Kentish Pubs

It may be winter but it is not a time to hibernate especially when many hostelries offer warming log fires and old world surroundings. thus on 10th January 2008 on a cold miserable day I took a small party of 6 persons on an escorted tour of selected pubs in the east of Kent around the cathedral city of Canterbury. This is little known to the average visitor. My clients were Americans whose relatives were based at Manston during the latter part of the second world war and several of the pubs which they would have visited have retained their original log fires and we started our journey in the village of Manston and progressed through the countryside and visited Hawkinge near Folkstone which although not now an aerodrome ,was during the war. It has one of the best known pubs which was visited by air crew during the war and houses an unique collection of memorabilia. we visited an number of other charming pubs before returning to their hotel. every one enjoyed themselves. there is a uniqueness about English pubs and since we were not on the usual tourist traps we were well received by the locals and the various publicans we met on route.
why don't you try it or send this blog to a friend
, its a great day out from about £25 per person.

london museums

these are now free to enter and most have been completely updated and now provide information in an attractive hands on method. they are no longer the stuffy places they once were and are especially user frendly for children of all ages.
I have recently organised some very successfull visits and can help you decide which one would be of the most interest to you. why nor e-mail m e for advice

Of Belgium chocolates and other things

One of the skills of being a travel guide to small groups is to get to know what your clients like to do and this is not always easy. Yesterday I fell into the trap and took what I was told a face value and did not look at the evidence before me.
I had a group of six people from the USA. Three couples, two were slight but the other were a little larger and this was nearly my downfall.
They were staying at the Tower hotel which is next to the Tower of London and is an excellent Hotel for the visitor as adjacent to the Tower of London are many other attractions and my clients had enjoyed a day in that area and asked me to suggest a different venue. They had all visited London before and I suggested a trip to Brugge in Belgium.
Belgium is one of those places which does not spring to mind for a visit but it has a charm of its own. Although predominantly flat it has many beautiful villages an is criss crossed with a cannel network making a very pleasant place to visit.
We looked at Brugge on the internet and my clients asked me to arrange a visit and this I was happy to do as I love the town with its distinctive architecture.
I arrived in the stretched Limo at 08.30 and drove to Dover where we boarded the Seacat to Calais and here was my first mistake. I had forgotten that there is no lift from the car deck to the lounge and had great difficulty in getting the larger couple up the two flights of stairs and to make matters worse nearly all the seats were taken and they could not sit down as a party but things got worse when we arrived in Brugge. The town centre is pedestrianised and although my clients had said they liked walking the actuality was that they did not like walking to far. Fortunately I have visited many times and I know the town very well so I drove to a part of the town which is on the taxi route. Brugge has a fleet of horse drawn open toped taxi's and I was able to hire one for the day and my problem was solved.
my clients were able to gorge themselves on waffles which are a specialty in the local restaurants, purchase Belgium chocolates for which the area is renowned and lace which is still spun in the traditional way. They also took a trip on the canals and several museums and we then returned to London. Fortunately I was able to up grade to First class on the Seacat and although we had great difficulty with the stairs my clients were very satisfied with their visit.
I had made a mistake which could have ruined the day but it ended well I have learned a valuable lesson though

Tudour House C1725 

Hall Place in the Spring 

Thoughts on traveling in the UK and Europe

I organise visits for small groups in the UK and Europe this provides me with many experiences and theses change daily join me on my daily travels. Yesterday I took 15 elderly people to Hall place which is situated about 9 miles from Central London to the South East. This is a fine manor House set in 20 acres of land with the river Cray meandering through the grounds. It also houses a small but delightful Botanical garden which grows such un English plants such as bananas. I always enjoy these visits, our stay is 4hours and I get an opotunity to relax in one of the sunken gardens so its a bonus for me. As usual we have difficulty in finding one of the party but once returned home all agree it was a great day out