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I’ll see you at the bookshop!
The Best Day Trips from London to Paris
For me, one of the best things about living in the UK is having Europe right on our doorstep.
Paris is particularly close thanks to the Channel Tunnel, and takes just over two hours to reach by train from central London. There’s no need to catch a flight or board a ferry, making the journey from England to France feel seamless.
Day Tours and Excursions from Paphos
There’s so much to see in Cyprus, and Paphos makes an excellent base for exploring the island.
Located on the south coast, here you’ll find a wide variety of activities and excursions to suit all tastes.
Whether you prefer sampling the local wine, sailing through the sparkling Mediterranean Sea or learning about the island’s fascinating history, Paphos is the ideal destination for you.
Queen’s Bay Hotel Paphos - Review
Here’s my full review of the gorgeous Queen’s Bay Hotel near Paphos in Cyprus.
The minute I returned from my stay at the Queen’s Bay Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, I couldn’t wait to sit down at my desk and write this review.
My partner and I booked our trip to Cyprus after being invited to attend the wedding of a close friend. We’d never visited the country before, and excitedly started planning a trip.
Review: My Writing Retreat at Write Within, Machynlleth
For many writers, an essential part of the creative process involves filling up their own creative cup. This is certainly the case for me, so I was delighted when Julia from Write Within reached out to invite me for a retreat at her Writers’ Cabin.
Located in the small welsh town of Machynlleth, just a short drive away from the coast in mid-Wales, the cabin was custom built close to Julia’s own home.
Jurassic Properties Cobb House Full Tour & Review
Here’s my full review and tour of Cobb House in Lyme Regis, hosted by Jurassic Properties.
As a leading holiday accommodation company, Jurassic Properties host a number of beautifully renovated homes in the Dorset seaside town Lyme Regis. I was super excited when they reached out and invited me to stay in their gorgeous new cottage, Cobb House, which is located right by the seafront.
My very first visit to Lyme Regis, I was excited to be staying right in the heart of the town and just a few minutes walk away from the beach.
Viator - Best Paris Tours & Day Trips
Here’s my guide to the best Paris tours and day trips available on Viator.
You’ve booked a trip to Paris! Congratulations, you’re going to have the most amazing time.
There’s so much to see and do in the city - from climbing the Eiffel Tower and touring the Palace of Versailles to taking part in food tours and sailing down the Seine river.
Where to Stay in Zurich, Switzerland - A Complete Guide
Planning a trip to Zurich? Here’s my complete guide to hotels and accommodation in Switzerland’s largest city.
Located in the north of Switzerland, Zurich is a beautiful city that’s rich with Swiss culture. There’s so much to see; from the delicious Lindt Chocolate Museum and charming Old Town to the trendy nightlife and fondue eateries, there really is something here for everyone.
Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club Review
Here’s my full and honest review of the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club - located in the home of Pooh Bear.
I knew that the Ashdown Park Hotel was going to be grand, but pulling into their long driveway and catching a glipmse of the beautiful manor house still caught me off guard.
One of a collection of period properties owned by Elite Hotels, my sister and I were excited to stay for the night after exploring the local area’s links to Winnie the Pooh.
Pooh Corner, Hartfield - Full Review
Here’s everything you need to know about the adorable Winnie the Pooh themed cafe in Hartfield, England.
As a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, I’ve long wanted to visit the birthplace of the stories. Residing in Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, A. A. Milne (also known as Alan Alexander Milne) penned the first book here in 1926 for his son Christopher Robin Milne.
The Pooh Corner cafe is located on the edge of Ashdown Forest, just a short journey down the road from A. A. Milne’s home.
Viking Venus Ship Tour and Review
I couldn’t quite believe my luck when Viking Cruises emailed to ask if I’d like to join them for a two-and-a-half week trip around Southeast Asia. I replied almost immediately - yes please!
We embarked the cruise in Bangkok, after a brief pre-extension at the stunning Shangri-La Bangkok hotel. After spending an additional few days docked in Laem Chabang, we departed for Cambodia, Vietnam, and finally, glittering Hong Kong.
Viking Venus Cabin Tour and Review
Here’s a full tour of my Deluxe Veranda Stateroom onboard the Viking Venus.
When embarking on a long trip it’s important to have a clean and comfortable base to rise in each morning and return to each night.
That’s exactly what I had on my recent cruise around Southeast Asia, sailing on the lovely Viking Venus, and residing in stateroom 4035. I have fond memories of my time spent in this cabin - although I have to admit, this is the tidiest I kept it during the whole trip.
Where to Stay in Hamburg, Germany - A Complete Guide
Here’s my guide to the best accommodation in Hamburg, featuring options for all budgets.
Located in the north of Germany, Hamburg is a large port city with more bridges than Venice, Amsterdam and London combined.
Here you’ll find the world’s largest miniature railway (which is much more impressive than it sounds), the oldest opera house in Germany, and plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars.
Take a cruise along the harbour, visit the historic warehouse district and learn about Hamburg’s history in one of the many museums - there’s even one all about chocolate.
Inside Daunt Books, Marylebone, London
One of London’s most recognisable bookshops, Daunt Books has occupied its iconic premises in Marylebone since it was first opened by Richard Daunt in 1990.
The shop now forms part of one of the largest independent bookshop chains in the UK, with ten branches located across London and the south of England.
Is Lucky Claw in Birmingham Worth the Hype?
I visited during a trip to Wolverhampton after seeing the arcade explode in popularity on TikTok.
I’ve loved arcades since I was a small child, when my dad would try to win me soft toys from the crane machines while we were on holiday.
My adult claw machine attempts have so far been less satisfying, and last year I spend £20 on Brighton Pier while attempting to win myself a prize from one of their many machines. Sadly, I left empty handed as the machines would not grip the toys properly, dropping them unceremoniously after every well aimed plunge of the claw.
Inside Mayfield Garden Centre’s Refurbishment (2025)
Run by charity Solent Mind, Mayfield Garden Centre is a not-for-profit plant nursery, cafe and community centre based in Mayfield Park. I was invited to celebrate their reopening after an extensive renovation which saw the main greenhouse’s roof and floor completely replaced.
I visited during their official reopening which was attended by the mayor and a local television crew, who filmed the cutting of the ribbon, followed by a tour of their fantastic new space.
Stepping inside the garden centre, the first thing you’ll see is the main greenhouse, which is home to the centre’s shop and cafe, with a wide variety of plants, gifts, gardening accessories and decorative ornaments available to purchase.
Blooms Cafe in Emsworth - Review
Tempted by their delicious looking hot chocolates and Instagram worthy decor, I stopped by Blooms Cafe to give their brunch menu a try.
Located just a short walk out of Emsworth town centre, Blooms Cafe is based on the same site as the Emsworth B&B Hotel.
Their new premises, the tea room, is located inside the hotel, while their previous space remains for visitors with four legged friends (dogs are not allowed inside the hotel).
What to Pack for a River Cruise
Here are the essentials that you need to pack for your next river cruise.
If you’re reading this blog post then you’re probably about to set off on a river cruise.
You’ve made a great choice - river cruises are a fantastic way to travel, and the small size of the ships means that you’re able to dock right in the centre of the action.
Viking Skaga Ship Tour and Review - Viking River Cruises
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.
Limehouse Library Hotel London - Review
A literary landmark based in London’s east end, the Limehouse Library Hotel has long been on my list of places to stay in the capital. The stars aligned when I was invited to attend the bCreator Awards towards the end of 2024, and as the event was hosted nearby, I finally decided to book my stay.
As the name suggests, the Limehouse Library Hotel is based in an historic library which dates back more than a century. Its initial construction was completed in 1901, and the Limehouse Library then served the local area for more than 100 years before sadly closing in 2003.
Attend a Reading Retreat in the UK with Boutique Book Breaks
It’s every book lovers dream - a cosy getaway with bookish friends, spent reading, relaxing and eating good food. That’s exactly what Boutique Book Breaks offer, and their very first retreat is located in Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.