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Interview – Ashley Hubbard (Wild Hearted)

Chris Boothman
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Interview – Ashley Hubbard (Wild Hearted)

Today we would like to welcome a fellow ‘Southerner’ all the way from Franklin, Tennessee! Ashley Hubbard from Wild Hearted (formerly A Southern Gypsy) has graciously given her time to speak with us and help us learn a little more about her travel inspirations and her website as she prepares to embark on a global journey to South-East Asia at the end of the year!

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with Ashley using her various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Ashley for taking time to interview with us!

interview

Name: Ashley Hubbard

Website: Wild Hearted

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

Anyone that knows me, knows I don’t pick favorites well. I love everything about traveling. I love flying, riding on trains, observing locals, trying new local foods, and meeting new people. I stress about a lot at home (yes, I admit, I’m a stresser), but on the road, I feel “at home.” Something can go wrong and I just brush it off and keep going.

I created my website several months ago when I decided that I needed to change my life and started doing the things I love and stop trying to please everyone else. At the end of the day, I’m the one who lives with my decisions. Once I decided, I would be leaving next year to travel full-time, I also decided to go ahead and start my website to document the prepping side of traveling and to get involved in the travel blog community in advance.

How many continents have you visited? 

Three

How many countries have you visited? 

11-20

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

I know it’s going ot sound cliche, and for that I’m sorry but…London. I was in love with London before I went there. It was my first international destination. I just simply love it. I could ride the damn tube for hours and be happy (Mind the gap!)

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

Since we’re talking about money not being an issue, then Switzerland. It’s not at the very top of my list, but it’s so pricey that it will probably be a while before I get there. It is, however, my mom’s top destination and I want to take her soon. So, if money was no issue, I’d take the both of us to Switzerland.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Laptop, Phone, Camera and Tablet(iPad,Kindle etc.)

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Train and walking within the city. Train if a long trip. I love trains.

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

Food establishments you can’t find anywhere else, the best views of the city, street markets, and anything anyone suggests!

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

I’m currently in month three of prepping for long term travel. Next fall, I will be quitting my job and heading off to SE Asia for as long as I choose then who knows where. I will be island-hopping, volunteering with elephants, trying some bizarre foods, attempting to scuba dive, searching komodo dragons, taking a Thai cooking class, and whatever else I find to do. I firmly believe in slow travel (although, that hasn’t always been my option in the past) and I believe in finding quirky, off the beaten path things to do and immersing myself in the local culture as much as possible. You can find me trying just about any adventurous thing possible.

Lombard Street – The Crookedest Street or Not?

Chris Boothman
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Lombard Street – The Crookedest Street or Not?

San Francisco really does have everything when it comes to design and architecture. Alcatraz Island is the perfect location for a prison given it’s unique short distance from the San Fran shoreline yet with the current it may as well be a thousand miles.

The Golden Gate Bridge is clearly an iconic image of the area, especially when the fog sets in over the bridge on what appears to be a daily occurrence. The city is filled with cable car networks based on the old Powell & Hyde design cars.

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But you can forget all of these when thinking about overall quirkiness and think about one San Francisco landmark in particular – Lombard Street! Often referred to as the “crookedest street,” San Francisco’s Lombard Street is, in fact, neither the crookedest nor the steepest street in the city, let alone the world!

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Sorry folks, if you were thinking about visiting here and being part of history in seeing a world record location. However, what you will see is a perfect piece of mastery and design in the road that winds in and out of eight tight hairpin turns.

Combine this with the beautiful flowers and well-maintained rock-beds that are littered down the street and this certainly brings out the hoards of tourists to see this. I am sure the locals get tired of the thousands of daily visitors or maybe they see this as a way to increase the value of their property given the popularity of the strip.

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We decided to walk from Union Square to Lombard Street and until you get to the foot of the so-called ‘crookedest street’ you will likely think you are in the middle of nowhere with locals just going about their daily routines. All of sudden you are hit with the intersection which is patrolled by local officers controlling the traffic down Lombard Street and surrounding neighborhoods.

Tourists from all across the world are here to see this – at the end of the day it’s only a street but I have to admit I don’t regret the walk to get here and see this with my own eyes, it’s pretty COOL!

You can walk up either side of Lombard Street, climbing the steps and watching the hundreds of vehicles that are slowly making their way down through the hairpins, many of which probably want to wait at the top and wait for the street to be clear to test their Formula 1 skills but resisting the temptation. The odd bicycle is also seen flying down but what they all have in common is their desire to be part of this experience.

Everyone is taking pictures, videoing cars along the street or simply soaking in how anyone could think about designing a street like this!

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The sight of cars maneuvering down the winding road has become a popular tourist attraction for sure. Some tourists even drive down the street themselves, braving the frequent traffic jams and bumper to bumper traffic but we decided that seeing this on foot was sufficient. If this sounds like fun to you and you also want to feel how it’s like driving down a switchback, make sure you approach Lombard street from Hyde street since this is a one-way street and you may be waiting a while to make the short ‘semi’ roller-coaster ride!

All I can say to summarize Lombard Street is that, it’s quirky, it’s weird, it’s steep, it’s an architectural masterclass and ultimately you just have to see it for yourself to believe that it is true!!

Have you visited Lombard Street?

What other streets around the world are ‘crooked’ or ‘steep’?

Britain’s Last Temperance Bar

Chris Boothman
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Britain’s Last Temperance Bar

When we were traveling around England we were lucky in the regard that we were about 5 minutes from Rawtenstall where the last temperance bar is located or has it is commonly referred to and know as to the locals, “Fitzpatrick’s‘. Every time I have been to England I intended on going here but for some reason or another our plans didn’t allow for it. I insisted that this year was going to be different and that we would make the effort to visit this bar.

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Parking can be very tricky so scout the area first, the bar also looks closed but it is indeed open so don’t be deterred as you drive by and think it is closed. The bar is open from 10-4pm (Monday – Friday) and 9:30-4:30pm (Saturday). It is also the location of a small yet somewhat informative tourist information centre. When we walked in it was nothing like I envisioned! I thought it would be much bigger with lots of chairs and tables but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it is very small and quaint, with only 2 tables inside.

When we entered there were already 5 people, which made it a little crowded before they finished their drinks and continued on their travels. Most people visiting Fitzpatrick’s are generally tourists but there are a few locals that stop by to taste their favourite beverage. As far as atmosphere, it was a quaint old drugstore with candy that had herbal names for them. Despite the small size, Fitzpatrick’s enhances their reputation and image throughout the valley by the friendly atmosphere and welcoming appeal as you enter the store. There have been several different owners in recent years but fortunately for this bar, each one has maintained the unique look and feel of and old time drugstore.

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The primary drinks include:The process after you order was he filled our glass from behind the counter and it was really good, we had a sarsaparilla which is similar to a root beer in the states. They have a lot of selection and the experience is one to be admired because of the amount of history that has been carried throughout this store since 1899. There are predominantly six main products that you can both try and also purchase in bottles to take away with you. Drinking in the bar allows you to select from either a small glass or a larger size, both reasonably priced and worth the experience.

The selections are:

1. Cream soda cordial

2. Lemon and Ginger

3. Ginger cordial

4. Sarsaparilla cordial

5. Dandelion and Burdock

6. Blood Tonic Cordial

Each one of these has their own very unique taste and we are both certainly looking forward to returning next year to sample one of the other product lines. I would suggest that you could research each of these recipes prior to tasting them but that may spoil the actual thrill and pleasure of sampling them for the first time without even knowing what is in them.

What I can guarantee is that they will probably taste like nothing else you have ever sampled before but they are worth trying and you never know, you may just fall in love with one of these old time classics!

Have you ever sampled old-style British (or world) drinks from a temperance bar or similar establishment?

De Vere Village Hotel, Bury – Hotel Review

Chris Boothman
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De Vere Village Hotel, Bury – Hotel Review

On our recent trip to England, we stayed in the De Vere Village Bury Hotel on two separate occasions. Located in the town of Bury, Greater Manchester just off the M66 motorway. Of course, Bury is 4 miles from my home town of Ramsbottom so I am familiar with this part of the country.

We pre-booked our first stay at the Village and took advantage of the Advanced Booking rate which at the time was £49 (approximately $78) per night and this included breakfast. This was much cheaper than I anticipated but proved to be a real bargain. You are not likely to get such a cheap rate usually but this hotel is certainly worth paying more for if needed!

The first thing to note about the Village is that it is part of the De Vere hotel chain so it comes with a reputation. If you are familiar with hotel chains in England, this is one of the more common chains, I would say comparable to the likes of Radisson and Four Points. The Village Bury is situated at Junction 2 off M66 motorway, ideally situated for visitors to Bury, Rochdale, Heywood, Bolton, Manchester and other parts of North-West England.


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Check-In

Check-in the first time we arrived was smooth with no issues at all. Our stay was for 9 nights and the girl at the front desk did ask if this was the first time we had stayed there. Given that Heather’s parents had stayed here during their visit to England in 2011, I indicated not and this saved her the task of going through the usual hotel spiel.

The elevator was close to check-in and easy to find, spacious enough for several folks with luggage. Our room was 224 so after exiting the elevator on the second floor we had a short walk to our room. A word of warning for anyone that stays at this hotel, you may be on one of the newer wings which requires a much longer walk after you exit the elevator.

Positive Room Experience

The first thing we noticed when we entered the room was how spacious it was. We booked the Family Room which included a double bed and sofa and this was certainly a smart move given we were staying for several nights. The main negative aspect of the room was how dark it was and the lack of sufficient lighting. There was no main light in the ceiling and aside from a couple of bedside spotlights and a desk lamp, there was nothing to brighten the room which was disappointing.

Overall the room was comfortable, you were able to adjust the temperature without issue and even open a window if you wanted some natural air feeding through. The bathroom was clean and again spacious so no complaints there!

Breakfast and Amenities

Breakfast was one of the main attractions of this hotel. Every day we were treated to the option of a full English breakfast (all the trimmings such as sausage, bacon, egg, local Bury black pudding, mushrooms etc. were available) or if you wanted a lighter option, cereal, fruit and croissants were equally as appealing.

Other key amenities in the hotel that we didn’t experience but are available include an on-site Starbucks cafe, indoor swimming pool, gym and bar area. One thing that you may notice when visiting the Village is that there are a lot of locals use the fitness centre and swimming pool, and it is almost like the hotel is a secondary income with the primary being a gym and conference centre.

Internet was free (or should I say included in your price) with reasonably quick wi-fi so that was another positive aspect!

Minor Issues

Our second stay after we left on New Year’s Eve to celebrate bringing in the New Year in London, was less smooth! I had booked the second stay for 4 nights the day before we left and indicated that I would like to change my method of payment which I was informed was not a problem. I later found out that this apparently was causing an issue because the charges came out of my initial credit card which was frustrating.

Another issue during this stay was our room key failing to work almost every day. The simple card swipe system apparently wasn’t too simple and the number of times we were left walking back down the hallway to the front desk, well we pretty much lost count! The advice is to not leave your room key close to your cell/mobile phone. Trust me, we took this advice after the first time yet they still failed to activate the card for long enough to work each night.

On a more positive note, our room just down the hallway (room 220) was a little brighter as we did have an additional floor lamp though the light it gave off was minimal.

Overall, as you can see from the ratings we gave below, the Village hotel is one that we would recommend to anyone visiting North-West England.

Details

Dates: Sunday, December 22, 2013 – Tuesday, December 31, 2013 (9 Nights) and Wednesday, January 1, 2014 – Sunday, January 5, 2014 (4 Nights)

Price: £49 per night during the first stay; £59 per night during the second stay (both included full breakfast daily).

Interview – FW North and Elle (Lunaguava)

Chris Boothman
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Interview – FW North and Elle (Lunaguava)

We would like to give a special welcome today to our friends FW North and Elle from the wonderfully named Lunaguava who have kindly given their time to speak with us and help us learn a little more about their travel thoughts and website.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with FW and Elle using their various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to FW and Elle for taking time to interview with us!

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Name: FW North and Elle

Website: Lunaguava

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

We travel to unravel stories, our own and the ones we encounter along the way, and therefore it made sense to create a travel website. We started working on Lunaguava shortly before we left Amsterdam, our home of many years. It began as a repository of previous holiday trips, so we could share some of our adventures throughout our extraordinary world, and has now developed into a somewhat deranged concoction detailing our lives on the road and every other random thing crossing our minds.

How many continents have you visited? 

Four

How many countries have you visited? 

30+

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

We’ve been asked this question a lot, mainly by friends who never knew in which country we were in at any given moment. After many vague and meandering answers, where Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Iceland and Tanzania kept popping up, we’ve finally agreed on Japan. We visited the sunrise island in January 2009, and its lingering mystery and charm has never left our minds. As the years go by, the more our love for it grows. We’re not even sure why it had such a profound impact on us (although it could have been the amazing food, the beautiful landscape, the fascinating culture, the ease we felt when meandering anywhere), but it has stuck like a nail to the head. We can’t wait to go back, but are also a bit scared of it – could it have all been a wonderful dream? One day we hope to find out.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

Antarctica is now becoming less of an unfathomable destination, but it’s still top of our list. To us, growing up in southern European small towns, the frozen continent has always had a particular allure – a primordial land, indomitable to humans and yet somehow inviting, like a glacial siren calling us home.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Laptop, Tablet(iPad,Kindle etc.) and Camera

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Bicycle

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

Local markets, small museums and every other place we feel could give us an insight into a specific culture.

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

We were both born in southern Europe but have been traveling through our extraordinary world together since 2009, and have finally embraced long-term travel in May 2013. We started Lunaguava in order to share our encounters across the continents and hopefully provide useful information to anyone interested in seeing foreign lands and knowing more about the diverse cultures populating our common cradle. We’ve also appropriated Caye Caulker’s motto of “Go Slow”, and are finding it suitable to our ceaseless curiosity about the places we visit and the people calling it home. Our search for what lies beneath the tourist surface has led us to the Americas, where we are currently making our way to Tierra del Fuego and whatever lies beyond the end of the world.

17 Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula

Chris Boothman
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17 Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula

When you think about the most infamous golf courses in the world, you probably consider the likes of St. Andrews, Augusta National and of course Pebble Beach. Visiting the San Francisco area, if you are an avid golfer, you have to make the short journey south along the coastline to visit this majestic part of the country – the Monterey Peninsula which is home to not only Pebble Beach Golf Links but also a glorious stretch of road known as the ’17 Mile Drive’ which offers visitors the opportunity to see for themselves a host of world renowned landmarks.

Approaching the 17 Mile Drive, the first thing you will be greeted with is the $9.75 charge which all visitors have to pay in order to experience the drive. Research online will provide mixed opinions of whether this drive is good value for the near $10 charge but from our experience I will be the first to admit that this was a real bargain given that you can easily spend all day along this stretch of coastline!

Before you think about the 17 Mile Drive being solely for golfers, think again! This area is a perfect relation spot if you want to wander along the beaches, or go hiking around the scenic countryside and coastline paths. It is also the hub of some natural beauty in terms of the cliffs with the Pacific Ocean crashing on to the surrounding rocks, providing breathtaking photography opportunities. Added to this is a plethora of wildlife that find this area to be a great habitat, in particular sea lions that reside on the nearby rocks while onlookers marvel at their agile (or from their appearance ‘awkward’) sleeping positions!

We arrived from the northernmost part of the drive and headed south (though we were unable to visit the inside loop around Poppy Hills Golf Course due to the amount of time we spent along the coastline and at Pebble Beach).

Here are some of our favorite highlights of what you can expect along the 17 Mile Drive:

The Golf Courses

Pebble Beach

Of course, Pebble Beach is the most famous of the courses within this neck of the woods, but there are other classics along this stretch including Pebble Beach’s sister courses, Spyglass Hill, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course. Throw in Poppy Hills Golf Course and you have 5 of the best courses throughout the nation in one hot spot of golfing heaven.

Named after Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Treasure Island, Spyglass Hill has become known worldwide as one of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the world.

After swinging by these courses, you finally arrive at the magical grounds of Pebble Beach itself. You can certainly feel the history and heritage as you wander around the grounds, visiting the Lodge at Pebble Beach (clubhouse) and likely spending a few dollars in the golf shops and other stores around.

One of my favorite experiences was walking out of the Lodge on to the balcony overlooking the 18th fairway and green and watching those fortunate enough to pay the $450+ green fees to play the legendary course. We were even able to walk down by the 18th green and get a close-up look at the pristine course set among the rough terrain around Monterey.

Cypress Point Lookout and The Lone Cypress

Who would have thought that a lone tree situated along a strip of rugged coastline could be as symbolic and iconic as ‘The Lone Cypress’ which for more than 250 years, has remained alone on this stretch of the peninsula. This solitary tree has become the symbol for the Pebble Beach Company so this is one of those ‘must-see’ landmarks as you make your way along the 17 Mile Drive.

Cypress

There are countless spots along this piece of coastline that provide breathtaking scenic backgrounds, but there are not many better than the Cypress Point Lookout which is sometimes closed from time to time to protect the breeding sea lions.

If you are fortunate enough to visit during a time when this is open, like we were (thankfully!), you can spend hours here taking in the views, breathing in the natural ocean air and observing the sea lions on the rugged rocks!

Bird Rock

Bird Rock
Aptly named as being the home for thousands of birds and a variety of species, ‘Bird Rock’ is the hang out spot for many species of bird life as well as seals and sea lions that relax in the sun on top of this rocky structure.

The Ghost Tree

When you approach the location of the ‘Ghost Tree’ you are met with a host of other ‘deathly’ white trees that make the area have a real eerie feeling. This is one of those spots that ghost believers love because as the dense fog moves in over the ocean and makes the drive along the coast a little trickier, this tree is highlighted as the point that folks try to avoid (many tourists apparently have had to swerve to miss this) as they maintain their focus on the road rather than driving head on into the abyss.

Natural Coastline

Rugged Landscape

There is so much beauty on the 17 Mile Drive and much of this can be found by just pulling over either on the side of the road or in one of the designated ‘pull-over’ spots so that you can just sit and gaze over the Pacific Ocean realizing that you may as well be at the end of the world!

When we visited here, Heather reminisced about her first experience at Land’s End in England which is the southern tip of the UK and the feelings returned as you peer out into the ocean distance. There is nothing to be seen out there aside from water but this in itself contains an inner beauty and sense of relaxation.

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I would pay the $9.75 every time to revisit the 17 Mile Drive! There are always going to be critics and complaints thrown around when you have to pay to see things, but I think this is a great way to keep out those people that probably wouldn’t appreciate the beauty present throughout this neighborhood. I hope that whenever we return to the Monterey Peninsula, I will be able to play Pebble Beach but I certainly cherished the memories of being able to stand on this course which has so much history.

Have you been on the 17 Mile Drive and if not, do you plan to?

What is your favorite spot along the drive?

How to Enjoy the Best Scenic Views at Land’s End, Cornwall?

Chris Boothman
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How to Enjoy the Best Scenic Views at Land’s End, Cornwall?

Whether you are on camping holiday in Cornwall or just enjoying a day out with family or friends, your Cornish experience will not be complete without a visit to Land’s End. With its magnificent natural setting, great cuisine options, and shopping, plus exciting pay-as-you-go family attractions – it’s one of the West Country’s great places to visit. Land’s End is famous for being a starting point for charity events to travel the length of the United Kingdom in the Land’s End to John O’Groats journey.

Land's End Cliff

From a day visit to spending a weekend exploring the myriad of walking trails along the Cornwall coast, Land’s End is perhaps the best place to visit if you are looking to get away from city life and just enjoy the spectacular panoramic scenes that surround you. A word of warning, be prepared for some pretty blustery conditions because taking a hike around this part of Cornwall isn’t for the faint-hearted once the wind picks up!

The views over the ocean are spectacular and knowing that you are at the southwestern most point of the United Kingdom enhances the sense of freedom as you overlook the ocean. With the next land mass being the USA, you really are at a point of no return but for many, this freedom and taking in the coastal air is just what makes Land’s End so precious.

Useful Information

Be prepared to spend £5 for parking at Land’s End but this gives you all day to examine the vast landscapes surrounding this headland. Free parking is available further afield if you don’t mind walking but for this small surcharge, you have the piece of mind that should the weather turn (and it frequently does), you can quickly head back to your vehicle.

Land's End Entrance

Once you are parked, access to Land’s End can be done on foot. Be prepared for plenty of walking as there are a variety of scenic trails available along the coastline with even more breathtaking views available.

Best Things to Do at Land’s End

Watching the rough waves crashing on the rocks below the family-friendly paths provides tourists with entertaining walks. At the southernmost point of the headland stands a gift shop (The First and Last House) and cafe offering visitors the chance to stop and take in the scenery whilst sipping on a warm beverage. Even on Summer’s day, the chill in the air can be apparent at Land’s End as the sea breeze sweeps across the Penwith peninsula.

First and Last house Land's End

Perhaps the highlight attraction that most folks visiting Land’s End want to experience is the iconic Heritage Trail. Be sure to download your free guide and enjoy a rich history of Neolithic artifacts in the cemetery, Bronze Age burial mounds, and an Iron Age hill fort. If history just doesn’t sound interesting enough, perhaps you will be more intrigued by the amazing stories of journeys from Land’s End to John O’Groats.Land's End Store

Our top recommendation, simply take a stroll along the coastal path and admire the gorgeous sight of the waves crashing against the untouched, rugged cliffs. Having experienced similar landscapes on our Cliffs of Moher tour in Ireland, we can well and truly attest that this part of Europe is a haven for this type of scenery. Have your camera handy because there are infinite opportunities to capture amazing landscape photos!

Iconic Landmarks

Probably the most famous iconic landmark at Land’s End is the signpost providing visitors with an opportunity to make customized messages and have their picture taken. Visitors can tell the photographers their hometown and they will not only calculate the distance, they will customize this into the message for the perfect picture opportunity.

Land's End landmark sign

Land’s End offers something for everyone, with the kids able to experience some great rides and elderly folks being able to relax and enjoy the views. The gift shops provide brochures and pamphlets advertising a variety of attractions throughout Cornwall which is really great for anyone visiting this part of the country for several days. Cornish fudge is a must for anyone visiting here for the first time.

Summary

After spending a week exploring the very of Cornwall, we have to admit that our minds always drift back to experiences at Land’s End for those that were the most memorable. The scenery here is second to none, at least in terms of the spots we visited in Cornwall.

Land's End Bridge

Yes, the charming village of Mevagissey or the fishing town of St. Ives are both great spots to experience the very best of Cornish culture but there is something quite magical about the secluded spot that is known as Land’s End. Perhaps because you have that feeling that you are at the end of the world or maybe just because of the breathtaking panoramic views. Either way, it’s a location that you cannot afford to miss if you have any interest in exploring the southwest county of Cornwall.

Unless you go prepared with clothing, it can be extremely windy and cold! PLEASE NOTE – take enough clothing even during the Summer to Land’s End, otherwise you may end up looking pretty stupid when you are being blown around with only shorts and t-shirt on.

Your Everyday is a Treasure for Others

Heather Boothman
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Your Everyday is a Treasure for Others

Today we went to Memphis, TN and made a stop just off I-40 at the Tennessee Visitor Center. Being about an hour away from Memphis my whole life, I know about Elvis, B.B King, Beale Street and other things that make Memphis the home of Rock and Roll. I was able to see the infamous river front and Mud Island on a beautiful day in wonderful weather.

As we were walking along the river front, the bridge that links Arkansas to Tennessee above the Mississippi River was shimmering in the sunlight making a perfect backdrop for a relaxing Saturday morning stroll.

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We started walking along the Mississippi Riverfront where the docks for the river cruises are and the Cobblestone Landing that I had never seen before. Many other tourists asked us to take their pictures with either the boat in the background or with the Elvis statue in the Welcome Center.

Of course this is something that we don’t get asked everyday, but to help make memories for someone in a place that is so close to where I call home is a really special feeling!

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We started to head back to our car bypassing trolleys, families and normal commuters. I stopped and looked around smiling with the thought of how many times I have been here to see the Redbirds, Grizzlies or to walk down Beale Street and never once did I think of what an experience this town could be for someone else or even myself.

memphis riverfront

Treasure your hometowns history because they make memories for years to come. I know that we all sometimes take our homeland and local area for granted but to experience something like we did today certainly helps make me cherish where I am from!

Have you ever had a similar experience with your hometown?

The Good and Bad About Hotels

Chris Boothman
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The Good and Bad About Hotels

Everyone has their own opinion on hotels especially when it comes to booking them and how much you are willing to spend per night. The general consensus among many less frequently traveled folks is that if you spend more, you will get a better hotel! Unfortunately this is far from the truth. From our experiences we have noticed that generally speaking, the more you spend per night, the more additional expenses are expected from you. E.g. Parking, Internet, Breakfast etc.

In the last few years, we have spent many nights in a variety of hotel chains, some leading brands and others local hotels that probably get less advertisement than they deserve. Let’s look at some of our favorite experiences and a few of those that we would prefer to forget but at least gives travelers an idea on where not to stay (again, please note that these are just our opinions!).

Embassy Suites Chain – GOOD

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Without doubt our favorite US hotel chain is the Embassy Suites. They are reasonably priced and have so many positive aspects that makes travelers want to return there. One of the key advantages of staying in an Embassy Suites location are the Manager’s Special that runs from 5:00PM – 7:00PM daily and offers free alcohol, soft drinks and hors d’ouevres. This is such a great attraction for travelers because many will check-in around 4:30PM, drop their bags inside their suite and then have a couple of drinks/snacks before heading back out for dinner.

The breakfast buffet is delectable with a variety of hot and cold options. The rooms are impeccable and offer plenty of space with a home like feel. We have stayed in several different locations including Little Rock, Nashville, Destin and St. Louis and all are of the highest caliber.

Sofitel Downtown Brisbane (Australia) – GOOD

Sofitel

Our trip to Australia in December 2012 saw us stay in central Brisbane in close proximity to Central Station at the Sofitel Downtown hotel. Whenever you walk in to check in you are greeted by everyone saying ‘Bonjour’ and you are immediately made to feel welcome in this French inspired hotel chain. The architecture and style throughout the lobby is particularly impressive.

I was impressed by the Veuve Clicquot champagne bottles stacked around the perimeter to show the inspiration behind the infrastructure throughout the hotel. The rooms are impressive and very well maintained. The walk-in shower is a great asset to any hotel room and the bed was one of the more comfortable that we have slept in. The hotel is in a perfect location for navigating around Brisbane’s CBD area. You are minutes from the bustling Queen Street and not far at all from the South Bank by the Brisbane River.

Novotel Brisbane Airport (Australia) – BAD

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Ok, so from the beautiful hotel that we stayed at in Brisbane’s central district at the Sofitel, to probably our worst night’s experience at the Novotel Brisbane Airport. With a 18 hour flight to look forward to back to the States at the end of our amazing trip, we made the decision to take our rental car back the night before we departed and stay at the hotel by the airport so that we would be ready to leave early in the morning. This turned out to be a big mistake but of course hindsight is a wonderful thing! We checked in around 7:00PM on Saturday evening and after informing the front desk we had to return our rental vehicle, we were told that a shuttle was taking travelers back and forward to the Novotel every 20-30 minutes. This was our first issue!

We returned our rental car and were informed to go outside the main terminal and wait for the shuttle to arrive, in bay C/D. After 30 minutes of waiting, Heather went inside the terminal and asked them for their opinion on where the Novotel shuttle was located – again we were told the same thing! Another 15 minutes passed and by now it was 8:15PM, two shuttles should have been passed by this time and we had seen no sign of any!

Eventually with other folks we were told that we had been misinformed and it was actually another bay that the shuttle was waiting. The shuttle was a black van with no markings to indicate it was taking people to the Novotel aside from a hand written sheet of paper in the windshield! Given that it was dark, let’s be honest how many people could actually see that?

To make matters worse with this hotel, the bed was unbelievably uncomfortable! I suffered on the flight back to Dallas the whole time with neck issues simply because the bed and lack of pillows were disgraceful. Our experience here was awful. I am sure there are others out there that saw the benefits of staying here but paying over $230 for a night, you expect a lot more than what we got for our money!

I could write about more hotel chains and individual hotels all night and everyone would probably have differing opinions.

What are your favorite hotel stays and why? 

Would you recommend people to stay in chain-branded hotels or local hotels?

The Market Town of Skipton in Yorkshire

Chris Boothman
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The Market Town of Skipton in Yorkshire

What better place to enjoy a cold, crisp winter’s day than enjoying the local offerings available at Skipton market along with a variety of wonderful, quaint shops and a historic castle located in the heart of the town.

We decided to spend some time in this town with hope of experiencing the local festivities, our only disappointment was finding out that we missed the infamous market that was supposed to have been scheduled but instead only offered a small scattering of stalls.

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The market is the pinnacle of Skipton and given that it only runs a couple of days each week, it is imperative that you do sufficient research prior to heading to Yorkshire because there is a vast difference between a market day and one where you just have the local shops to wander!

Our day in Skipton began with the drive to this town which in itself is a great experience given that you are driving though many of the local hamlets and villages once you head off the M65 and through Colne to the smaller winding roads. There are so many wonderfully named towns that you visit such as Earby and others that are just lacking in activity but delightfully shaped in architecture and heritage.

Skipton Castle

Once you approach the town of Skipton, you venture along the local railway lines which allows locals and tourists the option to visit nearby Bolton Abbey via a winding train journey that takes in the beautiful countryside.

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There really is one major car park in Skipton and this is located behind the local town hall and near Marks and Spencer’s. Parking here isn’t particularly cheap, expect to pay in the region of 3-5 pounds if you are wanting to experience the town for the full day. This is also a great spot to park if you want to experience Skipton Castle.

Although we didn’t take a tour of this castle, we did read some literature which provided a great insight even if you don’t walk on the grounds of the historic feature. Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year. Despite the price of parking, there really is plenty of things to do in this town to spend a full day, though our experience here was cut short given our desire to explore further parts of Yorkshire.

Skipton Market

As mentioned earlier, the pinnacle of Skipton is the wonderfully acclaimed market, where locals offer their products for tourists who travel from locations afar to be a part of this experience. I have been fortunate enough to visit Skipton Market on several occasions growing up so can attest to the fact that this is one of the better ones around in England.

Market Days are usually scheduled from 9am – 5pm on the following days (exceptions being the Christmas markets which are generally held on the first two Sundays in December):

  • Monday
  • Wednesday
  • Friday
  • Saturday

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Clothing, confectionary and ‘bits and bobs’ are popular items that seem to sell great on a market even though they may seem trivial. Our sole purchase was some delicious local yogurt covered bananas which were reasonably priced for a decent sized bag. The market runs all the way down one side of the street and then on the other side of the road, market stalls are dotted running parallel to the local shops.

Local Shops

Craven Court which is beautifully designed especially at this time of the year when there is a gorgeous, decorated Christmas tree in the heart of the shopping area and plenty of other decorations lining the shops and upstairs.

The local shops are certainly not to be ignored and there is a gorgeous indoor area that is worth wandering down especially if you want to get out of the chilly weather for a few minutes.

Skipton offers plenty in terms of cuisine options. The famous Stanforth Butchers provide world-renowned pork pies that have won many awards over the years for their delectable taste. There are a myriad of flavours available and all are reasonably priced meaning that anyone visiting the region must sample one of these!

Local bakeries offer shoppers the option to take in a quick snack or you could always venture into a local pub for some excellent pub grub whilst sipping down a local ale if that tickles your taste buds! Our choice of the local Fish and Chips from Bizzies directly in front of the town’s Marks & Spencer’s establishment was certainly a good option in our opinion.

Positives

  • There is plenty of things to do in Skipton but it is well advised to visit here on a market day.
  • Plan to visit here for a full day or at least half a day because you can spend several hours taking in the local market, shops and then sample the historic town hall or Skipton Castle.
  • There is ample parking to the rear of Skipton Town Hall and directly behind the local M&S food store.

Negatives

  • Parking is expensive especially if you are only planning on staying for a hour or so. It works out cheaper to stay longer in terms of the price per hour.
  • Beware that on the market days and especially Christmas market days, the town centre is heaving with tourists and locals.
  • Be prepared for the hustle and bustle. This can be a benefit though because you are able to experience the wonderful atmosphere.
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