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I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Hotel Wedina Review - Hamburg’s Literary Hotel
When I planned to sail on Cunard’s newest cruise ship, Queen Anne, during her first voyage into Hamburg, I was delighted to discover that the city has its very own literary hotel.
Based in the St Georg district of central Hamburg, the hotel itself is very easy to find with its striking red exterior. We arrived after a short drive from the cruise port, which we booked on Uber, and were greeted by their friendly reception staff in their flawless English.
The Paddington Bear Experience Review - Is It Worth Going?
Here’s everything you need to know about London’s newest family friendly attraction.
Located in central London’s South Bank, The Paddington Bear Experience combines immersive theatre with interactive elements, set in the world of Paddington Bear.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Cabin Tour
I recently disembarked a wonderful two day mini cruise onboard Cunard’s Queen Anne and I’ve been so excited to write about it.
We stayed in cabin 7174 and paid £150 each for both nights (we travelled as a couple). For us, the cabin was perfect - it was always quiet with no noise from other cabins or entertainment venues. We also hardly felt the ship moving at all, and the lack of sunlight meant I had a fantastic sleep every night.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Cruise Ship Tour and Review
I’ve just returned from a fantastic two day voyage on board Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, and I can’t wait to show you around.
As the first addition to Cunard’s fleet for more than a decade, Queen Anne is unique compared to her sisters. Not only does she have the largest capacity to date, accommodating up to 3,000 guests and 1,225 crew, she’s also the most modern, seamlessly blending luxury with traditional features. Owned by the same umbrella company as P&O, I definitely noticed some similarities to their newest ships Iona and Arvia, while still remaining remained distinct to the Cunard brand.
Harlech Castle: Everything You Need to Know
Tucked into the outskirts of the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, Harlech Castle, which is also known by its Welsh name Castell Harlech, dates back to the 1200s when King Edward I invaded Wales.
The castle was fiercely defended across the centuries, having been attacked by several Welsh princes, and changing hands between the Welsh and the English numerous times. Today, Harlech Castle has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Edward’s other castles Beaumaris, Caernarfon and Conwy.
Hay-on-Wye Bookshop Guide
Welcome to the world’s first bookshop town, Hay-on-Wye. Here you’ll find more than twenty bookshops selling all kinds of books: from new to second hand, fiction to non-fiction and books for children and adults.
Hay-on-Wye also plays host to the annual book Hay Festival which sees 300,000 guests visit the town across eleven days.
Here are all of the bookshops that you’ll find in Hay-on-Wye!
Richard Booth Bookshop Review
Welcome to Hay-on-Wye, the world famous book town located on the Welsh border. With more than 20 bookshops to its name, Hay really is a book lover’s dream, and an essential bucket list location for any reader.
You’ll find the UK’s largest book festival, Hay Fest, there each summer, along with a more modest iteration in the winter. It’s a cultural hub and the place to be for anyone who loves books.
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Review
Located between two of central London’s iconic parks, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is a luxurious five star hotel just a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. Boasting stunning art deco interiors and in a premier location, this is one hotel that you won’t want to check out from.
I visited the Sheraton as part of their 2024 World Book Day Celebrations. Partnering with Reece’s Book Club, the Sheraton opened a pop up library in the lobby which played host to a number of book talks and book clubs. Stocked with titles from Reece’s Book Club, it was a fantastic way for the community to come together and celebrate literature in a unique location.
Arvia Cabin Tour and Review
I sailed on P&O’s cruise ship Arvia at the beginning of 2024 and had an absolutely amazing time. Although I had initially booked an inside room, I took part in the company’s bidding scheme before sailing and managed to secure a balcony cabin for an additional £395 per person.
Was it worth it? Here are my thoughts on our balcony cabin on P&O’s Arvia (number 11317).
The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge - Review
The University Arms Hotel has been high on my bookish to-visit list for a very long time, and for good reason! This literary hotel has a long history, having been in service in a variety of forms since the 1800s. Now owned by Marriott Bonvoy aspart of their Autograph Collection, the property boasts stunning Edwardian interiors and offers a truly luxurious experience in the heart of Cambridge.
I stayed at the hotel for two nights in one of their stunning terrace suites, and also had the chance to dine in their onsite restaurant the Parkers Tavern. The hotel underwent a thorough renovation in 2016, and it’s clear that Marriott invested a significant amount of time and money in the refit. I particularly loved the little details, and loved the signs that were shaped like books.
P&O’s Iona Cruise Ship - 10 Things I Loved
Last summer (2022) my partner and I embarked on our first ever cruise with P&O’s Iona. We travelled on a return voyage from Southampton to Norway, and were scheduled to stop in Stavanger, Alesund, Olden and Haegsund over an 8 day schedule.
Unfortunately our stop at Stavanger was cancelled due to high winds, however, we had missed port coverage as part of our insurance which meant that we were given a small sum each to cover the inconvenience. While I would have loved to visit Stavanger (and had picked out a cool bookish cafe/bar to visit) I didn’t really mind as it meant that our budget trip was even cheaper.
B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Review
Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!
Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.
Bookshop Review: Barter Books
Tucked away in the northernmost corner of England, Barter Books can be found in Alnwick - a small town in Northumberland. The shop is a complete showstopper with lots of unique features, and is easily one of the best book shops that I’ve ever visited.
Barter Books is housed in Alnwick’s beautiful Victorian train station, which was decommissioned in 1968. Today the space is simply magical.
Things to do in Martinique During a Cruise Stop
Martinique may be a Caribbean island, but it’s currently considered a French overseas territory. Situated between the islands of Dominica and St Lucia, I stopped here on my Caribbean cruise on P&O’s Arvia and had a fantastic time. I’d even go as far to say that this was my favourite stop!
We docked in Martinique’s capital city, Fort-de-France, which has plenty of things to see and do. Here are 7 places that you need to visit during your trip.
P&O’s Arvia - Cruise Ship Tour and Review
I recently returned from a cruise around the Caribbean on P&O’s newest and largest ship, Arvia. The sister ship to the near identical Iona, which launched in 2020, Arvia set sail in 2022 and can hold a maximum of 5,200 passengers and 1,800 crew. She’s often described at P&O’s sunshine ship, with features including a retractable roof and swim up bar. You’ll often find her sailing around the Caribbean and Mediterranean, where passengers can make the most of what she has to offer, with 18 decks, 30 restaurants and 4 separate pools, Arvia really is incredible.
Dinner at Tamarind Kitchen, Soho
It’s been a while since I’ve visited Soho, an eclectic neighbourhood in central London that I often frequented in my early twenties. So much has changed since I moved away during the pandemic, and new shops, bars and restaurants line the streets as I walk towards tonight’s destination.
Tamarind Kitchen is an upmarket Indian restaurant based on Wardour Street - just a short walk away from Tottenham Court Road station. Inside, the restaurant’s dark wooden interiors are reminiscent of a branch of Dishoom, and lit with ambient lighting. The staff are attentive, and the scent of fragrant spices fills the room. It all has a luxurious feel about it, I thought, as I settled into my chair and peered at the menu.
Review: Brunch at The Ivy, Chichester Brasserie
Having just opened their doors in June 2022, The Ivy is a much welcome addition to Chichester’s city centre. I initially popped in during their launch party on opening week, so I was keen to return and give their boozy brunch menu a proper try.
Stepping through the door, I was taken aback by the restaurant’s gorgeous interiors, which were decked out in The Ivy’s iconic 1920s Great Gatsby-esque theme. With luxurious seating, dramatic foliage and a stunning bar, there’s a great atmosphere in the space. The service was also impeccable. The front of house staff were suited and booted, and I loved the white blazers that were donned by the bartenders. They were very friendly and added the cherry on top of the whole experience.
A Stay at Beneath the Branches - Review
Nestled in the south of West Sussex, just a stone’s throw away from the South Downs National Park, you’ll find a luxury holiday home up in the trees. Adorned with twinkling lights and furnished with not one, but two enormous bathtubs, Beyond the Branches is a unique romantic getaway that will leave you dreaming of your next visit. Just take a peek at their guest book - nearly all of the previous visitors describe the treehouse as ‘magical’ and proclaim that they ‘will be back’. In fact, I wrote the same thing just before we left after an exquisite one night stay after a busy week of work.
A Visit to the Chestnut Bakery in Covent Garden, London
Welcome to the Chestnut Bakery! I recently had the pleasure of visiting this gorgeous bakery and cafe that opened on Floral Street in Covent Garden this spring.
Their first branch was established in Belgravia in 2021, and I was really excited when I heard that they were due to open a second branch in a more central location. I visited early afternoon on a Sunday, and was pleasantly surprised that we were able to grab a table right away. Often these pretty, instagrammable spots can get super busy, and while it definitely was busy, we didn’t have to queue to get in or wait for a table.
Inside Krem Karamel: an Edinburgh Based Bookshop & Cafe
Here’s a sneak peek inside Edinburgh’s newest bookshop & cafe!
Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!
Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.