We may come in different shapes and colours, but inside all are nourishing and nice.
– Vung Tau, Vietnam
Europe
My Travel Philosophy
“I’m blissfully not addicted to other peoples’ opinions.”
I choose where I go, and enjoy what I choose. 🤠
TRAVEL WEBSITES: WHAT CAN WE BELIEVE?
I have been banging on for at least 5 years, about the huge flaw in travel websites such as Tripadvisor: they are too open to manipulation. See the newdaily.com report: https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/consumer/2018/07/31/meriton-penalty-misleading-tripadvisor/
SOLO CRUISE?
It seems too expensive for Australians. P&O, Princess, Holland America Line – they all cater superbly for families and couples. But the “single supplement” excludes most solo travellers. Expect to pay $5000-plus for an entry level 8-night cruise; but $2500 for twin share. Not so in Europe and North America, where single rooms are common. But I will keep searching because solo cruising would be a fabulous experience…
NO MERIT FOR MERITON SERVICED APARTMENTS
In the Digital Age we rely too much on travel review sites, such as TripAdvisor. Always be wary that the reviews can be easily manipulated. Here is a Fairfax Media report, of a court case involving Meriton Serviced Apartments:
Tapas – the true history of the nibble with a tipple…
Damn, St Kilda’s pesky Indian myna birds are good shots – they don’t miss a pot of beer from 6 metres up in tree!
What if I cover my glass with a small plate. That’ll fix them…
Hey, why don’t I put a small snack on the plate! A nibble with the tipple…
And that, folks, is the true history of Spanish tapas: a snack placed on a small plate, being used to cover a glass to keep away insects – oh, and birds with a good aim. This I was told by locals while touring Andalusia in Spain. It’s so practical, like “killing 2 birds while getting stoned”…
Alhambra in Granada
Alhambra fortress and palace, in Granada, southern Spain. An unforgettable insight into Islam. Granada and Seville are “must see” destinations… (This is from a Scenic Tours trip I did for free)
Alhambra palace and fortress, in Granada, southern Spain
Spain … its appeal is timeless
A typical side street in the old part of Granada, southern Spain. Simply remarkable. Granada and Seville are “must see” destinations… (This is from a Scenic Tours trip I did for free)
Granada, southern Spain
Suffering ‘the darrell’ of travel
Every tour group has a “darrell”. You know, the one who complains the loudest and most often. And wears socks and sandals. The darrell is always holding up the group, lagging behind, late to arrive.
The darrell knows more than everyone else, especially the tour guide. Despite looking wanky, the darrell has the hat smothered in pins and patches, and the luggage covered in stickers and stamps from destinations all over the world. This septuagenarian has been everywhere. That must have been expensive, if paying full fare…
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Sit back, relax and tour Spain
This is from a story I published in Escape. I recommend a guided coach tour, such as this one, as a relaxing, comprehensive and safe way to tour a foreign country … and good value for money
THE Spanish are a hardy lot, moulded by a history of conflict and a harsh environment.
Spain’s capital, Madrid, is 600 metres above sea level, making it Europe’s second highest capital after Bern in Switzerland. It is hot and dry in summer, and cold and windy in winter.
Haxtrax 