Glimpses of Kashmir

  We all have places in our heads that just trigger something whenever they are mentioned – I don’t mean those that conjure images of tropical beaches,  palm trees and cocktails but rather places which just sound intriguing and mysterious.  For me,  its Timbuktu,  Casablanca (yes I know its because of the movie!),  Marrakesh,  Shanghai… […]

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Rush Hour – Laos Style!

This is one place on earth that should be on everyone’s bucket list! Is it the serenity of the rivers or is it their religion? – It doesn’t really matter but in Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic) the local advice – ‘Please Don’t Rush’ – should be taken seriously!             […]

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Concrete Jungle – Laos Style!

Most Lao people still live in rural villages where traditional wooden houses are clustered around a wat (temple).   It might be a good idea to get there sometime soon – before rapid-growing urbanization impacts further on culture,  religion and traditions.   Temples The important buildings in Laos are the Buddhist temples and stupas which vary […]

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Ireland’s Alcatraz – Spike Island

  Why visit Spike Island? At the World Travel Awards in 2017,  Spike Island was named Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction for 2017.     Even more astonishing,  it beat incredible competition-  including the Great Wall of China and Mount Kilimanjaro – to come in second place behind Machu Picchu in the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction category.  […]

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Matera – European City of Culture 2019

Never heard of it?  Neither had I – until I was planning a trip to Puglia.   I came across it while looking for an alternative to Bari for our first night’s accommodation.   It didn’t appear too far from the airport (an hour) but didn’t figure much in Puglia listings because its actually in neighbouring Basilicata […]

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