Ericeira is a pretty fishing town with whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. It’s easy to miss if you’re taking the fast lane from Lisbon to Porto. But it’s well worth a detour because it gives you an authentic, un-touristy experience of Portugal. Still very much a working town, Ericeira is a little rough at the edges but full of charm….
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Ericeira – a hidden gem on the Silver Coast, Portugal
Steam railways of England – 7 of my favourites
England’s preserved steam railways offer a fabulous day out for families and train buffs. Staffed mostly by passionate volunteers, these railways are run by private companies or charitable trusts. Not only do they help to preserve an important part of England’s history, but they also maintain links and provide tourist income for the towns and villages that they serve. There…
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Breathtaking travel moments that made me glad to be alive
Have you ever experienced a sudden rush of emotion when you see something awe-inspiring on your travels, or reach a personal milestone? You feel privileged to be there, in that moment, and you know you’ll always remember it. You’re filled with gratitude and a love of life. I mentioned this as one of the benefits of travel in my post…
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Street art of eastern Wellington, New Zealand
My daily lock-down walks have revealed a previously unappreciated artistic side of my neighbourhood. I’ve discovered how much street art we have in eastern Wellington – something I’ve never noticed or appreciated before. Most of it depicts local flora, fauna, scenery and wildlife. Some of it is by professional artists, and some of it is simply vernacular – home owners…
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Vanuatu – the happiest isles of Oceania
Vanuatu is one of the four happiest nations on the planet, and financial wealth has nothing to do with it. In 2006, this chain of more than 80 tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean made the headlines when it topped the Happy Planet Index. The most recent version of the index, published in 2016, placed Vanuatu fourth. Clearly this modest…
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How to be a traveller when you can’t travel
Every idea, every plan, every achievement, begins as a thought. So all it takes is a little thinking and a few tools, and you could be on your way to your next adventure right now! Even if you can’t travel because of a pandemic, an injury or some other circumstance that’s keeping you grounded. First, you need to be in…
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