Sunday Mayhem in the West Village

Of course in New York you have to go for brunch. I have plenty places to recommend but my favourite is one that you don’t go purely to eat. You simply must try the Beaumarchais in the West Village, New York.

Don’t waste your time going there in the week, you have to go on a Sunday afternoon to get that truly bonkers feeling of turning repeatedly to people around you screaming oh my god can you believe this crazy place on a SUNDAY??

It starts off ok. A little bit pretentious and we were made to wait over 30

Polio Certificate to Leave Pakistan

From June 2014 if Pakistanis want to visit countries abroad they need a government authorised certificate that they have been vaccinated against polio after new advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO).  Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon have been singled out as the last threatening reserves of the disease.

Although adults can carry the disease it only affects children often leaving them disabled.  Polio workers in Pakistan have been consistently targeted

Life And Laughter With A Diplomatic Wife

Author Brigid Keenan is a charming, witty writer who knows exactly how to recall a lifetime of wonderful and disastrous events as the trailing wife of a diplomat.  I read her book Diplomatic Baggage after meeting Brigid at a dinner party one evening in London. We created instant warmth as we exchanged stories of India.

Packing Up – Further Adventures of A Trailing Spouse is Brigid Keenan’s latest book about her life in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Palestine.

Travelling on Donkeyback

Donkey may be the fastest option for those facing travel chaos in the lead up to Christmas.  Today is expected to be the busiest day for the mass movement of Britons hoping to reach loved ones in time.  Hundreds of thousands of people will leave London in the coming days

Dull Passage Through India

Whilst channel hopping last night I happened across BBC4’s programme, Caroline Quentin: A Passage Through India.  It was the dullest and most patronising narrative that could have been written at the height of the Raj.

There are elephants in India!

London Taxis No.1

For the fourth year London black cab drivers have been voted the best in the world according to a survey carried out by hotels.com.

Short Bargain Break

Following a tip from a travel agent on BBC Radio 4 a while ago, I decided to take a short city break to Valencia. The agent suggested that countries affected the most by the recession are offering the best value for tourists and she wasn’t wrong. Normally visiting Europe feels and is so expensive but this trip left me with change.

Super Commuters

An increasing number of Americans are willing to fly even 100 miles to get to work every day, most at their own expense as professional struggle to get employment.

Perception of distances and our tolerance of travel are open to change. 

Birmingham In Top 20

Birmingham was voted one of the top 20 places in the world to visit in the world by the New York Times!!!

A Room of Her Own

More hotels around the world are catering to single female travellers by providing women-only floors, women only upgrade packages or extra security for women to encourage bookings.  The cities that have started offering these services are as diverse as Delhi, Copenhagen and New York.

I have heard stories in India

Penelope’s Pit Stop

Hasn’t the experience of driving long distance changed in Britain?  I used to dread the service stations with their awful smelly loos and stale sandwiches or greasy spoon McDonalds alternatives.

Britain’s Beaches

Britain has really wonderful beaches. For years I have packed my bags to go abroad in seek on sun and sand. This year, I took to the British coasts of Devon and Cornwall. Here I have found beautiful bays landscaped along amazing cliff coastline or set in front of quaint quintessentially British villages. If visiting this part of the world, top recommends are Cawsands, Mothecombe Bay and Bude.