Travel to Amsterdam with Jane Godman

I Love Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities. It’s vibrant, and fun, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I like wandering De Negen Straatjes (or Nine Streets) that thread between the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and Herengracht canals. They’re lined with quirky shops, little restaurants and cafés.

The city is famous for its museums, some of them high-brow, others silly (and a few pornographic). No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to the imposing Rijksmuseum, and my personal favorite is the Van Gogh Museum. I find it quite moving to look at the brush strokes of the master himself.

Then, of course, there is the Anne Frank House. Located on the Prinsengracht, in the center of the town, it is quite simply a not-to be missed experience.  

Travel to Andalusia, Spain with Jane Godman

Tapas, Flamenco, and Ice Cream (with some history thrown in) – A whirlwind tour of Andalusia

[caption id="attachment_1071" align="alignleft" width="225"] Alhambra[/caption]

I love Spain. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour flight from my home to the glorious beaches, or enticing cities, of one of the most beautiful European cities. It’s almost a hobby of mine to leave the English weather behind and soak up some Mediterranean sunshine.

Last year, my husband and I went on a tour of Andalusia. I’d wanted to visit Granada and see the Alhambra, so we decided to take in some of the other sights of the region as well. Our whirlwind tour started high up in the hills of Mijas, took in the ancient town of Ronda, allowed us to spend time in the vibrant city of Seville, included the incredible mosque at Córdoba, and ended with the iconic Alhambra.  

There were so many incredible sights packed into the tour that I’m going to leave the “wow factor” to the pictures and talk instead about the “yum factor”.