Guest Posts
Guest Post
The city of York has become an extremely popular tourist destination for British and international travellers. With a heritage that dates back to Roman, Viking and medieval times, there is so much history to enjoy. You can visit the city’s iconic cathedral, York Minister, as well as two specially built museums. The Castle Museum shows every day Victorian life, while the Jorvik Centre offers a realistic portrayal of Viking times. During my frequent visits to the city, I’ve also had the pleasure of eating at some fantastic restaurants along York’s rambling streets, whether inside or beyond those famous city walls.
Traditional
The Lamb and Lion Inn stands on High Petergate, in the shadow of York’s medieval city gate, the Bootham Bar. York’s ancient city walls frame the cosy warren of little rooms and a garden that make up the pub and restaurant. This is one of York’s oldest hotels and it has fed and watered travellers for many centuries.
The menu is traditional pub fare with a flourish, such as Whitby smoked fish pie, Nidderdale chicken, Yorkshire Dales lamb hot pot (with no apology to Lancastrians!) and the best homemade chocolate cheese cake I have ever tasted! I always try to get a seat near the beautiful open fireplace when enjoying “ale dispensed by gravity”, (as the pub calls its hand-pulled real ales) as well as a full wine list.
International
The award-winning Lime House Restaurant is on Goodramgate, just minutes away from York Minster and the Shambles, one of York’s most famous streets of overhanging buildings dating from the 14th century. The menu is modern international, ranging from bouillabaisse and avocado and crab timbale to Yorkshire beef, pot-roast partridge and sweet-potato bubble and squeak. There are lunch and set-price evening menus, as well as a la carte and the prices are reasonable.
The Old Siam restaurant, located in what used to be an old cafe, is just round the corner on Micklegate and has become a local legend. As a big fan of Thai food, this has become one of my favourite restaurants in York. It offers a wide range of authentic Thai food in an intimate atmosphere and good prices. The recipes have not been changed to accommodate Western tastes. The food is exquisitely spiced without the eye-watering hotness of poorer-quality Thai food. There’s a fixed-price lunch menu and a takeaway service as well as a la carte. I would recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Squeeze through Gillygate to Cafe No. 8, a small but perfect bistro just outside the City Walls. If you want the best traditional fry-up for breakfast or brunch in the area, this is, without a doubt, the place to go. The food is all locally sourced, which is a big selling point for me. The lunch and dinner menus offer burgers and risottos as well as slow-cooked North African lamb meatballs and an incredible pan-fried halibut with foaming béarnaise sauce.
Foodie Delight
Bottegha Del Lange is an Italian hostelry that is a dream for foodies. It used to be located on Goodramgate, but moved to larger premises in the Old Coach House on Peasholme Green and is close to many York hotels. The owners of the restaurant are also food importers and bring in all of their food from Italy. The menu varies daily according to food availability and seasons. It has a six-course menu for £35 per head that includes slow-cooked hare, Whitby crab and hazelnut tart. A shop and cafe alongside the restaurants offers meat, cheeses and homemade tarts. 
– Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo guide
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Guest Post
With its breathtaking lakes, mountains and forests, Sweden has long since attracted lovers of the great outdoors. And if you’re a fishing fan, or perhaps want a holiday with plenty of gentle, relaxed moments, then the country is perfect for serious anglers and casual fish fans alike.
Fishing holidays in Sweden have the advantage of offering a huge amount of choice, with over 90,000 lakes and 37 species of game fish. Stretching across 2,000 km the country has such a myriad of climates and weather seasons that you don’t have to wait for a particular season to go fishing; if you pick the right area, you can go whenever suits you best.
As a rule, the milder south is better for year-round fishing as the weather rarely becomes extreme and there is an abundance of different species and variations of fish. As for the north of the country, it’s important to remember that Sweden extends into the Arctic Circle, meaning that extreme conditions and harsh weather are a possibility. Avoid the north in winter, and if you’re unused to such specialised fishing conditions, consider hiring a guide to help you find the perfect spot.
In terms of where to fish, it really all depends on your preference. If you’re looking to combine fishing with other activities, somewhere busy and buzzing like Stockholm is ideal where you can spend your days on the water and your nights out having fun.
Forget Venice, when it comes to a city built on water, look no further than the Swedish capital. Situated on 14 islands on the banks of the archipelago where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, water is fundamental to city life, so much so that the metropolis’s geographical centre is in the middle of Riddarfjärden Bay.
The city’s waterways account for over 30 per cent of the city, so it’s commonplace to see people fishing throughout Stockholm, even outside the Royal Palace. The city is known in particular for its salmon fishing; indeed, the record for a salmon caught in downtown Stockholm is said to be 48 lbs!
For coastal fishing, Göteborg’s (Gothenburg’s) stretch of coastline offers the chance to meet some of the country’s salt-water species, including cod, mackerel and catfish. With a great fishing culture made up of professional fisherman and those enjoying long fishing weekends at the seaside, Göteborg is a paradise for all those who are passionate about the sport. Consider hiring a boat to take you a little further out to sea for the biggest catches and the best views.
For a quieter experience, the endless countryside in central Sweden offers plenty of chances to sit back and relax. Lake Värnen, a 5,600 km area of natural beauty with around 20,000 islands and its own micro-climate, is ideal for enjoying some time to yourself.
The sheer size of the lake means you can pick where you want to go depending on the sort of catch you’re after, with zander and perch in the south and pike and carp in the north. There are plenty of campsites to stay in, or alternatively you could pitch your tent on the shores of the lake and really get back to basics; the mild summer nights in Sweden are perfect for camping.
For the biggest catches, river fishing is your best bet for breathtaking views and some huge fish. The River Dalaven at the centre of the country is legendary for its huge catches, with pike and zander being particularly common: in fact, the biggest sweet-water zander ever caught came from this river, and locals have many tales of enormous fish and heroic battles. For salmon and sea trout, head a little further south to the River Mörrumsån, one of a dozen rivers in the Blekinge area that offer some of the biggest salmon in the country.
Wherever you choose to spend your holiday in Sweden, it’s undoubtedly one of the best in the world for fishing breaks and countryside pursuits. Whether competing with friends for the biggest catch in Stockholm or snatching a few quiet hours of contemplation in the heart of the countryside, you’re sure to find something to suit you. All that you have to do is decide where to go, and dig out your best fishing equipment of course! – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel guide to Europe
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Guest Post
Are you considering a walking or climbing holiday sometime soon? The good news is that there is no shortage of outstanding destinations (either in the UK or in more exotic parts of the world) offering the chance to see some remarkable sights by foot. The only problem comes in ascertaining which holiday is right for you, given your level of hiking or climbing experience and ability.
Outlined below are five top walking or climbing destinations, each suited to a different level of hiking skill and ability or different age ranges. All you need to bring are your Scarpa shoes and Merrell boots!
Beginner – the Scottish Borders
The rolling hills of the Borders not only offer scenic countryside, but also over 1,500 miles of dedicated walking trials including three of the most popular walks in the UK, the Southern Upland Way, St. Cuthbert’s Way and the Pennine Way. Yet what makes this the ideal place for the beginner, is the hilly terrain, there’s no huge mountains to traverse and with many picturesque towns dotted along the route, there is always somewhere to stop and enjoy the fabulous local hospitality. For easy walking in a spectacular setting at any time of the year, the Scottish Borders are well worth a visit.
Intermediate – Sicilian volcano trekking
Seeing the sights of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, close up must be one of the biggest thrills for any hiker. This destination offers superb guided hikes around the Etna region and a chance to sample La Dolca Vita in a variety of local hotels and restaurants. The walking is taxing and a step on from the gentle hills and valleys of the Scottish lowlands, but anyone with reasonable fitness and mobility should be able to enjoy these walks.
Advanced – Amazonian adventure: Brazil’s highest waterfall
One of the most intriguing guided treks in the world, sample the incredible sight and sounds of the Amazon rainforest, sleep under the stars each night in bivouacs on a beach that has seen few visitors. Experience the thrill of trekking high above the forest canopy to the highest waterfall in Brazil. Once there, you are rewarded with stunning views of the Serra do Aracá region and its unnamed waterfall, cascading 360 metres down to the forest floor below.
Expert – High Alpine Trekking: Chamonix to Zermatt
Follow in the footsteps of adventurers before you, as you explore the Alpine region that links Mont Blanc to the famous Matterhorn. A combination of climbing ice glaciers and a high number of ascents and descents make this relatively short trek one of the most uniquely demanding for even the expert climber and hiker. Starting in Chamonix, you trek the 75 miles to Zermatt, staying overnight in mountain huts, scaling glaciers and snowy outcrops in order to complete the journey.
Families or older hikers – the Lake District
If you have young family or older members of your party, then you do not need to discount walking as a holiday option. Simply equip your holiday group with some sturdy Merrell shoes and head to Cumbria to the majesty of the lakes. A myriad of different walks of vastly different grades are available, as well as the famous Cumbrian hospitality for when you need to put up your feet and take a well-earned rest. From the gentle, meandering slopes of Helvellyn to the craggy peaks of Langdale and Scafell, the Lakes offer a perfect family destination to get out into the countryside and thrive.
Whatever your hiking ability, level of fitness or age, there is a walking holiday destination out there that will suit you. All you need now is to purchase a pair of sturdy walking shoes, get your map in hand and rediscover your sense of adventure! – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel guide to Europe
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