Ed Sheeran’s 2014 song “Tenerife Sea”, is a reference to the island of Tenerife which according to Sheeran, the blue colour of the sea, matched the colour of the eyes of his girlfriend at that time.
Ed Sheeran – Tenerife Sea
Tenerife is the largest and most heavily populated of the Canary Islands which are located off the north-west coast of Morocco. Tenerife is the most popular destinations of the four islands in the group and like the others has volcanic origins. Mount Teide in the centre of the island which is located in the Teide National Park is the three largest volcano in the world when measured from its base.
Mount Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
A cable car will take you from the road will take you most of the way to the summit, but up to access the summit itself you will need to reserve a permit in advance. Numbers are normally restricted to 200 per day.
Tenerife is an all year round holiday destination with a dry, warm climate. It lies at the same latitude as central Florida and enjoys an average temperature of 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) in the winter and 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) in the summer. The coastal areas get less rain and less variation of temperature compared to the interior of the island where snow on the mountains is a possibility. If you have hired a car to visit the Teide National Park then you should also add Masca village to your list of day trip destinations, Masca is described by many as Tenerife’s most beautiful village. The population of the village is around 90 inhabitants, but it is a popular tourist destination so it’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. The houses appear to cling onto the edge of the mountainside and there are dramatic views from the village. The church in the centre of the village has only room for 8 worshippers at a time.
Masca Village, Tenerife, Spain
There are many legends about the village, but it was most likely used as a refuge for locals when pirates attacked the island. Inland villages like this are a common feature along various parts of Spanish coastal areas. Be warned that road up and therefore back down is tight and twisting but provides an adventure in itself. You can take a small coach up and walk down if you wish.
If Masca has been described as Tenerife’s most beautiful village, then Garachico has been variously described as the Tenerife’s most charming, prettiest and unluckiest town. Three hundred years ago it was the most important port on the island, it was a major stopping point for vessels plying their trade across the Atlantic. That all came to an abrupt stop overnight when Montaña Negra erupted, spewing out rivers of lava that swept through the town to destroy the harbour and therefore the town source of wealth.
Garachico, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
However let’s not forget why most of us will be heading for the island. Its beaches. There are over one hundred to choose from, so you will be spoilt for choice. There are many black sand pebble beaches on the northern coast, while on the south and south-west coast of the island, the beaches have typically much finer and clearer sand with lighter tones. Some of the beaches like Las Teresitas are artificial. White sand was imported from Africa to help develop the tourist industry. Tourists are said to prefer white sand to black sand. How about you?
Las Teresitas Beach, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Book with Maggie to experience the charm of Tenerife.
The track below is entitled Viva Malta and is performed by the Maltese singer Freddie Portelli. As well as writing songs and performing in a number of bands, Freddie represented his country at Waterpolo. The song is a patriotic one, written on his return to the island after a worldwide tour. The lyrics sing of the bravery of the people. Of course the island was awarded the George Cross to “bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people” by King George VI.
Viva Malta – Freddie P
Malta comprises of a series of islands of which only three, Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited. They lie in the Central Mediterranean about 50 miles from Italy and 176 miles east of Tunisia. It’s so close to Africa you could almost say you were there. Certainly, weather wise you will notice the benefits of being so far south. The Maltese tourist board advertises it as an all year round destination. The winters are mild and the summers hot. Valletta – the capital of Malta has the warmest winters in Europe and you get the bonus of an extra couple of hours of daylight compared to London.
Valetta, Malta
Whilst Malta is clearly a sun destination, there are over 7000 years of history to discover. Its location at the centre point of the Mediterranean means that at one time or another, Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, the Knights of St. John, French, and British have influenced the country’s culture.
A good starting point is a trip to the old capital of Mdina. According to tradition it was here that in 60 A.D. that the Apostle St. Paul is said to have lived after being shipwrecked on the Islands. The city is famous for its dominating fortifications and its narrow streets and alleyways due to space being so limited.
Mdina Streets, Malta
Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture. You will find a number of enticing cafes and restaurants during your wanderings around the narrow streets and alleyways. Don’t miss out St Paul’s Cathedral, its museum and the city walls which will get you fantastic views over the island and spectacular views of the sunset.
St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, Malta
Next door is Rabat, where you will find the largest underground Roman cemetery in Malta, the St Paul’s catacombs. Located between Rabat and Mdina is “Domvs Romana” a museum housing the ruins of a traditional Roman villa. While little remains of the villa itself, there is an impressive collection of excellently preserved mosaics and other Roman antiquities that have been found by archaeologists throughout Malta. The site is also the location of an 11th century Muslim cemetery.
Whilst in Malta, you must seek out the Mosta Dome. Officially, the church is The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady since it was elevated to the status of a minor basilica by the Vatican in July 2018. This neo-classical style church is dedicated to St Mary and its dome at 220 feet high, is bigger than that of St Paul’s in London. Giorgio Grognet de Vassé (a Maltese architect) based on the Roman Pantheon. Replacing a much smaller church it was built in just 28 years, between 1833 and the early 1860s. Much of the inside is decorated in gilt and the floors are paved with marble.
Mosta Dome, Malta
On 9th April 1942, a group of around 300 worshippers was gathered in the church for the evening when a 1,000 lbs German bomb pierced through the ceiling and smashed a hole into the floor below. Luckily, no one was hurt or killed as the bomb did not detonate. At the time it was declared be a miracle and a sign of divine intervention from God who was protecting the nation during the Second World War. In total, three bombs were dropped on the church – two deflected without exploding, and one went through the ceiling.
Mosta Dome Roof, Malta
If the Second World War is of special interest to you then head for the Lascaris War Rooms, an underground complex of tunnels and chambers in Valletta, that housed the War Headquarters from where the defence of the island was conducted during the Second World War. They are located below the Upper Barrakka Gardens which are worth a visit on their own account offering super views across the island.
In the time we have, we have only touched on a minute part of what Malta has to offer, and remember that there are 3 islands to visit. Contact Maggie today and find out more about your trip to Malta.
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Swift Guad is a French Hip-Hop artist, who like many artists sings about failed relationships. In this track translated into English as “I turn around”. He asks “Question existentielle : les Maldvies ou les Seychelles?” This is a question that is asked by many travellers considering a trip to the Indian Ocean. The chorus of the song is about going round in circles trying to sort out his state of mind. Today let us help you sort out the question of whether to visit the Maldives or the Seychelles, rather then you going round and round in circles.
Swift Guad – Je tourne en rond (I turn around)
The choice of the Maldives or the Seychelles is not as straight forward as you might imagine. Yes, they are both in the Indian Ocean and they are islands, have beautiful beaches, fantastic accommodation and clear blue waters but there is more to both destinations. Travellogs visited the Maldives back in January.
Seychelles Beach – Indian Ocean
The islands of the Seychelles have more to explore. The beaches are more diverse in nature, ranging from your stereotypical tropical paradise sandy beach to others that are characterised by huge granite boulders. The Seychelles on balance tend to offer more to those who are more active amongst us. There is the opportunity to hike in the mountains, rock climb and discover the unique flora and fauna, whenever you decide to have a break from basking on the beach or by the pool. In addition the islands provide plenty of water based activities, the diving, snorkelling, surfing and sailing are up there with the best in the world.
On the main island of Mahé is the capital Victoria, named after Queen Victoria by the British in 1841. However it was the French who were the first Europeans to establish a presence on the island when they claimed the islands in 1756. Prior to this, the islands were uninhabited. There are a few remaining colonial buildings that can be found around the Freedom Square area. Look out for the clock tower which was erected in 1903 and modelled on Little Ben, a small version of Big Ben in to be found on the corner of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Victoria Street in London.
Old Christian Church – Seychelles
Though 900 miles off the coast of East Africa, it is considered to be part of Africa and as such has the smallest population of any African nation. It’s position in the middle of the Indian Ocean means that its culture and cuisine is a mixture of African, French, British and Indians influences and means that it is possible to find churches, mosques and Hindu temples within a stone’s throw of each other.
Hindu Temple – Mahe – Seychelles
There is a wide range of accommodation on the islands in terms of type, but most of it is at the top end price wise. However that means that wherever you choose to stay you will be getting quality service and a beautiful location.
Unwind in the Indian Ocean. Book your trip to the Seychelles with Maggie today.
So goes the Grand Canyon song by Steve Goodman. He sings of how the Colorado River has carved the canyon to expose the many colours of the layers of rock and sand. Many of us will be looking to travel to destinations away from populated areas for a while and the Grand Canyon might be the answer to those of you who would like to visit the USA.
Grand Canyon Song – Steve Goodman
The Grand Canyon is over 270 miles in length, at some place up to 18 miles across and a mile deep. Located in Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is managed by the US National Park Service and is an officially designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Grand Canyon – Arizona – USA
Around 6 million visitors will head for the Canyon and yes it can get busy, but the majority of those will head for the Southern Rim. Here you will find the Grand Canyon Village and the Bright Angel Trail.
Grand Canyon Village holds some of the best scenic overlooks in the park, including Yavapai Point and is the focal point for most people who are visiting the Southern Rim. From here you can access the many activities on offer, including helicopter tours, horseback rides, a scenic train ride, and mule trips. If you are planning to hike and camp, then you will need to purchase a permit. Most of the trails are permit free if you are just hiking for the day.
Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
The Bright Angel Trail in one of the most popular trails and originates in Grand Canyon Village and descends 4380 feet down to the river. It is regularly patrolled by Park Rangers so help and assistance is never far away should you need it. You don’t have to walk the whole thing, you could turn round at 1.5 or 3 miles along the 9 mile plus route if you just want to hike just for a day. Should you choose to do the whole trail, then you will need to camp or rent a cabin at the bottom. It takes a good 5 or 6 hours to hike and its slower coming up than going down.
Grand Canyon – South Rim, Arizona, USA
For visitors who aren’t up for a hike into the canyon and driving round winding roads and seeking out parking space and finding change for the parking fee sounds like stress. You might be better off relying on the park’s free shuttle buses, they transport visitors along the rim of the canyon, stopping at many vantage points, giving you great views along the ways. Many of the restaurants in the area also have fantastic views of the Canyon.
Whilst the Southern Rim is open all year, the quieter Northern Rim is only open for the summer. The Northern Rim is where you will find hardy campers and hardcore hikers. There is a lodge and one camping ground. If you are not a hiker, then you can take the scenic Northern Rim drive which includes a visit to Point Imperial which is the highest point of the Northern Rim at 8,803 feet.
Grand Canyon – North Rim, Arizona, USA
Call Maggie today and book your “Grand Canyon” experience of a lifetime. Let someone else take the stress out of booking your 2021 break.
Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*.
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The literal translation is “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”. It is known in the English speaking world as “The Blue Danube”. It is one of Johann Strauss II most famous pieces. The video below is the instrumental version. There is also a choral version which starts “Danube so blue, “so bright and blue. Personally, I have only seen the Danube a murky brown!
https://youtu.be/iOD2tvNuzig
Wiener Philharmoniker – An der schönen blauen Donau, Op. 314
The Danube has its origins in the Black Forest and flows for 1,785 miles until it reaches the Black Sea. On its travels it passes through 10 countries. Due to its length you will find a wide range of river cruises to suit individual travellers’ interests and lengths of holiday required.
The majority of cruises focus on the German, Austria, Slovakian and Hungarian sections of the Danube. It is possible to travel the full length of the Danube, but this usually involves a transfer in Budapest.
Regensburg – Germany
Starting in Germany, Regensburg is usually the first town of any Danube cruise. Since 2006 it has been UNESCO listed city. Here you will find 11th- to 13th-century architecture – including the market, city hall and cathedral. Surprisingly you will find the old town dominated by tall buildings as the rich merchants of centuries gone-by would build taller and taller buildings, to outdo their competititors. Travellogs will be back to visit Regensburg in more detail at a future date.
Passau – Germany
Next stop for most will be 2000 year old “City of the Three Rivers”, Passau. Sited on the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube. It is noted for gothic and baroque buildings and it is because of these it is sometimes also referred to as the “Venice of Bavaria”. Most visitors will head for St Stephan’s Cathedral. A church has been on this site since 703 and it is home to the largest organ in Europe. Concerts are held daily at none, except on Sundays.
St Stephen’s Cathredral – Passau – Germany
From Passau it’s possible to fit in a day trip to Salzburg and in fact some of the Rhine cruises actually include this beautiful city in their itineraries not crossing the border into Germany but rather staying in Austria. As with Regensburg we will return to Salzburg at a future date.
As you cruise south along the Danube you will stop off at Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest, all places that we have visited recently here on Travellogs. Please click on the links to visit them.
Call Maggie today and book your “Danube River Cruise”. Let the boat take the strain.
Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card*.
Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us.
That is the dilemma facing most of us at this time. The UK government is yet to decide whether to change the May 17th for international travel and even then the list of destinations that UK residents can travel to is likely to be limited. So we are faced with 1982 eternal dilemma of staying or going. The original release hit No.17 in the UK charts, whilst the re-release in 1991 made it to No.1. Unlike The Clash who waitied 10 years before asking the question for a second time, we here on Travellogs have only waited 10 months. Let’s hope we get to a choice of whether we go
Should I stay or should I go – The Clash
Our postings on Travellogs focus on the going, so this time round we are going to look at the advantages of staying.
Like for like on the whole the cost of a UK holiday for most of us is cheaper than abroad. No airport parking charges, transfers at the other end, holiday insurance just to name a few additional costs. In addition the value of the pound has fallen since Brexit so that holiday abroad would have cost you more this year anyway.
In the UK we actually have some really beautiful scenery. We covered the Scottish 500 mile route awhile back. The views are breathtaking. For those of you who have watched the excellent TV series “Hinterland”* or “The Bay” cannot have helped being moved by the beautiful beaches and magnificent mountain views of West Wales and Lancashire respectively.
Sunset – Morecambe Bay – Lancashire, England, UK
There is so much history and most of us have hardly touched it as we have been more focused on travelling abroad. You might be familiar with the more obvious historical sites like Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey, the Roman Baths or Edinburgh Castle, but consider places a little less famous like Wells Cathedral in Somerset. We have a tremendous industrial heritage here in the UK. Why not visit the Big Pit in South Wales and go down into a real coal mine, visit the Black Country Museum and see what life was like for working families 100 years ago.
Wells Cathedral – Somerset, England, UK
For your French or Italian cuisine, we export cheese and spirits all over the world. Why not take some time out to sample some great British food. In recent years there has been an explosion in craft beers, small dairies, bakeries, sausage makers, just to name a few. This plus all the tradition British foods, like Cornish Pasties, Eccles Cakes and the like, your eyes and stomach will be well taken care of. Can you really beat freshly cooked fish and chips eaten from the wrapper as you stroll along the prom. Finally there are many world class restaurants here on our doorstep.
British Fish and Chips – It doesn’t get much better.
This past year has been stressful enough so why don’t you just stay in the UK, no PCR checks, no need to apply for a new passport, or a visa, does my insurance cover me for x, y and z or even have the kennels or cattery got spaces. What is the new luggage allowance on my low cost airline, is my suitcase the right size. No problem in the UK take the kitchen sink with you.
Ribblehead Viaduct – Yorkshire, England, UK
Actually, the rail network is very efficient in the UK and booking in advance and off peak makes it a reasonable option if you want to do a long trip and aren’t planning to travel far when you get there. There are a range of railcards that will give you significant savings. Taking your own car will mean that you are not having to worry about learning to drive a hire car, that you have never heard of, never mind sat in before if you want to get out and about.
For a small country we actually have a lot to offer, just think about our wonderful National Parks and stunning coastline and at the end of the day you are bound to find a pub to suit all tastes.
Contact Maggie today to help you plan and book your UK break this year.
One Night in Bangkok is a 1984 song from musical Chess, by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. Murray Head sings the rap verses and so he gets the credit as the singer. Within the song the chorus sings about the positives of Bangkok, whereas Head’s lyrics ridicule the city, describing those positives as less interesting than a game of chess. This led Thailand’s Mass Communications Organisation to issue a ban on the song in 1985, saying its lyrics “cause misunderstanding about Thai society and show disrespect towards Buddhism”.
Murray Head- One Night in Bangkok
You cannot spend a night or a day in Bangkok without a visit to Wat Pho. It is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples. The temple complex known as the Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds. The larger northern walled compound, is open to visitors and houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, and very famously the 46m long reclining Buddha. The southern compound, contains the living quarters for Buddist monks and a school.
The Temple of the Reclining Bhudda – Wat Pho – Bangkok – Thailand
Next on your list and be prepared to set aside a good few hours for this one, is a visit to the Grand Palace. The palace at one time was the king’s home (1782 -1925) as well as the place where the government of Thailand carried out their work. The Great Palace is not a single building but a collection of buildings divided up into four main courts: the Outer Court, the Middle Court, the Inner Court and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Some buildings are open to the general public, whilst others are still used by various government departments.
Grand Palace – Bangkok – Thailand
For contrast take yourself shopping. At one end of the scale head for Chatuchak Market which is open on Saturdays and Sundays. With over 8000 stalls and at local prices you are bound to find a bargain or two here. At the other end of the scale head for Siam Paragon. You will only find 250 shops here, but they are high end brands and even include car manufacturers including Bentley, BMW and Porsche. You will also find South East Asia’s biggest aquarium and numerous food outlets.
Elephants – Gifts – Thailand
Contact Maggie today to book your Thai experience.
Sofia is the name of a track by the Bulgarian hip hop stars Akaga and Spens. You may not have heard of them or this track, but they are famous household names in their native Bulgaria. The chorus translates in English to “Sofia, the Memory of our Childhood, Sofia, Sweet memory, Sofia, the Memory of our Childhood, Sofia, the Dream city”.
Sofia by Akaga and Spens
Sofia was founded over 3000 years ago and was at its pinnacle in terms of regional power in the 4th century. The Bulgars who give this region its current name did not arrive until the 9th century. Unfortunately, much of the legacy of this period disappeared during the Turkish occupation, that lasted from 1396-1878. However, it doesn’t detract from what the city has to offer today’s visitor.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral by Night – Sofia – Bulgaria.
The majority of Sofia’s tourist attractions are centrally located and you can easily walk between them. In the city centre, you will find the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This Eastern Orthodox church was built in honour of St Alexander Nevsky, a prince famed for 13th century military victories over Germany and Sweden.
One church that does survive from before the Turkish Occupation is the thirteenth-century Boyana Church which is now on the UNESCO heritage list. The church is actually a collection of three buildings, the first built in the 10th century. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important churches housing collections of medieval paintings. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.
Boyana Church – Sofia – Bulgaria
Mosques were an important feature of old Sofia, the Archeological Museum is housed in a 15th century mosque and you can unofficially visit the The Banya Bashi Mosque built in 1576 by Mimar Sinan, who also designed the great mosque at Edirne in Turkey. Behind the Mosque are Sofia’s mineral baths. Sadly it no longer operates as public baths, but the Sofia Regional Historical Museum is housed in part of the building. It is still possible to taste the hot, sulphurous water from public taps nearby.
Russian Church – Sofia – Bulgaria
Whilst in Sofia, you should not pass up the opportunity to visit the Russian Church or to give it, its full title, The Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker. Built on the site of a mosque in the early twentieth century, the Russian Church is a stunning golden-domed building with an emerald spire and an exuberant mosaic-tiled exterior, which conceals a dark, candle-scented interior. Construction started of what was the church on the Russian Embassy in 1907 and completed in 1914. The Russian government takes on the responsibility for the upkeep of the church and its renovations. The church remained open even after the Russian revolution and all through the Communist era.
Sofia is calling you, contact Maggie today to book your city break today.
Doha is the capital and most populous city of the State of Qatar. Enjoy listening to the Qatar National Day 2020 song by Fahad Al Kubaisi.
Qatar National Day 2020 song by Fahad Al Kubaisi.
It is tempting when visiting Doha to focus on the beaches, the desert activities and shopping in air-conditioned malls. However you really ought to take some time out to walk down the streets of Souq Waqif. Here you will be transported back in time. True, not everything on sale will be traditional but you will get the ambiance, the smells and experience haggling with the locals that you is difficult to find elsewhere. The architecture alone is worth the trip. A trip to Souq Waqif should be close to the top of your list of things to experience in Doha.
Inside a Souq – Doha
At the other end of the scale head for the man-made island that reeks luxury and explore The Pearl Qatar is a man-made island just north of West Bay that became the epitome of luxury. Here you will find the yachts, elegant shops and luxury villas that will give you an insight into how the other half live.
The Pearl by Night – Doha.
Fancy taking a trip out of town. There are various options but whichever you choose you cannot fail to be impressed by the scenery. Choose your mode of transport carefully, a leisurely ride on a camel, a smooth ride in a jeep or seat of your pants ride in dune buggy.
Many of us have daydreamed about riding a camel and going on a desert safari. It’s one of those classic adventurer experiences, and amazingly this is one of the best things to do in Doha.
Contact Maggie today and book your Middle Eastern adventure.
“Welcome to Nashville, man what a great day / The first stop we’re gonna take you is a place called Broadway “ that how the comic duo that are Austin and Colin start off their funny, information and catchy song about Nashville. They take us on a journey through the sights and sounds of Nashville.
Welcome to Nashville – Austin and Colin.
Their first stop is Broadway and it’s a good place to get acquainted with the city. Located in the downtown area, it includes Lower Broadway which is renowned for its honky tonks and live country music as well as restaurants and a number of tourist attractions.
Honky Tonk Central – Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Austin and Colin are seen queuing outside the 100 year old former grain store, that is now the Acme Feed & Seed restaurant and music venue. Head for the rooftop bar with its views of the Cumberland River, the Nissan Stadium, the home to the Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Broadway strip.
Next on their list is Demonbreun, the area and the street are named after a French-Canadian fur trader who is known at the “first citizen of Nashville”. You can continue to follow their list which then takes you to Belmont, Hillsboro Village, Vandi, Green Hills, Frothy Monkey etc. However, you will probably be visiting for its musical connections and the museums.
Acme Feed & Seed Restaurant & Music Venue – Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Throughout the city you will find numerous music venues playing something to suit everyones taste, it’s not just country music that you will hear in Nashville. In addition you will probably want to head over to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum’s core exhibition “Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music” tells the story of the origins of country music and its main contributors using artefacts, photographs, recorded sound, vintage video, and interactive touchscreens. You might want to also visit Music Row’s Historic RCA Studio B, the oldest surviving recording studio in Nashville, where landmark recordings by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, and many others were made. Due to its size pre-booking is advised. Personally, I would be off to the Johnny Cash Museum by day and will be spending an evening at the Tribute to Elvis Show.
Johnny Cash Museum – Nashville, Tennessee, USA
For car nuts, just over an hour’s drive out of town will take you to Bowling Green, the home of the National Corvette Museum. On display are over 70 Corvettes displayed in periodic settings.
Contact Maggie today to book your trip to the centre of the musical universe.
