Travel Like A Local

05/11/2019

Best foot forward to Sacre Monte Di Orta. On top of a hill overlooking Lago D’Orta, you’ll find a complex of 20 tiny chapels dedicated to Francis of Assisi, full of frescoes and sculptures, ancient and beautiful.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s well worth hauling yourself up the cobbled streets from San Giulio to the tree lined summit to wander in the peace and quiet. The views of the lake are spectacular too.

29/10/2019

The beautiful buzzy alleyways of Chania are a great place to wander, soaking up the atmosphere and a carafe of red.

The locals take such pride, creating great displays of plants and flowers outside their houses, making every little alleyway a delight.

So, lose the guidebook, put down Google maps and just wander, get lost, go round in circles and you’ll find cosy bars, restaurants spilling out on to the pavement, mosques, churches and leafy squares - which you’ll never be able to find again the next day!

My favourite way to explore, no destination, no plan - except dinner!

23/10/2019

The beautiful Venetian harbour of Chania, our home for the last few days of our Crete adventure.

Away from the harbour is a warren of streets full of boutiques and tavernas, churches and mosques. A stroll through the areas of Splantzia and Topanas lay out the islands history under the Venetians and Ottoman Turks.

What a great island - 25 degrees plus in October, amazing beaches, lively villages, and of course great food and wine. Did you know raki works wonders in your mozzie bites!

A great way to extend our summer before a long British winter.

08/10/2019

Dramatic skies over Crete. So dramatic they closed Chania airport so we had to circle the skies for a while, land in Heraklion to refuel before finally getting on the ground in Chania.

Lovely friendly reception at our B&B and a proper, traditional boozy dinner at the local taverna - all’s right with the world!

30/09/2019

Piedmont has become my new favourite region in Italy, and that’s not just because of the great wine! Check out my guide to spending a week enjoying the sights and, if you love the sound of it, get in touch and we can recommend some great places to stay and eat and build an itinerary to suit you.

I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL REGION AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER; STUNNING SCENERY, ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED WINE REGIONS IN THE WORLD, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, A UNIQUE LOCAL CUISINE, GLORIOUS LAKES – AND THE LAID BACK FRIENDLINESS YOU EXPECT FROM ITALY.

30/09/2019

Room with a view at Lake Maggiore, from the eccentric summer palace on the Borromean island of Isola Bella.

We loved Stresa with its beautiful lake side promenade and luxurious Art Deco hotels. But don’t forget it’s next door neighbour, Orta San Giulio, smaller, quieter and totally charming.

17/09/2019

Could only be Italy!

14/09/2019

No apologies for another island in a lake! Lago d’Orta is simply stunning and without the crowds and glitz of Maggiore.

Time to head home, half a stone heavier after all the great food and wine, and with another region of Italy to call favourite.

12/09/2019

A change of scenery today - from the rolling hills of the Langhe to the stunning mountains and islands of Lago Maggiore.

11/09/2019

Beautiful Barolo - a stunning town with stunning wines! Enjoyed a fabulous wine tasting and a great lunch.

So many tiny towns, each one has at least two enormous churches and a castle!

09/09/2019

Already in love with Piemonte, stunning scenery and wine everywhere you look!!

04/09/2019

Pouring with rain here at home today so dreaming of sunnier times. Would love to be here right now!

So excited for our Italian adventure coming soon. All the planning is done to ensure we see all the sites, eat some great food and, of course, visit the best vineyards - this is Piedmont after all - the winiest of wine regions!

Look out for my top tips on enjoying the best of Piedmont, coming soon!

30/08/2019

Cambodia is a beautiful, exciting country; warm and welcoming, with a fascinating history, it makes a great introduction to Asia for those who are not sure where to start.

If Cambodia is on your bucket list, we’d love to help you plan a great adventure which will only whet your appetite to try more of this region.

23/08/2019

I love a far flung exotic destination but you can’t beat a beautiful home grown spot. So looking forward to heading to Cornwall soon, and especially to pasties at Sennen Cove - how stunning is that view?

If you’d like to find out more about this beautiful area, we’d love to share our many years of Cornish travel experience to help you plan the perfect trip.

21/08/2019

When you arrive at your holiday accommodation and are delighted! Couldn’t believe this amazing pool area and beautiful, stylish villa where all ours. For all the pictures you scour, it’s still a bit relief when it’s all you hoped for.

How lovely then to have a personal recommendation from someone who has been there and can answer your questions and make sure it’s the accommodation for you.

16/08/2019

Amazing Angkor Wat, the huge complex of temples in Cambodia.

I would definitely advise getting a local guide, it really helps to bring the site to life and explain its significance.

I like to find a quiet place to sit and contemplate for a moment, try to take in the enormity of where you are so you can hold the experience in your mind for longer.

If you would love to experience this wonderful place, why not get in touch with us at Travel Like a Local and we’ll share our experience and help you plan the perfect trip.

14/08/2019

Sunset over the Tatai River in Cambodia, our home was a floating eco lodge. Amazing scenery and a great way to experience a different way of life of the people carving out an existence on the river.

Cambodia is an amazing country with fabulous sites and lovely people, very welcoming and warm.

Like the look of this? Let’s us share our experience and help you plan an amazing bespoke trip.

12/08/2019

The sun on the sea is so stunning and calming, I could stare at it all day.

Is there a more beautiful spot than the caldera of Santorini from Oia, with its whitewashed houses pilled on top of each other on the rugged cliff top and the iconic blue domes?
Greece

09/08/2019

The Amalfi coast is one of my favourite places, one we return to again and again. The scenery is stunning, the towns tumble down to the sea from the hills, the sun sparkles off the water.

We love to put on our walking boots and head off into the hills to get a different perspective, looking down on Amalfi and Ravello from high up, passing through tiny hamlets as we work our way back down to the coast.

Then you can jump on a boat to get you home - perfect. And of course I love the food, wine, atmosphere and people. Can’t get enough.

If you would like to explore this region but don’t know where to start, get in touch, we’d love to share our personal experience to help you create a trip that’s perfect for you.

07/08/2019

What a stunning setting! The beautiful town of Riomaggiore is one of the five towns of the Cinque Terre, joined by beautiful coastal walks.

The towns cling to the hillside, the brightly painted houses tumbling down to the sea, offering a welcome break to the weary walkers.

Perfect, you feel like you’ve really earned that big bowl of pasta.

31/07/2019

Wishful Wednesday. Dreaming of far flung places, look at the beautiful scenery of the coffee region of Columbia. What an amazing country, full of surprises and extremes.

When you day dream, where do you go?

29/07/2019

Lefkada is the most beautiful almost-island in Greece; friendly, authentic, traditional and utterly stunning. If this inspires you, get in touch and we'll be happy to help you plan the perfect Greek getaway.

Explore the island of Lefkada for a beautiful slice of Greek life

24/07/2019

Dreaming of all my favourite swimming pools as we swelter here in the UK! Check out this beautiful array, from Greece to Colombia to Belize. Share your favourite pool pic

22/07/2019

I spent the weekend hard at work on new articles on my recent road trip in Greece. Visit www.travellikealocal.co.uk to find out more about the beautiful island of Lefkada and how to smash a short break in Athens. Hope you enjoy. greekislands

21/07/2019

Looking for a great city break? Athens is vibrant and exciting, so much more than just the Acropolis.

Make the most of three days in Athens

17/07/2019

Food shopping in Vietnam - colourful and extreme and totally outside my usual experience.

That’s what I love about travelling - expanding my horizons, experiencing different cultures, learning how others live. It’s good to challenge your expectations sometimes.

11/07/2019

I love summer in the UK - the beautiful countryside, stunning beaches, a seaside promenade.

I like to extend that warmth as long as possible too. Greece in September is a great choice. Still great hot weather but without the crowds.

Check out this pool overlooking Mykonos, great for keeping cool in the day and sundowners in the evenings.

08/07/2019

Started planning for my next adventure, in Piedmont, Italy. A new region for me and I love Italy so I’m very excited. The area is well known for Barolo wine and its cuisine - right up my street.

The planning is all part of the enjoyment of a holiday for me. I love uncovering the unique nature of a place and investigating where this comes to life - bars and restaurants the locals frequent, food and street art tours led by locals, walks and quiet beaches that are less touristy. All these things take time to root out.

If this doesn’t sound like fun to you, or you just don’t have time to commit to scouring the internet, why not take advantage of my passion for it! Travellikealocal.co.uk is here to help you ensure a perfect trip, made to suit your individual requirements, budget and timings.

You can use us to plan your whole trip to a new country or give you bespoke tips on great restaurants, beaches and sites to add that extra sparkle to your time away - who doesn’t prefer recommendations when in a new place?

Hey in touch and we can talk about your individual requirements and how we can help you, whether it’s your next big adventure or weekend away!

04/07/2019

Stunning Halong Bay, Vietnam, on a traditional junk. A must do on an expedition to this amazing country and a perfect antidote to the bustling cities which are so vibrant and exciting.

If you’d love to experience Vietnam but don’t know where to start, get in touch and we’ll help you plan a visit taking in all the great sights at your pace.

01/07/2019

Medellin is a fascinating city full of contrasts. It’s taking huge strides in putting its troubled past behind it, through music and art, just look at the amazing vibe of district 13. It’s now a great place for visitors who want to experience something vibrant and colourful.

If you would like to explore this wonderful city but are nervous about whether it’s for you, get in touch and we’ll be happy to share our experience to help you decide.