Who said flat-hunting was a chore?

If youʼve made it this far on this site, you must have at least a passing interest in travel, but however ardent your wanderlust, itʼs inevitable that not every aspect of a trip – whether at home or abroad – is going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Filling in visa forms is a familiar headache. So is double-checking your train times and realising that youʼve only got three minutes to run halfway across a station before you miss your all-important connection. But in our experience, few elements of the travel experience are more likely to have you grinding your teeth than organising your accommodation.

It takes a very special kind of masochism to enjoy this process. Thereʼs nothing quite like spending hours trawling accommodation websites, noting down prices, comparing them and then – joy of joys – finding that the perfect hotel (you know, the one you thought looked ideal, but you just wanted to check one more) is now fully booked or is mysteriously no longer eligible for the offer that was so temptingly within your budget a few minutes ago.

So how do you take some of the horror out of getting that elusive dream hotel / motel / hostel / guest house / whatever? Well, there are no hard and fast rules, but our travels on and off the worldʼs various beaten tracks have taught us two valuable lessons. The principles are simple, but putting them into action could make all the difference to your trip.

1. Know your destination, and manage your own expectations accordingly. Heading to a rundown town in the back of beyond? You might struggle to find the familiar comforts of a Novotel. And if youʼre only looking to spend a few quid a night for somewhere to lay your head, donʼt expect fluffy towels, or – depending on your destination – running water. Travel broadens the mind, itʼs true, but make sure your understanding of where youʼre going isnʼt too narrow to start with.

2. Plan ahead. There are usually plenty of opportunities to get a hotel or find apartment accommodation when you arrive at your destination, particularly if youʼre heading somewhere more well-known, but even so, you should never leave it completely to chance that youʼll stumble across your dream lodgings within minutes of stepping off the train or plane. Some countries wonʼt even let you into their borders unless you can prove where youʼre staying.

A bit of forward planning can take a huge weight off your mind and open your eyes to accommodation options you might never have considered. As well as the better-known industry heavies, youʼll find that sites like Wimdu let you scope out all kinds of self-catering apartments and flats that will fall within your budget. And of course, paying for at least some of your accommodation in advance lets you spread the cost of a trip. Good news all round, then.

Travelling is meant to be about discovering new places and new experiences, but we all want those experiences to be pleasurable ones. It doesnʼt matter whether the accommodation you choose is five-star or a little more rustic; with a bit of preparation and an open mind, youʼre halfway there.

Finding a ‘proper’ pub these days can be a tall order, but here we present a West Lancashire gem

In these times of pubs closing right, left and centre, one wonders what will actually become of the great British boozer. It’s a tradition we’ve always cherished, and it seems odd that we should blame the smoking ban – or even the recession – for preventing us from availing ourselves of this national institution. Odd it may be, but true none-the-less, and in our travels throughout the land we have encountered heart-breaking stories from landlords and landladies who have ploughed their all into these cornerstones of the great British way of life, not always successfully. So what makes a pub a winner? It’s quite easy to see how a pub-cum-eatery in a tourist spot can eke out a more than meagre existence, but what about that very special breed, the ubiquitous ‘local’? To survive these days, these must be made of sterner stuff.

Happily, we are blessed with such an establishment in our very own little coastal town of Fleetwood in Lancashire. The Queens Hotel is lovingly presided over by landlords Benny and Gail Emsley, and run pretty much to perfection by their dedicated team of Jamie, Lindsey, Adam and Kathryn. Here is a pub where you can pop in for a pint after work, chat with fellow regulars, pass the time of day with strangers and generally just relax without having to stand on ceremony. It caters for sporting enthusiasts and music lovers alike, offering regular local band spots usually on a Friday night. But if you do just fancy a drink and a chat, finding a quiet corner shouldn’t be too difficult.

The Queens has atmosphere, feels clean and cared for and is a congenial and safe space, thanks to Benny and Gail’s no-nonsense approach to trouble makers. The regular clientele see it very much as ‘their’ space, and a culture of friendly respect is observed at all times.

Prices are reasonable too, with a great selection of ales and lagers, wines, spirits and shots, and a good range of snacks – not least the deliciously well-stocked Holland’s pie oven for those times when a pie and a pint is all that will do.

So if you just fancy a beer down the local, but sadly that means standing awkwardly like a fish out of water while armies of family diners and their delightfully well-behaved offspring scream and shriek around your feet, you might just find the solace you seek at this quiet, unassuming Fleetwood ale house. It’s the great British local at its best.

The Queens Hotel
Poulton Road
Fleetwood
Lancashire
FY7 8PR

Telephone: 01253 876740

Twenty minutes in a darkened tunnel never looked so full of promise…

It’s when standing on the platform at Paris’ Gare du Nord, or Brussels Midi Station, that the impact of what’s just happened can be felt. You’ve crossed the English Channel, you’re in northern Europe, and you’re ready for adventure. You haven’t had to fly; to be honest, you’ve barely had to queue.

Such is the wonder of Eurostar. Now, I have to admit I was very much a latecomer to this most superb of services, first availing myself of it for a trip to Bremen in March this year. But I’m now a dyed-in-the-wool Eurostar fanatic, and would urge anyone who hasn’t yet done so to try it at their earliest opportunity.

For exploring either Paris or Brussels, you can be up, close and personal from London’s awesome St Pancras Station in as near to two hours as makes no difference. There’s no ‘checking in two hours before’ nonsense, no being separated from your luggage and pretty much no fuss. Standard class is comfortable and airy, and there’s even a touch of gourmet buffet going on if you feel a bit peckish (I’m one of those rare people that really likes inflight meals too – isn’t it all part of the experience of travel?).

But the real excitement for me is in the huge gateway Eurostar opens to the rest of… well, I was going to say Europe but, in theory, I suppose it’s the world. I took a fantastic rail trip this summer, spending time in Paris, Zurich, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Brasov, Sighisoara, Bratislava and Munich, and the whole extravaganza was book-ended by a return Eurostar trip from London. And before you say ‘yeah, but you have to be in London’, I live on the northwest coast of England, and make an overnight stay in the capital part of the treat – it doesn’t cost a fortune if you stay at the London Euston St Pancras Ibis (which – as the name suggests – is perfect for both stations), but if that’s not to your liking then remember Preston is only a couple of hours from London on the Virgin express. Book well enough in advance and it adds very little to the cost of your trip, which is hardly excessive with return trips to both Paris and Brussels coming in at under £70. But you can book your onward travel with your Eurostar ticket too – we’ve added both Bruges and Amsterdam on in the past for an extra few quid by choosing ‘any Dutch station’.

But the real buzz for me is that I can do it all without flying. That aviation and me are not the most comfortable of bedfellows is no secret, so to be able to get all the way to Bucharest without a single diazepam is something of a coup. And whether tree for tree it actually works out that way, the whole experience just feels a little greener. And I like trees.

Visit www.eurostar.com

Tel: 08432 186 186 or +44 (0)1233 617 575 (from outside the UK)

Email Eurostar

A stay at the Ambrosia Hotel is the perfect way to explore the Ypres Salient

Every now and then, you get to stay in an establishment that just kind of puts that inner smile on your wellbeing. There’s just something about such a place that puts the world to rights and makes you feel that you’re in good hands. It doesn’t have to be a five star hotel – the humblest guest house can do it, but it does have to be well run for the benefit of its patrons and offer something a little out of the ordinary. Such a hostelry exists in the beautiful, unassuming little town of Ypres, in the Flanders area of Belgium – namely the excellent, privately run Ambrosia Hotel, tucked quietly away on 54 D’ Hondstraat.

Now I’ve been forbidden to bang on in this article about the virtues of this amazing yet underrated country, but that’s never stopped me before. My views on Belgium are no secret, but those people who have never actually been but ‘just don’t fancy it’ are a source of much misery to this particular wanderer; let me say once and for all to all those uneducated creatures: Belgium is one of the finest countries on this earth, and its capital one of the greatest cities and Ypres one of the most pleasing little jewels you’ll ever have the good fortune to happen across, and I’ll brook no argument to the contrary.

Exquisitely owned and operated by Vincent Vandelannoote and Iwona Danik, the Ambrosia extends a truly warm welcome to its guests. Elegant rooms, simply and comfortably furnished, provide relaxing accommodation just minutes away from some of Ypres’ greatest attractions, such as the Menin Gate and the fantastic Flanders Fields Museum.

After a comfortable night you can wander down to a leisurely breakfast, and I heartily recommend you sample the gourmet delight of Eggs Vincent. Quite simply, these are a couple of sunny-side ups done the Monsieur Vandelannoote way – to absolute perfection. It’s the perfect start to either a day of adventurous exploring, or simply a relaxing potter around the town itself, availing yourself of its many and varied delights.

A few days at the Ambrosia leaves you feeling both relaxed and inspired, and it is well connected for pretty much all you could want to do in the area, from a trip to the beautiful Tyne Cot Cemetery to a wander round the haunting nearby town of Passchendaele. Vincent and his team will provide you with hints and tips to help you make the most of your stay, happily supplying leaflets and hand-outs for the many and varied organised tours available, although do bear in mind that these are often best booked in advance.

Our stay at the Ambrosia was so congenial that it stands out among the many hostelries we have frequented during our years of globetrotting, so much so, in fact, that we proudly include it in our Tiny Atlas compendium of the world’s most unforgettable experiences.

Hotel Ambrosia
D’ Hondstraat 54
8900 Ieper
Belgium

Visit www.ambrosiahotel.be

Tel.: +32 57 366 366

Email info@ambrosiahotel.be

The Sanctuary, a hideaway at the stunning Cranleigh Hotel at the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere, ranks easily with some of the world’s finest

Imagine a place where nothing else exists apart from the means by which you can totally indulge your every whim. A hideaway where you can be as far as you like from the madding crowd but within a hair’s breadth of a cosy bistro or intimate bar, and all within a stunningly beautiful setting at the heart of the English Lakes.

You’d be forgiven for thinking it either sounds too good to be true, or would come at such a premium price as to make it prohibitive. Happily, neither is true. Believe me when I say that I’ve stayed at some rather fabulous rooms and suites in pretty exclusive locations across the globe, having been lucky enough to review them for a selection of high-end publications both online and in print. Now these do come with a price tag to match (on occasions that’s been several thousands of pounds per night) and there’s no denying they’ve been very impressive, but I’ve always come away with the notion that it’s just somewhere to put my head down at the end of the day, and the money I’d have had to pay would feel wasted, no matter how well-heeled one might be. But I’ve had my head turned and my heart changed, and I kind of feel like I’m revealing a secret that I don’t really want everyone to know about, but then that would just be selfish and defeat the whole object of World Travel Blog.

Ok, so I’m going to let this one out of the bag. I had the good fortune recently to stumble across the Cranleigh, a stunning little jewel of a hotel in the centre of Bowness. It’s always worth noting that, when booking anywhere for the South Lakes, you might want to consider Bowness over Windermere if it’s the lake you’re after; whilst Windermere is a perfectly pleasant, picturesque Lakeland town, it has no actual lake. Lake Windermere itself is actually situated in Bowness, and this is a good five to ten minute drive (so a considerable walk) further on. The Cranleigh is in the very centre of Bowness, just four or five minutes from the lake.

Upon arrival, I’d have been perfectly delighted to have been staying in the main hotel itself, but was fortunate enough to have booked the Sanctuary, a self-contained apartment tucked quietly away off the main drag. Private and unassuming from the outside, absolutely nothing on earth could have prepared me for what was on the other side of that little front door. For the first time in many a long year of staying in hotels, this stunning pied de terre literally took my breath away, from its luxuriously opulent decor right down to its incredible attention to detail. Chilled Champagne and chocolates welcomed us as soon as we walked through the door and, still reeling from the surprise of this, my eyes started to drink in the other details making this surely the best room in the Lake District. A huge bed, fit for royalty, dominated the main room without overcrowding it, and yes – it was as comfortable as it looked, affording me the best night’s sleep I’d had in ages. Add to this a 46” LCD television which is connected to a Bose surround sound Lifestyle system with iPod docking station and DVD player, well-stocked bar (with complimentary sherry) and all the comfort and trappings you could imagine in your ideal environment – there’s even free internet access – and you still couldn’t begin to have a picture of what the Sanctuary is all about.

And then there’s the bathroom, which I’m perfectly sure I could have lived in quite happily, with its glass Ben de Lisi bath (the first ever to be fitted in a hotel room), walk-in shower and relaxing LED light show to boot. Oh, and of course there’s a separate 18” widescreen TV in the bathroom, situated perfectly to enable relaxed viewing whilst bathing. Outrageous.

The icing on the cake has got to be the private hot tub, situated externally to the property in its own little ‘courtyard’ – the perfect environment in which to enjoy your Champagne (in, of course, the plastic ‘glasses’ provided. Mustn’t forget the Health and Safety Exec).

All in all, it’s hard to imagine accommodation which could be more luxurious, and in such a perfect location. If you want a real treat – that all too rare occasion when pampering is the order of the day, and you feel like living someone else’s life a tad more glamorous than your own – then this should be at the top of your list. But the real surprise is the price; the Sanctuary comes in at between £250 and £400 including bed and breakfast, based on two sharing, and trust me when I say this represents breathtaking value for money. Once you’ve lapped up the Black Magic Marble floor tiles (and underfloor heating), the Samara Platinum wall tiles, the wall papers and fabrics from the Royal Collection in the Queen’s archives and a fantastic night’s rest in the super kingsize bed with goose down bedding, let me suggest you take the breakfast like a king in your room. Ample, carefully selected local produce, beautifully cooked and lovingly presented, provides not just your average full English, but a gourmet extravaganza which will round off this whole experience with lasting finesse. This is the stuff dreams are made of, and every now and then, it’s nice to acknowledge just how ‘worth it’ you are.

For more details, visit: www.thecranleigh.com

The Cranleigh
Kendal Road
Bowness-on-Windermere
Cumbria
United Kingdom
LA23 3EW

+44 (0)15394 43293
Email: enquiries@thecranleigh.com

all images © The Cranleigh Hotel

Airport Parking can prove to be an expensive and often stressful experience. However, with an abundance of online comparison and booking websites, this no longer has to be the case. With a little forethought and organisation, stress free and cheap airport parking is simple to achieve, and you can ensure your holiday gets off on the right foot. Just follow these simple tips to take care of all your airport parking needs.

Booking Tip 1 – Plan ahead

Planning ahead means either pre-booking your parking spot over the Internet prior to your departure, or booking your spot a number of weeks or months in advance. Both airport parking options are available and they are a great way to save money and time. Pre-booking on the Internet can be done at any time, even on the morning of your departure. This will cost you less money, than if you just turn up at the gate on the day. However, for greater savings on your airport parking, online booking sites offers advance rates that can be up to 60% cheaper than what you might be expecting to pay. These advance rates can be found on the Internet a number of weeks in advance, and as your departure date comes closer, the rates will increase. The early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the biggest discount, when it comes to booking airport parking.

Booking Tip 2 – Forget the Taxi!

Think about how often you have sat in traffic while in a taxi, the driver certainly doesn’t switch the meter off to save you money! A trip to the airport in a taxi can be a very costly affair, and it could even cost you more than the price you would pay to park three cars at the airport. Many people think that it costs an arm and a leg for airport parking, however when you look online at Airport-Parking.co.uk, you will find that this is not the case at all. You will save time as well because you won’t need to wait for the taxi to arrive, instead you can hop in your car when you like, and this is definitely a blessing in disguise when you are at the end of your journey and you just want to get home.

Booking Tip 3 – Consider parking off site

When it comes to airport parking, many airports also offer off-site parking, which can be a lot cheaper again, and in fact, through using off site parking, you can sometimes get to the terminal quicker than those who have parked within the airport grounds. This is because the area is less congested and there is often a shuttle service running through the day and night. Even if you had to walk for 5 minutes, it would still be worth the savings you have made on your airport parking.

Booking Tip 4 – Hotels and Parking

When you want to save money on your airport parking, and you would also like the convenience of being close to the airport when you have an early flight, think about having an overnight stay. Hotels will often provide deals on airport parking for their guests, and it will also ensure you are more relaxed before your flight, as you will have less to deal with.

Booking Tip 5 – Avoid credit card fees

Book ahead online and you will usually be able to pay for your airport parking with a debit card. You can save on fees this way, and it will also give you the latest prices that are available for your particular departure date.

A few tips when it comes to travel insurance

Anyone who is organising a business trip abroad should make a point of finding good travel insurance for themselves and their staff. None of us know what is around the corner and it is always advisable to have an optimal amount of cover in place.

But there are a lot of different insurers to choose from out there and some are bound to be better than others. The policy you take out may not prove to be the cheapest travel insurance, but if it provides you with the right kind of cover then it can be of enormous value in the long run.

Here are three of the main things to look out for in a travel insurance policy that is designed for business use –

Special Cover?

How frequently will you or/and your staff be travelling abroad? Some insurers will have a special policy for anyone who is planning a large amount of trips overseas.

Missed Trips.

Cancellations can come about for a variety of different reasons. And your business should be prepared for as many eventualities as possible. Any business trip may have to be cancelled if one of your colleagues is unwell on the actual day.

Find out exactly how much cover your travel insurance will offer you in this kind of situation.

Mishaps.

Accidents or other medical emergencies are always a possibility and they can quickly have a major effect on your trip abroad; a nasty bout of food poisoning or a fall down a flight of stairs are both firmly within the realms of possibility.

Find out from your insurance company exactly what you are/are not protected against!

In the sleepy little village of Torret on the Spanish island of Menorca, you’ll find a culinary experience to surpass all others

Imagine the perfect night out; you arrive at your restaurant against the purply orange glow of a soft, mediterranean summer evening, deep in the countryside of a lazy Spanish isle. Your head waiter then leads you into a rambling courtyard, seating you at a candlelit table for two as he takes your aperitif order, and you sigh that most wondrous of sighs, as you realise that something very special is about to take place.

The location is the sleepy little village of Torret, at Sant Lluis on the Balearic island of Menorca, and the establishment one Sa Pedrera d’es Pujol, lovingly presided over by head chef Daniel Mora and his partner Nuria García. The couple, both from Northern Spain, bought the house in 2003 and then set about the major task of turning it into their dream restaurant. But I actually hesitate to call this just a restaurant because, in my opinion, this is probably the best restaurant in the world. A profound and sweeping statement, you may think, and you’d be right. But the thing is, I’ve sampled the cuisine of many restaurants all over the world and there have been some pretty fantastic ones, I can tell you. But if you take the best of the best, and then look at what each of them individually does best, Sa Pedrera simply does it all that little bit better. In fact, to perfection.

I’m a huge believer in the fact that dinner out should not be hurried; I don’t ever want to feel that I’m being processed quickly so they can squeeze another cover into my table as soon as I’m out the door. From the moment head waiter Matthew (from Surrey) shows you to your table, the evening is your own. You can take as long as you like over ordering, eating and, well, just sitting and chatting if that’s what you want to do. The food is an exquisite blend of gourmet excellence from the island itself, where Daniel’s mother was born, and Asturias, the home of his father. With such resplendent starters as home-made duck foie paté with green pistachios and figs cream or white Mahón cheese breaded into sesame with tomato and cardamom chutney, you can only await the drama of your main course with mouthwatering anticipation. Oh, and you might get a beautifully presented quail’s egg while you’re waiting, between trips to the perfectly kept wine cellar in the middle of the restaurant. And then the magic continues, mine with an unbelievably good beef Wellington with gravi sauce and my partner’s with the superb Menorcan lamb, slowly cooked in oil and accompanied by velvety oven-done potatoes. All, of course, washed down with an extremely palatable Rioja. Just when you think things couldn’t possibly get any better, you’re faced with Daniel’s heavenly desserts, my favourite being his very own apple pie, served with home-made apple ice-cream and a majestic apple ‘crisp’.

A post-gastro Xoriguer Menorcan gin, either with tonic, or local-style with Fanta lemon, makes the perfect nightcap as you drift into the garden to soak up the last of the tranquil decadence while awaiting your carriage.

Dinner at Sa Pedrera d’es Pujol is so outstandingly good, not just in terms of the superb food cooked to perfection, but also the unfussy, unobtrusive service and sheer delight of the surroundings. There’s a danger, in fact, that your evening is so blissful that you decide not to return; you know, that silly thing we do when we don’t want to spoil perfection by trying to repeat it. Well relax, because I’ve been back every year since 2004, and believe me when I say that it just keeps getting better.

Daniel and Nuria, I salute you both – and thank you for some of my most special memories. Nos vemos!

For more details, visit: www.sapedreradespujol.com

Sa Pedrera d’es Pujol
Caserío Torret
23 – Sant Lluís
Menorca
Tel: (34) 971 150 717
Email: sapedreradespujol@hotmail.com

main image © Sa Pedrera d’es Pujol

Pied a terre in the heart of Bohemian Prague

Comfort, cleanliness and subtle style characterise Prague’s Cloister Inn. Offering an efficient, friendly and thoroughly customer-focused experience, it’s the perfect base for a trip to the ancient Bohemian capital.

Don’t be fooled by the hotel’s unassuming frontage. Once through the gleaming glass security doors, which are locked every evening – a simple point, but one which adds immeasurably to your peace of mind – you’ll discover a light, airy reception and lounge area. The Czech instinct for hospitality is evident in the warmth of the staff, whose excellent language skills put the average British monoglot to shame. Every member of the team was helpful and keen to make our stay as comfortable as possible.

Clean contemporary lines are the order of the day when it comes to the decor. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, with air conditioning and blackout curtains ensuring a good night’s sleep all year round. In the morning, breakfast is served in the fourth-floor dining room, where a wide choice of cereals, cooked dishes and breads will set you up for the day with aplomb.

Prague is best explored on foot, and the Cloister Inn’s superb location makes it the perfect base for a break in this beguiling city. The winding alleyways and historical intrigue of the Old Town are just a few minutes’ walk away, but the hotel’s location on quiet Konviktska keeps traffic and other noise pollution to the barest minimum.

After a hard day’s exploring it’s nice to be able to enjoy a nightcap close to base camp, and the Cloister Inn scores highly in this area too. Initial disappointment that the bar isn’t a separate area (it’s actually an extension of the lobby area adjacent to reception) is swiftly banished by the competitive prices, free wired and wireless internet access and relaxing atmosphere. There are a couple of side rooms too, if you’re looking for a little more privacy. And because it’s next to the round-the-clock reception desk, you don’t ever have to worry about closing time.

As a backdrop to a stay in Prague, the Cloister Inn ticks all the right boxes. You might only be dropping into the Czech capital for a couple of days, but this little gem combines the convenience of a city centre hotel with the tranquility of somewhere altogether more exclusive. It’s as modestly priced as its name suggests, too – allowing you to enjoy Prague’s many charms even if funds are tight.

Cloister Inn Hotel
14 Konviktska street
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic

Visit www.cloister-inn.com

Tel.: +420 224 211 020
Fax: +420 224 210 800

Email cloister@cloister-inn.com

St Petersburg in style without completely breaking the bank

The Petro Palace, situated on Malaya Morskaya, was an amazing hotel, far exceeding our expectations. It was spotlessly clean, well appointed, roomy and furnished to a standard approaching sheer luxury. And every single member of staff went out of his or her way to make our stay perfect and – dare I say it – always with a huge, beaming smile.

The hotel’s Baron Restaurant, too, was something else. We had heard that Moscow was the most expensive city in the world to live or stay in, so we figured St Petersburg wouldn’t be so far behind. We were absolutely right (a meal for two with a bottle of red coming in at around £90 to £100) but the menu, and the way it was cooked and presented, was absolutely exceptional. When I’m abroad, I very much like to partake of local food and drink, and the Baron serves up Russian cuisine at its very best; dinner rapidly became something we really looked forward too. Expensive it was, but then what’s Amex for?

It was as we ascended to our seventh floor luxury apartment (I hesitate to call it just a room) that we discovered what turned out to be one of the real highlights of the Petro Palace: adjacent to the lift was the incredible Sky bar. This ultra trendy yet oh so relaxing bar was open each evening (until the wee small hours) and was literally a stunning window on the bustling world below, affording superb views of St Isaac’s Cathedral, The Hermitage and beyond. Small bar stools in the main window allowed us to relax over a Russian Standard and dreamily pass a very pleasant hour or two watching the world go by, while more comfortable sofas adorned the main floor area, and were perfect for intimate little gatherings.

Petro Palace Hotel Saint-Petersburg
Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa 14
Saint-Petersburg
190000, Russia

Visit www.petropalacehotel.com

Front Desk: +7 812 571 28 80
Reservations: +7 812 571 3006
Fax: +7 812 571 2704
Email info@petropalacehotel.com