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The Loneliness of the Lighthouse Keeper
In this article we hear about the loneliness of the old lighthouse keepers and we feature a remarkable podcast interview with one of the men who used to serve on some of the loneliest lights of them all…
Martin Hesp
Feb 248 min read


A West Countryman’s Guide to a Luxury London Escape: From Paddington to Belgravia
Most of us pass through Paddington Station with a single, urgent goal: to get out as fast as possible. But step south of the platform and you’ll find a London far removed from the 'concrete canyons' and the sardine-can crush of the Bakerloo line. From the quiet grandeur of Lancaster Gate to a 'secret' pub tucked away in the mews of Belgravia, I discovered that a 40-minute stroll through the green-lung of Hyde Park is the perfect antidote to the culture shock of arriving from
Martin Hesp
Feb 163 min read


St Lucia Travel Guide: The Emerald Jewel of the Caribbean
You could take a beating on the cricket pitch every day of the year on this wondrous isle and still never feel defeated. From the towering volcanic peaks of The Pitons to the rhythmic chaos of a Gros Islet 'Jump-up', Martin Hesp explores why St Lucia remains the ultimate Caribbean emerald—an island so beautiful it makes your eyes ache and your heart soar.
Martin Hesp
Feb 123 min read


The Hidden Challenges of Travelling Abroad With a Newborn
Planning a trip with a baby? Discover the overlooked challenges of traveling with a newborn, from infant jet lag and feeding concerns to navigating healthcare abroad.
Martin Hesp
Feb 124 min read


A Taste of the Tropics: Uncovering the Hidden Food Markets of the West Indies
A quick guide to the markets of the Caribbean
Martin Hesp
Feb 73 min read


From Alpine Peaks to Atlantic Shores: My Definitive Summer 2026 Travel Guide
A quick guide to some of the places we think will be influential and important for leisure travellers in 2026
Martin Hesp
Feb 43 min read


Is Your Car Road Trip Ready? The Benefits of a Pre-Travel MOT Check
Why a Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection is Essential for Stress-Free Travel The excitement and anticipation of planning a road trip often take over, shaping every part of the process. Car travel gives you freedom, the ability to choose your route, and the opportunity to take your time exploring. However, long drives put a lot of stress on the car, especially when it is loaded with luggage and passengers for extended periods. It is a must to be well-prepared for hassle-free trips, t
Martin Hesp
Jan 202 min read


New Adventures in Journalism Podcast
A quick guide to the Adventures in Journalism Podcast which is available on the Libsyn platform and theref[re every other podcast platform and also linked to this website
Martin Hesp
Jan 112 min read


Winter Sun in Gran Canaria: Why Las Palmas is the Ultimate January Escape
A guide to the joys of visiting Gran Canaria in Europe's winter time
Martin Hesp
Jan 84 min read


Our 2025 Remembered - Part 2, From July
A quick round up to some of this websites travels towards the end of 2025
Martin Hesp
Jan 72 min read


Experiencing authentic eats abroad: a guide for travellers
Quick guide to finding authentic food while abroad
Martin Hesp
Jan 52 min read


Walking Your Way to Fitness and Health After the Festivities
Gentle Winter Walks Across the West Country Walking your way to fitness and health after the festivities is one of the most enjoyable and invigorating things you can do during that dreary time of the year otherwise known as the second-half of winter. Some people take post-festive fitness very seriously, signing up for gym regimes and diets that would cause a serious athlete to lose sleep. Inevitably, all to many realise they are living a fantasy. You can only eat raw carrots
Martin Hesp
Jan 57 min read


Our 2025 Remembered - First half until June
A quick guide to our travel in the first part of 2025 from Cornwall to Sri Lanka, from the Lake District to Northern Denmark
Martin Hesp
Jan 32 min read


Best Post-Christmas Walks in the West Country (Easy Festive Walks Across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset)
A very quick guide to some excellent winter walks in the West Country
Martin Hesp
Dec 28, 20257 min read


Pedn Olva, St Ives: A Cornish Hotel Stay Where the View Becomes the Destination
A Cornish Hotel Stay Where the Room Is the Attraction There are rooms you pay to stay in and there are reasons why people want or need to temporarily hire a place in which to sleep. Which is an overly simplistic way of describing a vast industry that offers everything from tiny sleeping pods to large luxury suites. If we ignore work-related hotel-stays, then most visits are made by tourists of some sort who have booked a place at some location they want to explore or enjoy.
Martin Hesp
Dec 22, 20256 min read


Christmas at Dunster Castle: A Magical National Trust Experience for Families
Festive Days Out in Somerset: Dunster Castle’s Christmas Adventure Thinking of something Christmassy to do? Something that the kids would absolutely love that does not involve going to a giant shopping mall or a theme park? Something traditional, perhaps, with tons of atmosphere, Christmas trees and fairy lights, along with the red suited man himself seated in a private room in a magical castle… Well, the National Trust is staging just such an opportunity at wonderful old Du
Martin Hesp
Dec 21, 20256 min read


London Before Christmas: Where To Stay, Eat And Wander
Where to Go in the Run-Up to Christmas: London or a Staycation? Where to go in the run-up to Christmas? Shall we head for sunnier climes, drive west to enjoy the region’s seasonally empty beaches, or maybe visit some charming old market town? As I found out in Dartmouth last week, a staycation really can help put you in the mood for the festive season – but there are those who argue that you should go the full hog and head for our capital city. At which point it feels rude no
Martin Hesp
Dec 13, 20257 min read


Christmas in Bern: Exploring Switzerland’s Magical Festive Capital
Bern Christmas Markets: A Winter Wonderland in Switzerland Seasonal crowds are guaranteed in the run up to Christmas at Bern , the Swiss capital – a small but ancient city perched on a steep hill which creates a large U-shaped bend in the River Aare. Bern lends itself to Yuletide magic so much, they stage not one, but nine Christmas markets each year. There’s the Berner Sternenmarkt , right in the middle of town next to the Bundeshaus (Parliament building). This festively dec
Martin Hesp
Dec 12, 20254 min read


Discovering Dartmouth: A Stay at the Newly Refurbished Royal Castle Hotel
Why Dartmouth Remains One of the West Country’s Most Captivating Harbour Towns There is something special about Dartmouth. I have no particular reason for saying it - no axe to grind either way, no friends or family living there, no commercial interests, not even any special memories such as the happy beginning of a long-lost love affair - but say it I do, and I’ve been repeating it for years… A quarter of a century ago I wrote a newspaper series about all the harbour-towns d
Martin Hesp
Dec 7, 20257 min read


Sri Lanka Travel Update: Why the Island Remains Open and Welcoming After Cyclone Ditwa
Sri Lanka Tourism News and Travel Advice Sri Lanka, one of the loveliest places I’ve ever visited, was recently hit by Cyclone Ditwa and, not surprisingly, it has featured widely across the international news-headlines. Of course, my thoughts go to all the friends and wonderful hosts and others I have met in that most magical of islands. However, it seems that the focus of the 24-hours news machine has not exactly helped… The Sri Lanka economy absolutely relies on tourism and
Martin Hesp
Dec 5, 20253 min read
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