50 Best Travel Websites

Rhiannon Batten of the Independent has done all your legwork for you in her recent listing of the 50 best travel websites.  A useful example is www.tablethotels.com which has an interesting selection of designer hotels.  www.insideragency.com is an innovative idea which hooks you up with locals wherever you may be in the world and allows you an insider's view of the local area.  If you need to organise a jourmey by train or boat www.seat61.com offers all you need to know.  Happy browsing!.

Easy Riding on Kent Coast Bike Tour to the new Turner Contemporary Exhibition

This weekend marked the opening of the Turner Contemporary on the sea front at Margate reports our Kent Host.  The building sits on the site of a long-demolished house in which JMW Turner once lodged and painted, taking advantage of the stunning quality of light on this part of the North Kent coast of England.   The exhibition space is filled with works from a diversity of artists and houses temporary exhibitions rather than a permanent collection.   It adds to the wealth of dramatic landscapes and maritime  history that already feature on our Kent Coast bike tour.   This is easy riding with high rewards at its best.

Photo: Copyright David Chipperfield Architects

Devon Coast to Coast Tour takes in the stunning garden at Rosemoor

There are many unexpected gems hidden within our tours. One of these is the Royal Horticultural Society's stunning garden at Rosemoor which is a short taxi ride from the Devon Coast to Coast route. Leave your bikes on day 3 at the cycle shop at Torrington station - (to avoid a steep and hilly ride) to discover the 65 acres of Rosemoor set against a backdrop of steep wooded valley sides. This is rural North Devon charm at its best with woodland walks, water features and immaculate planting. Our Devon Host visited last week and cannot recommend the garden highly enough. Don't miss out!