Bangkok is like Marmite – you either love it or hate it – and for me I absolutely love it. It’s a place I spent a lot of time exploring many years ago as a backpacker, drawn by the vibrancy and intoxicating culture of the city. That was over 20 years ago and since then I’ve passed through Bangkok Airport on many occasions with the odd fleeting visit into the city and it was only recently that I lingered longer and I have to say, the City of Angels didn’t disappoint. It has now transformed into a thoroughly modern city but it also stays true to its traditions and strong Buddhist beliefs; soaring skyscrapers and climate-controlled megamalls sit alongside colourful temples, mesmerising royal palaces, streets lined with food carts, long tail boats plying the river as they have for many years.
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Something for the weekend - Bilbao
I first visited Bilbao 20 or so years ago. It was my first stop after getting off the ferry in Santander at the start of my month long trip Inter-railing around Europe. Looking back I can’t quite remember why I made the stop; all I can remember is looking and thinking “oh”! It was grey, unglamorous, there were abandoned docks and sidings and the whole place had a feeling that it was rapidly slipping into post-industrial decline. That wasn’t what I was searching for on my travels around Europe so needless to say I didn’t stay long!
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San Sebastián - the best things come in small packages
How do you like to spend your weekends away? Gorging on gourmet food, tasting fine wine, surfing the swell, shopping for designer labels? On a recent trip to San Sebastián in Spain’s Basque Country, the Hubby and I found that all of the above can definitely be ticked off your list.
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Rioja - where fine wines meet stunning architecture and sublime food
For anyone who loves their food and wine as much as the Hubby and I do, you must venture to the Rioja wine region of northern Spain. I’ve pretty much travelled the length and breadth of Spain over the years, but the Rioja region had escaped my wandering feet for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on. However, having experienced its delights I’ll certainly be visiting again and here’s why.
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