Mini Travel Guides

I’m on Best Western’s Year of Get Up & G0 2012 blogging panel. The idea is to highlight all that’s going on around the UK. I’ve written about how we Brits don’t always make the most of our country in my article on UK staycations.

I’ll be staying at several Best Western Hotels through the year, in order to review the hotels and write about events and attractions in the area.

My first trip, later this month, is to Bath for the Bath Fringe Festival. I’ll be staying at the Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel. I haven’t been to Bath for ages, but there are plenty of tips on things to do in Bath from recent visits by other Europe a la Carte authors.

The Roman Baths by Amanda Kendle

As it’s a fair drive to Bath from Berwick upon Tweed, I’ll be staying at the Best Western Plus Mosborough Hall Hotel near Sheffield on the way down and the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel Chester on the way back home.

In July, I’m off to Yorkshire for the Harrogate Summer Festival, with lodgings at the Best Western Dower House in Knaresborough.

September sees me heading to the Lake District for the Kendal Torchlight Carnival, staying at the Best Western Castle Green Hotel.

The final trip of the year is in October, when I’m off to Yorkshire again for Illuminating York, staying at Best Western Plus Dean Court. We’ve lots of ideas for what to do in York on Europe a la Carte.

York Minster

I’m on the Best Western Get up & Go Blogging Panel

Best Places to Visit Europe from the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

Tags: Accommodation, England, uk

To help you decide where to stay in Glasgow, we’ve compiled a list of Glasgow hotels, giving preference to hotels that are near major sights and that offer modern amenities such as wireless internet. Our collection of ‘where to stay’ options includes hotels for every price point, from luxury boutique hotels to good-value hotels just steps from George Square. Our ‘where to stay’ recommendations are organized by star rating, beginning with five-star hotels.

5-Star Hotels in Glasgow

Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens

This hotel is all about the finer things in life, particularly wine. It is outside of the city center, but its atmosphere is noble and the staff provides royal treatment. The 49 bedrooms and suites feature handsprung mattresses, first-class Egyptian linen, antique furniture, and deep baths and drench showers. Each room is unique: some feature private patios and four-post beds, some feature saunas and fireplaces, and are so lavish that they can accommodate large parties. The fine-dining bistro serves excellent traditional Scottish cuisine; it’s worth visiting this is where the wine comes in! Other amenities include a cigar shack and whiskey room. The drive to Glasgow’s city center takes around 15 minutes.
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Hilton Glasgow

This is one of the best five-star hotels in the city center, especially for guests arriving by car. It is located near the M8 Motorway, and travelers can walk to Glasgow’s major sights and shopping areas. Expect the walk to George Square to take 20 minutes. All of the hotel’s rooms come with WiFi (for a charge), air conditioning, and twice-daily maid service. Rooms are soundproofed and amenities include:  The Ocean Rooms Spa, a fitness center, the fine-dining Camerons restaurant, and the Minksy’s New York style Brasserie, which features international cuisine. Note that the hotel is currently being renovated (April 2012).
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4-Star Hotels in Glasgow

Hotel Indigo

The vibrant décor of this luxury boutique hotel was inspired by the vibrant history of Glasgow. Most major sights are just steps away, as well as the main train station, Central Station. All 94 rooms come with complimentary WiFi, air conditioning, and rainfall showers. The staff is exceptionally friendly, and the hotel excels at providing guests with unexpected perks, such as complimentary chocolates. Drinks are often complimentary as well. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered at the in-house Limelight Bar & Grill.
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Fraser Suites Hotel

This hotel is ideal for families and travelers visiting Glasgow for several days. It is in a great location in Merchant City, just a short walk from George Square and the Gallery of Modern Art, and it offers one and two bedroom suites that feature modern decor and come with high speed internet (for a charge). Every suite has a kitchenette fully equipped with a microwave, toaster, crockery, and glassware. Not all rooms have dishwashers or balconies, so make your preferences known when booking. There is a fitness suite onsite, and free WiFi is offered in the lobby.
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Menzies Glasgow Hotel

This hotel is located in the thick of everything, and it has more amenities than most, including the excellent AA Rosette Brasserie restaurant, the Savannah Beauty Centre spa, and the Waves Health & Leisure Club which has a pool. All of the 12 luxury apartments and 94 suites feature Feng Shui design and are very quiet. Each has complimentary WiFi and air conditioning. The apartments are spacious and come at a great value if traveling as a family or small group.
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Grasshoppers Hotel

This hotel may appear unattractive on the outside (it is located on a couple floors of what looks like an office building) but it is luxurious and stylish on the inside. Each of the 30 rooms are unique, featuring wood paneling, Caledonian Oak floors, duck feather and down duvets and pillows, and exclusively designed furniture. Included in the room price are in-room WiFi and breakfast at the onsite restaurant, The Kitchen, where dinner is also served. George Square is just seven minutes away by foot.
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3-Star and Budget Hotels in Glasgow

Jurys Inn

If you want to be near Glasgow’s main shopping district without breaking the bank, this is your hotel. Located on Jamaica Street near the Central Station, this hotel is about a 10-minute walk from George Square. The 321 rooms are basic and clean and come with complimentary internet access (must have a cable) and air conditioning. WiFi is offered for a charge in public areas. The in-house restaurant and bar may not serve the best food, but it is a comfortable place to get a cocktail. For the most quiet experience, ask for a room facing away from Central Station.
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Hotel Ibis

This budget hotel is typical of most Ibis hotels: the rooms are basic, clean, and functional and the staff is friendly and professional. It is also centrally located, with George Square just a 15-minute walk away. The 141 rooms feature WiFi for a charge, and the showers are delightfully powerful. The onsite café offers snacks and light meals 24 hours a day, and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet costs £7.50.
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Alexander Thomson Hotel

This hotel is ideal for budget travelers traveling by train, and it was completely refurbished in 2011. Centrally located near the Central Station, the hotel is an 11-minute walk from George Square. The 125 rooms are basic but feature free WiFi, high ceilings, and complimentary tea and coffee. A continental breakfast is included in the room price. Travelers who are particularly noise-sensitive may want to consider a different hotel.
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Euro Hostel

If you want to stay in Glasgow at very low cost, this is our recommended hostel. It is the original Euro Hostel, and it is located near the Central Station and within walking distance of most sights. The hostel offers both dorms and private rooms. The onsite Mint & Lime bar features free WiFi and a free pool during the days. WiFi is also offered in the rooms for a charge. Amenities include a self-catering kitchen, 24-hour reception, and laundry services. A continental breakfast is included in the price. This hostel is a good place to party or to relax, and it is surrounded by grocery stores, bars, and restaurants.
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Written by Mattie Bamman for EuropeUpClose.com

Tags: Glasgow

Have you ever contemplated the unique textures and flavors of each piece of meat inside of a sausage? Dario Cecchini certainly has. Thanks to the show, No Reservations, the book Heat, and his vivid personality, Dario Cecchini has become one of the most famous butchers in the world. Located in the Chianti region of Tuscany, his little butcher shop, Antica Macelleria Cecchini, stands across the street from his restaurant, Solociccia, and travelers can visit both.

Dario is an eighth-generation butcher born and raised in the village of Panzano. Panzano is located between Greve and Castallino—two of the most famous towns for wine tasting in Chianti—and travelers can reach his restaurant by car or bus; leaving from Florence, the bus takes about an hour. The prices at Solociccia are quite reasonable. A six-course menu served with coffee and a quarter liter of wine costs 30€, and an extra quarter liter of wine costs 3€. On the website, one of the menu courses is named “Rosemary up your bum,” but don’t worry: this is just Dario’s personality. He’s also known to quote Dante and the Blues Brothers in the same breath.

Dario learned the old-school way of butchering, and he is on a crusade to teach it to others (if he just happens to wipe out the industrial producers of meat along the way, then so be it). “I want a Renaissance in meat,” he said at a recent demonstration in Portland, Oregon. Dario believes that the only good meat comes from an animal that lived a full life. “The animal must enjoy all of the good things in life,” he said, as he sliced through half of a pig’s carcass as though it were butter. Actually, butter isn’t the right word.

“Neither milk or butter were available for purchase in Panzano until 1968,” said Dario. “If a mother ran out of milk for her babies, she bought a goat.” Instead, locals used Tuscan butter, aka whipped lardo, which is produced using back fat. The large strips of fat are removed from the meat and massaged until they are tender. In Panzano, Dario works the pieces of fat on a giant piece of marble that has been used by butchers for 200 years. “Marble and butchers go together,” he said, deftly. After it is tender, the fat is ground in a meat grinder and seasoned with garlic, oil, and rosemary. It is spread on bread like butter.

As more and more food-related regulations are passed by the European Union, many of Europe’s most traditional foods have been threatened. Dario is famous for championing bistecca all fiorentina (aka Florentine steak or Tuscan porterhouse), which is a massively thick steak derived from the Chianina cow that is served on the bone. In 2001, the EU banned the sale of all meat attached to the bone of cattle over one year old, and Dario famously sold his last steaks for thousands of dollars. Thankfully, the ban was lifted. “People do not need to be saved from my meat,” said Dario, “I need to be saved from the rules of the EU!” Thanks to Dario Cecchini, travelers can still taste the traditional method of preparing meat in the old country.

You can read more about Dario and Panzano on our post Best Kept Travel Secrets

Written By Mattie Bamman for EuropeUpClose.com

 

Tags: panzano, Tuscany

The Clube de Journlistas Restaurant hosted Mary Goudie, of Your Lisbon Guide and me for dinner in late March 2012. The restaurant is rated no 1 in TripAdvisor’s Lisbon restaurants, so I was expecting something very special.

It was a pity that we didn’t eat in the Tiled Room which was much more characterful than the stone clad area in which we dined.

In Summer most dining is done al fresco. However, when I was there they were in the middle of cutting down some large trees in the garden for safety reasons. I think it would be lovely to eat in the garden.

Ivan calls himself a cook rather than a chef and he had put together a Tasting Menu for us. Ivan and the other cooks bring the food to the table.  As I explained in my review of the Panorama Restaurant Lisbon, I don’t consider myself a gourmet, I prefer a two or three course meal to several small taster courses.

We started with a selection of delicious breads baked on the premises, including Black Bread (no, not burnt toast), coloured with squid ink and it did smell a bit fishy.

I enjoyed the Prawn Rissotto.

My favourite dish was the Lamb served with Potato, Carrot & Parsnip.

The dessert was a strange mix of a Chocolate Cake, Egg Creme Myrtle, Mango with Yoghurt, Rice & Caramel topped with (a too hard to eat) Hazelnut Cookie.

I checked pricces on the menu; starters cost from 6 Euro and Rissotto cost 13.5 Euro. I’m not sure if you’d get a larger serving of Rissotto or Lamb if you ordered it as main course, instead of as part of a tasting menu, as the portions we had were quite small. I’d classify it as a mid range restaurant, as you’d probably spend around 50 Euro per person if you had three courses plus wine and coffee.

While Clube de Journalistes’ food was good and I think that eating in the garden would greatly enhance the dining experience, I’m not quite sure why it’s rated the No 1 restaurant in Lisbon by TripAdvisor, especially as the aforementioned Panorama Restaurant stands at No 189 in the ratings.

Keep It Real Travel Reviews

Review of Clube de Journalistas Restaurant Lisbon

Best Places to Visit Europe from the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

Tags: lisbon, Portugal, Restaurant Reviews

When in Nice, France be sure to visit the outdoor markets along Cours Saleya, near the Quai des Etats Unis. These markets are continually changing—on Tuesdays through Sunday you can buy fruits and vegetables (only in the mornings) and flowers (all day except on Sunday mornings). Here is your Frugal Guide to Fantastic Nice, France

 

Written by Cheryl Tucker for EuropeUpClose.com

Tags: nice

I stayed at the Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street for one night in April 2012 on a complimentary basis. This purpose built Premier Inn opened  a few weeks ago, so everything is very shinyy and new. The hotel isn’t that obvious as you walk along Princes Street; just a small sign at an entrance doorway.

Entrance to Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street

Inside there’s a lift up to the second floor Reception & The Kitchen restaurant, which has views towards Edinburgh Castle.

View from The Kitchen restaurant at Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street

I tried to use the quick check-in kiosk but it didn’t recognise my booking on the first attempt. Fortunately there were staff to assist.

Quick check-in at Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street

I have to say that initially I was a little disappointed that we’d been allocated at room at the back of the hotel, as I’d hoped for a castle view. However, I reckoned that a room at the back of the hotel would be quieter, no noise from late night revellers and the current tram works in Princes Street, and we wouldn’t be in the room that much in any case.

View from our room at the back of the Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street

Our room, number 605, was of an adequate size for a double.  The TV was tucked away at the side of the wardrobe. The floral art really brigtened up the room. I thought that it was a bit stingy to only give you two sachets of coffee and two teabags in a double room. The bathroom was a good size with the shower above the bath. The bed was extremely comfortable. There appears to be good sound insulation, as we didn’t hear any noise from the exterior or neighbouring rooms, apart from doors opening and closing. The bedroom windows didn’t open, they just had an air vent, but there was a heating/air-con unit in the room.

The desk was quite large with plenty of sockets to charge up all my gear. You now get 30 minutes free WiFi per day per device in Premier Inns. I thought I’d try to upload the video I had taken of the room during my free 30 minutes on my mobile phone, but the upload failed. Maybe there’s a data or an upload limit? When I connected on the netbook and just stuck to things like email and Twitter updates, it all went smoothly and the connection was pretty fast.

Room 605 at the Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street

I like the fact that breakfast is served between 7 and 11.30 at weekends and wish that all hotels would give guests this flexibility of serving times. Breakfast costs £8.25 but kids under 16 eat free.

Our table for breakast in The Kitchen restaraurant

There’s a good choice of hot and cold food for breakfast. I enjoyed the fresh fruit salad, the Yeo yoghurts and the croissants. It was strange that neither my husband nor I could spot the teaspoons near the hot drinks machine and they they weren’t set on the table. I don’t know if it’s company policy, but there was no attempt to clear any used plates away from our table when we were eating; although there were several members of staff around, they only appeared to be clearing plates once guests had left.

In summary, the Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street offers comfortable rooms of a good standard in a central location. The breakfast is good and I loved the views of Edinburgh Castle from the restaurant. The staff were all cheery and friendly. In my opinion, more coffee sachets and teabags should be put in the bedrooms and restaurant staff should clear away dishes from the tables when guests are eating breakfast.

Keep It Real Travel Reviews

Review of Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street

Best Places to Visit Europe from the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

Tags: Accommodation, Edinburgh, hotel reviews, Scotland, uk

Few first-time tourists to France have heard of Aigues-Mortes, located in the extreme South of France in the Petite Camargue region. However, this medieval, walled village holds many wonders. Aigues-Mortes was established in the 13^th century as the first Mediterranean port in France on the orders of the King of France, Louis the IX.

The well preserved original city walls still stand today and compare very well to those of the better known walled city of Carcassone. Built upon the coastal marshlands of the Petite Camargue, Aigues-Mortes is an excellent base from which to discover this fascinating region. In addition to seeing the Carmargue bulls, horses, and flamingoes, check-out the near-by canal system (including the Canal du Midi) which has become very popular with  boaters. (You may even want to consider renting a canal boat.) Read on for recommendations, and then go explore it for yourself!

What to do in Aigues Mortes:

History abounds in Aigues-Mortes. And what better way to step back in time than to tour the historic ramparts (which are listed as a national monument). You can do this on your own or take a guided tour. During the guided tour, the history of the town and the function of each tower located along the ramparts is explained. From certain points, there are amazing views that allow you to see the entire village and the sea beyond.

The Constance Tower (Tour de Constance) is a large tower located in the northern corner of the ramparts. The tower was constructed in order to protect the town and the port. It later became infamous as a state prison that was used by the Huguenots.

One of the charms of visiting a French village is buying fresh food at an open-air market. Market days in Aigues-Mortes are Wednesday and Sunday. The market is in the old part of town.

The Musée Paleo Passion  houses a collection of over 700 fossils and minerals from throughout the European continent. Never seen a dinosaur egg before? You can here. The museum is open every weekend and on school holidays in April, May and June, and every day from June 15th to September 15th.
33 rue E. Jamais

The Musée de la Torture provides an education in the history of torture and a chance to view torture devices from a variety of time periods— a unique and fascinating museum, to say the very least.
 rue de la République 3 

Get out and see some of the surrounding countryside on your own or with companies such as  Camargue Découverte, which offers 4×4 (Jeep) tours of the Camargue region, departing from Arles, Aigues-Mortes, Le Grau-du-Roi, Port Camargue or La Grande Motte.
24, rue Porte de Laure
13200 Arles

Salt is one of the major industries of this region. Those interested in learning more about the salt industry can take an excursion from Aigues-Mortes, by bus or tourist train, to the salt flats.

Where to Eat in Aigues Mortes:

La Gardiane
Restaurant La Gardiane is located in Place Saint Louis, in the center of Aigues-Mortes. They serve traditional seafood and meat dishes in a charming and convivial atmosphere. Open year round.
6 Place St Louis
Aigues-Mortes
Tel: 04 66 53 70 41

La Table du Midi
A family-run restaurant, La Table du Midi serves fresh, simple, authentic Provençal dishes. The atmosphere is welcoming; it’s the kind of place where you could spend an entire evening enjoying good food and wine. The menu changes according to what types of products are fresh and available each season.
27 Rue Pasteur
Aigues-Mortes
Tel: 04 66 53 86 14

La Citadelle
La Citadelle is located in the middle of Aigues-Mortes, in Place Saint- Louis. The restaurant serves dishes based on regional specialties, including many seafood options. Eat inside in the beautiful dining room, or opt for a table on the veranda to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
10 Place Saint-Louis
Aigues-Mortes
Tel: 04 66 53 86 68

Hostellerie des Remparts 
Serving fine cuisine of the region prepared with healthy, high quality products, the restaurant offers traditional dishes and organic meals.
Enjoy the magnificent view of the remparts while having lunch or dinner on the terrace or in the arched indoor restaurant.
6, place Anatole France
30220 Aigues Mortes
Tel:04 66 53 82 77 

Where to Stay in Aigues Mortes:

Aigues-Mortes welcomes tourists throughout the year. Here are a few wonderful places to lay your head at night.

Villa Mazarin
Villa Mazarin offers rooms starting at 120 euros per night. Enjoy the conveniences and comforts of WIFI, air-conditioning, a pool and a sauna. Breakfast available for an additional charge.
35 Boulevard Gambetta
Aigues-Mortes
Tel: 04 66 73 90 48
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Hotel Canal
Located next to the canal, the modern Hotel Canal offers comfortable rooms and conveniences such as WIFI, flat-screen televisions, a pool and a daily breakfast buffet. Rooms start at 75 euros per night.
440 Route de Nîmes
Aigues-Mortes
Tel: 04 66 80 50 01
View More Photos 

Les Arcades
Located near Place Saint-Louis, Les Arcades is housed in a historic 16^th century building. Spend the night in one of Les Arcades’ nine charming, comfortable rooms starting at 98 euros per night.  Les Arcades also has a lovely restaurant attached
23 Boulevard Gambetta
Aigues-Mortes
Tel:04 66 53 81 13
View More Photos 

Hostellerie des Remparts
The 3-star Hostellerie des Remparts is set right near the ramparts of  Aigues Morts and within walking distance to everything in this historical town. Most rooms provide a view of the Constance Tower. The rooms are decorated with a blend of modern and antique furniture and each room is equiped with an in-room safe, cable TV service, and  free wireless internet access. Serving fine cuisine of the region prepared with healthy, high quality products, the restaurant offers meals on the terrace or in the arched indoor restaurant.
6, place Anatole France
30220 Aigues Mortes
Tel:04 66 53 82 77 
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Written by Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com

Tags: Aigues Mortes, Languedoc Roussillon

Forget the Olympics. Courtesy of Kate Middleton and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, it’s the British monarchy that’s having a defining moment and if you’re flushed with royal fever like the rest of the world, then no visit to England would be complete without experiencing The Treasure Houses of England.

A unique collection of ten of the finest castles, palaces and grand historic houses, they are an absolute must-see with 900 years of history and royal heritage that are so prolific, everyone’s vying for a taste.

One of the most compelling features of the houses is that they all offer visitors a genuine living history – and many are still homes to the esteemed families that have owned them for generations.

As well as boasting beautiful gardens – many landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and set amongst grand estates – they contain some of the most revered art collections in the world. Visitors will encounter famous master works from the heady likes of Van Dyck and Gainsborough alongside fine furniture, priceless porcelain and exquisite china with examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen.

You might also recognize the houses from the silver screen as they have been featured in Hollywood hits such as Gulliver’s Travels, Pride & Prejudice, The Duchess, The Kings Speech, My Week with Marilyn and Elizabeth Golden Age, to name a few.

Beaulieu has been the ancestral home of the Montague family since 1538. As well as the inspired Palace House, it is also home to the National Motor Museum and – for 2012 only – features the world’s largest official collection of James Bond vehicles. Bond in Motion showcases 50 vehicles to celebrate 50 years of the Bond franchise in spectacular style.

Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a coveted World Heritage Site. The gilded State Rooms, with original ceilings designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, house some of the finest portraits, tapestries, sculptures, china and painted ceilings in Europe. Visit the room where Winston Churchill was born, and the special exhibition ‘Churchill’s Destiny- the Story of Two Great War Leaders’.

 Burghley House is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age, built and mostly designed by William Cecil between 1555 and 1587. Visitors today are able to see one of the finest assemblies of 17th century Italian masterpieces, an exceptional collection of Oriental and European ceramics, fine furniture, textiles and artworks in a magnificent setting that remains a family home.

Sir John Vanbrugh designed Castle Howard in North Yorkshire for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. Its stunning interiors are the perfect backdrop to world-famous collections, from frescos and furniture to paintings and porcelain. Capturing the Castle comprises an extensive exhibit spanning 300 years of the Arts (May-November), incorporating everything from photography and paintings to souvenirs – the display offers an inspired and rare treat to visitors.

Chatsworth is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family. The house has over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent Painted Hall, to the family-used chapel, regal State Rooms, newly restored Sketch Galleries and beautiful Sculpture Gallery. Chatsworth has one of Europe’s most significant art collections comprising ancient masters to contemporary ceramics through to cutting edge modern sculpture and computer portraits. From July 2012, discover a selection of old master drawings, including work by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Van Dyck.

Harewood is one of England’s greatest Georgian mansion houses overlooking Capability Brown’s landscape and containing outstanding art collections, magnificent Robert Adam interiors and Chippendale furniture. Edwin Lascelles (1713-1795) commissioned the building of Harewood House in the mid-18th century and it has since been home to the Lascelles family, reflecting the changing tastes and styles of the past 250 years.

Hatfield House is the home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury and has been in the Cecil family for 400 years. Superb examples of Jacobean craftsmanship can be seen throughout Hatfield House, such as the Grand Staircase with its fine carving and the rare stained glass window in the private chapel. Displayed throughout the House are many historic mementos collected over the centuries by the Cecils, one of England’s foremost political families.

 Hatfield House is staging the first major UK outdoor exhibition of the sculptural works of French artist Xavier Veilhan (7 April – 30 September).  In addition, discover more about The Ladies of Hatfield House with a new exhibition offering an insight into their passions, accomplishments and, of course – the odd scandal! (7 April – 30 September)

Thomas Coke, the 1st Earl of Leicester, built Holkham Hall in Norfolk between 1734 and 1764. This elegant Palladian style mansion is based on designs by William Kent, and has been home to the Coke family ever since. Holkham’s new exhibition highlights the 400-year long royal connection between the monarchy and Earls of Leicester.(April-October) Delve into the archives, library, personal records and photos to discover original items, all illustrating a spellbinding story. 

Leeds Castle enigmatically combines 900 years of history and 500 acres of beautiful parkland. Historically, it has been a Norman stronghold, the private property of six of England’s medieval queens, a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, a Jacobean country house, a Georgian mansion, an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and as a result – in the 21st century it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.

Home to the 15^th Duke and Duchess of Bedford, Woburn Abbey has been the family home of the Earls and Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years. As well as housing one of the UK’s finest privately-held art collections and an impressive array of antiques from around the world, visitors will find interesting and colourful stories of the Abbey’s previous residents. Hear of an historic encounter with Charles I, find out about a Flying Duchess and be entranced by a tragic tale of love. Today, find out about the current (15^th) Duke and Duchess, who are making their own mark on the intriguing history of Woburn.

 Written on behalf of The Treasure Houses of England for EuropeUpClose.com

Tags: Destinations and Activities, England

I visited the town of Fatima in Portugal with Mary Goudie of Your Lisbon Guide. The town is where three shepherd children saw apparations of the Virgin Mary on the 13th day of six consecutive months during 1917. Before visiting the Shrine of Fatima, we walked along the Pilgrim Way adorned by several statues and shrines including Valinhos, a momument at the site of the fourth apparition.

Mary of Your Lisbon Guide & her husband Rui at Valanhos on the Pilgrim Way

The Pilgrim Way leads to the Calvary Cross atop the Chapel dedicated to St Stephen of Hungary.

Calvary Cross & Chapel

The Altar at the Calvary Chapel

Mosaic on ceiling of Calvary Chapel

We had a quick look at the shepherd children’s house and then drove down to the Shrine of Fatima.

Me with Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in background

Construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima began in 1928.

Interior of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

Sculpture at the side of the central Plaza

Chapel of Apparitions

The enormous Church of the Holy Trinity, opened in 2007, is the fourth largest Christian church in the World. All the work was paid for by donations from pilgrims.

Entrance portico to the Church of the Holy Trinity

Mysteries for the Rosary bronze engravings outside the Church of the Holy Trinity

Bronze doors of the Church of the Holy Trinity

Altar in the Church of the Holy Trinity

Sculpture at the Shrine of Fatima

Visiting the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal

Best Places to Visit Europe from the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

Tags: Portugal

I visited the town of Fatima in Portugal with Mary Goudie of Your Lisbon Guide. The town is where three shepherd children saw apparations of the Virgin Mary on the 13th day of six consecutive months during 1917. Before visiting the Shrine of Fatima, we walked along the Pilgrim Way adorned by several statues and shrines including Valinhos, a momument at the site of the fourth apparition.

Mary of Your Lisbon Guide & her husband Rui at Valanhos on the Pilgrim Way

The Pilgrim Way leads to the Calvary Cross atop the Chapel dedicated to St Stephen of Hungary.

Calvary Cross & Chapel

The Altar at the Calvary Chapel

Mosaic on ceiling of Calvary Chapel

We had a quick look at the shepherd children’s house and then drove down to the Shrine of Fatima.

Me with Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in background

Construction of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima began in 1928.

Interior of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

Sculpture at the side of the central Plaza

Chapel of Appartitions

The enormous Church of the Holy Trinity, opened in 2007, is the fourth largest Christian church in the World. All the work was paid for by donations from pilgrims.

Entrance portico to the Church of the Holy Trinity

Mysteries for the Rosary bronze engravings outside the Church of the Holy Trinity

Bronze doors of the Church of the Holy Trinity

Altar in the Church of the Holy Trinity

Sculpture at the Shrine of Fatima

Visiting the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal

What to Do Europe from the Europe a la Carte Travel Blog. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

Tags: Portugal