Alison Stewart's Blog, page 15

Madeiran Meander by Rob Mills

Rob writes in The Medical Observer about his experiences on the garden isle of Madeira, walking the ancient stone paths of the levadas. Click on the link to read about it:

MO_06 March_p33 Madeira

Six of the Best – Paris Cycling Routes

The city of light is gorgeous from any angle. I love to cycle and this method is one of the best ways of experiencing Paris. And no-one tries to knock you off your bike. How civilised!

Read my story, published in The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age Traveller on February 21-22, here:��http://www.traveller.com.au/six-of-th...

And here’s the story. Click on it!

In the footsteps of the ancients – walking The Saint’s Way, Cornwall

The Saint’s Way, Cornwall is not as well known as the Camino de Compostela, but having recently walked from coast to coast across Cornwall in the footsteps of the saints who wished to avoid the horrendous seas around Land’s End, I can recommend it.

We saw two other walkers! Read my story, published in the Weekend edition of Traveller on February 14-15, here:��http://www.traveller.com.au/the-saint...

And you can click on the actual story here:

Le Tour de Nosh – the Loire Valley

A group of old friends��recently cycled France’s Loire Valley, meandering from chateau to chateau. It was a golden time for us, with many laughs.

You can read my story, published in Traveller on Sunday, on February 1, here:��http://www.traveller.com.au/cycling-t...

And here’s the story itself, which you can click on:

 

Staying by the Rules – Bath’s Queensberry Hotel

If you happen to be visiting that gorgeous Georgian city of Bath, I would recommend a sojourn in the Queensberry Hotel. Not only is it a lovely place to lay your head, its Olive Tree Restaurant has truly��excellent food.

You can read my story on the hotel, published in The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age Traveller on February 15, 2015 here:

http://www.traveller.com.au/queensberry-hotel-bath-review-staying-by-the-rules-133jm3

And here’s the story itself:

Combe House – To the Manor Reborn – gorgeous Elizabethan hotel in Devon

Here’s a little slice of heaven, if you’re ever in Devon. Combe House isn’t just an elegant place to stay within a quintessential English estate, it has the extra (alliterative) something – highly hospitable hosts. Ruth and Ken Hunt won awards running Peppers in Australia’s��Hunter Valley and they are winning awards here. You can read about Combe House in The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age Traveller, published on January 31, 2015:

http://www.traveller.com.au/combe-house-review-england-elizabethan-manor-bursting-with-good-old-australian-hospitality-12y5r2

And here’s a screenshot from the paper edition:

Madeira – The garden that sprang from the sea

Not too many people know exactly where Madeira is, let alone the meaning of “levada”.

It’s a pity because this Portuguese volcanic island off the coast of Africa, that rises sharply from the Atlantic like an emerald beacon, is gorgeous beyond belief and for adventurous souls, there are excellent walking trails along ancient pathways.

All will be explained! Read about magical Madeira in my story here:

http://www.traveller.com.au/madeira-portugal-the-walkers-paradise-11igeh

And have a look at the print version here:

The Oystercatcher Trail – In humanity’s footsteps

The Oystercatcher Trail has to be one of South Africa’s most gorgeous east coast hikes starting at Mossel Bay on the Garden Route. It’s more than just a four-day, four-night 55-kilometre guided, slackpacker walk along a unique coastline.

It is also way to learn about the area’s geological, botanical and cultural history, not to mention the lovely accommodation, delicious home-cooked food and wine and a massage for weary bodies! And there’s the visit to the remarkable archaeological wonder that are the caves at the Point of Human Origin.

You can read my story, which was published in The Sydney Morning Herald/Age Traveller on November 8-9 here:

http://www.traveller.com.au/oystercatcher-trail-south-africa-trailing-in-humanitys-footsteps-11e5y3

Viking Heritage, Norway: Myth, mist and enchantment

We all love a Viking – the mystique, the bold adventuring, the plundering. Well, not so much the plundering.

I went off to Scandinavia to discover my inner Norsewoman. There is, in fact, an inner Norsewoman – my Scottish great-great grandmother, who bore the unlikely name of Jane Dudgeon. Never mind. You can read my story here:

http://www.traveller.com.au/viking-heritage-norway-myth-mist-and-enchantment-10mp3f

South African rail journey: train of thought

Rovos Rail’s luxury journey from Pretoria to Durban traces a fascinating journey into bitter history – South Africa’s Anglo-Boer War which divided the nation and created the noxious brew that helped spawn apartheid. With particular emphasis on the Boer War’s bloodiest battle – the Battle of Spioenkop. Read my story here:

http://www.traveller.com.au/south-africa-rail-journey-train-of-thought-3esms