Articles written by Andrea Kirkby
Showing 59 Articles
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Belgian Beer Styles: Trappist Beer, Wheat Beer
Belgian bottled beers are becoming increasingly popular - particularly the fruit beers. But there's a massive variety of Belgian beers. Which should you pick?
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The Sentier Cathare Long Distance Footpath
The French 'Sentier Cathare' hiking trail runs for two hundred and forty kilometres, from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees foothills.
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Uskudar - Istanbul's Other City
Uskudar is only a quarter of an hour's ferry trip from the centre of Istanbul. But in that fifteen minutes you'll cross continents.
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Norwich - England's Finest City
Fine medieval houses and churches. Great shopping. One of England's greatest Norman cathedrals and a castle to go with it. Where? Norwich.
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The Fine Chateaux of the Loire
Visitors to the Loire Valley can see some of the finest chateaux and palaces of France, built here by kings and nobles, mainly in the Renaissance style.
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Hiking the Peddars Way Footpath
The Peddars Way Footpath runs through Norfolk, among fields and by the sea, introducing walkers to the delights of lowland England.
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The Pennine Way National Trail
The Pennine Way National Trail s England's best known long distance footpath - and its most popular.
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Hiking England's Greater Ridgeway
The Ridgeway and Peddars Way are prehistoric tracks that run diagonally across England, though some of its best landscapes. They're now hiking tracks, too.
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Medieval Cistercian Architecture
The medieval Cistercian monks had an ascetic spirituality. And they created an austere, plain new Gothic architecture to embody those spiritual ideals.
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A One Day Beer Tour of Antwerp
A beer tour of Antwerp takes you through some of the best beer bars in Belgium, and introduces you to the different Belgian beer styles.
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The Starkbierfest in Munich
Munich's Starkbierfest, held during the Lenten period, features seasonal strong beers - Bock and Doppelbock - as well as plenty of traditional Bavarian fun.
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Formentera, Spain's Secret Island
If Ibiza is too busy and Mallorca too well known for you, discover the discreet charms of Formentera - the smallest of the Balearic islands.
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A Weekend on the Norfolk Coast
The North Norfolk coast is only a couple of hours from London. But you can still get lost in the salt marshes, and drink in a flint-walled village pub.
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24 Hours in the CIty of Segovia
The hilltop city of Segovia, two hours by train from Madrid, is famous for its Roman aqueduct. But there's much more to it than that.
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Tour Vienna in a Single Weekend
Even though a weekend is short, use it wisely and you can experience all the flavours Vienna has to offer - literally and figuratively.
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Etruscan Country - Pre-Roman Italy
Tuscany is well known, but the heartlands of the Etruscans - the people who gave their name to the region - remain off the beaten track for many tourists.
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Visit Baroque Rome in Italy
Rome was the capital of baroque style, as seventeenth century popes spent freely on buildings and art. But you have to know where to go to see the best.
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48 Hours in Salzburg
There's more to Salzburg than Mozart. In just a weekend, you can go hiking, visit a monastic beer garden, and cram in as much culture as you've got room for.
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Historic Pubs of London
London is full of historic old pubs where you can enjoy your beer in fine surroundings. Here are some of the best.
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Baroque Churches of Vienna
Mozart's music finds its reflection in the fine baroque interiors of Vienna's churches. Take a trip into baroque style at the zenith of the Habsburg empire.
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Top Ten Short Walks in England
Enjoy the diverse landscapes of England by taking a stroll in the country - or climb a mountain in a single day.
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Hawkmoor's London Churches
Nicholas Hawksmoor was the major architect of the English Baroque. His legacy to London was six churches - each a jewel.
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The Top Ten Spanish Cathedrals
Spain's cathedrals are one of the best ways for the traveller to appreciate the multiple styles and flavours of Spanish culture.
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The Top Ten Churches in Paris
A visit to Paris isn't complete without seeing some of its churches. From the Middle Ages to the Age of Reason, all French history is here!
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Top Ten French Gothic Cathedrals
France is the birthplace of the Gothic style. Its cathedrals run the full gamut of the style - from the simplicity of early Gothic through to Flamboyant decadence.
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Visiting Kolomenskoye
Just a few metro stops from the centre of Moscow, a royal estate offers fine architecture amid lovely countryside.
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London's City Churches
The City of London is best known as a financial centre. But among the modern office buildings, it has a surprising wealth of fine churches.
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A Walk Around Smithfield
Get off the tourist track and discover London's medieval past, a village green, and a hidden Norman abbey.
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A Walking Tour Around Spitalfields
Spitalfields has been home to immigrants from refugee French Protestants in the 1600s to today's Bangladeshi community - each new nation leaving its mark on the place.
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Monastic Retreats in the UK
Spiritual retreats offer a chance to recharge your batteries - away from the pressures of everyday life.
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Travelling the Adriatic Highway
The Adriatic highway snakes its way down the Croatian coast, linking historic towns and fine landscapes.
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Great Long Walks in England
England's long distance walks offer diverse enjoyments - from bleak and challenging moorland walks to gentle lowland rambles.
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Walking tour of Hatton Garden
Hatton Garden is full of surprises; London's jewellery quarter, a bishop's palace, and some of the finest Victorian buildings in the city.
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Confectionery museums in Germany
Travellers with a sweet tooth will find numerous confectionery-orientated museums and attractions in Germany.
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Germany's Christmas Markets
Germany's Christmas markets are justly famous. Here are some of the best - for food, drink, crafts, and atmosphere.
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Berlin for Kids
Parents taking their children to Berlin will find the city has many attractions specially planned for youngsters. Farms, zoos, swimming, Lego - Berlin's got it all.
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Edinburgh for Kids
Edinburgh has some great days out for kids - from ghosts to puffins. Take a tour of some of the best attractions.
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Great Tearooms of England
Afternoon tea is a fine English tradition. We recommend some of the best tea rooms and tea shops - from plush traditional to cutting-edge contemporary.
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The Tiles of Madrid
Madrid's vibrant culture - from literary giants to bullfighting - is best seen in the gaudy tiled facades of the city.
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Istanbul for Kids
Istanbul is a great city but it's a little short on attractions for children. This guide shows you where to take the kids - and have a good time yourself.
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Spanish Synagogues
After years of neglect, Spain's Jewish heritage is being rediscovered, and its fine medieval synagogues, well restored, can be visited once again.
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Spanish Candy
Appreciating a country's food is one of the delights of travelling. Spanish candies are a particularly sweet way to get to knw the country.
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The top ten Moorish sites in Spain
The Moors who ruled Spain in the early Middle Ages left some splendid architecture and townscapes behind them. Here are ten of the best.
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Reinheitsgebot 101
German beer is tightly regulated by law. This is a mixed blessing. We take a look at exactly what the law says - and its impact on German beer styles.
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Germany's Beer Gardens
The beer hall isn't a pub - you need to know the ropes if you're going to enjoy yourself properly.
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Discovering German beers
Germany isn't just lager. From Altbier to Zwickl (unfiltered beer), Germany is full of distinctive beer styles, many served in ancient brewpubs.
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The Moors in Northern Spain
We think of the Moorish culture of Spain as limited to the south of the country and Andalusia. But the north is also full of Arab monuments and influence.
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Living history holidays
Renaissance faires are one way of going back into the past. Some sites in Europe go further and offer a chance to see the past in action.
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A day in Vienna
Only a day in Vienna? Impossible, some say - it needs at least a week. But this tour will show you how to get a feel for the city's distinctive flavour in just 24 hours.
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Budget travel in Spain
Spain is no longer the bargain basement destination it was. But it's still possible to travel at low cost if you're smart - or take a longer vacation for the same price.
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Canal cruising in France
Take a vacation on board a boat and you'll see a different side of France. Explore Burgundy or the south, the dramatic Lot river or Celtic Brittany's forests and marshes.
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Cider trails in Europe
While most people divide Europe into beer and wine drinking areas, cider has a culture all of its own. Take a holiday in cider country and experience the best local fare.
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Guide to Nantes
Nantes will be hosting a number of matches in the Rugby World Cup this autumn. But besides the matches there's a lot to see in this fine city- certainly more than enough.
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Guide to Saint Denis
If you're visiting Saint Denis/Stade de France for the Rugby World Cup games, why not enjoy your trip all the more by visiting a couple of the local sights?
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Guide to Marseilles
Marseille will host six matches in the Rugby World Cup, including two of the quarter finals. Hang out in the city or head for the coast - there's a lot on offer.
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Guide to Lyon
Lyon hosts three of the World Cup Rugby matches. It's a beautiful city - even better, it's noted for the best cooking in France and some of the nicest wine.
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Cycling in Paris
Paris might not be best known for its bicycle paths - but a network of routes can take you out of the city for the day and show you a different side of France.
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Balti 101
Balti cuisine has invaded Britain. Indian cooking has been popular here since the days of the British Raj - now a new wave is sweeping the country. And it's hot.
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Travels in Jewish Europe
Jewish tourism has taken off in Europe. But what's presented to the tourist often falsifies the Jewish experience. How authentic is what we see?
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