Category: England

 

Sharing my photos and stories from all my England travel experiences

Cruising Like a Princess – A Complete Regal Princess Cruise Review With Photos

In this Regal Princess cruise review I share my detailed expereinces on this beautiful Royal Class ship, including lots of photos.

I was lounging in a deck chair with an Irish coffee in hand, tucked under a cozy blanket, and watching a movie on the big screen as the sun set behind me.

I do not think of myself as a princess – quite the contrary. But occasionally, I do like being treated like one. For a little while, it’s nice to have someone else make my bed, cook my meals, and bring me a specialty drink when I am in the mood for one.

A cruise gives me all this and more. I love being on the water. I love feeling the ship’s gentle rocking under my feet. I love staring at the ocean and watching the sunshine play on the waves. And I love feeling and smelling the salty breeze when I am on deck. Being on a ship gives me a sense of serenity that I don’t normally feel when I am on land.

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Reflections from 2025

Another eventful year of travel is coming to a close.  I had a little less travel time than in past years, but then it is all relative. I still managed to explore various parts of the world for 152 days in 2025. Boats, planes, trains, and automobiles were all part of the adventure.

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Remembering With Poppies in London – A Photo Essay

Poppies have become a symbol of remembrance throughout the British Commonwealth

In 1915, Canadian physician John McCrae wrote a poem after a friend died in the Second Battle of Ypres in World War I. He noticed how quickly the poppies grew among the crosses that marked the graves of the fallen and used that as his inspiration for the poem.

Since that time, the poppy has come to represent Remembrance Day throughout the British Commonwealth.

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Loved These 25 Festive Things To Do in London in December – No Bah Humbugs Here

I love to visit London any time of year, but the Christmas holiday season is one of my favorite times to visit because there are so many fun and festive things to do in London in December.

Christmas Markets, decorated trees, sparkling lights, and holiday concerts galore. On my December trip to London, I found the city wrapped up in all things Christmas.

There is always a lot to do in London, and this time of year, even more so. So after spending ten days getting into the holiday spirit, this is my list of all the festive things I did in London in December.

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My British Pullman Day Trip from London – Travelling in Luxury to Winchester

There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than a luxurious train trip from London to the Winchester Christmas Market on the historic British Pullman. A British Pullman day trip is always a special event, and even more so during the festive holiday season.

I love taking unique rail journeys, and the British Pullman day trip from London to the Winchester Christmas market certainly promised to be a magical experience. I can’t think of any better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a special Christmas train trip that hearkens back to the golden age of train travel.

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My Magna Carta Barge Review – History, Heritage, and Haute Cuisine on the River Thames

This Magna Carta barge review is all about our luxury cruise on the River Thames to celebrate our special anniversary

All wedding anniversaries are special, but those ending in a “0” are doubly so. So, when my husband and I were looking for an extraordinary way to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, another luxury barge cruise with European Waterways quickly came to mind.

After three other cruises with European Waterways in France and Italy, we knew there was no more indulgent way to celebrate this memorable event. For a week, we would be wined and dined like royalty. And since we were doing a barge cruise on the River Thames in England, the royal treatment was quite appropriate.

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“Quilter on the Orient Express” Original Quilt Design

I used fabric that were inspired by the colors of the Orient Express train to celebrate and commemorate our 3oth weding anniversary

Quilt Inspiration –  I wanted to commemorate our 30th wedding anniversary trip on the Orient Express from Venice to London with a special quilt.  Continue reading ““Quilter on the Orient Express” Original Quilt Design”

Luxury Without Murder – My Orient Express Experience

I am sharing my personal Orient Express experience to inspire your next luxury holiday train trip. Let this detailed review inspire your next luxury experience.

Exotic destinations, quirky sleuths, and twisting story lines are all hallmarks of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novels. Her most famous story undoubtedly has to be “Murder on the Orient Express,” which takes place on the luxurious and legendary train traveling from Istanbul to London. That same elegant train experience and legendary service can now be experienced again as you travel on the Orient Express from Venice to London, like I did.

This post was recognized by the North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) in 2017 awards competition with a Bronze award in the Luxury and Resort Travel Online Publication category

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Discovering Northern Europe With My Baltic Cruise Excursions

A Baltic cruise was an easy way to see this part of Northern Europe. I am sharing my Baltic cruise excursions as I independently explored each port stop.

I cruise for many reasons: to get some me time, to get pampered, and to enjoy unending views of the ocean are just a few of them. I also cruise to experience new destinations, which was why I chose this particular Baltic cruise  itinerary. I have long wanted to visit the Scandinavian countries and the Balkans, and this cruise made that wish come true.

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Touring the Real Downton Abbey – Channeling My Inner Countess With a Visit to Highclere Castle

Sharing my visit to Highclere Castle. This is all about my real Downton Abbey tour.

“What IS a week-end?”

The Dowager Countess of Grantham, as played by Dame Maggie Smith in the Downton Abbey series, delivered many pointed one-liners that defined her indomitable character. This is one of my favourites.

Downton Abbey would not be the same without Maggie Smith, nor without the backdrop of the imposing structure of Highclere Castle, the real-life estate that stands in for the fictional Crowley home.

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