Cathy Smith's Blog
Posted by Cathy Smith
The olde cliche,‘travel broadens the mind’, is probably true. However, we are sometimes so busy exploring foreign parts that we are in danger of neglecting our own country.
I have been a travel journalist for twenty years and have visited every continent except Antarctica. Yet I haven’t seen all that much of my own country, the UK. I guess the lure of ‘the other’ has usually been the draw. However, things seem to changing. This past year two friends (one living in Vancouver, the other in New York) independenty emailed me to see if I would like to spend a short walking holiday with them here in the UK.
One suggested the Ridgeway, in the county of Wiltshire - an ancient pathway that has been in constant use for over two thousand years. The other wanted to do some walking in Northumberland, the place of my birth which, I'm sorry to say, I have not seen a lot of. What came out of this was the realisation that I must see more of the UK.
We walked over heather-covered hills in Northumberland and discovered pre-historic carvings on huge rocks. We ambled along miles of beautiful beaches, passing only a handful of people, and we explored some of the numerous historic castles that are dotted all over Northumberland.
Wiltshire is such an unusual, mystical county, not only because of the Ridgeway, which starts here, but because this is home to many of the strange, intricately designed ‘corn circles’ that appear overnight in farmers’ fields. It also has ancient historical monuments like the stone circles at Avebury and white horses carved into the surrounding chalky hills. A very strange place. The UK is like this - full of surprises - and I intend to see more of them. So... check out this site and share my discoveries,
Posted by Cathy Smith
Never mind about the old saying, ‘Curiosity killed the cat’. Curiosity is a good thing, especially if you are visiting foreign cities, or even places in your own country. Poking around back streets and asking local residents to recommend restaurants will bring more rewards than sticking to the main tourist drag and eating with all the other tourists who probably found the restaurant as you did, from the same guide book.
Living in London, I often see visitors going to the tried and true name brand restaurants, which are sometimes okay, but you certainly are not getting a ‘London experience’ - you could be anywhere in the world. Yet, in the West End, all you have do is stroll down some of the narrow alleys off main streets such as Oxford Street, Regent Street or Piccadilly to find old pubs th
For example, off Oxford Street, opposite Bond Street Tube Station, is a narrow alley called St. Christopher's Place, which leads to some delightful small shops and restaurants. It’s very easy to walk by without noticing it. On Regent Street, look for tiny, u-shaped Heddon Street - a great spot for good food. There are three or four restaurants in this small odd-shaped street, all worth a visit. One of my favourite ‘off the main beat’ streets is Jermyn Street - an historic street noted for its elegant shops for men, fine good and perfumes. It is also steeped in history.
Posted by Cathy Smith
Hundreds of movies have been made in and about New York and even if we have never been to the Big Apple many of us are familiar with icons like the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. Frank Sinatra sang about it being 'A Wonderful Town', and it really is.
I have visited New York a number of times yet I feel I have only scratched the surface. It is a city of such diversity and contrast: from the elegant architecture of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) to the fine Beaux-Arts building that is Grand Central Station - a spot for many romantic meetings since it was built in 1903.
The mix of different cultures is probably more evident here than in any other major world city. From Chinatown to Little Italy to the skyscrapers of Wall Street and the now fashionable areas of Soho and Tribeca and the little Bohemia that is Greenwich Village. These are all places that are worth seeing but there are more.
Check out the articles below and explore other aspects of the great city that is New York. Book your trip now and have a nice day!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posted by Cathy Smith
II love Italy. I have been writing about it for some years now but never tire of its infinite variety. I love the food, the culture, Even though I have travelled widely in France, considered by some to be the gourmet capital of Europe, and have had some fabulous meals, some of the best I have ever eaten have been in Italy. What other country is as stuffed with art treasures? Tuscany alone has more classified historical monuments than any country in the world and there are reminders of the great Roman Empire everywhere.
There are wonderful beaches, great ski resorts and shopping to die for. There is, however, a large north-south divide. Northern Italy is a powerhouse of economic dynamism, whereas the South has been somewhat economically deprived. No place is perfect and Italy is becoming economically more integrated.
The north, in general, is the most cosmopolitan part of the country. In the south the colourful city of Naples is the beating heart of the region. And close by are the antique wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In my opinion, it is almost impossible to be disappointed by Italy.
So... check out my Italian articles below and plan your next trip. Ciao!
Posted by Cathy Smith
In the Hebridian Islands there are beaches covered in brilliant white sand, the Isle of Sky offers great opportunities for hikers and climbers, people come from around the world to stay in fabulous hotels in the dramatic Highlands and Edinburgh has recently been named the best place to live and work in the UK.
There’s something for everyone here - and the weather is nowhere near as bad is you might think. When the sun shines, it’s Heaven. When it rains the locals will tell you its nothing but a bit of Scotch Mist and will blow over in a minute. In the meantime, you go into the pub and have a wee dram of whisky.
It also has some of the best fishing in the world. Below are some articles to help you on your way to Scotland.
Mull of Kintyre
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
