Featured blog posts
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What Is It Like On a Viking River Cruise?
How Formal Are Viking Cruises? Dress Code Explained
If you’re not sure what to pack for a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.
Understanding Viking’s dress codes can be confusing, as they often differ from other mainstream cruise lines, with conflicting information shared by cruisers online.
Fear not! In this blog post I will outline the differences between a Viking river cruise and a Viking ocean cruise, and clarify which types of clothing are needed for each voyage.
Is the Kitchen Table Worth It on Viking Cruises?
Read my full review and learn what to expect from this excursion.
An onboard cooking experience offered by Viking Cruises, the Kitchen Table is available to book on their ocean ships. It’s a great way to liven up a relaxing day at sea, meet some new people, and learn how to cook a delicious three course meal from one of their onboard chefs.
I took part in one of these group cooking classes during a cruise around South East Asia onboard the Viking Venus in 2025, and found it to be a huge amount of fun.
First Time On Viking Cruises? What to Expect + Essential Tips
If you’re thinking about booking a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.
I’ve sailed with Viking multiple times over the last few years and have absolutely loved each of my experiences. From travelling around South East Asia to sailing down the Seine at Christmas time, I’ve experienced what both their ocean and river ships have to offer.
This blog post will include tips for first time Viking cruisers, including what to expect on embarkation day, what’s included in the cost of your cruise, and how to get the most out of your holiday.
London Tilbury Cruise Port - A Complete Guide
If you’ve booked a cruise that sails from the UK, then you may find yourself embarking at London Tilbury.
Despite its deceptive name, this cruise port is actually located in Essex, in a town slightly to the east of Greater London. This means that your journey will require a bit of forward planning in order to make it as smooth as possible.
What To Do In Edinburgh
As one of the world’s most popular city break destinations, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit with a rich history and many things to see and do.
My guide highlights some of the city’s best landmarks and activities, with the aim of helping you to make the most of your trip.
What to Do in Norway
One of my favourite countries that I’ve travelled to in recent years, read this article to learn more about Norway and the many things there are to see and do.
What to Do in Norway
Norway is known for its outstanding natural beauty and glistening natural fjords, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, water sports and winter activities. Rich in arts and culture, the country has strong ties to the Vikings and a number of bustling towns and cities to explore.
What To Do In Zurich
As Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich is much more than just a financial hub. Here you’ll find medieval streets and world class museums alongside panoramic viewpoints and lakeside walks, making it the ideal place to both explore and relax.
Zurich truly blends historic charm with modern culture, meaning there really is something for everyone. It’s also well located as a base for day trips, with nearby locations including the snowy peaks of the alps and glistening glaciers in Engelberg.
The Robin’s Nest Coffee Shop Review, Chichester
Tucked away down one of Chichester’s cobbled side streets, the Robin’s Nest is a cosy coffee shop and cafe offering delicious home cooked food. I was very kindly invited in for lunch by the owner, and was so impressed that I wanted to write a whole blog post about it!
The cafe itself is small, with an intimate feel and plenty of seating. It’s just the right size - small enough to feel personal, but large enough to seat a good number of hungry Cicestrians (the Saxon name given to people who live in Chichester.)
12 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This vibrant Vietnamese city has many exciting things to see and do, and was easily one of the highlights of my recent trip to Southeast Asia.
Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh city was renamed after the reunification of Vietnam in 1976 to honour leader of the communist party Ho Chi Minh. Although many of the local people still refer to the city as Saigon, you won’t find this on any of the official signage or documents.
Crystal Symphony Suite and Guest Room Guide
Here is my complete guide to all of the guest rooms and suites available onboard the Crystal Symphony.
I love exploring cruise ships, and during my sailing onboard the Crystal Symphony I was delighted to find that staff had opened a number of cabins for guests to view. While all of the room categories are beautiful in their own way, it was really interesting to see how they differ and have a nose around two of the most luxurious accommodation options onboard.
Crystal Cruises Food and Dining Guide
Here is my full guide to food and dining onboard Crystal Cruises.
As one of the world’s leading ultra luxury cruise lines, dining onboard Crystal Cruises is an absolute delight.
With food offered on an all inclusive basis, there is a total of eight restaurants for guests to choose from (if I include the gelato bar!) Both of Crystal’s ships, Serenity and Symphony have identical food offerings, with the same eateries on each ship. The only venue that costs an additional fee is the vintage room, which offers dinner with guided wine pairings.
Accommodation in Arundel - A Complete Guide
Here’s my guide to accommodation in the West Sussex cathedral city of Arundel.
Home to an almost 1000 year old castle, Arundel has many fantastic accommodation options to choose from. Whether you’re after a cosy pub based room or a charming holiday rental, you’re bound to find something here that suits your taste.
The Best Things To Do In Porto, Portugal
Here are the very best things to do during a visit to Porto.
Portugal is a fantastic destination to visit in Europe, known for its warm weather, fantastic dining scene, iconic Azulejo tiles, and so much more.
As the country’s second largest city, Porto has much to offer visitors. From wine tasting and cooking classes, to what is considered to be the world’s most beautiful bookshop, the city is packed with things to do - there’s even plenty of activities that don’t cost a penny.
Afternoon Tea in Chichester - Where to Go
Here is my guide to the best places for afternoon tea in Chichester.
Chichester is a beautiful cathedral city with no shortage of places to eat and drink. From high end restaurants to budget cafes, and everything in between, there are eateries in Chichester to suit all tastes.
Here is my list of the best places to stop for afternoon tea. Each recommendation includes the current opening times, which are accurate at the time of publishing, so make sure you double check before you travel.
Accommodation in West Wittering, West Sussex
Here’s my complete guide to the best places to stay in West Wittering.
Known for its outstanding natural beauty and long stretch of golden sand, West Wittering is a popular seaside location in West Sussex. Whether you’re after a sunny summer holiday or a cosy winter getaway, this village has plenty to offer with a wide variety of accommodation options.
There’s plenty of things to do in the local area, with the nearest city, Chichester, just a 20 minute drive away. West Wittering is also located near to the Goodwood Motor Circuit, making it an ideal place to stay when attending events like Goodwood Revival, the Festival of Speed or Goodwoof.
Accommodation in Amberley - A Complete Guide
Here’s my guide to the hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday rentals in and near Amberley, West Sussex.
Located in the Horsham area of West Sussex, Amberley is a beautiful village known for its thatched roof cottages and medieval castle.
It’s a popular location for walkers, and the local history is documented in the Amberley Museum. There’s also a 12th century church, St Michael’s, which is the oldest remaining building in the village.
Bed and Breakfasts in Selsey - A Complete Guide
Here is my guide to accommodation in Selsey, West Sussex.
A beautiful West Sussex seaside town, Selsey has a long history dating back more than 1000 years. It receives its name from the grey seals that occupy the surrounding water, and sometimes come to rest on the shore.
Best Hotels in Bosham, West Sussex
Here is my complete guide to accommodation in Bosham.
A historic West Sussex village located right by the coast, Bosham is a popular seaside holiday destination. Not only is its waterside location perfect for sailing, but it also makes the ideal base for long rambles in the beautiful Sussex countryside.
Bed and Breakfasts in Emsworth - A Complete Guide
Here’s my complete guide to the bed and breakfast options in the beautiful coastal town of Emsworth.
Located on the south coast of Hampshire, Emsworth is a quaint English seaside town that’s popular with tourists - and for good reason!
There’s plenty to see and do, with a wide range of cafes, restaurants and independent shops to peruse. Ramblers will enjoy taking long walks in the local countryside, and the harbour is suitable for a variety of watersports.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.