withysmart

Short break with family in Mallorca. Bit chilly but nice trip. Villa great but honestly could have used central heating (if knew how to work it)! Had car so got about and, as per usual, ate well! Dad and Mum benefited from increased sunshine later in week, in sheltered spots!... read more

Tooth able and travelling fit again. Left a drizzly, cold Manc to arrive in lovely warm Gran Canaria - exactly what I'd hoped to experience, a dose of December sunshine, away from the Christmas frenzy. Easy island to travel about on by public transport, well used to tourists too. Travelled up by local bus to capital city Las Palmas. Enjoyed great jeep 'safari' into the central island mountains for a day which included a typical Canarian food lunch. The saharan sand dunes at Maspalomas, where I stayed, are amazing. The pics say the rest ..... hope to one day return and investigate more of island by car.... read more

Chance to visit Windsor, Henley and Marlow with travel club parents are members of. Particularly wanted to see Windsor Castle and renovations since 1992 fire. Good autumn days out, weather kind and coach journey as good as could be considering route down M6/M40. Based in Gerrards Cross, saw fair evidence of wealth in and around areas visited. Getting well used to boat trips! No photos taken in Marlow as a chillier day and didn't hang about (but found a local chocolate maker's shop and had a lovely hot chocolate).... read more

Planned at beginning to go to France with parents. My aunt decided to come too - she ended up organising the trip as she knew France quite well and wanted to drive in Europe in her sports car. With Sarlat in the Dordogne as the base we were guaranteed beautiful scenery. Dad & Mum travelled down by train and I hired a 4 seat car for the week there. Turned out we got fantastic weather the whole week in Sarlat and had a marvellous time. Canoeing down the river Dordogne for 15 km between Vitrac and Beynac was a definate highlight. Saw fair share of chateaux. Also saw wonderful replica cave paintings at Lascaux II - originals only accidentally discovered in 1940 by 4 teenagers and Robot the dog! Road trip was great, lots of good ... read more

Wanted to visit Italy and this opportunity couldn be missed - base in Bergamo to visit Italian lakes and Venice. Turned out managed to see Verona too. Got about on Regionale local and Trenitalia intercity trains. Everything I hoped - beautiful country and city landscapes, amazing architecture and art, (and of course perfect food). Bergamo is a great small city with such an interesting split between modern and old towns, connected by road and steep funicular rail. Found local Bergamo fare on the Saturday night and drank a great Lombardy cabernet from a jug in a mug! Totally no understanding of Italian language but took a phrase book and coped just about (apart from misunderstanding on the Sunday, sailing across Lago di Garda to Garda town and ended up disembarking thinking all afternoon I was in ... read more