fact 365 beaches along the coast, that’s one for every day of the year.

Of those beaches, amongst the most famous are Galley Bay Beach for surfing, Half Moon Bay for relaxing and Dickenson Bay which is the most popular, with a number of hotels and restaurants.  For example it is here that you can find the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and the Siboney Beach Club.

Dickenson Bay - Antigua
Dickenson Bay – Antigua

Many of the hotels on the island are built along the beaches so that you can literally step out of your room straight on to the beach.  In fact you could be on the beach within 10 hours of taking off from London with flight times of around 8 and a half hours.

Should you want to tear yourself away from the beach, then head up to Shirley Heights from where you can obtain the best view on the island.  At a height of 490 feet, you get superb views of English and Falmouth Harbours and is best visited at sunset and the early evening.

View from Shirley Heights - Antigua
View from Shirley Heights – Antigua

Today, Nelson’s Dockyard provides many sites and activities for the modern day visitor to enjoy.  It was built back in the early eighteenth century, when the British realised the value of having a dockyard to harbour ships in bad weather and keeping an eye on the French. The dockyard is named after Lord Nelson, who as Captain of the HMS Boreas, was sent to Antigua to enforce British laws in the colonies.

Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua
Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua
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City Europe Historical Lisbon Portugal Uncategorized

Lisbon, Portugal

Despite a history of earthquakes, Lisbon has always been an important city through the ages. The Romans, the Berbers, the Moors and then Reconquista knights have all taken a interest in Lisbon due to its position of the River Targus. The Torre de Belém is the most iconic building in the region, dominating the entrance to Lisboa harbour on the north bank of the river. Originally built in the 16th century and subsequently improved over the years, it would have been the last part of the country that sailors who sailed west to discover and visit the new world across the Atlantic Ocean would have seen.

Torre de Belém - Julius Silver
Torre de Belém

An absolute must when visiting Lisbon is a ride on the trams. There are two types of tram, the historic “Remodelado” trams or the modern Siemens “Articulado” trams. In fact the best way to get to the Torre de Belém is by the modern No 15 tram. However you must travel on the historic No 28 tram that will work its way up the steep, cobbled roads and into the old Alfama district. The Alfama district is one of the top destinations for tourists in Lisbon. It is the oldest part of the city dating back to the time of the Moors. It survived the 1755 earthquake as its built on dense bedrock. Up here you will step back in time. Wander through its narrow streets, tiny squares, visit it’s churches and wonder about the history that has taken place inside those whitewashed houses. In the evening you will find many great restaurants to eat in or out and you will are bound to hear Fado music, dates back to the 1820s.

Tram - Lisbon - Walkerssk
Tram – Lisbon

There are many more places to visit in Lisbon and now it’s off the UK quarantine list, it makes a great destination for a short break or the starting point for a tour of the country. Don’t miss out on visiting the solid looking and imposing Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa, known locally as simply the Sé. Finally you must not miss out on the Pasteis de Nata, deliciously soft, sweet, custard tarts, that are a cult in Lisbon.

Pasteis de Nata - Portuguese Custard Tart -CarolinaP
Pasteis de Nata – Portuguese Custard Tart
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City Europe Historical Italy Milan Uncategorized

Milan, Italy

The Cathedral in Milan took nearly 600 hundred years to complete. Work started in 1386 and was deemed completed in 1965. The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete: construction began in 1386, and the final details were completed in 1965. It is the largest church in Italy, the second largest in Europe, the largest being St Peter’s in the Vatican City.

Milan Cathredral - Madonnina Photo: Eric Delgrange
Milan Cathedral – Madonnina

Mark Twain wrote these words about the Cathedral when he visited in 1867: “What a wonder it is! So grand, so solemn, so vast! And yet so delicate, so airy, so graceful!” I wonder what you will think. In fact he dedicated chapter 18 of Innocents Abroad to the Cathedral, which includes descriptions and historical details. You can read it here.

There is plenty else to see and do in Milan and a long weekend or mid-week break is not enough to do it justice. One trip that you are advised to book well in advance is that to see “The Last Supper” by Leonarno Di Vinci” which is one of the most recognisable painitngs in the world.

The Last Supper - Leonardo Di Vinci
The Last Supper – Leonardo Di Vinci

As a traveller you pass through a wide variety of transport hubs. However few are grander than the Central Station. It is the largest railway station by volume in Europe. From here there are high speed links to Turin, Venice and south to Rome and Naples which makes Milan a great travel base.

Concourse Milan Central Station
Concourse Milan Central Station

Finished in 1931, the building which has no definitive architectural style has been described as one of the most beautiful stations in the world. Again see for yourself. It certainly is impressive.

What a lot of visitors to Milan are not aware of is the canal network. Originally the canals were built to connect the city with the local area and the marble for the Cathedral was brought in via the canal network.

The Navigli - Milan
The Navigli – Milan

Although part of the canal system was covered in the city centre there is plenty of canal side activities to engage in. You can cycle or walk the tow paths during the day and by night you can enjoy the nightlife, with a wide variety of restaurants and bars to choose from.

There are plenty more highlights of your trip to Milan including the La Scala de Milan – one of the most famous opera houses in the world, La Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade next to the Cathedral and the Sforza Castle which houses the main museums.

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Activities Cycling Driving Uncategorized

Scotland

Starting and ending at Inverness Castle the North 500, is a 516 mile route that takes in some of the more remote parts of Northern Scotland. The route works its way along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the towns of Torridon and Ullapool. From there, you’ll embark on a drive to some of the most northerly coastal points of mainland Scotland, including Caithness. From John o’ Groats you head south through Dingwall back to Inverness.

The North 500

How could you not be tempted to drive the North 500 yourself? In fact you could even cycle or walk the route. If driving allow yourself the best part of a week and you are advised to book your accommodation in advance particularly during the summer season. This is where Maggie can help you out. She will help you find those less popular little gems along the route and suggest stopping off points to make the most of your journey.

Ackegill Tower

Not only will you find superb accommodation but fantastic scenery, exquisite beaches, fine food and the best distilleries in the world.