Intro for Lady Suzy Swiss Fashion

Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, or Hadrian for short, is the ambitious and aggressive Roman Emperor who’s pretty famous here in the North East. He’s the man who left a great big 73-mile-long wall here when he ruled the Roman Empire from AD 117 to 138.

This famous wall stretching from Wallsend in the East (Tyneside) to Bowness-on-Solway in the West (Cumbria) was built in an attempt to bring security and stability to the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. At 15 feet high at points and almost 11 feet wide, the wall was designed to protect. With its deep ditch in front and series of gateway forlets (milecastles) it was certainly a deterrent. These little checkpoints served as a sort of guarded border monitoring and possibly taxing those wishing to enter.

What does this have to do with Turkey you ask?

I was back! Way longer than planned, but I have an excuse, it’s called life. Now aged 44 some 23 years on from my last trip a second opportunity crops up to re-explore one of the USA’s most cultural and historic cities, the Capital of Jazz and Carnival. New Orleans....to read on, download by clicking the image, download button, or to read on the Northern Insight website click 'read now'. 

Two words, Barbados and Budget. Definitely not words you'd expect to find together, not here at least. After all, this Caribbean island paradise plays home, at least some of the time, to influential and affluent individuals from across the globe.

Its super-rich fans include Simon Cowell, Mariah Carey, Prince Harry and Gwyneth Paltrow, regular holidaymakers here. Others, like Wayne and Colleen Rooney, own luxury homes. But Barbados isn’t just for the super-rich, budget-friendly holidays are possible...to read on, download by clicking the image, download button, or to read on the Northern Insight website click 'read now'. 

Things are hectic as usual and I'm overdue a catch-up with my brother. But where do you go with a heavy metal and music-loving, vegan drummer? Berlin of course, but why?

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Even since earlier times, Germany’s contribution to world music has been mega, think Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms, every decade since and they’ve delivered. I’ll start in the 70s, when Baccara, filled dancefloors with the hit ‘Yes sir, I can boogie’. A couple of years later....to read on, download by clicking the image, download button, or to read on the Northern Insight website click 'read now'. 

The Italian Riviera is synonymous with the Liguria region of Italy, a crescent-shaped strip of Mediterranean coastline between the south of France and Tuscany.

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This region has something for everyone… beautiful hillside villages, glamour and glitz equivalent to Monte Carlo, exquisite countryside and of course, Florence and Pisa, the cities of art, architecture and food. Clearly, this region attracts millions of tourists...to read on, download or click 'read now' to read via the Northern Insight website.

I've always loved horses, so much so, at thirteen my parents finally caved into our requests and bought us one. We were lucky yes, but spoilt no, it was indeed made 'crystal clear' that this horse was 'our responsibility' and so bicycle journeys to the stables ensued to look after our beautiful Blaze (his name)...to read on download via the image or download button or to see the magazine article on the Northern Insight website click 'read now'. 

Marseille is France's oldest and second-largest city, founded by Greek seafarers in 600bc it's been a major trading point for over 2500 years. The city's past is important because it's this and its location that makes it the cultural melting pot it is today.

New year, new travel plans and how better to start than an early January escape to one of the cultural heavyweights of the world, the Catalonian capital city of Barcelona.

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With a history dating back 2000 years and rebirth from dictatorship rule in the mid-1970s, Barcelona is a diverse and fascinating city and I’ve got just 36 hours to explore it…

Travel is still slightly more complicated and research is needed’ but being double-jabbed means access is easier’ Greece is easier still. With entry requiring just one form’ another on return and a day 2 test,’ it’s not rocket science.

One thing Greece doesn’t struggle for is sunshine and wanting plenty of it I head to the most southerly of its islands’ large and luscious Crete. 

2021 and the familiar pattern of travel confusion continues, but at last, with a scattering of destinations permitted, there's an actual real possibility of travel.

I last visited Portugal’s Algarve region around 20 years ago, still remembering my feeble attempt at golfing… 

I last set foot on the island of Tenerife 22 years ago, just a young thing back then, working on cruise liners that would regularly call at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the port of the island’s capital.

With only limited shore time extensive exploration wasn’t really an option. Fast forward to 2020 and I’m back, albeit in the middle of a global pandemic but in a window of permitted travel.

Go, don’t go, go, and don’t go...a frustratingly familiar pattern for travel destinations in 2020.

As Covid-19 continues its rampage plunging peoples travel plans into chaos, more and more of us are opting for a staycation. Apart from the horrific impact on the travel industry what better way is there to support our UK businesses than to holiday at home.

Months of lock down had really taken it's toll and lucky as I was to be well and working from home my travel bubble had truly burst. As soon as we were given the green light to get away I was on the road to the best source of much needed bubbles...France and the Champagne region! From vineyard-clad hillsides to glorious tastings in sumptuous surroundings we explored the finery of the region, its produce and re-inflated our bubbles with real ones.

A dream island and a dream trip but what lies beyond paradise beaches? With such a fertile landscape St Lucia produces in abundance, but did you know it also produces chocolate? I visited the gorgeous Rabat Estate by Hotel Chocolat and turned my hand to chocolate making! 

Cruising has exploded in popularity, having worked on cruise ships myself it was high time I got myself on one as a passenger...here's how it went on Crown Princess in November 2019. 

Ever wanted to avoid all the manic shopping, turkey cooking and family faffing of a traditional UK Christmas? Here's how to experience Christmas in the Caribbean instead....with guaranteed sun and white snow...sorry sand....

Aboard the Crown Princess in November 2019 one of the best things was indeed...the Food! Spoilt rotten I interviewed the Crowns Food and Beverage Director who tells me how they do it and a bit about himself!

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One of my favourite places to chill, Mexico. I've spent around 6 holidays here on the white beaches and so I'd say I'm somewhat of an expert! Here's an overview on what you can expect from a holidays on Mexico's Caribbean Coast.

 I've always been a fan of Spain so taking the chance to venture beyond the cities and beach side costa's was pure delight. Read about my adventure in Andalucia through whitewashed villages with stunning vistas of the mountains and beyond. 

On the top of my 'to-do' list, Budapest...this beautiful ornate and vibrant city was such a wonder to explore. Sunbathing in October? read about my adventure here. 

As part of the journalist team for Food and Drink Guides I visited The Beaumont in the heart of beautiful Hexham in the Tyne Valley, Northumberland. Read here about the place, the food and the people behind it all.

As part of the journalist team for Food and Drink Guides I visited Dodgins Yard a brand new concept in the heart of the historic Fish Quay, North Shields, Read here about the place, the food and the people behind it all.