Monday September 5, 2016, our first full day visiting the Isle of Wight and it was a drizzly start to a week's vacation.
Our coach driver took us to the small village of Godshill and it was a very pleasant surprise. It was a humid day and by late morning the rain had stopped and the sun tried to show its face. The coach driver told us that the village had a selection of shops, cafes, tea rooms, old thatched cottages, a church at the top of a steep road and a model village. He said the legend goes that the church was due to be built lower down in the village but nothing went to plan. Each time the building equipment was left on site in the village it ended up on higher ground. In the end the villagers took it as a sign from God and opted to change site. Our driver however said it was more likely a farmer or villager and a land dispute to blame. For us the icing on the cake was the model village. We mooched along a lane popping into village, tourist and quirky shops along the way. One area had lovely "magic" gardens to wander through with gnomes, toadstools, a pond and much more. Free to view we opted to respond to the request for a small donation. We wandered on toward the post office where the road up to the church lies. One side has a slope the other steps and we opted for the slope up and steps down. As promised a handful of beautiful thatched cottages at the top of the slope before you enter the churchyard were worth a visit. The church was much like others in the area with a graveyard full of old tombstones. But it offered some nice views. Our coach had only stopped at Godshill for a couple of hours so next we made our way back to the coach stop along the opposite side of the road making our last stop at the model village. Having visited similar model villages previously we knew what to expect but we were mistaken. The model village is a treat from start to finish. The details are spot on. In one or two cases the scale of the mini-people looked a little off but overall it was excellent. And yes there was a model village of the model village of Godshill in the model village!
Would I visit Godshill again? Yes probably. Would I visit the model village again? Absolutely! Godshill
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Cyprus is often in the news in the 21st Century due to its useful strategic location for British military forces overseas but it remains a good holiday destination. Where? Cyprus is the third largest Island in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its location it has a climate that is sufficiently warm to support an all year tourist industry. However if you visit from November to around March the weather may be a little unpredictable. However, on the whole the temperatures should be warm and definitely much warmer than in the UK. Our two-week vacation We visited a few years ago now. Our holiday began the last week in January and was for two weeks. We picked this time of year as Hubby's work, at the time, had meant working through all of the Christmas period. The added bonus was the holiday price which at £149 each for a two-week self-catering stay, including flights, was a bargain basement price, with the resort and accommodation allocated on arrival. Imagine our shock then when, talking with two elderly ladies, they informed us that their 8 week holiday had cost only £129 each! Of course prices will be more expensive now, but you should still be able to get a great deal if you want to visit Cyprus outside of what is normally thought of as the main holiday period. Bear in mind though that those prices do rise a little over the actual Christmas Holiday week. So what did we make of the Greek half of Cyprus? Of course we loved it and here is why. Cyprus or as it is known in Greek, Kypros First let me say that we have always been lucky when we have booked holidays that have the resort and accommodation allocated on arrival. The apartments where we stayed were away from the bustling centre of Paphos and on the road that leads to The Tomb of The Kings and Coral Bay. Our apartments were not luxurious but for what we paid they were more than adequate. The apartment owner was a lovely eccentric Greek Man. By day he was a Bank Manager in the city. By night, as the hotel owner, he would serve drinks behind the bar and entertain guests. His party piece was dancing with a tea towel on his head. So what I hear you say. Well on top of this piece of material there were bottles of booze and glasses balanced. It made the film Cocktail look pathetic by comparison. Arriving on the island of Cyprus Our flight into Cyprus was fairly unspectacular, until the last few minutes. In order to land at the tiny coastal airport the pilot had to bank the plane over sharply. So much so that we were almost upside down. The views over the Med were stunning but not everyone thought so. As I looked across, to get the best view of the sea, I saw that the female passenger opposite me was sat with her opened book held tightly over her head, as if she was trying to disappear. The short landing strip was surrounded by water but we soon made it down safely. After an efficient meet with the travel rep we were on our coach and heading to our allocated destination, Paphos. It was the January 26 and the temperature was a pleasant 56F although it was only early in the morning. The sun was shining and all was definitely right with the world. Paphos Paphos, especially in recent years, has become quite developed. However, out of the main tourist season it was a great place to visit. It is quite a sprawling area and so we would walk into the main harbour area or the town. Paphos has a wealth of shops, some of which can be found at home in the UK however. The locals are fluent in speaking English but still enjoy the odd Greek word if you can manage it. There are some four star hotels near the sea front of Paphos but they can be a little pricey. However getting around and shopping on Cyprus is not too expensive. We travelled around on the local buses a few times and also booked a couple of tours through local agents. These were good value and interesting. We visited Coral Bay, Limassol, Nicosia, The Troodos Mountains and Polis. Coral Bay My husband jokingly called Coral Bay a one cat town. This was because as we approached the resort it was small and almost had tumbleweed tumbling around. However it has a great sandy beach which is sheltered by low cliffs. Despite visiting in January it was warm enough to wear swimwear and sunbathe on this beach. Not warm enough to venture into the sea though. Limassol Limassol is a large coastal town which has many hotels. We enjoyed our visit but were glad this was not our resort. There was a medium sized zoo here which we felt uncomfortable visiting. For one thing there was a huge Tiger prowling a tiny cage which seemed to have nothing more than a weak catch holding him in. None of the animals looked unwell but their surroundings were less than ideal. Perhaps these days this zoo has improved. I certainly hope so. Nicosia We enjoyed our two visits to Nicosia. As the capital of Cyprus it certainly lived up to its title. Here you can actually see the Green Line and glimpse the Turkish half of Cyprus. Nicosia is a vibrant city and well worth a visit. We visited the Archbishop Makarios Palace in Nicosia. This is now called the Byzantine Museum. There was an impressive huge, and formidable, statute of Makarios in the grounds. In 2008 this statue was replaced with one that was a little more conservative as its predecessor was now deemed an eyesore. Nicosia has a strange diversity of architecture which includes Turkish mosques and more. The Troodos mountains The Troodos Mountains are in the interior of Cyprus. The scenery is breath-taking and here you will experience many traditional Greek Villages, sights and sounds. Even in summer it can be cool in the mountains and so you need to take suitable clothing with you. One young man on our visit, in early February, wore sandals, shorts and a T Shirt. He shivered the whole day as there was snow in some of the highest parts we visited. Thankfully we had enough scarves and the like to help him out. There is skiing in the mountains in winter. Polis and Latchi Polis was a largely unspoilt place with much to offer. I would imagine it would be a great place to stay. Other attractions With such a diverse history there are many other attractions to visit around Cyprus. The baths of Aphrodite,The Tombs of the Kings, Aphrodite's Rock and more. If you enjoy a lively night-life Ayia Napa may be for you. Eating out The restaurants serve a good mixture of Greek and English dishes. For those who are unadventurous there are burger bars, English pubs and the like. However if you look around you will find that there are plenty of traditional Greek Restaurants or tavernas. The speciality is often Meze which includes small amounts of many different Greek dishes. This is a great way to find out what Greek food you like and is ideal for sharing. It is also good value. Brandy Sours are the local tipple and use locally made Brandy. They are served in huge glasses and include:- 50 ml Brandy 25 ml Lemon squash 2 dr Angostura bitters Soda Ice cubes 1 slice of fresh lemon At the end of a meal, more often than not, the waiter will bring you a complimentary Brandy Sour or a Schnapps drink. When I declined a Brandy Sour, due to my medication, the lovely waiter kindly returned with a huge glass of ice cream, which he said was for the ladies. Tipping Cyprus adds a tourist tax onto the price of food and dining out. You will see this added onto the bill in restaurants, for example. I think the money raised helps those citizens who were displaced when the Turks invaded in 1974. Some places also add a tip which you have no choice about. It is up to you whether or not you leave an additional tip. Additional information If you visit out of season you may find that the tourists tend to be older. Many older visitors travel to Cyprus for the winter and stay for extended periods of time. Some of our fellow holidaymakers looked at buying a holiday home on Cyprus. You need to exercise caution though as this Island still has a lot of problems. Until the problems between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots are resolved remember you could easily end up in a conflict or lose your property. Some of those who have already bought homes on the Turkish side of the Island have recently lost their homes. The properties that are for sale are often those which were left behind when Greek Cypriots fled during the Turkish invasion. The Greek Cypriots are a lovely people. They are warm and welcoming and positively love children. Children are made welcome in restaurants and the like. In the busy tourist areas you may come across some Greeks that have become cynical due to the tourists. However, it is easy to step back in time in Cyprus and meet genuine local folk. Please note: - The Turkish and Greek Cypriot problem is not detailed here as this is a travel journal. However the links supplied will lead any interested reader to a little of Cyprus's troubled history. We visited in the early 90s so expect some changes although our experiences will still act as a rough guide to Cyprus. Cyprus tourism A day trip to Sicily might sound a bit strange to those who know me a little as after all I live in the UK and Sicily would be a long way to go for a day's visit, unless I was very wealthy of course. My day trip to Sicily though was taken during a two-week vacation on the Island of Malta a few years ago. The day trip to Sicily was to begin with a sea-trip on a high speed catamaran with promised views of dolphins plus a smooth fast journey. At the time the price of the day trip to Sicily was not cheap but we felt it would be worth every penny. Was that the case? Well, yes and no. Let me try to explain and then any visitors to Malta who may be faced with the prospect of this day excursion can make an informed choice. The boat leaves Valletta Harbour very early in the morning and so the first thing to bear in mind is that this excursion is a long day. I seem to remember we had to rise around 4.30 in the morning in order to travel to Valletta and catch our early morning boat. Memories of our day trip to Sicily, and in particular our visit to Mount Etna, sprang back to mind with the travel chaos caused by the fairly recent Icelandic volcanic eruption. Mount Etna is an active volcano that erupts fairly frequently although often the blasts are not classed as major eruptions. Over the years local residents have faced the threat of Etna erupting on a fairly regular basis but this has not deterred them and people still live quite close to Mount Etna. Although we did not visit Etna to 'Volcano watch' our Sicilian trip did include a visit to the slopes of Etna; not right to the very top but as far as coaches are allowed to travel. What were we thinking? Heaven only knows Within a few months of our visit, Etna came alive and a massive eruption occurred. I guess it could have happened when we were there although, these days, scientists seem more able to predict such things. My overall memory of Etna was that it was rather like a huge coal slag heap; you know a huge pile of coal, cinders and the leftovers of a fire. The coach stopped where there were some shops and I was fascinated as these were all wooden and on wheels. This meant that these shops could be moved easily and quickly when the need arose. I had thought that we would go right to the top of Etna and look into the molten lava. Etna was smouldering when we visited and actually some of the best views of it were as we travelled to and from the volcano and from Taormina. On the slopes of Etna it was rather cold and all we could see for miles was a scene that looked like something from another planet; it was barren and harsh. The Day Trip Having made the early start from Malta we expected to be in Sicily quite early. Life is never simple though is it? The weather was windy and the sea became choppy. Our oh so smooth journey to Sicily was anything but. To this day Hubby always recalls, to anyone asking about our day trip to Sicily, that we saw no flying fish or dolphins just one huge wave after another and fellow passengers throwing up. As one, the travellers on our trip became ill. Some managed not to throw up but looked ghastly. Others spent the whole journey in the toilets. The expected 90 minute journey became almost three hours long as we diverted to avoid the worst of the weather. But we disembarked in Pozzallo in the south of Sicily to a lovely September morning. It was still reasonably early in the day as the coach began its meandering journey to the north for our visit to Taormina, Catania and Mount Etna. Initially the scenery was pretty bog standard and this was a problem. With everyone having been sickly, plus the early start, it was hard to keep your eyes open on the warm coach as it sped along a motorway. I had been really looking forward to our day out but unfortunately snoozed most of the way across Sicily. We stopped at Taormina for a light lunch before visiting Etna. Taormina is a charming place but pricey. We were to discover that shopping, be it snacks, meals, gifts or what you will is expensive on Sicily. Hubby and I settled for a cold drink and hot pies which we decided to eat in the warm sun. We both sat fascinated as the congregation and guests of a local church wedding spilled out onto the streets in a scene that appeared to be from the Godfather gangster movie. You can climb to an amphitheatre at Taormina which is worth the effort especially for its fine views of Etna. From here our coach began the climb to Etna and up its winding slopes. We could see the evidence of previous eruptions. Houses and villages were buried under a pile of ash and debris. Etna was worth visiting despite our visit not being as I had imagined. Whether I would want to do it now, I am not sure. For those wanting to reach higher there is a train which takes you the final lap before the last climb. I guess for us time was short. Our coach tootled down to Catania which is a beautiful city but we were warned to be vigilant as pickpockets were rife in this city. We had a final stop above a lovely looking resort where we bought the tastiest and most expensive ice cream I have ever consumed. The resort below looked so tempting too. Pros of this day trip
Overall The full itinerary depends upon who you book this day trip with. It does vary slightly. Of course the Mount Etna visit depends upon that volatile volcano. When we visited we also had to take our passports with us from Malta and this may still be the case. The Euro has made the currency easier when you are abroad in Europe. If you are visiting Malta and fancy a hop over to Sicily go for it. Bear in mind though that it is gruelling in some ways and will not suit everyone. If we had known the timescales we probably would not have visited. On the whole though I did enjoy Sicily and still have a couple of cinders from Etna's slopes in my garden. http://www.maltatravelnet.com/malta-to-sicily/set/1 England is divided into counties. These have changed a little over the years, with successive governments. Sometimes it has been a change of name, as when part of the East Riding of Yorkshire became North Humberside, and other times it has been a change of boundary line.
Cornwall has stayed pretty much in tact. Cornwall is a county that sits at the far south west corner of England. As such, it has one of the best climates in the UK. Cornwall benefits from the Gulf Stream, which means it enjoys milder winters and hotter summers. Of course, it is still part of England, and so the weather will always be unpredictable. Cornwall has plenty in its favour though apart from just its weather. Countryside Due to its lovely climate Cornwall is green and lush. Its inner areas feature gently rolling hills and beautiful scenery. "Picture postcard" is the only way to describe Cornwall. Lizard Point on the south of Cornwall is the southern most tip of England. On a blustery day it is a wild place to visit, but one that is good for the soul. The coast The coast has resorts dotted around it. The north side of Cornwall is different to the south. Traditional harbours and coves are interspersed with bustling resorts on each side though. Penzance, on the south, is not for those who want a beach resort. It may be close to the sea, but it is more a market town. It's a great place to shop, have lunch and visit the gardens. Marazion, close by, has a perfect, long sandy beach. Across the water is St Michael's Mount. If you time your visit right, you can walk along the old Roman causeway to the Mount. Time it wrong, and you could be washed away. The tide rolls in, and the Mount is only accessible by boat. If you are planning a visit, check the tide times. In the same region is Falmouth, which is more of a fishing town. Fish and chips would make a great lunch here. Porthleven has a good harbour area, and you can walk to Helston easily. Helston is a pretty village, which has expanded over the years. To the north side of Cornwall discover St Ives, with its many beaches, a Tate Art Gallery, a local art community and so much more. Carbis Bay, a short distance from St Ives, offers peace and tranquility plus a stunning beach. There is little there except these simple attractions. However, it is a short walk into St Ives or you can take the train for a five-minute journey. Of course, there are lots of other resorts both large and small. Land's End Land's End could be a letdown for visitors depending what they are expecting from a visit. It is the furthest most tip of England. Like many other tourist attractions, it is over commercialised. There is a sign where you can have a photo taken, for a price. The sign can be personalised to show just how far you are from home. A tourist shop and a few attractions complete the visit. However, just go for the walk along the coast and enjoy the stunning views for the best visit. History As the supposed birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, Cornwall has plenty to fire the imagination. Tintagel Castle still exists; it is the previous occupier's existence that is questionable. Whether or not King Arthur existed you can still enjoy a visit and learn a little of the legend. Cornwall also has a wealth of museums, gardens and galleries to explore. Finally Cornwall has a multitude of attractions on offer. Research those available before you visit. Some may have seasonal opening hours. The best place to stay could be a B&B (Bed and Breakfast establishment). Small hotels will also be competitively priced. Choose to stay somewhere like the middle of St Ives and it will be pricey. A good option is to share a cottage. The rental is usually for the cottage, for say two weeks and, if there is a small group or family, it will work out good value. In high season, Cornwall can be very busy, but there are many small villages, caravan sites or camping sites where you could base yourself. That way, when you have had enough of other tourists, you can enjoy some peace and quiet. Visit Cornwall When you visit the city of York in the heart of Yorkshire, Great Britain, the Minster dominates the skyline.
As a child in Yorkshire who had a Christian upbringing visits to the Minster were not rare. Living an hour or so away, via train, Sunday School and Church Pilgrimages often ended at the Minster. These days, in common with many other religious places of worship it costs to enter the Minster. It is a fine building and even viewed from outside is worth a look. For us during our recent four-day stay it was a good landmark. Once we found the Minster it was easy to retrace our steps back to our bed and breakfast accommodation. Be warned though we did get lost on our first day. We left the middle of York via an ancient gateway thinking it was the one we had entered by. It was not. Lesson learned. There is more than one historic entrance in the old walls of York. If you go to the Minster in time for the Sunday Service you are able to enter the service part of the church for free. Other than that charges apply. Hubby is not in favour of pay to enter churches believing it goes against the grain of Christianity. For me as I say I have visited many times before. There is an on site shop but it is pricey. Outside the Minster there is a nice green area, shops, statues, a craft fair on a weekend and more. The Craft Fair is free on a Sunday. It is held in the historic building of St William's college close to the Minster. In the right weather the Minster park is a lovely picnic area. Nearby bustling streets buzz but you can have some peace and quiet gathering your thoughts in the small park. If you are visiting York;
Check out visiting the Minster here The Royal Yacht Britannia was launched way back in 1953 and only decommissioned in 1997.
During its working life this vessel carried varying members of the British Royal Family, dignitaries from around the world and was the setting for more than one drama. If only those cabin walls could speak. What tales they would be able to tell. Of course the Royal Yacht in question was by no means the first such vessel. Great Britain had used such vessels since the 1700s. but this particular Royal Yacht is known by many, even if only in a small way. During its working life it travelled to all corners of the world. Commissioned in 1954 the Royal Yacht made 968 official visits; even for forty odd years that is a lot of travelling. Despite having seen this yacht many times on the television I had never actually seen it in the flesh, so to speak. Called a yacht, one imagines it to be fairly small. Having said that though, as it is the vessel of the British monarchy, in other ways I imagined it to be large and luxurious. So just what did I find when I visited the Royal Yacht Britannia at its current home in Leith Docks, near Edinburgh? Our Visit We visited Scotland for a short break a few years ago and our trip involved a day excursion to Edinburgh which in turn included a brief visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. It was the end of October and a lovely clear day although there was a nip in the air. As we approached the docks the weather certainly became much colder and the wind was quite strong. Our travel courier paid our entrance fee of £7 each and we were in. Prices have more than doubled since we visited and are now :
We spent quite a while in here reading the story of the Royal Yacht and its occupants over the years. However as we were limited for time we did have to skip over some things a little. There was a royal car and small royal barge also on display. Following the display around you end up entering the dock area. I am not sure what I expected with this yacht but it did seem small in some ways. It is the sort of vessel that I would describe as "homely" looking from the outside. Entrance was by walking up some stairs in a small enclosed tower and then you were on board. If you have mobility issues check before you visit . There are some places on the yacht that are out of bounds but there is still a lot to see. Some cabins and rooms are only viewed through a glass screen. Others, you can walk part of the way in but much of the room is cordoned off behind ropes, similar to a formal museum. There are headsets available for your use as you wander around the vessel. You will hear interesting facts and figures which will help you get the most out of your visit. There are photographs of people such as Princess Diana, and the young Queen Elizabeth many years ago, placed in appropriate places. It is strange to look at these and imagine the scene unfolding before your eyes. We did find that some of the furniture and decorations looked a little tired, worn out and simple. Of course no doubt the best items are not on display. It does make you realise just how cramped everyone would have been during a long sea voyage though. The engine room is painted pristine white and apparently always was. Recommended? I would definitely visit the Yacht again. As we were part of an organised group our time was limited and our visit more rushed than I would have liked. In order to do the Yacht justice allow yourself enough time. The gift shop is quite expensive but no more than similar places. It is possible nowadays to book an organised tour, group booking or educational visit. Check out the website for full details, opening times and current prices. As with most of these type of attractions the Royal Yacht attraction has changed a little since my visit and will no doubt change more in years to come. "The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, Scotland. We are just 15 minutes' drive from Edinburgh city centre. Our Visitor Centre is in Ocean Terminal on the second floor." Just where is Switzerland? As the map on the left shows Switzerland is another one of those European, land-locked countries. The five countries that border Switzerland are Italy, Germany, France, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein. I visited Switzerland as part of my first holiday abroad but it was brief and so this report is just a taster. I was not sure what to expect but had in my mind's eye a vision of beautiful green rolling hills, tan coloured milk cows and yodelling Swiss maids. Apart from the last item Switzerland did not disappoint; in fact it surpassed all expectations. Our Visit Our journey from the UK to Switzerland took 36 hours in total. This included a brief ferry crossing from Dover to Calais but other than that, the rest of the journey was by coach. This was tiring, at times frustrating and something I would never do again. When I go to Switzerland again I shall take the plane. Our final coach journey was extended as the driver got lost. I must admit this gave us some breath-taking views from the coach window but was tiresome. After sleeping on the coach overnight we were all just ready to disembark. Whilst he was trying to get his bearings the driver stopped at a magnificent viewing point over Lake Thun. Little did we realise that such sights would be around every corner in this beautiful country that is called Switzerland. Switzerland Switzerland is divided into distinct regions which are called Cantons. Switzerland remains one of the richest countries in the world and some would that is in part due to its so-called neutrality during WWII. Check out 'The Sinister Face of Neutrality' online here. The country has lovely rural areas which are only slightly populated and some fine cities. As during the last world war Switzerland remained neutral despite the raging war in its surrounding countries it did not experience war damage. The people speak a mixture of languages and the Swiss spoken varies from Canton to Canton. Sometimes it has Romany roots, other times French. You may find in the rural areas that English is not widely spoken. Amongst the best buys in Switzerland are hand made cuckoo clocks, watches, gold jewellery, cheese and chocolate. Our Resort Our resort to this day remains nameless to me. It was a tiny village in the region of Lake Lucerne. The village had stunning views all around it and was great for walking in the summer evenings ( we visited in early September ). Our room in the guest house was at the very top. The lady who took us to it apologised but we loved it. It had slightly sloping ceilings and views over the mountains. With the clear starlit nights it was certainly beautiful. All I could think of was my childhood illustrated book of Heidi. The scene when she sleeps with the stars shining through the open roof sprung instantly to mind. Our excursions Lake Lucerne was so beautiful. The driver offered a choice of arriving in Lucerne by boat or by coach. Hubby and I opted for the boat even though we are not huge lovers of boat trips and it was worth it. As you approach the town of Lucerne the scenery is breathtaking. We were also very lucky that the air was clear and crisp on the day we visited. Lucerne has a distinctive bridge which in recent years suffered fire damage needing restoration but when we visited it was perfect. Lucerne oozes wealth, the shops have expensive goods on sale and there is a bank on every corner. However it was a lovely place to stroll around. It was hard to see why Lucerne, at that time, had a local drug problem. There was some evidence of this culture around the bridge. Perhaps the beauty is not enough if you are down on your luck. Maybe it is only special when experienced rarely but really who knows. For me, at that time it was one of the most beautiful places I had seen in my entire life. Make sure you do not drop any litter at all though as you will be in big trouble. Everywhere in Switzerland is exceptionally clean. There are no or few public toilets but you just go into a bar or cafe and use theirs. These toilet facilities have large displays of flowers and ornaments decorating the area and are spotlessly clean. Traffic stopped at lights has by law to have their engines turned off. No wonder the air is so clean. Our journey back to our accommodation included a tour of a cuckoo clock workshop. The goods were a little pricey but it was interesting seeing the work in process. I guess my favourite place though was Grindelwald. Grindelwald This village is set beneath mountain peaks including as the Jungfrau and is stunning. Again I guess we saw it in all its glory. It was a hot bright sunny September day and the sky was bluer than blue. The snow capped peaks which surrounded Grindelwald set the scene perfectly. Each of the wooden houses had balconies full of flowers, often pink ones and it really was picture perfect. Interlaken was also on our itinerary This is a little further from the base of the mountains. It is set in the vale and is flat for walking. It has expensive cake shops but a little treat was in order and it was yummy. My final memory is of visiting Lake Thun at closer view and travelling over the Bernesse Overland. Both were yet again breathtaking. At the top of the Bernese Overland there is a huge reservoir. One side is full of water and the other resembles the landscape of the moon. We sat on the terrace of a local restaurant, eating our lunch and surveying the scene. All was definitely right with the world. Our all too brief stay in Switzerland was over and Austria beckoned. However Switzerland will always have a special place in my best memories. If you love clean fresh air, beautiful scenery, expensive classy shopping and the simple things in life Switzerland could be for you but take plenty of spending money! My Switzerland tourism (Images are grainy as they more than 20 years old and via a non digital camera-(C) Eileen Kersey) Why we chose Malta Hubby and I were late starters as far as foreign travel goes. We finally booked a holiday abroad that included a plane journey back in 1991. It was to Yugoslavia. As we excitedly returned home the turned on the TV we were greeted by the sight of unrest in Yugoslavia. This quickly turned into a full scale conflict and we were left wondering just what would happen by September when we were due to visit. Our £100 deposit would be lost if we chose to cancel and so we sat it out. When finally later in the year the UK foreign office advised its citizens not to travel to Yugoslavia we had our deposit returned but where would we choose to visit with such short notice? Having finally plucked up the courage and found the money to travel abroad we were determined to have a two-week vacation in a 'foreign' land. Malta was the choice for a multitude of reasons. Did we enjoy our holiday? People the world over will tell you that you will either love or hate Malta and thankfully we loved it. We flew out of Manchester airport and both Hubby and I were absolutely terrified believing we would run away when faced with getting on the plane. Somehow or another we managed it and had a fairly settled night flight to Malta. We arrived and disembarked the plane around 7am Despite the time and the fact that it was early September the weather was hot. It was very humid and the temperature was in the high 70s fahrenheit. Most people had told us that it was a different heat abroad to that experienced in Summer in the UK but the weather in Malta for our vacation was similar to back home as it was so humid. Apparently it was unusual for Malta. The heat though was nothing like the UK summer and as the temperature began to rise each day we sizzled. We had also been informed that Malta was very British and that you would come across old English telephone boxes and the like. Well, although this is true, Malta felt very foreign to us. It was our first encounter with armed army personnel in an airport and they looked very scary. The skyline of Malta was full of TV aerials and had a strange feel to it. Also, if our first glimpses of Malta were anything to go by it resembled Beirut during its worst bombings. Our accommodation was in Bugibba, which is in St Paul's Bay We stayed at the Santa Maria Hotel and it was fine. It was not the best hotel we have ever stayed but nowhere near the worst. As it was toward the end of the season there were a few minor problems in the room but reception tried to get things fixed. We were on a half board basis which meant we had breakfast and an evening meal in the hotel each day. Maltese Memories The sun was very hot each day and the air dry and dusty. The first day we browsed the books outside a nearby shop we thought that the colours were faded but itnwas as they were all covered with a fine dust. The buildings are all pale coloured anyway as they are constructed from local stone. The local buses are fun, if not a bit of a white knuckle ride. The driver usually have lots of crucifixes, pictures of saints and the like hanging in their seating area adding to the quirky feel. The bus fares are quite reasonable. The main bus station is in Valletta, the island's capital. The Sunday market in Valletta is huge but it does get very crowded. You may see small wild birds, hi g high outside of residential properties in small cages. These are captured as they fly over Malta to migrate and make a sad sight. But worse still Malta continues to have a bad record for shooting and killing migratory birds as they wing their way over this island. The locals speak fluent English and are very friendly. Malta can suffer from power cuts One night during our holiday even the street lights went out. This happened around 8pm. Any beer for sale was warm as cooling equipment stopped working. Everyone was sweating profusely. Following a friend's advice before our vacation we had packed a torch in our luggage and were glad of this. We usually slept with the large ceiling fan switched on all night to keep cool. The power suddenly resumed at around 4am and the fan shot to life nearly frightening us to death. We avoided tours offered by the reps as they were quite pricey We opted for TIS Tours, which stands for tourist information. The vehicles were smaller and the excursions more personal. However the back seats of the mini vans were very bouncy and not for those who do not travel well. The Malta Experience, in historic Valletta, details the fierce battle these plucky islanders put up against the German Nazis. Walk around Valletta or take a horse draw carriage ride. Remember to barter for the best price available. Hubby was fascinated by the seemingly ancient models of cars being driven around the island. It would seem that Malta's dry climate has extended the life of these cars by years. We visited Sicily and Mount Etna on a day trip. It is a long journey. Overall it was not a great visit. A better option would be an overnight stay. We used the local bus to visit Mosta, Valletta, Sliema and took a tour to Mdina. In Mosta there is a famous domed church which still has the huge second world war bomb, in situ, that dropped through the dome whilst the church was full. Thankfully it did not detonate. Remember if you want to enter a church in Malta ladies must cover their shoulders and men their knees. So, women no strappy tops and men trousers, not shorts. Our trip to Gozo and Comino was part of an organised TIS tour and the price included the ferry ticket plus transport on themislamd of Gozo. Golden Bay has a beautiful beach area and will be perfect for those wanting a quiet vacation. Bugibba was fine in September but does get busy and commercial in high season. St George's and St Julian's Bay have a great nightlife if you like clubbing, loud music and a European feel. It was not for us. We visited Mellieha quite a few times on the bus and enjoyed the sandy beach. Most of Malta's beaches are not sand. From Mellieha we took the short walk to Popeye Village on the south of the Island of Malta. This is a small theme park built around the set of Robin Williams film Popeye. The beach here was a lovely soft sand and the waters a clear turquoise blue. Although the water in Malta is safe for using to clean your teeth and the like it is advised that you buy bottled water. At the time of our visit canned drinks were not sold. Drinks such as Coca-cola came in bottles which you could return to the shop when empty. We had to buy a small bottle opener though so if this is still the case it might be worth packing one. Finally At the time of our vacation Malta had an unfinished feel to it. There were cranes all over the island and half finished buildings. However fellow travellers told us they had visited ten years earlier and it had been the same. Of course all of this building work means that Malta may be completely spoiled by now. Malta has a year round tourist trade with many older people taking an extended vacation through the winter months. It does however have something for all ages. If you accept Malta, warts and all, it is a great place to visit. Note: Although our visit was some years ago a relative visited tecently and it seems little has changed except that in 2008 the country adopted the Euro as its currency. http://www.visitmalta.com/ "TRAVEL Guide Background In summer more and more people are looking toward taking day excursions to places and attractions. Scarborough on the North East Coast of Yorkshire, England, and its many attractions, has always been a firm favourite. With a train journey of about 11/2 hours from Kingston-Upon-Hull Scarborough is easily accessible. A favourite for visitors to Scarborough is the ruins of the Castle. A visit to Scarborough almost demands a visit to this headland Castle but a visit to the Castle does involve a steep and tiring walk which is great for using up children's energy but not for those less mobile. Scarborough Scarborough is essentially a traditional, well almost, sea-side resort on the East Coast of Yorkshire, England. Although it has obviously had some changes over the years it still remains very much as it was, when I visited as a child, some 50 odd years ago. There is a North Beach and a South Beach which are both a little different. Along the middle runs the main strip, which has all too many amusement arcades these days, but there is a lovely clean, sandy beach. However, as Scarborough is on the coast of the North Sea the water can be cold, even on a summer's day. Scarborough Castle The last time we visited Scarborough Castle I thought 'I know I am getting old' as the walk felt as tiring as when I was a child but you can reach the Castle by a few different routes. There is a drive at the end of a road which leads you to the impressive, stone, large Gatehouse of the Castle and cuts down on most of the uphill walking. However, hard as the walking is, that is part of the fun of the place. You can either start at the bottom of the winding path, which leads you up-hill to the castle, or climb the stone steps, between some of the red roofed houses, arriving half-way up the other path. As you walk up the slope you have the deep, now grassy, moat on one side and beautiful views over the red rooftops at the other side looking towards Scarborough and its harbour. The moat used to have some children's swings in it, at one point, and I presume it still has. Ideally you want to visit Scarborough Castle when it is a really sunny day but not too warm. Too hot and the walk can be sticky, plus there is little shade when you reach the Castle at the top. Too cold and you can feel very windblown in the open areas of the Castle. You can do the walk without paying to enter the Castle. However, if you have not visited before this would be a shame. You pass through an entrance, the Gatehouse, to the Castle and its Ruins. As I have already said, it can either be very hot up here or more than likely a little cold. The views are spectacular and the historical site has lots of information scattered throughout. Looking through the narrow window slits, that the Archers would have used in years gone by, the views and scenery are magnificent. The battlements are still impressive and help to give a good feel for the place. You can almost imagine what it must have been like all those years ago when this Castle was a hub of activity. This Castle was used 2,500 years ago to defend the headland on which it is built. It is situated 300 foot above the sea and offers views to the North and the South. This headland now separates what is the North Beach from the South Beach and, as such, it is easy to locate for a visit, once in Scarborough. It is visible from the sea front and from most parts of the town. However, back in the middle ages, of course, it would just be a Castle on the headland looking over and protecting the two bays.
Having been attacked over many years, by peoples such as the Roman armies, the Vikings, the Kings of the middle ages, being besieged in the English Civil War and even more recently being bombarded by the German Navy in World War One, it is little wonder that most of Scarborough Castle is in ruins. However, much of the wall is intact, there is a Well, Henry the Second's 13th century Keep, a Gunner's house and the impressive Gatehouse. Near to the Gunner's house there are a few picnic tables free to use, weather permitting. Throughout the grassy area there are information boards and remnants of a bygone age. Evidence of the Iron Age was discovered on this site but a Castle, as such, was not built until the 1130s. This building was added to over the years that followed. Usually when we visit we leave the Castle through the other entrance which leads down to the North Bay. This Bay has Peasholm Park and nearby is the Sea Life Centre. The North Beach area is less commercialised than the South. It is odd to think that the North Bay is where Scarborough's resort status began. This side always had, and still does, the slightly classier hotels and the like. Of course you could always visit the opposite way around, starting from the North Bay. Either way, though, Scarborough Castle is an uphill walk. Admission fee to the Castle is usually quite reasonable, although obviously it depends how many are visiting. It is an interesting sight with much for children to see and read about. Simply as a pleasant area, with spectacular views over Scarborough, it's two bays and over to Oliver's Mount, with a great area for the children to let off steam, it is a good day out. Recommended, but only when the weather is clement. http://www.scarboroughcastle.co.uk/scarborough-castle/admission-price-scarborough-castle/ The market town of Beverley in Yorkshire is a great little place to visit.
It is probably also a good place to live but house prices are relatively high compared to similar properties in the nearby city of Kingston-Upon-Hull. But whether you visit for a day or a longer vacation remember to pop into Beverley Minster. We visited the Minster recently having visited Beverley many times in recent years without venturing as far as the Minster. The trail of shopping snakes along through Beverley with the Westwood at one end and the Minster at the other and the main market place somewhere in the middle. The Minster was well worth visiting and unusually in 2017 it is free to enter. Donations are welcomed and we were generous. It is surprising how when you are not forced to pay up you give more generously. But we also did so as it was a beautiful place to visit. Where is Beverley? The historic market town of Beverley is around seven miles from the city of Kingston-Upon-Hull on the North Bank of the River Humber. It is in the county of Yorkshire. In summer race-goers flock to the town but Beverley racecourse is also host to other events. For a small town Beverley has plenty to offer including historic buildings, the Saturday and Wednesday Market, folk music events, pubs, cafes, restaurants, an Art Gallery, the Minster and the Westwood which is a great area for walks. It is a good place for a holiday base if you want to explore parts of Yorkshire including York and Kingston-upon-Hull the UK's 2017 City of Culture, but also coastal towns. It has a train and bus service and plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants. More: http://beverleyminster.org.uk/ |
Where in the world do you want to go today? One Woman uses personal experiences to show you some of the best places to visit in the United Kingdom and beyond. Enjoy!
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