I’d always dreamt of visiting Istanbul. It’s the only city in the world that spans two continents – Europe on one side of the mighty Bosphorus strait, Asia on the other – and maybe it’s the subsequent melting pot of cultures that makes it so exciting. As a travel writer, I usually book every trip […]
I girded myself for our visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Mr Gallivant is not the most patient shopping companion at the best of times. He generally stands outside any shop I enter, refusing to join me, let alone give me his opinion about what we/I should or should not buy. He will tap his foot […]
Iceland really is a bizarre place. I remember gazing at it from the air as my plane descended and immediately clocking how different and ‘other worldly’ it felt – yet it’s less than a three hour flight from the UK. Take the kids and you can even give yourself a pat on the back for […]
How miserable is this weather?? It’s not too late to book your escape to balmy climes for February half term. Here are some of our favourites with availability from i-escape Kids Collection: Rock the Kasbah Richard Branson’s five star Kasbah Tamadot, deep in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, is usually an adult only affair…except during school hols […]
Only 9 days to go until Christmas. Yikes. How did that happen? If, like me, you’ve still not done all your pressie shopping, here are a few ideas for anyone who likes travelling – and that’s all of us, right? For those who love the great outdoors My past experience with microfibre towels – the […]
Get all your Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop with a visit to London. High Street favourites? Hit Oxford Street. Designer treats? Bond Street. Edgy fashion? Shoreditch. And of course, there is that shop that has a bit of everything and more besides…Harrods. And, after you’ve done the Capital, do the Capital! We had […]
Desperate to see the Northern Lights? Well there’s never any guarantee, no matter how much you spend on a holiday. However you can increase your chances by doing the following: 1. Make sure you go North, preferably within the Arctic Circle. 2. Time it right – October to March is the most likely time for […]
The white stuff is already sprinkling its way across the Alps and it’s not long until ski season starts – from the end of November onwards, the number of resorts opening will start to snowball. Late last spring I visited France’s Val d’Isere, where you can enjoy the snow longer than almost anywhere – from […]
One of the UK’s biggest Halloween events, Shocktober Fest at Tulley’s farm in West Sussex was a big hit with my teenagers and their cousins last weekend. There’s still time to try it as it’s on until 4th November. I’d say this is one for ages 12 or 13 and up – those any younger […]
Miss Gallivant (aged 13 ¾) went with Mr Gallivant to Thorpe Park a few weeks ago to do some seriously scary rollercoaster research. Go now, until 31st October, and you can experience a whole heap more scariness on the park’s Fright Nights (think horror mazes featuring live actors) . Miss Gallivant is angling for a […]