Travel.

I had always wanted to visit Hawaii and watch whales, as both were on my bucket list. I saw a cruise on the NCL Spirit that would let me cross several things off my bucket list as it sailed around Hawaii, to Alaska and then around Alaska. These blogs describe what I did whilst on this cruise.

I had always wanted to visit Rio de Janeiro, which was on my bucket list. While looking at other cruises, I saw that Costa Cruises had an offer for single people to cruise to Rio de Janeiro on the Costa Favolosa, and I couldn't resist booking it. I told my friend Gail, whom I met on my last cruise, about the trip. She liked the itinerary and asked if I would mind if she booked to go on the cruise as well. I was delighted to have her company, and she booked the cruise and the stay in Rio de Janeiro.

In April, I was sitting at home, bored, and just looking for something to do. I started looking at cruise holidays. I found a good-priced cruise and couldn't resist booking it. I booked a cruise leaving Valencia and going to ports in Marseille in France, Savona, Civitavecchia, Oristano and Sardinia in Italy, and Palma de Mallorca before returning to Valencia.

Welcome to my travel journal, where I share my unforgettable Mediterranean cruise aboard the MSC Lirica in February 2023. Join me as I recount my adventures, from the charming streets of Genoa to the vibrant markets of Tangier and the historic sites of Casablanca. Each entry is filled with personal anecdotes, stunning photos, and detailed descriptions of the places I visited. Whether you're a fellow traveller or simply looking for some travel inspiration, I hope my experiences aboard the  MSC Lirica will captivate and inspire you.

Welcome to my travel journal, where I share my unforgettable Mediterranean cruise aboard the Costa Toscana in October and November 2022. Join me as I recount my adventures, from the bustling streets of Valencia to the historic sites of Rome and the serene beauty of Palma de Mallorca. Each entry is filled with personal anecdotes, stunning photos, and detailed descriptions of the places I visited. Whether you're a fellow traveller or simply looking for some travel inspiration, I hope my experiences aboard the Costa Toscana will captivate and inspire you.

India, officially known as the Republic of India, is a vibrant and diverse country located in South Asia. India is bordered by Pakistan to the northwest, China and Nepal to the north, Bhutan to the northeast, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. The Indian Ocean surrounds it to the south. The country features a wide range of landscapes, including the Himalayan mountain range in the north, the Thar Desert in the west, and extensive coastlines along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

India is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization, which dates back to around 2500 BC. India is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization, which dates back to around 2500 BC. India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, and became a republic on January 26, 1950.

India has 22 officially recognized languages, with Hindi and English being the most widely spoken. There are also hundreds of regional languages and dialects. Indian cuisine is known for its rich flavours and diversity. Popular dishes include biryani, curry, dosa, and samosas.

India is one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, with significant contributions from sectors like information technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. India is a global leader in information technology and software services, with cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad being major tech hubs.

I booked to go on an escorted tour of India in 2025. After the poorly organised trip I made to Japan in 2024 with LogiTravel, I decided to go with JustYou, a tour company I had used before and liked. India was another place on my bucket list, and this holiday would help me cross it off.

Japan is an island nation located in East Asia, known for its rich cultural heritage, advanced technology, and stunning natural landscapes. Japan consists of four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, along with numerous smaller islands. The country is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with Mount Fuji being the highest peak.

Japan has a long and storied history, from its ancient samurai and shogunate periods to its rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration and its role in World War II. Today, it is a peaceful and prosperous nation. It has a unique blend of traditional and modern culture. It is famous for its traditional arts, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and ikebana (flower arranging), as well as its pop culture, including anime, manga, and video games.

Japan is a global leader in technology and innovation, known for its advancements in robotics, electronics, and automotive industries.

Japanese cuisine is renowned worldwide, with sushi, ramen, and tempura being some of the most popular dishes. The emphasis on fresh ingredients and presentation is a hallmark of Japanese food.

I booked to go on an escorted tour of Japan in 2024. It was my first escorted tour in 10 years, and I looked forward to going to another place on my bucket list.

China, officially known as the People's Republic of China, is a vast and diverse country located in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people. The country boasts a diverse landscape that includes mountains, plateaus, deserts, and rivers. The Himalayas, including Mount Everest, form its southwestern border.

China has one of the world's oldest continuous civilisations, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. The country was ruled by various dynasties, including the Qin, Han, Tang, and Ming, each leaving a lasting impact on Chinese culture and society.

Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but there are many regional languages and dialects. Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, with regional specialities such as Sichuan's spicy dishes, Cantonese dim sum, and Beijing's Peking duck.

China has experienced rapid economic growth over the past few decades, becoming the world's second-largest economy. Key industries include manufacturing, technology, and agriculture. China is a global leader in the production of electronics, textiles, and machinery. China is at the forefront of technological innovation, with advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and renewable energy.

China is a single-party state governed by the Communist Party of China. The President of China is the head of state, and the Premier is the head of government.

In 2014, I went on an escorted tour of China. I had always wanted to walk on the Great Wall of China, and this holiday made it possible for me to cross this off my bucket list. It was my first time in China or Asia, and I had a great time. These stories are all about my travels to China, the places I visited, the things I saw, and the people I met there.

Peru is a country located in western South America. It is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

The country features a variety of landscapes, including the Andes mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the coastal desert.

Peru was home to several ancient civilizations, most notably the Inca Empire, which was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire, and Peru became a Spanish colony. The country gained independence in 1821.

Spanish is the official language, but many indigenous languages, such as Quechua and Aymara, are also spoken. Peruvian cuisine is renowned for its diversity and flavours. Popular dishes include ceviche, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina. The country is a major exporter of minerals, particularly copper, gold, and silver. It also exports agricultural products like coffee, asparagus, and quinoa.

In 2013, I went on an escorted tour of Peru. My dad had always wanted to go to Machu Picchu, but for health reasons, he never got to go. After he died, I asked my Doctor if I could go, and he told me I could but to go sooner rather than later as my health may cause me problems that would prevent me from going if I left it too long.

I went to my local travel agent and booked this escorted tour immediately. I went there partially to fulfil my dad's dream, but I was delighted I went. These stories are all about my journey in Peru, the places that I went to, and the people that I met there.

These articles are all about the escorted tour of the Southern states of America I did in 2012 with my Uncle Dave. The articles are about the places we stayed, the things we did, and the places we visited. We flew into Los Angeles in California and travelled by coach eastwards across the southern states of America. We went through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. After we finished the escorted tour, we flew to New York and spent a few days there before returning to England.

These stories are all about my first escorted coach tour. It started in Denver, Colorado, and finished in Las Vegas, Nevada. I also added an extension to stay in San Francisco for a few days.

I visited many different National and State Parks and many National and State Monuments. I saw some of America's most remarkable scenery and natural wonders before meeting a cousin I never knew I had until a few days before I went on this trip.

I went to Marrakech in June 2024 for a short break with my friend Lisa.

Marrakech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco. It is one of Morocco's four imperial cities and the capital of the Marrakech–Safi region. The city lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

The city was founded in 1070 by Emir Abu Bakr ibn Umar as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty. The Almoravids established the first major structures in the city and shaped its layout for centuries to come. The red walls of the city, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–1123, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone afterwards have given the city the nickname of the "Red City" or "Ochre City". Marrakech grew rapidly and became a cultural, religious, and trading centre.

In 2014, my friend Paul Dunne and I planned a two-city break in Spain. We flew to Madrid, spent a few days there and then caught a train to Barcelona, where we planned to spend a few more days before flying home.

The plans didn't work out quite as planned for me. I ended up in a hospital in Barcelona. I came close to death, even closer to losing my right leg and will never get over the injuries I sustained there.

As if that wasn't enough to give me bad memories of the trip, my dear mum died in the UK whilst I was in the intensive care unit of Barcelona University Hospital.

These blogs are about the places I visited and what I did when I took my mum to see my house in Florida, the USA in 2011. We travelled from Southampton in England to New York on the Queen Mary II. We then drove down the East Coast of America, to my home in Cape Canaveral, Florida and spent 3 weeks there before driving back to New York and returning to the UK on the Queen Mary II.

When I was 13 years old, and my sister was 11, our mum and dad took us to the USA. The trip of a lifetime stoked the embers of my interest in travel. I remember how they told us we would be going on holiday. We were all sitting at our dining table at Christmas the year before the holiday. Mum and Dad told me and my sister that we would go on a family holiday the following year and wouldn't have much for Christmas because of the cost. They told us we could choose where we wanted to go. We all secretly wrote where we wanted to go on holiday on a scrap of paper, and whichever place got the most votes we went to.

I think I chose Butlins at Bognor Regis, and my sister chose Black Gang Chine on the Isle of Wight and these were the first two places read out. Next came my mum's choice, and she decided on Disney World in Florida. We all laughed at this until my dad's choice was read out, and he also chose Disney World in Florida. Mum and Dad then told us that we would be going on a road trip right across America and that we could pick the places we wanted to go.

These articles are all about the holiday I took in 1991 when I went to stay in Jamaica for two weeks.

Additional India information. These articles give extra information about things I saw and learnt about whilst I was on my tour of India in 2025.