TRAVEL – Page 2

May 5, 2019 by: Sunny London

SSSS Boarding Pass- Can’t Check You in Because Government Regulations

When ‘We can’t check you in because government regulations require that you check in at the airport’ displayed on my computer screen as I tried to check in to my LHR-ATL flight in August, I thought I had hit the wrong key. So, I tried again.

And again. And again. And again.

After nearly six attempts to check in to the flight (Delta 31 to Atlanta) I have been on tons of times, I gave up. Next, I did what any logical person at a computer would do… I googled it.

ssss-boarding-pass-cant-check-in-because-government-regulations-require-that-you-check-in-at-airport

After reading a few forums and random websites, it appeared I had been part of some random security ‘check’ done on Americans.

Not placing tons of faith in people who have the ability to post whatever on the internet (myself included 😉) I decided to go straight to the source.

Finding a phone number for Delta’s Customer Service in the UK took longer than I expected.

SSSS Boarding Pass: Delta Airlines’ Response

The Delta representative, whose English I barely understood, indicated that I should anticipate nothing additional at the airport. I clarified this with my OCD level of interrogation several times and then let it go. I slept normally that night and did not let pre-travel anxiety get the best of me.

Well, not really. I still planned to be at Heathrow Airport 30 minutes prior to when I normally arrive for this flight. And just for reference, I have flown Delta round trip from LHR to America minimally 3 times a year for the past 7 years.

Aside from waiting to check-in for 45 minutes in the long queue, my check-in went normally. And, I did inquire again if anything additional would happen.

As a side note, before Delta merged its desks with Virgin Atlantic a few years ago, I never had to wait longer than 10 minutes to check my luggage in the terminal at Heathrow Airport.

All went as normal through the security line. However, I only had 15 minutes until my gate number was displayed. When it did, I darted off quickly to Gate 20.

SSSS Boarding Pass: What Really Happens

Upon entering, my boarding pass was seized and I was escorted to a small table on the side of the boarding area waiting room. The ‘agent’ said he needed to test every electronic item I had.

AYFKM?!?!? I probably said that out loud. Twice. Really loud. In fact, that is why it has taken so long to publish this blog post. I was irate and didn’t respond in the most favourable way when I realised this was definitely happening to ME.

‘I am a travel blogger. I have 3 cameras, 3 external hard drives, a laptop, iPad, multiple phones and more,’ I said with a total edge.

He not only cared less, but also the clipboard lady next to him wouldn’t even make room for me to open my carefully packed carry on.

And one by one I had to remove everything from my carry on luggage, and anyone who wanted to could watch. Undergarments, make up, charge cords, and one electronic device after another, the pile mounted.

I was running out of room and no one cared. My stuff started falling to the floor, but they insisted I keep going.

And with little notice, after what seemed like an eternity, they said I could stop and called the next person over to the desk.

WTF? I don’t even get time to repack. I am actually not sure if that thought was expressed aloud because I was upset. Really upset.

SSSS Boarding Pass: Advice for You

This is a completely unsponsored blog post. I am genuinely writing it because I have a high population of American readers and YouTube viewers who travel to and from London either to visit London or live here as American expats like me. And they (probably YOU) are a target for this additional random security screening.

– Arriving early for me did not make a difference. The best you can do is make sure you go to the gate immediately when it shows on the screens at Heathrow Airport.

– Pack your electronics in compartments on the top. The next time I flew I took everything in a camera backpack as my handbag. Mr Sunny was responsible for the carry on suitcase. I wasn’t flagged again, but this was a flight was London Gatwick to Nice, France on British Airways so it isn’t a fair comparison because it didn’t go through American airspace.

Nothing was unusual on my return flight from Atlanta to Heathrow in terms of being subjected to an additional security check.

However I also have started travelling with packing cubes and they have made a huge difference on how fast I can pack and unpack when Mr Sunny and I arrive to a destination.

– Be absent minded. I think I offered way too much. It seemed they were just casually going through my stuff because they had too. I think if I hadn’t mentioned all the devices I had, they probably would have barely checked anything.

SSSS Boarding Pass: Final Thoughts

I tweeted both Heathrow Airport and Delta Airlines and neither indicated it was triggered or handled on their end. After further research, I learned why they really had nothing to do with it.

In the YouTube video below I share what I have learned since the experience about how the US TSA chooses people. I also give advice about what not to put in your carry on luggage that might be a surprise to you.

Have you ever had a security dilemma at the airport? What happened and can you offer any advice to others to help them if they are in a similar situation?

May 4, 2019 by: Sunny London

Best Places to Visit in South of France- 20 Photos to Inspire Your Trip Planning

Are you thinking of planning a trip to South of France? The French Riviera, AKA Cote d’Azur, was one of the first modern resort areas in the world. It has always been number one on my travel bucket list.

After a four night trip there with Mr Sunny, I can honestly say it is my top sunny destination to recommend to people who want a relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and sunny views. We spent time in Nice, Monaco and Cannes, and I consider those three locations the best places to visit in South of France.

Rather than give you a list of things to do in this Mediterranean playground, I will show you the sights through 20 photos I took on our foodie holiday in the French Riviera.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Street Scenes

We stayed in Nice, the largest city in the south of France. Our hotel was in a perfect location because it provided easy access to everything we wanted to do and had an amazing view from our room. We booked the whole trip through British Airways. For other guests’ feedback, you can read reviews on TripAdvisor. Or, you can read my review.

The Promenade de Anglais is just one of the many streets that offers endless photo opportunities. That is the famous street you see in the image above. Whether you are going for a jog, strolling casually, or venturing around on a bike, I think it’s easy to agree that the views are exquisite.

However, even the small streets away from the sea in Nice offer inspiration. The flowers and beautiful colour palettes of the buildings popping against the azure sky are such a contrast from London’s city sights.

It seemed like to matter where we wondered and looked, there was a hidden gem that led us to another adventure full of candy for our eyes. For example, take a look at the waterfall in the top centre of the photo below. We spotted this from a street market and took the short hike to visit this area called the Parc Forestier du Mont-Boron.

While walking around we saw plush trees and waterfalls, and the views of Nice were majestic.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Views

I would suggest planning to spend a half a day in this area, especially if you enjoy photography. The shots you can capture to make your followers even more Insta-envious are endless. And, if you enjoy boating there are some drool worthy sights for you here too.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Boats

The Monaco Boat show is billed as the World’s Greatest Superyacht Event. It takes place in the end of September. Even though we visited in South of France in the middle of October, there was no shortage of boat and yacht images available. These shots are from Nice and our day trips to Monaco and Cannes.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Coastal Views

We took a train to Monaco and Cannes for our daytrips. For more on how to do that, I give Travel Tips and Advice for the South of France in the YouTube video below. It includes a quick hotel room tour as well.

Along the way for both of these train trips we were privy to more coastal views. And, through just wandering around Monaco and Cannes we were able to grab even more shots of the azure Mediterranean Sea.

Places to Visit in South of France- Beaches

The beach in Nice and Cannes had sun bathers and wasn’t too crowded, but I would imagine if you visited in the late Spring or Summer, you would find it much more crowded.

And just to see if you’re paying attention, I want you to look at the two planes above. Which one do you think is the real plane in the photo? Sunny friends, I added one of the planes in Adobe Photoshop.

Something that really bothers me is when people do so much editing to their pictures that they create false expectations about the location. We hear of many places experiencing ‘overtourism’ now. I think one of the contributors could to this is social media influencers and bloggers misrepresenting how ‘ideal’ the location can be.

DISCLAIMER: Aside from the extra plane above for humour, I have only enhanced the colours in all of my photos from my foodie holiday in South of France. So, truly, what you see is what you get in the French Riviera. It is THAT stunning.

There are so many places in the South of France that offer endless beach and blue sea views. FOR. REAL.

Best Places to Visit in South of France- Final Thoughts

I hope to return to the South of France because our short trip did not allow us to get to Saint-Tropez or many other seaside resorts. If you have explored these areas or are from the French Riviera, please leave suggestions in the comments. We are relaxed foodie travellers. Ideas about hotels, restaurants and casual things to do in the during a visit in the South of France would be great!

Since my blog is called Sunny in London, I rarely publish photos of locations at night. However, just to show you that South of France is equally as stunning in the evening, I have this image for you.

And it wouldn’t be a true blog post if we didn’t hear a word from Mr Sunny, my London born husband with a very English sense of humor. Here is a photo he wanted me to include on his behalf. He calls it ‘Pardon My French’

December 6, 2018 by: Sunny London

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel- Where to Stay Near Windsor Castle at Christmas

If you really want to treat yourself when visiting Windsor, you need to know a great location for where to stay near Windsor Castle. Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is beneath the castle and is inches from tons of restaurants, shops and of course- pubs!

Mr Sunny and I love Windsor because it is such a short trip from London and has such a lovely atmosphere. Recently, we made a trip to Windsor just to enjoy all the Christmas decorations. While I think London is breathtaking during the holidays, there are so many things to do in Windsor at Christmas too. That is why having a hotel in a great location matters a lot.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Check-in

We arrived at the Windsor and Eton Central Railway Station at around 5.30pm. The hotel is about a 7 minute walk away, I think. You see I am not exactly sure because as soon as you leave the station you are dazzled with numerous shops like Molton Brown, Neal’s Yard Remedies and L’Occitane. If the allure of shopping does not misguide you, you still might face another obstacle with Windsor Castle.

Its awe will strike you just as you leave the station heading toward the High Street. I think I stood in front of it for 10 minutes filming the light projection display when we arrived. But, you will have to watch my “Things to Do in Windsor at Christmas’ video to see what I mean.

You literally just wrap around the High Street and Windsor Castle to find the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa.

Staff greeted us quickly and swiftly took us to our room, which was in a building across the road from the main building. They were clear that they wanted our stay to be relaxing and were eager to help with anything.

Our room was exactly what we needed for the quick stay- clean, quiet and comfortable. We quickly freshened up and headed to the high street to explore Christmas in Windsor at night.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Next Time

Unfortunately, with a tight timeline for a press trip, we weren’t able to enjoy more of what the hotel had to offer. Sadly, we just got to sleep and have breakfast. In fact, the images of the spa look gorgeous on the website. Mr Sunny was quite disappointed when he learned the hotel has a whirlpool, because we did not pack his bathing costume for our trip. However, with so many Christmas activities happening in the town, I can’t imagine this would have been the highlight!

The afternoon tea at Sir Christopher Wren is offered in either the Drawing Room or Brasserie. Both seem ideal for a relaxing and indulging in this British tradition.

They had a great offer for January stays while we were there, so Mr Sunny and I are going to continue to follow the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa on Instagram so we don’t miss the chance to skip off to Windsor the next weekend we are free. It is such an easy escape from London in terms of day trips that offer English culture and history.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Christmas Season

While the hotel is absolutely dreamy for a wedding and is where celebrities stay when in Windsor for a royal wedding, it is also a popular hotel for local residents to book their Christmas parties.

In terms of festivities, there is not a corner of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa that isn’t sparkling with Christmas joy. I lost count of all the Christmas trees I saw. Holiday decorations are tastefully everywhere.

This further added to the warmth and lovely atmosphere of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa. If you seek a winter getaway that is easy from London or have some extra time to enjoy the English country atmosphere, book a stay here early. It is quite a popular place to go.

Our stay was part of a press trip to the area, but if you want to see all the other great reviews and stars from people who agree, you can visit TripAdvisor to how highly Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is ranked.

Have you been to Windsor? Aside from Windsor Castle, what other activities do you suggest? Do you have any questions for me about a trip? Stay tuned for the Sunny News YouTube video about ‘Things to Do in Windsor at Christmas’ video. You can subscribe to the Sunny News emails to make sure you don’t miss any promotions or updates too.

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London and day trips from London. This includes tips for how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

November 20, 2018 by: Sunny London

Things to Do in Cornwall When it Rains

One of the top things to do in Cornwall is to just take pictures of all the gorgeous scenery. Did you know this some parts of this exquisite area of England is actually experiencing over tourism due to its majestic appeal on Instagram? No joke.

I’ve had #instaenvy so many times that my hopes for what I would see when I was visiting Cornwall were really high. But the days leading up to our trip all had rain in the forecast!

Things to Do in Cornwall When It Rains:

Luckily, Mr Sunny spent tons of time in Cornwall as a child. It was one of his English family’s favourite places to holiday. He had tons of ideas of things to do in Cornwall when it rains, so we still had a fantastic time.

We stayed in Boscastle at an elegant luxury bed and breakfast, The Old Parsonage. You can read a full review of our stay and see what I mean. I would say it was easy walking distance to our first suggestion because it does look that way on Google Maps. However, you walk down a very, very steep hill to get to Boscastle’s village area.

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is an attraction that obviously has a very niche appeal. I am scared of my own shadow but once I realised that this area of Cornwall has deep history in magical tales, I knew I wanted to visit this museum if we had time.

On a dreary day, we hit this museum. It took about an hour of our day. We cut the visit short because some other patron was reading the text of every display loudly to her son. She then quizzed him on every little detail. It was really disruptive and creepy. What do you think? However, obviously this has nothing to do with the museum itself.

Next my husband drove us to the Jamaica Inn. He explained that it has a rich history of being the most famous smuggler’s inn. It was made famous by the Daphne du Maurier novel. We did not eat there but bought tickets to the Smugglers Museum. You will feel the pub is is a bit of a tourist trap and not like your typical old English pubs. There is a gift shop and it seemed like cafeteria style dining. It’s worth a quick look if you need an indoor activity in Cornwall.

Close to this is Bodmin Jail. It’s an old civil and naval prison. It has a reputation for a great restaurant and bar. Would you believe you can actually get married there? I guess if you really wanted to refer to the ol’ ball and chain, this would be appropriate! If you visit their website you can see they have ghost walks, mystery dinner evenings and other special events.

Finally, there is Eden Project which is the largest indoor rain forest in the world. The visitor destination in Cornwall is in a large crater. If you will find contemporary gardens, stunning plants and exhibitions. They also host summer concerts. Adult tickets are £27.50 if you do not buy them in advance.

What to Do in Cornwall When it Rains- Final Thoughts

If the weather is just dreary, the views from Port William Inn are still stunning. Mr Sunny shared with me that he spent many summers playing in the water and on these rocks as a child while his grandfather took in the views (and maybe a little wine) at this historic inn.

When the rain stopped on our visit, we explored Tintagel Castle. This is a must see for anyone interested in the legend of King Arthur. Please note that this English Heritage site is closed until Spring 2019 for the construction of a new footbridge.

If you have been to this majestic area of England, what other suggestions do you have for things to do in Cornwall when it rains, Sunny friends?

November 10, 2018 by: Sunny London

Harry Potter Hotel in London- Georgian House Bed and Breakfast

Have you heard about the Harry Potter hotel in London? It’s somewhere I have wanted to stay for a while. Recently, I had the chance to experience a number of activities at the Georgian House. It is a five star bed and breakfast in London located within a short walk from Victoria Station.

It is quite a big place really, as it technically features three properties right near each other. When we stayed, we had a warm greeting in Reception. The hotel employee was very friendly and swiftly took us to our room. In the video below I give you an insider’s look of how you find the secret area that has the Wizard Chambers at this London bed and breakfast. Not all rooms are themed this way.

Harry Potter Hotel in London: Wizard Chambers

The Wizard Chambers was exactly how I would imagine a wizard’s chambers to be. It even has an owl to deliver your messages!

Ok so that owl is really for decoration but The Georgian House Wizard Chambers comes with a temporary mobile phone for you to use during your visit. Since Mr Sunny and I live in London and both recently upgraded to an iPhone X, taking the hotel’s phone when we left wasn’t necessary. However, I can imagine this is really useful for foreign guests. I can’t think it would be offered by many other bed and breakfast accommodations in London either. But, please let me know in the comments below.

Not long after checking in, we went off to enjoy their Cheese Afternoon Tea. You can read a full food review of that themed tea on the blog also. Once we finished the tea, we ran off to a local pub for a bit and then returned for the Wizards’ Cocktail class. While I think this experience is best for anyone visiting with small children who love wizards, Harry Potter and science, we had fun during the short activity. In the YouTube video you can see some of what’s involved and watch the bubbling, cool cocktail that you make in the class.

Finally, we had Pimlico Pictures all to ourselves for our final evening thing to do. That’s actually a pretty funny thing to say because it is considered to be the world’s smallest cinema, and two was a tight fit. It is a small seat for two in what perhaps was a closet in previous years. There is a big tv and a cabinet with snacks. You can choose from a list of 30 movies they offer or sign in to your own Netflix account for a very private screening. We actually propped the door open a bit to have some circulation in the room while we watched the final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows- Part 2. It just happened to be one of those October nights in London when summer decided to make another guest appearance in the Autumn weather forecast and the room does not have any air conditioning.

Harry Potter Hotel in London- Final Thoughts

We enjoyed our stay at Georgian House Hotel. The breakfast the next morning was packed with people! We had no idea there were that many people staying there the night that we visited. Adam Rowledge, the hotel’s General Manager, also won the Independent Hotelier of the Year award just before our visit.

Our experience at Georgian House was complimentary. You can read more reviews on TripAdvisor about this London bed and breakfast. However, if you want a magical room tour of a Wizard’s Chambers, it’s best to sit back and watch this…

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes tips for how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning. And there is also an entire section devoted to Harry Potter Things to Do too.

November 3, 2018 by: Sunny London

Hyatt Regency Nice France Review- Where to Stay in Cote d’Azur

What do you look for when choosing a hotel? Mr Sunny and I quickly decided on the Hyatt Regency Nice France or the ‘Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranee’ for our four night stay in the south of France. It was one of the top hotels featured on all of the holiday booking websites we researched. We knew we wanted our room to have a view of the sea and a balcony. I did not really mean for that to rhyme, but everything just becomes poetic in France, doesn’t it?

Hyatt Regency Nice France Review- Location

As I mentioned, our primary reason for choosing the Hyatt Regency hotel in Nice is because it faces the beach. If you look at Google maps, you will see it is located on the famous Promenade des Anglais. And if you want a moving look at all we could see and do from our hotel, I have made a YouTube video about it too.

It is a short ride from the Nice Airport. We took Uber both to and from the hotel to the airport. Our flight to London departed at 7:15pm so we left the hotel at 4:30pm. By 5:15 we had checked our bag with British Airways and been through security. The ride was about €15.

Aside from those two Uber rides, the only time we used any transportation was trains for our day trips. The station was just an easy 10 minute walk away.

The Hyatt Regency, in our opinion, is perfectly located within walking distance of Old Town. We spent two days wandering the streets there and even had the chance to explore the views from Castle Hill, which are said to the best of Nice and the beach. That is where I took the photograph above. It’s actually at the top of this… and yes we walked all the way to the top!

I would strongly suggest you have a sea view room because the azure water is such a treat to see from the moment you wake up each day. We also slept with the balcony door open a few nights. The sound of the ocean waves rolling on to the beach throughout the night was especially soothing. It absolutely reminded me of when I lived on the beach in my hometown Daytona Beach, Florida.

Hyatt Regency Nice France- Service

Our room was very clean, freshly made and spacious, and we never once actually saw an attendant. They are pretty stealthy!

Each day we were greeted and seated immediately for breakfast. I never waited more than 2 minutes for my morning latte. As a person who spent 10+ years living in New York, a good coffee very early is a non-negotiable for me.

The pastries at breakfast are lovely. I was surprised to see several separate shelves of baked goods each day that were gluten free. However, after eating responsibly our first morning, I decided to give in the rest of the trip and indulged in the real deal. I am so grateful I did because one morning they had cheese cake and it was divine! Surely, you saw my plate that day on Instagram? If not, you might want to give me a follow so you have all the behind the scenes views of the Sunny adventures!

Most noteworthy in terms of service during our stay was the evening concierge, Antonio. We relied on his advice several times for restaurants nearby and travel tips for our day trips to Monaco and Cannes. Our favourite French food experience, Franchine, was his suggestion our first evening.

Mr Sunny enjoyed the pool one morning. He did try to go for a swim when we returned from our day trip from Cannes but the water was a bit too cold and there were quite a few kids already in the water. To be fair, we did stay at the end of October so the fact that he was able to enjoy it one day is quite remarkable. Temperatures highs were around 70°-75° Fahrenheit each day of our visit.

Hyatt Regency Nice France- Final Thoughts

Our four night trip to Nice was easily my favorite one this year. Vienna in February was ridiculously cold and grey. Prague in the end of May was sweltering. The French Rivieria is breathtaking. It’s a much quieter and more relaxed version of South Beach, Miami, albeit French not Cuban- influenced obviously.

However, from the conversations I had with the Nice locals, I don’t think the temperatures we experienced are typical of this time of year. Our Uber driver for the return to the airport trip indicated that it is typical for it to be as sunny as we saw it in mid-Autumn but definitely cooler.

We booked our trip as a package holiday through British Airways. You can also see the hotel’s excellent reviews on TripAdvisor too.

I can’t imagine the Côte d’Azur ever being unpleasant. What thoughts do you have Sunny friends? Was our weather really atypical? Do you have any south of France suggestions for other readers?

If you would like a closer ‘sea view’ of the amazing sights of Nice, with a few tips too, don’t forget I have a video for you. Ugh- again with the rhyming!!

June 20, 2018 by: Sunny London

Stonehenge and Bath Tour- Day Trip from London

Why would a Stonehenge and Bath tour be one of the best day trips from London? If you are travelling to London on an itinerary that gives you enough time to spend a day outside of London and still be satisfied with your London bucket list, then keep reading.

Oh- and for those who just like to watch, there’s a YouTube video of tour information below too.

I am often asked by Americans visiting London if they’ll be able to see attractions like The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour and Stonehenge. If you’re on a limited schedule, you will have to do some research and then prioritise. This is because some of these iconic places are not within close proximity of London. Seeing them involves devoting a full day of your trip itinerary, and only you can decide which ones make the cut.

I have one reason why my vote is for a Stonehenge and Bath tour.

Stonehenge and Bath Tour: The Most Unique Day Trip from London

Stonehenge is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Um, if you think that when you go to Stonehenge they tell you what the stones were used for 5,000 years ago, save your time and money. It’s not like that.

We have all seen the images of Stonehenge, but seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon and taking a helicopter ride over it are two very different experiences. Trust me.

I’m neither going to waste your time with a blurb about Stonehenge’s scientific and spiritual wonder, nor hash through what historians have said in countless documentaries. If you’re at all curious about the mystery of these 40 ton rocks, then go.

There is nothing else like it in England. Period.

Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, St. Albans are all options for fabulous day trips. I have been to each. But, let’s face it, they can all be billed as charming English towns. However, visiting Stonehenge gives you a unique experience of sights that takes your bucket list up to world wonders, not just city name dropping. (Although, I do agree saying Ahhhhhhhhhhxsford like you actually went to school there is kind of fun!)

Stonehenge and Bath Tour: The Best of Both Worlds

A half day to Stonehenge just isn’t worth it, in my opinion. If you are going to do all that traveling, you owe it to yourself to at least see another town in England. This is why I love the Stonehenge and Bath Tour combination. While Bath is the logical answer because of its proximity, I also advocate for it because of what you will have a chance to see in Bath. You will have breathtaking views as you approach the city, and the actual town is less crowded than London, and a lot cleaner in my opinion.

As part of a several day holiday in the Cotswolds back in the Autumn, Mr Sunny and I spent two nights in Bath. We had a blast, but our big mistake was not actually going to the Roman Baths. Don’t make that mistake if you plan a Stonehenge and Bath Tour for a day. While inside you have the chance to walk around the steaming pool on the Roman stone paving and view the Roman statues and architecture, so make sure you add that to your tour ticket!

This 2,000 year old stone is on Britain’s only natural hot water spring. Make sure you include it on your day trip so you get the most out of the experience.

Stonehenge and Bath Tour- Final Thoughts

To be honest, I have never heard a person say they regretted going to Bath. And, Stonehenge, well, what you see is what you get. That’s the point isn’t it? The rock formation hasn’t changed in 5,000 years and we can’t figure out how and why it happened. So decide how much it means for you to see it- yourself!

If you would like to learn more about the Stonehenge and Bath Tour that I went on as a guest of Tourist England, I created a video below. It includes different information like the worst day to visit Stonehenge, what the day trip is like and how much time you have, and more.

Sunny friends, what is your top attraction you want to see when you visit London? What’s your average length of stay? What other cities would you like me to write reviews for on the blog?

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes tips for choosing a hotel, how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

June 9, 2018 by: Sunny London

Visit Prague Guide- Short Stay Things to Do

For several reasons, many people list Prague as one of their favourite European cities to visit. Surprisingly, it is one that my husband, a former camera and sound intake man for NBC News- London, had never visited. So many of his mates in London and my friends in the US recommended that we make a trip there for our May holiday.

Because we wanted to make the most of our Prague trip, we booked a room for four nights on Expedia. This decision seemed good at the time, but after the fact we have different views.

Visit Prague Guide: Suggested Length of Stay

First, I think three nights is fair if you are just seeking a trip to highlight the best things to do in Prague. This would be assuming your flight arrives by the early afternoon on your first day. Also, our flight on the last day left at 8:20pm on British Airways to London Heathrow. We also had a hotel which has a 1pm checkout! That truly made the difference, and you can read more about that five-star experience on my blog too.

Visit Prague Guide: Prague Castle

The Prague Castle was on the top of my list of things to do. Therefore, we reserved a half day for it on our itinerary. I had thought it would be best to do on the day with the sunniest weather prediction. However, while we were in Prague someone suggested that since most of it was indoors, that we should not be too concerned with the weather forecast.

Big Mistake!

While rain and thunderstorms were predicted every day, we found that the sun (and heat!) was relentless. Except for the day we went to the castle. After seeing four parts of the Prague Castle, which were part of our general admission tickets, we experienced the most condensed rain I have ever seen and felt in my life. Now this is coming from a girl who grew up in Florida and lived through several tropical storms and hurricanes. We spent a 30 minutes trapped under an alcove with a crowd of hot, wet tourists as the ground literally flooded. It can be described as nothing short of biblical.

So, my advice to you is, consider that the castle has many areas for you to visit and you do walk outside between the areas. Further, you will queue for a while outside them to get in. There are no covered areas for that.

Get to the Prague Castle early and hope for sunshine.

Visit Prague Guide: See the City

Of the options to tour Prague, a walking tour is the most recommended. To see what we did and why I don’t recommend it, you will have to watch the YouTube video below. In the video I show you the most popular attractions, aside from the Prague Castle. And, I give you advice for specific places that are not mentioned here. You’ll want to watch all the way to the end to find out which attraction is under construction so you are not disappointed when you go too!

As foodie travellers, we spent a lot of time trying different food in Prague. For ideas about what to eat and drink in Prague, we created this video for you:

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London and sunny destinations (like tips for visiting Malta). This includes tips for choosing a hotel, how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

If you live in Prague or have visited so a short stay like us, please leave your ideas and suggestions below in the comments for people who are researching a holiday.

June 6, 2018 by: Sunny London

Aria Hotel Prague- 5 Star Luxury Hotel Review

How many times have you read through hotel reviews and found a discrepancy between the hotel’s rating and what travellers give it? Mr Sunny and I were keen to check out verified guests’ reviews when we booked our first visit to Prague. For this reason, we picked the Aria Hotel Prague, because it seemed to live up to its 5-star rating with travellers on Expedia. And it certainly is the best for those who love music, since that is the theme of the entire hotel.

On our checklist for a hotel was some things we generally seek that you probably do as well. Important items to us when we research are: location, cleanliness, room offer and food available. In every category, the Aria Hotel Prague lives up to the reviews that we read.

Aria Hotel Prague: Location

During our four night trip to Prague, we never took any transportation except a private car hire to and from the airport. Yes, Sunny friends, we walked every where and loved it.

Prague is known for cheap beer and beautiful scenery. Because of its ‘party’ atmosphere, it has become popular for European stag-do’s. Since we are more relaxed foodie travellers, we didn’t want to be in the heart of those types festivities. We like to chill and slowly enjoy the sights while on holiday. The Mala Strana area is perfect for this. It’s also within minutes of the Prague Castle, the top attraction for tourists who visit Prague. Luckily, one of Mr Sunny’s mates gave us this tip about neighborhoods before we booked our holiday.

It also has a beautiful garden connected to it that is great for serenity and space.

Aria Hotel Prague: Cleanliness and Room Offer

The hotel was immaculate. We stayed in the Rhapsody in Blue suite. On Expedia it is classified as a ‘Junior Suite, 1 King Bed’.

In my upcoming video of Things to Do and Where to Stay in Prague, I will show a room tour. We found the room very spacious and the bed was very comfortable. Most important was the gorgeous air conditioning! While we visited, temperatures were in the high 80’s. Not many places in Prague have air conditioning, so we were really grateful to get back to a cold room each day.

The additional amenities in the room also made a big difference to us. More on those in the video too!

Aria Hotel Prague: Food

We love a slow start with a good hotel breakfast on a holiday. Again, the hotel met our expectations. Breakfast lasts until 11am, so there isn’t any pressure to wake up with the roosters! It was part of our room charge, and aside from being able to order from the menu, we also enjoyed complimentary Prosecco. Who can argue with French Toast and a bubbly start to a holiday morning?

Further, the hotel has an exquisite rooftop restaurant (weather permitting). Like the hotel it is located within, Coda Restaurant was designed by Italian architects Rocco Magnoli and Lorenzo Carmellini, who are especially famous for their lifelong collaboration with legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Details about our five course tasting menu we experienced as a real treat to ourselves are in the YouTube video. However, below are a few foodie shots for those of you who want a few teasers.

Finally, we found the complimentary late afternoon sandwiches and pastries very enjoyable when we returned to the hotel from our daily Prague adventures.

Aria Hotel Prague: Final Thoughts

Aside from all of this, the 1pm checkout time is a huge plus. Since our flight didn’t leave until 8.20pm, we had the entire day to explore. Again, the later check out time fit well with our relaxed travel plans.

We booked our flights through British Airways and our room through Expedia. Four nights was enough to explore the highlights of Prague. Surely, if you live there or have been to Prague, you have thoughts about your visit that you can add in the comments below.

It would be great if you can share them with others who are researching and planning a trip to Prague, especially those who want a five-star experience.

Don’t forget to watch the videos for a room tour and additional information (like Mr Sunny’s Beer Drinking Advice for Prague). And as always, thank you for reading.

May 26, 2018 by: Sunny London

The Old Parsonage- Luxury Cornwall Bed and Breakfast

Where can you combine the cosiness of a bed and breakfast with the luxury feel of a hotel in Cornwall? Mr. Sunny and I think the Old Parsonage Bed and Breakfast in Boscastle, Cornwall is the perfect fit for a posh stay in a quiet place.

We celebrated the start of Spring with a short holiday this year on England’s coast. It was my first trip to this part of the country, and I was lucky to have Mr. Sunny as a guide. He spent numerous holidays there as a child with his family. So, his memories were fond and vivid. Together we looked at all of our options on Expedia and TripAdvisor and based on excellent reviews, chose The Old Parsonage a luxury Cornwall bed and breakfast.

Old Parsonage- Cornwall Bed and Breakfast: Our Room

We booked the ‘Luxury Double Bedroom, 1 King Bed’ for two nights and loved it. The room is located right at the entrance, so it is very convenient. In fact, if you are travelling with someone with a disability, it offers very easy access. As you can see from the pictures below, it is quite spacious too.

We were astonished at the size of the room and bathroom. It was spotless and very English country chic. The bed was ginormous and tough to get out of each morning because it was so comfortable.

Old Parsonage- Cornwall Bed and Breakfast: The Hosts

Before we even arrived the hosts, John and Delwyth, made an excellent impression. Soon after we made our reservation they sent us information about local restaurants we might find of interest and directions to the bed and breakfast in the event that our satellite navigation did not produce accurate results. Yes, that is something you need to consider when staying in Boscastle- good mobile signals are sporadic.

John and I communicated briefly via email the day we arrived because I wanted him to know our estimated time of arrival. Seconds after we opened our car doors outside the Old Parsonage, John greeted us. He gave us a quick tour of the room and everything we needed to know about keys, breakfast, and general amenities they offer.

Old Parsonage- Cornwall Bed and Breakfast: The Food

You know that Mr. Sunny and I are super foodies, so here comes the best part, Sunny friends. We enjoyed every bite we ate. As with the other bed and breakfast locations where we have stayed, we completed our morning food order the evening before.

We chose to have breakfast in the conservatory, which has a very cosy environment and tons of beautiful natural light. We both had an English breakfast, and I chose to also have porridge for the first time in my life. I know porridge probably isn’t that difficult to make, but I wish I had asked Delwyth for the recipe. Since that day I have craved it several times, but I want it exactly how she made it!

Food was warm, delicious and ready on time both mornings. Delwyth is an exceptional cook. Further, each night we received a small box of homemade treats in our room that Mr. Sunny and I literally argued over who would get the last one. And, at breakfast there was also a different selection each morning of freshly baked breads, as featured in the image above.

Old Parsonage- Cornwall Bed and Breakfast: Final Thoughts

We would without a doubt stay at the Old Parsonage again, if we were in the Boscastle area of Cornwall. Both evenings we went to the restaurants they recommended (The Riverside and The Wellington Hotel) and enjoyed the experience. If you are planning to stay at a luxury bed and breakfast in Cornwall, put this place high on your list of options.

Some considerations for a first time visitor to Cornwall involve the terrain. Roads are tiny and often barely fit two passing vehicles. The coast is full of cliffs that are certainly gorgeous but this uneven land and remote atmosphere means it is tough to get a mobile signal many places. We were grateful the Old Parsonage offered wifi. You might also want to keep in mind that the bed and breakfast is located on a small road above the restaurants and shops of Boscastle. While on a map it may look like a short walk to this area, it’s actually quite the hike- literally. Mr. Sunny and I walked to dinner the first evening, but we took a cab back to the Old Parsonage and just used cabs the second night. We recommend doing this. The ride was about £5 each way and sure is a lot cheaper than a ride on the London Underground for two people. Just book them in advance of when you need them, so you aren’t disappointed.

While in Cornwall we visited St. Ives, Padstow and Tintagel Castle. If you follow my Instagram, you saw the amazing pictures and videos of the crystal blue water in Cornwall. I still have so many places of England that I would like to see. Where would you suggest? Do you have any bed and breakfast recommendations for me that are similar to Old Parsonage in England? Please leave any questions you have on Old Parsonage below and make sure to check out their excellent reviews on Expedia and TripAdvisor.