Stories behind the stories. By Travel Writer, Amy McPherson
[Product review] “Oh, you have already uploaded your Instagram photos? I just asked the restaurant, they don’t have Wifi and roaming is so expensive,” said a fellow writer who sat next to me during the recent trip to Charleston in the US. Throughout the entire trip, we were practically inseparable. The next day, someone else …
OMG where has the time gone? I’ve barely blinked since my last post and it’s almost Christmas! And you thought I couldn’t talk about Christmas early enough huh? :) It is that time of the year again, when bosses insist that everyone bond over a boozy night (some of whom pays, some don’t) – and …
Is there a secret London many of us don’t know about? I recently read Charles Dickens’ Night Walks and The Uncommercial Traveller, a series of essays based on his walks around London. Known to be an insomniac, he described the London he saw, from Haymarket, which he describes as “the worst kept part of London” (Uncommercial …
Lining up on Wednesday night outside London’s Phoenix Theatre waiting to be admitted into a musical when the rest of the England gathered to shout at the TV screen for 90 mins was an experience in itself. It was as if we were defying the norm, and had chosen to be the outcasts of society. …
It’s always exciting to attend a murder trial. Is it a murder? To be honest, when I first stepped into court I didn’t know. All I knew was that I was summoned for jury duty, with no background knowledge (because I didn’t really do my homework) on the back story. But that turned out to …
In case you haven’t been on a Ryanair flight since the 15 January or haven’t been catching up with the news, Ryanair introduced a new cabin baggage policy. Essentially, this super low cost of all low cost airlines are now charging you for wishing to bring your cabin bags into the cabin. Read: Everything you …
When I received a pre-release copy of Tragic Shores in the post, my immediate reaction was: Ugh, another travelogue about all these sad places around the world. “In this stunning memoir, Thomas travels with his wife and daughter to less traditional family holiday spots…” the press release had stated. I was skeptic to say the …
Stayed: 3 nights, 6 – 9 October 2016 Room: Standard double room Price paid: €380.00, includes breakfast When we visited the capital city of Slovenia, we didn’t want to stay in just another chain hotel. We wanted something boutique, something a little different and something that we thought would reflect the beautiful city that Ljubljana …
Stayed: 3 night, 2-5 December 2016 Room: Comfort Double Room Price paid: £264 through eBookers.com, includes breakfast Free wifi? Yes When we are not Airbnb’ing, I like to look for small, boutique accommodation that has some character rather than the standard global brands whose properties are almost all identical no matter where you are (think, clinically …
On our Slovenian journey we had the opportunity to travel with Vesna from Slocally around Soca Valley. It was a beautiful day, and the day in fact, begun in the living room of Herbal Rooms, the lovely homestay retreat run by Vesna and family. As we arrived at the Herbal Rooms, we were greeted by the …
Stayed: 1 night, 12-13 July 2016 Room: Southey Price paid: £110 through Venere.com, includes breakfast “Hi! I am Pete, and welcome to our family home.” When I booked a manor house as an accommodation for our stay in Penzance, I hadn’t expected to be invited into a ‘family home’. As Pete led us through the corridors …
Look what I got in the mail last week…. Lonely Planet’s Toilets – A Spotter’s Guide Now there really is a guide for EVERYTHING! “As any experienced traveller knows, you can tell a whole lot about a place by its bathrooms,” How hard is it to find the toilets? Follow the familiar man/woman sign anywhere in …
Stayed: 1 night, 25-26 April 2016 Room: 9 Price Paid: £69 through discount site Wowcher, inclusive of dinner and breakfast for two You knew I liked trains right? It was only a couple of months ago that we visited York’s Railway Museum and since then I found out there was a hotel where you can stay …
Stayed: 1 night, 23 – 24 April 2016 Room: 3911 (Superior Shard Room) Price Paid: £435, booked through Secretescapes.com Breakfast: Included That feeling, when you’ve done something that you normally wouldn’t do – like, spend this kind of money for a night’s accommodation – is still lingering in my head 7 hours after checking out of the …
We stayed in a castle the other day. And it was like a fairy tale. Checked in: 28 February 2015 Checked out: 1 March 2015 Room: Bodium – Superior Double Price paid: £620 A Taste of Amberley Package The last time I paid this much for a night’s accommodation was for our wedding in Vanuatu. It was …
If you have been following my journeys for a while you may have noticed that food features heavily in all parts of my travels. I am b y nature fascinated by food, and have realised that what we take on face value of a dish isn’t always what we assume. Similar book review: A Moveable Feast …
When I was in Yogyakarta a week ago, I had the opportunity to stay at EDU Hostel, who was kindly enough to host my stay. I have not stayed in a hostel for eight years, since our Peru trip, we’ve stayed more in hotels or guesthouses than hostels. I guess it isn’t something you want …
I promised that I’d give you a review, however I’ve decided not to keep to my usual review template but to simply write to you about this experience instead. Remember I have been on Air Asia Premium seats? That’s was the budget option and this is the first time ever I travelled in a full service business …
“To all the girls who have faced injustice and been silenced. Together we will be heard.” Such was the opening of this book, a dedication to all the girls of the world. It has been a while since I read a book this powerful. The attempted assassination of Malala made international news in 2012, and …
Checked in: 28 Dec 2013 Checked out: 30 Dec 2013 Room: Oceanview #3 Price paid: $75 per night through Agoda.com Kayla’a Beach Resort comes with a heart felt story. The resort is named after the owner Jon Wood’s late-daughter, who passed away ten years ago. After a period of grief, Jon decided to move to the Philippines to create …
Checked in: 22 Dec 2013 Checked out: 24 Dec 2013 Room: Queen Mercelita (Superior room) Price paid: US70 per night, through Agoda.com I am reluctant to call this a hotel, because it is much better than a hotel. On first impression it was like stumbling upon someone’s mansion, and when we found out we were the only guests for …
Cruise date: 16 November 2013, 8 nights South Pacific cruise Cruise itinerary: Sydney – At Sea Days (2) – Isle of Pines – Mystery Island – Noumea – At Sea Days (2) – Sydney Stateroom: 6297, (Starboard) Balcony Room Price paid: $1,247 per person twin share, with $250 per cabin on-board credit Carnival Spirit entered Australian cruise market …
Checked in: 08 November 2013 *at 5am Checked out: 10 November 2013 Room: 2516 Price paid: Booked with my Starwood Preferred Guest points When we were in Kuala Lumpur last year at this exact spot, Aloft hotel was just being built. Not that we knew this was going to be the Aloft hotel – for us it was …
Date: 07 November 2013 Route: Sydney to Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) Scheduled time: 9:30pm departure time (departed a couple of minutes early) Seat: 1C Cost: AU$200 one way for original economy booking + AU$138 upgrade cost = AU$338 total, one way Air Asia introduced business class seats in 2010 and became the first and only low cost carrier to have …
