Let’s plan for Future Travel

Let’s plan for Future Travel

 

I am busy reading!.

 

We are all going through  a difficult time with the Covid 19, and I am sure  many others like me had to cancel their holidays and feel anxious wondering when it will be safe  to travel again. The  future of the travel industry is dark at the moment, for some there is fear of going back to a normal life after lockdown because we don’t know for how long we will be with the pandemic. My family and I have been isolated for more than a month now working from home, studying or doing exercise. It has been difficult but  we are now used to the ‘stay at home’ routine and we know we cannot book a holiday but at least we can plan about it.

 

I have not been in Asia yet, and traveling to  Japan is on my pending travel list. So instead of feeling sad  I decided to take advantage of the current situation. I have joined a Japanese class online.  This was something I wanted to do for a long time, and thought this is the perfect time. Also I have started watching  Japanese Dramas  on Netflix and Viki in order to get used to listening and practicing the language. 

 

A lovely book for Matcha lovers.

There is something special about Japan, and I have always been curious about the country. It started when as a child I used to watch Anime cartoons in South America and my love for Japanese Gardens and cherry blossoms came later on as an adult. Recently I decided to also learn about baking Japanese cakes. I am particularly obsessed with all matcha related things so  I purchased cooking and baking  books online. ‘Tanoshi Ke-Ki’ is a book by Chef Yamahita Masataka and it has wonderful Japanese cake recipes, and if you are a matcha lover like me then ‘The Matcha Cookbook’ by Aster is definitely the book for with unique and easy recipes to try at home. There are many  talented You Tubers dedicated to Japanese culture and cuisine. My favourite Japanese cooking channel  is one called ‘Just one Cookbook’ and thanks to Nami’s channel I have been learning new fantastic recipes.

Matcha Fairy cakes.

 

During isolation I have also had time to do a lot of reading and doing research about the places I will visit in Japan. I was not happy about reading just a travel guide, so also I have a few books that talk about history, etiquette and food.  Something that always cheers me up and elevates  me is listening to foreign music. It doesn’t matter what country it is from, but music will always take me back to special places with lovely memories.  Music is like medicine for the heart and soul.

I have been in touch with family and friends who live abroad more often than usual. We are all in the same situation and it is good to talk about it with the ones we love. I know I will go to Japan one day so I will  keep myself busy learning about the country.

 

A Short Break in Anglesey

Newborough Beach great for children and furry friends.

One of our favourite short break destinations in North Wales is the Isle of Anglesey, and during the summer last year our holiday was a bit different  Now we have a new member in the family and she is Tsuki (a Pomeranian cross breed), and we took her with us to Anglesey, so this was officially the first holiday with Tsuki.

We booked a cottage for six days with a big garden. Anglesey is a dog friendly island, with beaches and restaurants where well behaved dogs are welcome. We did a lot of walking every day and enjoyed these beautiful places:

In the forest at Newborough

Newborough Forest:  Newborough has a massive  sandy beach and they have a map by the car park entrance with information of where  dogs are allowed. This beach is so big you may need two days to explore, there is a forest with a special trail for children and also you could visit Llanddwyn Island (also called Love Island) when the tide is low.

Stepping Stones: Not far from Newborough Beach are the Stepping Stones. Its is a short walk starting from  The Marram Grass restaurant to the Afon Braint river. It may take you 15-20 minutes to get to the Stepping Stones and you can try crossing it if the tide is low.

Stepping Stones

 

The map for the walk to Bwa Du and Gwenfaen’s Well

Rhoscolyn Walk: We found a great place for a long walk in Rhoscolyn thanks to an old map we found in the place we were staying. The walk starts from the Rhoscolyn Car Park, passing by the beach and take the way on your right. Follow the signs of the ‘Anglesey Coastal Route’, you will see people also doing the walk and you won’t get lost. This route gives you the most beautiful views of the Rhoscolyn coast and village. On the way you will find St Gwenfaen’s well,  in the past people believed that the water had healing properties. Keep on walking for about 15-20 minutes and you will see a diversion route, that is the way to get to Bwa Du (Black Arch) which is a beautiful rock formation. After that you will find again the signs for the Circular Walk going back to Rhoscolyn village. This is a long walk and takes about 3 hours.

St Gwenfaen’s Well

 

Trearddur Bay

Trearddur Bay:

Everytime we visit Anglesey we have to visit Trearddur Bay, a beautiful sandy beach, it is a favourite for parents with small children, and there are many places to go for lunch or dinner and I will write about places to eat in Anglesey in a separate blog.

Bryn Celli Ddu

 

Bryn Celli Ddu Chamber: I was amazed to learn that Anglesey is an island with many burial chambers, and you can find them all around the island. There is a legend that long time ago giants lived in Anglesey, others say that the Druids built the tombs. It is amazing to find that the walls inside the burial chamber are with prehistoric art. Like Stonehenge, Bryn Celli Ddu is aligned to the summer solstice. This is a magical and spiritual place.

Church Bay

 

Church Bay Natural Arch

Church Bay: Another place for a walk is the lovely Church Bay in the North West coast of Anglesey. It could be difficult to park but we decided to go around lunch time so we parked in the Wavecrest Cafe, so after lunch we went for a short walk to the beach. There is a circular walk route starting at Porth Swtan. We preferred doing a short walk  from Porth Swtan where we found a beautiful natural arch, in order to find it you will have to go down using a path by the cliff side as there is no access from the beach.

Cemaes Bay

Cemaes Bay and Moelfre: One of the best Coastal Walks for stunning views is the one in Cemaes Bay, There are two beaches and it is lovely to walk along the promenade. It is a short drive from Cemaes Bay to Moelfre, so you can try visiting these two places in one day. Moelfre is a village in the north east coast of Anglesey, there is a small beach but also you could get to Llgwy Beach which is bigger. Also the Lligwy Burial Chamber and Hut Circles are located  in Moelfre, a must see for those who love prehistoric places.

Moelfre

 

All the beaches I have mentioned are dog friendly but  it is always good to double check if dogs are not allowed  in the summer season. Anglesey is a big island and I still have pending places to visit, so hope to go back sometime next summer and give you and updated blog with more amazing beaches or villages to visit.

 

 

The Magical Huacachina Oasis

 

Exploring Huacachina

After our Ballestas Islands tour we headed to The Huacachina oasis which is located near the city centre of Ica. There are many hotels and restaurants so it is great for a full day trip or if you wish a long weekend break. Huacachina is surrounded by dunes which makes it a perfect place to practice sandboard and have fun exploring the oasis.

The Sand Dunes at Huacachina

 

There is a legend about the oasis and it says that during the Inca empire there was a beautiful woman called Huacachina who was going to get married. But the groom did not show up to the wedding, he was an Inca warrior, and on a fight with  the Spaniards they drowned him to death. So Huacachina ended up with a broken heart. The legend says that she cried so much that her tears became what it is now the oasis. People also say that at night when it is full moon a mermaid is seen in the oasis, which sounds a bit creepy. Anyway I love this sort of legends or stories and I think this makes the place even more interesting and magical.

My family having fun in the dunes.

 

The Huacachina oasis used to be pink in the past and eventually changed colour to green, some people say it has medicinal properties. It is possible to swim in the oasis and also there are pedal boats for rent, and if you like adventure sports  then don’t miss the opportunity to do sandboard. Our tour included an introduction to sandboard and a buggy ride on the dunes, something that we will never forget, it was the best experience ever!. Our buggy driver was an expert jumping in high speed, the buggy is for six people and we were all screaming and laughing at the same time with the adrenaline to the top we absolutely loved it!. Once you are on top of the dune the buggy stops for people to do sandboard and also it is a great opportunity for taking pictures or selfies with the Huacachina oasis on the background. I think there is something special about being in the dunes, we all felt so happy and with energy,  and the view of the oasis is stunning!

We are ready to go on the buggy!

 

We still had something pending in our Ica city tour and that was to do wine tasting!. Ica is officially the capital of Pisco and  Peruvian Wine. We did visit to a viticulture centre called ‘El Catador’ where they explained us how Pisco was made and how wines are produced. Pure Pisco is made with a grape called ‘Quebranta’ which has been growing in the Ica region since old times. It was very interesting to taste different Pisco varieties, like for example a drink called ‘Cachina’ which is fruity and sweet. At the end of the tour many decided to buy some bottles of wine to take home as souvenirs.

Our souvenir from Ica, a bottle of Cachina!

The Peruvian South Coast has many amazing places to visit and the city of Ica has always been one of my favourite and I will keep this journey in my heart because of the memories experienced with my family. Ica is the perfect place for adventure lovers!.

 

The Paracas Natural Reserve

 

The Candelabra

During my holiday to Peru I wanted to go back to a place I went during my school years, and this time I would go with my family. In the south of Lima, four hours away by coach is located the city of Ica. It is in this big city where important cultures like Paracas and Nazca were developed, also the national drink of Peru called ‘Pisco’ is produced in the town of the same name Pisco.

Ballestas Islands

 

We booked a full day tour with Sierra Verde Peru, and they have options of two or three days if you wish to stay for longer as there are many things to do in the area. Our couch went along the Panamerican Highway which is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest road in America.  It is a nice drive along the beautiful coast with many beaches. Once you see a sign for the city of Pisco it means you will arrive soon to Paracas. The Paracas National Reserve is located in the Paracas Bay which is a place protected because it is rich in marine wildlife.

One of the many sea lions.

Our tour started at El Chaco Port in Paracas town  where a high speed boat was waiting to take us to the Ballestas Islands. It was a one hour and thirty minutes tour that we enjoyed very much, the weather was perfect and we saw sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, flamingos and many different bird species. My son was amazed to see all these animals in their natural habitat and loved the high speed boat, but you have to be careful if wearing a hat make sure to hold it tight, because my dad almost lost his!. On the way to Ballestas and only visible from the sea is  the famous Chandelier or Paracas Candelabra, which is both beautiful and mysterious. It has been there intact for hundreds of years with many theories about it but it still isn’t clear how it was made or who did it. Scientists are still trying to find out the age of this massive Candelabra which is carved not in the sand dune but deep in the rock under the sand.

 

Speed boats are fun!

There are beautiful beaches in the Paracas Reserve like La Mina, El Raspon and Barlovento, just to name a few. The weather in Ica is extremely hot so don’t forget to bring a hat,  sun block and sunglasses, Wear trousers if possible (my husband’s knees got burnt!), and always bring a bottle of water. After the boat trip we went for lunch at a restaurant near the Port called ‘El Delfin Dorado’ where we enjoyed a fantastic seafood meal. If you visit Paracas you must try the seafood, fresh and tasty.

Our tour didn’t finish in Paracas,  not far away is the Huacachina Oasis where we did some activities and I will share more about it in my next blog!

Downtown Lima City Tour

Palace of Justice

Everytime I travel to Lima I feel very excited because it is the city where I spent my childhood and grew up thinking about traveling around the world. So writing about Lima is extra special too. Lima is the capital of Peru and called ‘The City of Kings’; its a must see on any visit to South America. A couple of days gives you enough time  to explore the city and it’s main attractions, and it is from Lima that you can travel to other cities like Ica (Ballestas Islands, Nazca Lines), Arequipa (Colca Valley), Cuzco (Macchu Picchu) and many more.

Plaza San Martin

 

The best season to visit Lima is during Winter, Spring or the start of summer in December, when the weather is warm because it gets very hot between January and March. Something you must be prepared about Lima is the traffic, so you have to think twice about going out on your own,  driving in Lima or taking a bus isn’t an option especially if you are new in the city. It’s better to get an Easy taxi or Uber which are cheap and reliable. If you are traveling to Lima for the very first time I suggest you take one of the many tour companies in Lima that offer day trips. This time I decided to do something different with my family and based on a friends recommendation  is how we contracted a Lima CIty Tour and a Paracas/Ica Day trip with the ‘Sierra Verde’ tour company.

The Goverment Palace

 

Our Lima City Tour started in the Miraflores district in a private and comfortable bus. Our first stop was Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca temple pyramid made of adobe. There is a museum on site and a restaurant with views of the temple and ruins. On the way to Downtown Lima our bus went along Arequipa Avenue where  there are many consulates, old and well maintained buildings, also the Magical Water Park is in this avenue, this park has an amazing show at night time and is a popular place for families with children. I knew we were near the city centre when I saw The Sheraton Hotel and the Palace of Justice.

Lima Cathedral

 

The next stop was the San Martin Square in Downtown Lima which has beautiful architecture in buildings like The Hotel Bolivar and Colon Theatre. Not far away is Lima’s Main Square or Plaza Mayor de Lima which is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site.  Public transport isn’t allowed in the area so it is actually very quiet and you can take your time to take as many pictures as you want. The main buildings here are The Government Palace, The Lima Cathedral, The Archbishop’s Palace, and the Lima City Hall. One of the many things I love about Lima is  the style of the balconies built during the Spanish Colonial period, you will see many of them.

San Francisco Convent in Downtown Lima

 

We walked from the Lima Main Square to the San Francisco Convent, one of my favourite places to visit as a child because of its Catacombs. If you are claustrophobic it may not be suitable for you, but definitely it is a place that children find interesting. Actually my son said that the Catacombs were not  scary but fascinating and surprisingly it didn’t stink. The San Francisco Convent built in a lovely Spanish baroque style is well maintained and it has survived many earthquakes.

View from the Larcomar Shopping Center.

It was already midday and time to head back to Miraflores. The tour bus went along the mega busy Abancay Avenue. We were stuck in traffic for a while but it was actually interesting because in the distance we were able to see  the Legislative Palace, Museum of the inquisition and The National Library.

Lovely Costa Verde in Miraflores

 

Our tour ended going back to Miraflores and our final stop was at Larcomar, a modern shopping complex with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. We had a great time and thanks to Susi our kind tour guide we learned many things about the city of Lima.

There is always something new in Lima,not only new places to visit but also new places where to eat. Soon I will write a post about Peruvian food, because if you are a food lover like me then you must know Peruvian food is amazing. See you on my next blog!

 

Secrets of Zante City Tour

 

A lovely picture with Kefalonia Island on the background.

We were looking for a full day tour in Zante and found this one called ‘Secrets of Zante’ in the TUI website. You can also book it in your hotel on arrival if you wish. If you are looking for a family or child friendly day trip this is the one for you.

The tour picked us up from our hotel at around 10am, the TUI company has big comfortable buses and the tour guides are friendly and answer all your questions. At the beginning of the tour the bus  passed by Xigia Beach, a beach well known for its sulfur waters which have a milky look and people come here because of its medicinal properties. The first stop is in Katastari where there is a great panoramic view across Kefalonia Island, the place where the movie  Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed. It’s a perfect spot for pictures or selfies.

Boat on the way to the Blue Caves

 

The bus will take you to Zantes North Coast for a tour boat to the Blue Caves (weather permitting). The Blue Caves will take your breath away, the water has a unique turquoise colour which makes the caves so special. Once back in the bus we went to a Honey Shop in the village of Volimes where they had different types of honey, like rose honey which I purchased to bring home. They also had  herbs and spices, all grown in Zante, like cinnamon bark, bay leaves, black pepper, and so many more.

Greek honey is amazing and you can find it in a variety of flavours

 

The sea food in Greece is lovely, these are grilled giant prawns, all mine!!!

 

Zante was rebuilt after a mega earthquake in the 50’s and you can still see remains of the old town and new buildings together. It was time for lunch and the tour stopped in a restaurant that had Greek and International food. My husband had  a big beef steak, I had a prawn feast and my son had grilled chicken with chips, all the meals were good and not expensive at all. After lunch we went to the Anafonitria Monastery which a long time ago was the refuge of St Denis. There is access to the monastery but you cannot take pictures inside the church, this is because of the many frescoes on the walls.

 

 

Anafonitria Monastery

 

We also visited an Olive Oil factory in the village of Lithakia called Aristeon Olive Press, there I bought some packs of black olives and a bottle of olive oil,  also they were selling beauty products. At the end of the tour we had free time in the Old Town and we stopped at Bochali, a place with perfect views over Zante Town and Marathonisi Island (for more selfies!).

Panoramic View of Zante Town

 

We were back to our hotel feeling pleased, Zante is a small island with many places to discover, delicious food, the people is kind and friendly, it is a place for couples and families. Thanks again Greece for the fantastic memories!

 

The Loggerhead Turtle in Zante Beach

 

Marathonisi Island, the view before landing in Zante.

My family and I  decided to go back to Greece for our summer holidays and this time we visited the incredible island of Zante. Located in the Ionian Sea, Zante or Zakynthos  has amazing clean beaches, and it is home to the endangered Loggerhead turtles.

 

We stayed in the all inclusive Zante Louis Hotel, which is a child friendly hotel with a public beach called Laganas Beach which is the nesting place of the Loggerhead  or Caretta Caretta turtle. The Archelon Sea Turtle Protection is based in Laganas Beach and they look after the nests along the beach. During the day you will see people from Archelon renting parasols and sunbeds at Eur 8.00 per day which goes towards the turtle charity organization. There are many nests, well protected with a sort of border and each of them has a sign that says not to traspas or step on the nest.

Laganas Beach has many signs like this. So let’s protect the turtles!

 

 

Laganas Beach is so clean that you can see fish at all times, and if you stay still the fish come to you and try to nibble your legs or toes, very sure this will make you laugh. It was great to have walks along the beach in the afternoons after dinner and enjoy the sunset. You will be allowed to  walk by the beach only until 6pm, this is because turtle nests could be disturbed and you will find members of Archelon reminding people not to walk on the beach after that time. Also there are no flights operating in Zante between 11pm and 5am so the lights from the planes don’t confuse the baby turtles which could stop them finding the sea.

Afternoons are magical and peaceful at Laganas Beach.

 

We were looking for boat tours as we wanted to  see the turtles, and we found out that the boat tours offered by a kiosk at Laganas Beach was cheaper than the one offered by the hotel (TUI). The tour lasts for about 60 minutes, and the boat takes you to the front of Laganas Bay to spot Loggerhead turtles, and not very far we saw a big beautiful turtle swimming but it was obviously scared because there were  two more boats in the same area and suddenly the turtle disappeared in the sea. It may be difficult to control the boat tours but hopefully Archelon will come up with a plan.

Loggerhead turtles are so beautiful.

 

During our holiday we would always find  straws or general plastic items in the beach (from the hotel bar/restaurant ) so my son and I would pick up any sort of plastic and put it in the waste bin. Laganas beach is very clean  because Archelon volunteers keep it clean and safe for the turtles. I think not just Greek residents but also tourists visiting the island should take part in keeping the beach clean, as a sign of respect and love for nature.

A typical morning in Laganas Beach, Zante.

 

I came back to the UK more aware of the danger of plastic, this holiday was an eye opener for me. People do not believe the fact that plastic can destroy our planet and in a short time the Loggerhead turtles could be extinct. I think we should all help and  keep beaches clean. Our son learnt a lot from this holiday, he absolutely loved it, so I can say it is a must for you to travel to Zante specially if you have children.

 

Discovering Anglesey Beaches

Newborough Forest on the way to the beach.

It can be difficult to  find a nice beach in England.  Much depends on where you live and if you like sandy beaches or pebble beaches. I love Anglesey and I have been there many times but I have never visited the West coast of the island.  Based on friends suggestions I planned a two day itinerary driving from the West Coast to the East Coast of Anglesey.

Newborough Beach in Anglesey

 

On the first day our first stop was in Newborough Beach which is located just next to the Newborough Forest near Llys Rhosyr, on the west coast of Anglesey. It was nice driving to Newborough, because you drive through the middle of a forest to finally find a massive beach. The landscape is beautiful with views of Snowdonia, and there are public toilets and shower facilities. Not very far from there is  Llanddwyn Island also known as ‘Love Island’. This is a special place for those in love as apparently couples get engaged there. We had a nice picnic lunch at Newborough beach before heading to Trearddur Bay, the second beach on our list.

A view from the rock pools at Trearddur Bay

 

Late afternoon in Trearddur Bay

Trearddur Bay has it is own charm, it is a small  beach on a promenade and it is a favourite for people who love kayaking or sailing. The rockpools are a favourite for children and my son was happy exploring and looking for small fish and crabs. There are nice hotels and guest houses if you decide to stay there. We booked one night in the Travelodge Holyhead, which is a very small basic hotel, quiet and clean. The next day we visited South Stack Light House (which is near the Travelodge), this lighthouse was built in what is called Ynys Lawd a small island on the northwest coast of Holyhead. There is a coffee shop that belongs to the RSPB, this is near the parking area and they offer lovely options for breakfast or light meals. We didn’t get the ticket to get inside the lighthouse and instead we went to the RSPB South Stack Visitor Center, which has an amazing view of the cliffs where many birds species breed during spring. Also there is lots of information about many sea creatures that visit the area, it is great they keep a daily record of the whales or dolphin sightings in the sea and they also have binoculars for hire.

South Stack Light House

Just before midday we went across the island to explore the east coast to visit  a couple more places. But before that we went for a drive to Church Bay near Rhydwen Village. I heard about this place and it came up when doing my research of the places to visit in Anglesey. Church Bay is a small pebbled beach with stunning views of the cliffs. It was lovely  to drive from Rhydwen to Moelfre, perhaps it took about half an hour and we enjoyed the views of the island.

Church Bay

Moelfre is a small village with a pebbled beach, people love fishing, having picnics or just going for a walk. It was lunch time so we stopped at  Ann’s Pantry Restaurant where they have lovely sandwiches, ciabattas and salads . Near Moelfre is Lligwy Beach, a big beach great for children as it is a shallow sandy beach, very clean. The beach has a a cafe and toilet facilities, and it is dog friendly too. We spent most of the day on this beach before  heading to Beaumaris, our last stop.

Lligwy Beach

 

View from the promenade at Beaumaris

Beaumaris has always been one of my favourite places in Anglesey, there is a beautiful castle and I love walking along the promenade. Also there is a restaurant called The Pier Bistro, the ideal place for seafood lovers because they offer Anglesey sea bass,  scampi, calamari, steamed Menai mussels, also they have Welsh beef meals and they have many meal options in the menu for adults and children. Sometimes they have lobster meals available too.

Lovely Steamed Menai mussels

 

And this was our short break to Anglesey, the summer weather will be gone soon and we are very happy we visited the island and discovered beaches we haven’t been before. There are still many places that I want to go in North Wales, so I am  looking forward for the next family break.

 

Loving the food in Copenhagen

Hello Copenhagen!, here I am again ready to have fun!.

 

I was recently  in Copenhagen visiting a good friend of mine and every time we meet it is like having a party! . Copenhagen is one of my favourite destinations, a place where I would go back again and again, the streets are safe and clean, the people is kind, and there are many historical places like Amalienborg Palace, The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens and the list is big. Well, this time my visit was a ‘girl break’, to do shopping and discover places to eat. Something we have in common  is that we are food lovers so together we decided to break the diet!.

 

 

Seafood for lunch was perfect!.

On day one we went to have lunch to a place located on the rooftop of the Illum mall, the restaurant is called ‘Skagen Fiskerestaurant’. This place has good options for those who like seafood and we ordered the fish and chips Skagen style, the dish consists in flounder, monk fish, baby Norwegian lobster, and it is served with garlic mayonnaise and fried chips. I absolutely enjoyed it and we also ordered elderflower drinks. The menu has beautiful fish options, so I would definitely go back.

Having dessert at La Glace is an experience.

The window at La Glace, you will get very hungry looking at those cakes!.

 

After lunch we went shopping and  did a ‘must’ stop in a place where they make delicious cakes. I am talking about ‘The Conditoriet La Glace’, people say that prices are expensive, but I must say that this place has the best cakes in all Denmark and maybe in all Europe. ‘La Glace’ it is a name with history and it was opened in 1870, you pay what you get, and what you get is  the most beautiful and unique cakes you have ever tried in your life. My favourite one is called ‘Forarskage’, a smooth cake with raspberry mousse, chocolate truffle, raspberry puree, and almonds as a base (marzipan). You may need to queue and get a number to be seated, so you just need to be patient.

Lunch time at Lele, looks small but it is a good portion for lunch, very tasty!.

 

Dinner time at La Rocca, Italian Restaurant.

 

The next day we decided to try something different for lunch, so we went to Lele Street Kitchen, Vietnamese Cuisine. The restaurant is small and also does take-away, it is well located at  the entrance of the shopping mall Fisketorvet. My friend suggested to have Caramelized Pork and it is served with jasmine rice, kimchi and vegetables. That was lovely, I have never tried a dish like that before,  and they have a cold lemonade mint drink that goes perfectly with this meal option. After lunch we went to visit a  food street market called Torvehallernekbh, my friend said I was going to love the place and she was right. This street market has stalls with food, meat/fish, vegetables and drinks from countries around the world, there was even a small sushi stall.

 

Visiting the Food Street Market

It is always exciting to see so many products in just one place!.

 

Before coming back to England my friend had a lovely surprise for me.  She baked a Peruvian Guanabana cake, a beautiful gesture as I love Guanabana and it is a fruit very difficult to find. It is always sad to say goodbye to friends  and always sad to go back to the diet. A short break is always needed to escape from the routine, and Copenhagen is a great short break destination.

Home made Peruvian Guanabana Cake, love it!!.

Hasta la Vista Copenhagen!!.

The Biddulph Grange Garden

 

Let’s explore!!

The English countryside is always beautiful, rain or shine many places are waiting to be discovered. England is known by its many castles and also Victorian houses or mansions rich in history. In Staffordshire not far from Stoke on Trent it is located the Biddulph Grange Garden, a National Trust property, a place I have been years ago and I was looking forward to visit again. It was a rainy day and all we needed was our raincoats and wellington boots.

One of the many trees in the Pinetum

A lovely corner in the gardens.

The Biddulph Grange Garden is a place created by plant collector James Bateman, his love for plants was a big inspiration to design a unique garden which would contain plant collections from around the world. The garden is divided in places like Italy, China, Egypt and the Americas.

Cheshire Cottage

 

The Stumpery

On arrival to the Biddulph Grange you will be given a map and this will help you decide where to start the tour.  We started walking along the Italian garden area, where there is a lovely terrace and a big lake (which by the way was frozen). After that we had a walk along ‘The Americas’ where there are many different trees and, after going through a tunnel there is an area called the ‘Pinetum’ with many pines, short and tall ones.  At the end of the path we found  The Cheshire Cottage, once inside after a few steps you will be in  The Stumpery. This would be the first time I saw a Stumpery, a rockery made of old oak trees or dead trees, many of them!, the place has a science fiction touch and I absolutely loved it!. We kept on walking and suddenly we were in the Egyptian garden which  is nicely decorated with replicas of Egyptian sphinxes.  

The Egyptian Garden

 

Entrance to the Chinese Garden

But we were not finished yet, there was still a lot to explore and the next area to visit was the Chinese Garden. This garden is absolutely lovely, it looks very much like a Zen garden as it has a  pond decorated with rocks  and  red bridges. There is a pagoda with bells dangling from the roof ( the children love playing with the bells), and inside the Pagoda there are places to sit and enjoy the view.

 

The Pagoda in the Chinese Garden

 

A place to relax, the Chinese Garden

 

We did the Dahlia Walk even though there aren’t flowers yet. The best months to see the Dahlias in bloom is between August and October, so we will come back to see them. After the tour we went to the National Trust souvenir shop which sells many lovely gifts and there is also a coffee shop that has cakes, cold sandwiches and hot drinks.

The Biddulph Grange garden is a place for all the family to enjoy!