Oller del Mas

Oller del Mas

Oller del Mas is a captivating winery nestled in the picturesque countryside near Manresa, about an hour’s drive from Barcelona. I’m on a tour with Viator, having just come from the morning at Montserrat and everyone is ready for some tasting, combined with tapas.… Read the rest

Peratallada

Plaça de les Voltes, Peratallada

Peratallada is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval architecture in Catalonia. After a visit to nearby Girona this morning, it’s been a beautiful drive through the countryside to get here.

As we approach from the car park, crossing a bridge and into the town, it becomes apparent the closer we get that this place is special.… Read the rest

Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schloss Hohenschwangau is a picturesque castle located in the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in Bavaria, Germany. While it is famous for its stunning architecture and scenic surroundings, Hohenschwangau is often overlooked in favour of the more famous Neuschwanstein.… Read the rest

Kodra Restaurant

Kodra Restaurant

An early morning walk and then a visit, en route, to the delightful Ardenica Monastery, sees us arrive in Gjirokaster for a late lunch at Kodra Restaurant. Perched high on the hill in the old town, it is currently raining and so, a lazy lunch seems the perfect way to await finer weather.… Read the rest

Torre de Belém

Torre de Belém

This stunning tower, the Torre de Belém, stands on the banks of the Targus river in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is a landmark dating from the 16th Century. It is a ceremonial gateway to the city and officially a fortification that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers.… Read the rest

Tyntesfield

Tyntesfield

A day out at Tyntesfield is one for the whole family. This exquisite Victorian Gothic Revival estate includes a grand home, complete with its own chapel on a sprawling estate. Here you can watch the children play hide and seek between the trees, climb around the playground and explore the hothouse plants.… Read the rest

Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano

Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano by night

The incredible Renaissance castle, Castello Odescalchi, sits in the heart of Bracciano and has borne witness to centuries of change.  As we arrive in Bracciano on the first leg of our Summer Holidays, it greets us, presiding over the piazza as we unload our bags, the boys too tired to notice, me bewitched and speechless at the sight. … Read the rest