Categories Archives: Events

Athens and the Antikythera device

Fancy a really interesting weekend break over the next few months, with great food, blue skies and sunshine, relaxation in a fascinating city and more than a touch of highly-accessible culture?  Try Athens, which offers so much to see and do, and fit in visits to two fascinating museums.  They could of course each take

Travel PR rubs shoulders with Ben Fogle at RGS Azores talk

Travel PR’s Julia, Sarah and Sue attended an engaging talk on the Azores by Ben Fogle, held at the Royal Geographical Society in London on Tuesday 19 March.  The intrepid explorer spoke about his love for islands and, in particular, the unspoilt mid-Atlantic archipelago of which he is now ambassador.  Client Sunvil Discovery, leading UK

Ringing in the New Year

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! That’s Happy New Year in Japanese, or ake ome for short (and less formal).  New Year is a huge celebration in Japan and, on New Year’s Eve, millions descend upon shrines to pray for good fortune in the coming 12 months.  As seen in this video, Fushimi Inari Shrine, just outside Kyoto, is

West Sweden in East London

On 23 October, I spent my lunch break in Sweden and I didn’t even need to leave London. That’s because I was invited to enjoy a West Sweden-inspired lunch at a pop-up red cottage in East London’s trendy Old Truman Brewery, set up as part of a Visit Sweden-led campaign to showcase some of the

In The Woods – my new favourite music festival

Maybe I’m mature and full of wisdom, or maybe I’m just grouchy and getting on a bit. Either way, the idea of a big music festival – the wonderful Glastonbury excepted – fills me with plenty of dread these days. The schlepping miles between tent and stages; the vast queues for every single food stand; the

Match day in Madeira

I was excited to visit Madeira in Portugal last weekend (14-17 June) – the chosen destination for this year’s AITO and AITO Agents’ overseas conference, which offers independent travel operators and agents the chance to gather and debate the sector’s current biggest issues. And I felt rather smug leaving rainy England for this breathtakingly beautiful

The Nemean Games – run the 100m in an original Greek stadium

When did you last have the opportunity to run the 100m in one of the original Greek stadia dating back to 300 BC, your name being announced as you emerge, blinking and barefoot, from the dark of an ancient tunnel into the bright sunshine of the stadium, having just changed into a white tunic in the

Freshly-picked carrots at Oxo Tower Wharf

Swedish food is becoming known on the culinary circuit for its fresh, organic approach – simple and sophisticated at the same time – and for its commendably low food miles.  The ultimate example of all these foodie ideals appeared at a VisitSweden event held on 6 September at Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank.

Why the Swedes go mad for Midsummer

Downing schnapps, dining on pickled herring and dancing around a phallic pole like a frog – it doesn’t sound terribly appealing, does it?! For most Swedes, however, Midsummer is by far the biggest and best party of the year. In a country with dark winters and short summers, celebrating the light and warmth – usually