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Shy Bredewold
May 11, 2025
In Destination Discovery
Another view of St Paul’s Cathedral, this time from the shopping area on Cheapside - a lesser known area to the east.
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Shy Bredewold
Apr 27, 2025
In Destination Discovery
More of the “spring has sprung” theme, check out these amazing wisteria blooms in London’s bustling Kentish Town!
Have you got anything like this in your neighborhood?
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Shy Bredewold
Apr 22, 2025
In Destination Discovery
May might be my favorite month in England, with (often but not always, it’s an island after all) sunny warming weather and plenty of blooms across meadows and stone walls across the country!
But April hosts a huge surprise in the undergrowth. Bluebells spread slowly and take 5-7 years to come of age, ready to flower.
Here’s a swathe in West Berkshire, just west of London - an enjoyable Easter stroll with the family.
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Shy Bredewold
Apr 09, 2025
In Destination Discovery
I’m not talking about mini replica or kit cars, nor any type of custom hobbyist job.
I’m after street legal, local or big name commercial manufacturer, which someone might be driving for day to day use.
For example, I spotted this beauty in north London the other day - Europeans are somewhat famous for their tiny cars but this is unreal!
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Shy Bredewold
Mar 29, 2025
In Destination Discovery
See if you can guess by the view where I am this spring, but wow has England’s capital been enjoying a sunny start to the season!!!
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Shy Bredewold
Mar 26, 2025
In Destination Discovery
I’m going to have to do some digging, find out what this structure might be.
I don’t think it has any structural purpose, maybe a local relic from the 2012 Olympics in London?
The colors change and you can see the “Helix” from the nearby Olympic Park in Stratford, but I’m happy to be entirely surprised by its purpose!
Otherwise enjoy a tiny snippet of East London life along a port stretch of the canal.
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Shy Bredewold
Mar 21, 2025
In Destination Discovery
Happy people arriving into London from Paris, probably even happier on the incredibly rare occasion there’s huge disruption at Heathrow.
Enjoy your time in London, folks!
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Shy Bredewold
Mar 07, 2025
In Destination Discovery
A rather chic pair of galleries almost hidden away in one of London’s famous fashion regions, although a private collection they’re accessible in a way London’s larger collections used to be - that is, you simply walk in off the street and stay as long or as little as you like.
No advanced tickets, no line ups, just guilt free enjoyment of some great art!
I was myself just walking by, headed to check out The Scotch when the collection caught my eye!
The current display is a sample of some very recent pieces showcasing contemporary life through the eyes of the man himself - not just a great voice, it would seem!
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Shy Bredewold
Feb 13, 2025
In Destination Discovery
I loved Ninja Turtles as a child, my kids are just discovering SpongeBob during the last few months.
And I think all kids are just Paw Patrol fans at birth, no?
If you love any of the Nickelodeon characters there are plenty to meet and even more cool art and sculptures to discover around the resort complex.
But! Unlike Disney you’re not forced to enjoy the cartoon lifestyle at every corner if you don’t want to. It feels like a happy option at an otherwise well appointed beach resort in Riviera Maya.
Hugs in the gift shop!
Ninja Turtle concept art circa 1984
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Shy Bredewold
Feb 12, 2025
In Destination Discovery
Only yards from the lobby reception at Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya, it’s one of the biggest water parks in all of Mexico!
But what does it look like? Is it busy? Is there food? Is it really all that fun!?!
I’m here all week with a family group of 17 and loving every moment of it.
Here’s a peak:
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Shy Bredewold
Feb 12, 2025
In Destination Discovery
Sitting on the balcony, just ordered breakfast from room service.
There’s a wonderful dawn breeze…
And this view
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Shy Bredewold
Feb 10, 2025
In Destination Discovery
One of the least appealing places in any airport, Terminal 5 has a new set of scanning and x-ray tools which allegedly remove the need for you to remove most items from your carry on or your person.
During a recent family trip, we found the equipment to be pain free but the process was probably confused among an army of pleasant, helpful and well meaning staff who were probably not yet entirely familiar with the tech and what it should be able to do.
It was like a scene from a comedy film, where a kind and helpful security officer tried to help speed our family along. Flashing us from the queue and inviting us to try the new stuff out. As above, proudly proclaiming we would “only need to take big laptops out” from our bags and “it’ll be faster”.
The reality, we must have had 15 trays among the four of us!
Every refillable water bottle got its own tray. My shoes got their own tray. The children’s 8” Amazon Fire tablets each got their own tray. The little baggie of liquids and gels got its own tray. Quarter inch buckle on my wife’s sandals trips the alarm? That’s right, go back and get them their own tray.
Hahaha with the stroller and baby separated, the stroller was simply given a thrust and launched through the scanner to roll out the other side while a team of three watched it but didn’t really stop it from rolling. The baby got a chemical wipe down test so thorough she must have been flagged as a rebel fighter;
My guess is, by the time the spring travel rush into Europe gets started up most of the links will be found and flattened.
If the tech lives up to the hype, it should be a breeze.
Meaning you can look forward to just checking in and zipping through a little bit quicker on your way home from a great trip!
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Shy Bredewold
Feb 05, 2025
In Destination Discovery
It’s quite the building, with the bronze eagle casting an eye over (at least part of) Grosvenor Square!
Home to the US Embassy until 2018 - the new embassy building is closer to the also rejuvenated Battersea Power Station - it’s great to see a new lease on life for the structure.
No exact date just yet but expect perhaps end of summer or fall 2025, the revamped Chancery Rosewood Hotel should be something special in a very desirable part of London.
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Shy Bredewold
Feb 04, 2025
In Destination Discovery
With 21 slides and 2 rivers - one lazy, one adventure! - and an actual replica of Adventure Bay... the kids are SO excited to go to Nickelodeon this weekend!
There's also an activity pool, apparently with some sort of community challenge to perform. Wondering how long before my wife's inner sporting lunatic has her pacing back and forth and fixating on how to win haha
Check this out though and tell me it doesn't look like a lot of fun for mom, dad, and all the little ones!
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Shy Bredewold
Jan 30, 2025
In Destination Discovery
Only a few short weeks ago Celebrity surprised many by retiring 2 of their 3 exclusive Galapagos Islands ships from the fleet. Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration set sail for the last time December 24, 2024.
If you weren't aware, Ecuador has some pretty strict rules about the total capacity of ships sailing the islands. That means each cruise line has an upper limit, a maximum number of passengers they're allowed to sail around the islands.
There are few places on earth more well-known for the rare wildlife, often found nowhere else on earth!
Removing a vessel from the Galapagos (let alone TWO!) is a big deal for a cruise line.
Celebrity's remaining ship is among the newest, the purpose built Celebrity Flora - a marvel of modern technology built for the Galapagos Islands, it's typically referred to as a "mega yacht" rather than a cruise ship; itineraries are the most all-inclusive fares Celebrity offers.
Again, it's a big deal and I'll be Celebrity Cruises has something truly special to announce in the coming months!
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Shy Bredewold
Jan 28, 2025
In Destination Discovery
I've seen these guys on a few trips to Mexico or Costa Rica, hoping to see more with my kids on our next visit!
Although I strongly suspect my wife will also appreciate how fun they look :)
Apparently they're pretty quick for short sprints, I've been reading some claims between 21 and 30 miles per hour for a short distance. A wonderful power to escape predators, I wonder if it includes curious tourists?
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Shy Bredewold
Jan 27, 2025
In Destination Discovery
Men are simple creatures, aren't we? I was happy enough with plans to meet a friend for a beer or two in London's famous Notting Hill area when he suggested we meet at The Champion. Bonus points, they serve Guinness!
But imagine my surprise when I nipped downstairs to use the gentlemen's loos and saw this sign on the wall!
Apparently The Champion was frequented by none other than Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury - what's more they claim he even wrote the song there and named it after the pub!
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Shy Bredewold
Jan 26, 2025
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Shy Bredewold
Jan 24, 2025
In Destination Discovery
In just a few short weeks, my family and I will be traveling to this beautiful destination - to enjoy a relaxing family vacation with sun and fun aplenty!
But can you guess where?
Here's the first hint:
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Shy Bredewold
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Founder, Certified Travel Associate
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