When we think of visiting Portugal, our thoughts automatically go to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, so today I want to share with you the magical area of Alentejo. There are lots of reasons to visit Alentejo, including its breathtaking coastline, rich culture and mouthwatering cuisine. It is set in the South of Portugal, between …
Top ten Instagram worthy spots in Madrid
By guest Contributor, Juliette Smith Hi, and Welcome back. I’m really excited to share this guest post about the top ten Instagram worthy spots in Madrid by Juliette Smith from Madrid Discovery. Who better to advise on the best locations than a local? Madrid is the capital city of Spain and mostly known to be …
What to do in Tenerife
In my recent post on 12 European Places to visit in 2020, in January I recommended looking for Winter Sun in Tenerife (a Spanish Island). So, here is bit more information on what to see and do in Tenerife. If you have had enough of the January cold and you want to skip the winter …
Swan Lake and the legend of the flottins
Today I want to share with you a story about Swan Lake and the legend of the flottins and flottines, little creatures who arrived at Evian on the shores of Lake Geneva and saved Christmas one winter night. The story takes place in Evian les Bains, a beautiful alpine town on the shores of Lake …
5 reasons to visit Vienna – Culture, Christmas Markets, Carnavals, Coffee and Cake!
Vienna, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, stunning architecture, delicious cakes (try the ‘sacher-torte‘ – you’ll thank me later!) and rich cultural legacy, is an ideal European travel destination, and here are my top 5 reasons to visit Vienna. Due to its central location in Europe, Vienna is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the …
Madrid in three days : What to see
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this post about What to See in Madrid in three days. Madrid is Spain’s largest city and its capital and is one of the top travel destinations in Europe, but what are the key attractions if you are only on a short break? Here are a few tips …
Why you need a long weekend in London
London is one of the most visited cities in the world. With attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and the hope of catching a glimpse of the Royal family, it is a tourist’s paradise, and there is plenty to do during a weekend in London. Why you need a …
What to do in Sorrento – the gateway to the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento is often the starting point for a trip to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, as from here you can easily visit Pompeii, Capri, Ischia, Naples, Positano, Amalfi and more destinations by ferry/ hydrofoil and in some cases by bus or private transfers. Read on for what to do in Sorrento, suggested day trips and where to …
Capri in a day : La dolce vita
The beautiful island of Capri is often associated with ‘la dolce vita’ (even though the original film was set in Rome), and a visit to Capri makes the perfect day trip from the Amalfi coast (with ferries and hydrofoils from Naples, Ischia, Procida, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi). My initial experience on arrival, however, did not quite …
The Algarve revisited
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this post about The Algarve Revisited. I visited the Algarve this time last year and fell in love with it, so much so, that I went back this year. The coastline is spectacular, the beaches are breathtaking, the weather is beautiful and there’s plenty to see and do. What’s …
Botanical gardens in Dusseldorf
I recently spent a weekend in Dusseldorf and discovered the botanical gardens out towards the University campus. It really is a beautiful setting and the perfect place to indulge my obsession with everything floral, including floral prints! Botanical Gardens in Dusseldorf I recently spent a weekend in Dusseldorf, which is a great place to spend …
Madrid City Break
by Jess Signet * Read on for some ideas of what to do on a Madrid City break, including sightseeing and shopping on the Gran Via, relaxing in ‘El Retiro’ Park , soaking up some culture at the ‘Prado National Museum’, visiting the ‘Santiago Bernabéu Stadium’ (home to Real Madrid) and eating and drinking in the Plaza …
New Year in London
So, it’s nearly 2016 and here are a few ideas for what to do to celebrate New Year in London. Go shopping Some of the sales in the UK start before Christmas, but all start by Boxing Day (26th December), so if you have a few hours (or more) to spare then I can …
Maastricht Christmas Market
It’s the time of the year when all the Christmas markets start to appear and there is such a great choice of places to go. This year, we chose to go to Maastricht Christmas Market and you can find out more below. Maastricht Christmas Market The Christmas markets originated in Germany, Austria, the South Tyrol …
Four days in Barcelona
FOUR DAYS IN BARCELONA. Barcelona is a magical city and there is something for everyone – beaches, great shopping, museums, parks, historical landmarks, tapas and generally lots of sunshine! Although the city seems very big and spread out, it is perfectly feasible to discover on foot, particularly if you group your activities by neighbourhood, so …
Ten things to do in the Algarve
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this article about ten things to do in the Algarve. Ten things to do in the Algarve Visit Silves Visit the old Moorish capital of the Algarve, Silves, with its 13th century cathedral (Largo da Sé) and beautiful red sandstone castle (Castelo de Silves), as well as the …