Written by Simon Whaley (A Runner-up entry in the Off the Beaten Track Writing Competition.) “You’re in the School Room,” advises the Under Butler, as he carries my flimsy outlet-shopping-centre-bought suitcase into the room. I’m greeted by the beautiful, classical tones of Claude Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lume’ drifting through the air from the Roberts radio […]
A delightful getaway from either the south of England or the north of France, is the historic city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. It is often thought of as a summer destination. However, for senior travellers who can choose freely when to travel, I recommend visiting during the off-season. You will avoid the crowds of summer tourists and accommodation […]
Written by Janet Traill (A Runner-up entry in the Off the Beaten Track Writing Competition.) The signpost said ‘McGregor 20 km’. This was not the first Scottish name my husband and I had come across while touring through South Africa – in fact this sign was on the outskirts of the small Western Cape town […]
North-East Spain was largely unknown to me. I’d visited Barcelona on a couple of occasions, but never strayed far inland. Reading by chance that the name of the city of Zaragoza, was derived from Caesaraugusta, via the Arabic name of Saraqusta, persuaded me that I should find out more about this area of Spain and its complex history. […]
Written by Barbara Bond (A Runner-up entry in the Off the Beaten Track Writing Competition.) Sri Lanka is an exceptional place. It offers such diversity; coast, mountains, plains, jungles, safari parks, world heritage sites. There’s also the ease of travel, the food, and most importantly the people; they are the most welcoming, friendly, happy, warm […]
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Touring Normandy, the Loire Valley and Brittany in June
STE’s Holiday Editor, Tony Taylor, reports on his experiences driving around North-West France. My wife and I had not visited France for many years and felt a return visit was well overdue. Taking advantage of being retired senior travellers, we chose to travel in June before the busy summer holiday period and decided on a […]