TRAVEL – Page 4

August 1, 2017 by: Sunny London

Air Malta Review – Flying London Heathrow to Luqa

How is it really fair to write an Air Malta review based on just one round trip flight? I think that’s a good question for you to for me as you start reading this review.

Is the fact that my flights left late a reflection of the entire airline? Just because my bags arrived with me in the same condition I surrendered them at Heathrow and Luqa airport doesn’t mean yours are guaranteed to do the same. However, if you’ve never flown the airline, you may have some basic questions that I can answer.

Hopefully, the answers and advice will help you make a decision if you’re planning to visit Malta. At the end of the review you will find links to my blog posts and videos about visiting Malta to help your bigger travel plans too.

Air Malta Review: Check In and Boarding

We found the online check in process fairly simple and liked doing this from my iPad the evening before our flights. It also allowed us to check in faster at Heathrow. As we were keen to start our holiday, we arrived at Heathrow at 7:15am on a Sunday for our flight scheduled to leave at 10:50am. The counter for Air Malta wasn’t scheduled to open until 7:50am.

There was no microphone at Heathrow to announce boarding arrangements. We learned that they were boarding from the back to front and were the last group to get on, as we were in Row 5. In the Malta airport, they called rows 1-14 and we didn’t hear them call other rows. This plane boarded faster as people were able to enter from both the front and back of the plane. It also gave us a last fleeting moment in the Malta sunshine because you literally walk outside and up stairs to get on the airplane.

Air Malta Review: In Flight

The overhead cabin size was fairly big for what I had anticipated. I wish I had brought my larger carry-on that I use for all of my Delta flights to Florida several times a year. Each row had three seats on the right and three on the left. I felt they were very small compared to the jets I take to America, understandably. I have never been on EasyJet or Ryanair, so I can’t compare. Please leave your ideas about their seats in the comment section!

Both flights left at least 45 minutes late. At Heathrow we were told it was due to luggage loading late. Our plane in Malta was delayed from leaving because the previous plane was late. Then the Captain announced we had to wait another 15 min to leave due to congestion at Heathrow.

You really need to consider possible delays when flying Air Malta if you are changing planes. I would not suggest booking a connecting flight very quickly after an Air Malta flight.

We each received a small sandwich and a bottled water. Other items like beer and crisps are available for purchase in Euros or Pounds Sterling. I would not recommend sitting in an aisle seat in the back of the airplane because of proximity to bathroom. It’s problematic because aisles barely have enough space for one person. This means people coming and going from the toilet are pushing over each other, often in to the faces and personal space of those seated in the aisles.

Despite all the wind that is prominent in Malta, our flights were smooth and uneventful.

Air Malta Review: Customs and Baggage

We checked a bag that weighed 23 kilos and another much smaller bag. They arrived on time and in the same condition in both airports. As an American expat living in London, I was thrilled when I received a passport stamp in Malta. I also got one when I returned. My English husband did not receive a stamp, but perhaps after Brexit he will.

A big mistake I made that had nothing to do with Air Malta was not going with my husband through the EU passport queue when we returned to Heathrow. I wasn’t sure if it was possible, so I went to the Non-EU passport section. I waited nearly two hours in the queue because huge flights from Singapore and India arrived just ahead of us. I was cursing the delay we had with Air Malta the entire time, as Mr. Sunny sat at the airport bar on the other side of Border Control with our luggage waiting for me. When the Border agent asked if I was travelling alone and I told him my husband had a British passport and was on the other side, he said I could have gone through his line with him.

Note to self- do THAT next time!

More on Malta:

To make sure you don’t miss any Sunny updates about visiting Malta, be sure to subscribe to the Sunny News. Upcoming videos and advice articles that will be linked to this article when they are ready include:

Game of Thrones Tour Review
Food to Eat in Malta
Things to Do When Visiting Malta
Advice for Visiting the Blue Lagoon
What to Pack When You Visit Malta
Luzzu Cruises Review- Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

On the blog you can also find my review of Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta. I haven’t created a video of the cruise and Blue Lagoon experience yet. If that’s something you would like to see, please let me know in the comments. Also, leave any questions you think I can answer about planning your Malta trip here or on YouTube. If you have been to Malta, it would be great if you can add your advice here too!

July 19, 2017 by: Sunny London

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London

Trying to figure out the best place to stay in a new city can be a tough process.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Connections

Years ago you would buy travel books to research a destination, use a travel agent or follow a friend’s recommendation. If you were lucky, you had a connection who lived in your holiday destination city. Now, social media sites and applications like Pinterest and Instagram make it free and easy to see other places and plan your trip. In fact, most of my Pinterest account is designed to help people like you who are interested in visiting London. Boards can give you advice on where to eat and show food pictures to get your mouth-watering. And YouTube can tell you the tale of what adventures you might have when you travel somewhere.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Look at a Map

If you don’t have any recommendations from connections, whether real or virtual, and need to find your own accommodations, it can be quite simple really. All you need to do is create a list of the things you want to experience and then locate them on a map.

I’m a firm believer at being in the heart of the action. For example, while planning our Malta holiday my husband immediately started searching ‘best hotels in Malta.’ We found a very glamorous hotel and nearly had it booked. However, I insisted we should not get carried away with beautiful images and the top item in a search. Instead, we spent some time planning and listing the activities we wanted to do first. Then we chose and booked a spectacular hotel with magnificent views and a beautiful pool in Valletta, the country’s capital.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Neighborhoods

It can be that easy for London. Make a list of what you want to see and do. Then pick an area that is in or closest to most of your intended activities. Once you have that neighborhood targeted, you can begin searching it for specific hotels and read the reviews. Accounts, opinions and ratings on popular websites like TripAdvisor and Expedia are essential.

While blogger reviews (myself included) are helpful, I like using popular travel websites to see the most recent experiences of people as well. This is especially true if the hotel might be experiencing recent remodeling or have a construction site next to it.

For London, I think you are best to at least stay inside Zone 1 on the underground. While rooms can be cheaper outside of London, to me it’s not worth the extra travel time. It’s likely you have spent enough time on an airplane to get here, why waste more time being idle on your actual London trip?!

These London areas are best for:

Covent Garden- entertainment. You’re in the heart of theatre and the piazza regularly has street performers. There are also tons of excellent restaurants. It’s busy but has many quiet side streets with excellent small shops. Holborn has some extremely chic hotels. You’ll certainly be within a handful of minutes walking distance to the British Museum.

Kensington and Chelsea- luxury and museums. This is one of the most expensive places to live in London. This area is dominated by high end options. While the museums are free, you should be prepared to spend mega money on food and shopping in this neighborhood.

Westminster- Her Royal Majesty. If you are a royal watcher, this is the bullseye for you. Westminster hotels place you next to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Parliament, and Big Ben. You’ll also be right by the National Gallery.

St James and Mayfair- shopping and fine dining. Regent Street is the longest and probably most popular street to shop on in Europe. For a quiet walk or break, you can easily stroll through Hyde Park for a few hours.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Tough Areas

While there are great hotels throughout London, I wouldn’t choose to stay in King’s Cross. Yes, it is located near the one of the biggest stations in London, including where to get the Eurostar. But, there aren’t a ton of pubs nearby and it’s high tourist traffic means it’s a big target for pickpockets.

Soho- This is by far my favourite neighborhood for food. I try to never walk through it in late afternoon or early evening if I haven’t eaten, as it’s restaurant after restaurant with amazing international cuisines to tempt me. It’s an area I wouldn’t suggest it for first time solo female travellers to stay, because it can be a bit intimidating at night.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Terms to Know

If you aren’t familiar with how rooms are defined, take a minute to read through these:

En suite- bathroom is inside the room and is only available to those occupants
En suite room- has a toilet and comes with a shower and/or bath
Private bathroom is outside the room but is for exclusive use of the guests in that room
Shared bathroom is outside the room and is shared with the host family or guests.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Differences Between the US

For specific information on differences between American hotels and London hotels, make sure you watch my YouTube video below. It highlights some important points that could affect your trip planning. For example, did you know that not all hotels have washrags in their bathrooms? It’s a more common occurrence outside of London, but something you might want to consider when you are packing. I always throw a few spare ones in my luggage when getting ready for a London staycation or trip to somewhere else in England.

Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel When Visiting London: Final Thoughts

What websites do you use for reading hotel reviews? What are the steps you take for planning a trip to a new location?

For more advice on things to do and what you’ll need to know about London, visit the Sunny News YouTube channel. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide. 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.

January 22, 2016 by: Sunny London

13 Things British People Visiting Florida Don’t Know

Are you British and planning on visiting Florida?

As an American expat living in London, I’m always amazed at what the English don’t know about my home state. Through many conversations with Londoners, I’ve learned that there are quite a few misconceptions about Florida that British tourists should understand before their American holiday to the Sunshine State.

When I finally had the chance to take my British husband to Florida for the first time in his life, my suspicions regarding what he expected proved true.

1. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Understand the Weather

The biggest surprise for British tourists is the Florida weather. First, it’s Hurricane Season from June 1st to November 30th. While it’s unlikely there would be a hurricane in June or November, the odds are high in the remaining months.

Florida is beyond miserable in the Hurricane Season months. Outside temperatures hit around 90 º Fahrenheit during the day and don’t drop too much when the sun’s down. The humidity is morbid. All Floridians will agree to that.

From late July to mid-September you can nearly set your watch to an afternoon Florida thunderstorm. The skies turn purple around 2:00 pm and all hell breaks loose. British tourists might find the explosive thunder and lightning in our sky pretty scary. It gets loud.

We have tornadoes too. I’ve lived through two and actually spent several days on disaster relief assisting local residents with salvaging their homes.

2. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Understand the Sun’s Intensity

Even on a cloudy, overcast day in the summer months you can still get a lobster level burn, especially if you’re British. Sorry.

Please wear sunscreen from the second the sunrises until you fall asleep at night in your hotel room.

Cover your entire body with it, even if you plan on wearing tube socks with your sandals. 😉

3. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Know We’re Early Risers

Most people in Florida are up early and out by 8:00am.

Again, we can attribute this to the heat. It’s just easier to get all of our errands accomplished before the sweltering heat. A boiling car is a real nightmare on a busy day. I can’t count how many times I jumped in my car on a sunny Florida day and had the back of my legs seared on the seat beause my Daisy Dukes weren’t long enough to create a barrier between my skin and the seat.

Also, because our hospitality industry relies on outdoor life and sports, many people need to arrive to jobs early in order to prepare pool decks, boats, and jet skis for tourists.

4. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Know How Flat Things Are

The first observation my husband made while looking out the airplane as we made our landing approach to Daytona Beach is, ‘That’s really flat!’

Yes, not much of Florida measures above sea level. This is why we don’t have underground transportation or basements in our homes.

5. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Know Where Things Are

Basically, everything that happens in Florida takes place on the mid to lower perimeter. With the exception of a few spots in the Panhandle, Jacksonville, and Orlando, the rest of the state is swamp land. Yes, UF (University of Florida) fans I know exactly what I said there. Can you tell I am a Florida State University alum? 😉

While there certainly is more to Florida than Disney World, it’s basically all along the coastline. In fact, one of the highways that runs across the Southern part of the state is called ‘Alligator Alley.’ It was named this because when it was built in the 1960’s people felt it would be useless for cars and likely be an alley for alligators.

6. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Know About Guns

I try to avoid conversations about this, but the simple fact is a lot of people have guns in Florida. Our laws are different for guns in each state. Just to give you an example, read this article about what each state Googled the most in 2015.

Florida’s top search words… ‘Concealed Weapons Permit’

Other states looked for:

New York: ‘Charlie Sheen HIV’
Georgia: ‘Whip Dance’
California: ‘Volkswagon Scandal’
Nevada: ‘Lamar Odom’
Oklahoma: ‘Caitlyn Jenner’

While we weren’t the only state to search this type of topic, it does say a lot about our gun culture.

7. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Expect to See Gated Communities and Waterfalls

Florida is full of gated communities. Many have security guards on duty at gate houses. When entering, guests of residents need to be on a clearance list and/or wait until the resident is contacted via phone for approval to enter.

My husband thinks the fountains and standing water areas all over the gated community where we stayed are particularly intriguing.

8. British People Visiting Florida Aren’t Ready for the Reptiles

Florida is crawling with creatures. The most common reptile is a lizard. They are stealthy little suckers. Further, if you try to grab one by the tail, it pulls off as a defense mechanism and the lizard scurries away. They’re also very clever at camoflauge. Can you find the lizard below?

Next on the slithering list is snakes. They are no fun. Luckily, they aren’t common enough for me to capture a picture of one for you while I’m on holiday in Florida writing this. Gators are slightly more rare, but seeing them isn’t a huge novelty for Florida residents.

But, we do enjoy eating them. These are Gator Bites from the Ocean Deck in Daytona Beach.

Finally, Florida is flooded with bugs. Residents will regularly complain about Love Bugs covering the front of their cars in September. They seem to splash all over vehicles during this month every year. A common joke for Florida is that we have two seasons: Summer and Love Bug. Here’s a screen shot (literally) of tons of bugs in the morning. They’re everywhere!

9. British People Visiting Florida Don’t Understand Our Sports Loyalties

Since most people originally came to Florida from other US States, they brought their professional sports loyalties with them. That means people who live in Miami may actually be die hard Buffalo Bills fans because they’re from that area in New York. Just because you live near Jacksonville doesn’t mean you cheer for the Jaguars. You could be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, like me.

However, there’s a fierce loyalty to college teams. (British people can think of these as University teams).

The Autumn season is an intense time for college football fans because the Florida teams have been historically some of the top teams in the United States. Don’t joke about rivalries. People take their teams (Florida State Seminoles RULE!) seriously.

10. British People Visiting Florida Think Everyone’s Old

At one time, Florida was predominately a place where people retired. That phenomenon is about 20-30 years old. It’s common now to actually meet people who were born in Florida.

Further, the Naples area is now one of the hottest, affluent communities for young professionals.

11. British People Visiting Florida Shouldn’t Expect Michelin Stars

Leave your Michelin star expectations in the UK. Our state is founded on Seafood, Mexican and Cuban cuisine. It’s not glamorous, but it’s damn good.

My husband kept talking about getting lobster before we left for our holiday. We don’t really eat that a lot in Florida. However, you will find crab and shrimp everywhere. That’s our fine dining. It usually looks like this…

12. British People Visiting Florida Should Know It’s Casual

Floridians don’t like to rush. The attitude toward most things is very casual. Floridians have dress flip flops and like to wear shorts to dinner. Don’t try to be fancy, unless you’re in South Beach. However, even there you can be chic in sandals. But a little advice- Miami is a really fast area where you need to be extra mindful of common sense and safety.

Don’t expect your coffee to be served at lightning speed at any location in Florida. And, good luck getting anything but iced if you fancy tea.

13. British People Visiting Florida Should Know Where to Go

Don’t ask for the ‘loo’ or toilet. That won’t translate well in Florida. Instead, ask for the Restroom. If you’re timid, just look for a sign that says where to pee.

Final Thoughts:

Those are the serious and slightly silly misperceptions I can list for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts either as a Londoner, British tourist in Florida, or native Floridian. What else can you add? What questions do you have about a holiday in Florida? If you’re getting ready to visit London as an American, you might want to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can see learn advice for shopping and things to do.

Update: Don’t miss this YouTube video published in August 2018 with even more tips!

December 12, 2015 by: Sunny London

What to Pack for Florida (if You’re British)

‘Do you know what to pack for Florida?’ I asked my British husband as we prepared for his first trip to my home state.

‘Pants and socks’ is his response.

Yikes!

Packing for a trip to Florida is never tough for me. No matter how long I live in London as an American expat, I always know what to pack when I make a trip to my home state, no matter what time of year it is.

However, when my British husband and I were days away from our first trip to Florida together, I realised I was at a huge advantage compared to him. While he travelled the world as an international cameraman for NBC News, he neither had an assignment in nor made a personal trip to the Sunshine State.

His response to my question about what to pack for Florida was both humorous and concerning.

I give him credit for the reasoning, ‘It’s just not stuff I want to have to deal with buying there.’ However, there are other essentials that he might not want to buy, or even have access to, once we arrive in Florida.

To figure out what to pack for Florida if you’re British and going there for holiday, start with all your typical warm weather basics. Then, make sure you add all the items below to your pre-trip shopping list.

What to Pack for Florida: Bug Repellant

Florida is crawling with bugs (and reptiles, but there’s not a damn thing you can do about that in terms of what to pack). Whether they are mosquitoes, love bugs or ‘no see ’ems’, the little suckers are everywhere.

Bring bug repellant in your suitcase. Don’t wait until it’s too late and ruin your holiday with welts the size of Florida oranges on your body.

I was thrilled when I found Avon Skin So Soft on Amazon UK as I searched bug repellant to write this blog post.

Why?

This is the brand everyone in Florida uses. It’s the most recommended product from Florida natives. Trust me!

And, just in case you don’t believe me, I took this picture of the screen of my mother’s porch when I was in Florida last August. Notice all the critters?

What to Pack for Florida: Suntan Lotion

This is where the Sunny in London blog will get painful. I’m going to be really honest here. Don’t get on a plane to Florida without suntan lotion if you’re British! Florida sun is powerful and intense.

If you’re an Englishman, like my husband, you don’t tan. Instead you get super red, super fast if you even look outside on a sunny day. On our beaches, we Floridians can spot you (and you’re white legs) from miles away.

When I worked at Universal Studios Orlando prior to moving to London, I regularly met burned British tourists. Those that spent their first day of holiday at Walt Disney World, then went to our theme park, hit the hot list. If they skipped suntan lotion in this two-day combo and ‘enjoyed’ our Jaws ride seated on the outside row of the boat, they were seared.

Ok, not like literally in the lawsuit sense. But, because there is an amount of heat generated from the ‘explosions’ on the ride, they experience great discomfort during those moments and don’t enjoy their visit as much. I would chat with them in Guest Services/VIP Studio Tours often and they always regretted not applying suntan lotion multiple times during their theme park visits.

What product does this Florida girl recommend? Anything from Hawaiian Tropic.

Why? The brand originated in my home town, Daytona Beach. So, it’s about loyalty. The company obviously knows about Florida sun and how to cope with it.

The one above is really cheap and features Protective Sun Lotion 50 Plus. Don’t mess around. Start with an SPF 50. You’ll thank me later. Profusely.

What to Pack for Florida: Drugs

You don’t want to take time to weed out what to buy when you’re in trouble. Make sure you throw some Paracetamol in your carry on suitcase. We don’t have the brand in the US. Our equivalent, I guess, is Tylenol or Aleve. As an American expat living in London, I never buy Paracetamol because it doesn’t work for me. You might experience the same phenomenon with American products when you visit, so pack what you know.

Further, if you’re being tossed around a lot on our theme park rides, you might need some motion sickness tablets. Or you can pick up some of these before you leave…

Again, these Travel Sickness Bands were super cheap when I searched them, and listed as a #1 Best Seller. 😉

What to Pack for Florida: Beach and Pool Gear

There is no doubt you’ll want to hit at least one of our countless beaches when you are in Florida. Make sure you have these items ready for your beach trip:

Hats

Bring at least one, especially if you’re a bloke who’s losing his hair. In America, we rock baseball caps, so if you want to look like a Yank, this is what you should wear. You can do this one of two ways. If you want to look British and get attention that way, bring one of these…

Any baseball cap with an English futbol team will catch attention across the pond.

However, if you want to look ‘American’ and really blend in with the Florida crackers, then you must wear a Florida State University (FSU) baseball cap that recognises them as the 2013 BCS National Football Champions.

Ick!

I found a wide range of Florida State University baseball caps online, if you’d rather have one that’s Garnet and Gold (the team’s colours). Oh yeah, it’s also where I received my Bachelor of Science degree, so I’m naturally biased here too.

Sunglasses

Florida winter days are much longer than England’s. If you visit during this season, you’ll have far more time to wear them compared to being in London where it gets dark at 4:00pm. Although, it generally gets dark in the summer around 8pm.

Swimwear for Kids

Inflatable Armbands (In Florida we call them ‘swimmies’ or ‘floogles’). Bring these for your babies who are too little (or don’t know how) to swim on their own.

They’re also a great way to prevent anything tragic happening while you aren’t looking at the pool. Both my younger sister and I had them as kids.

A Beach Cooler for Beer

Specifically for packing purposes, you should bring an Inflatable Beach Cooler. You will need one to keep your beer cool in the Florida heat. These are the ones I think Floridians would love seeing on our Florida beaches and pool decks:

However, I think the ultimate kick arse cooler is this Party Sombrero. Florida has a huge population of Mexican people, so this would be brilliant on the beach with your Dos Equis or Corona beer!

Multiple Suits

Bring at least two bathing suits (or ‘bathing costumes’ as you call them). There’s nothing worse than putting one of these things on wet, so bring two with you. One can dry on a day while you wear the other.

What to Pack for Florida: Apparel

Florida humidity is excruciating in the months of May-September, even at 6:00am. Be sure to pack lightweight clothes to wear. Don’t even put jeans in your suitcase during those months.

Regarding shoes, flip flops are part of our lifestyle. We literally value them like art.

Bring a pair to match every one of your outfits. You could even have some Custom Slide Sandals made especially for the trip so you will be able to identify yours easily on the beach or poolside. Just make sure to put suntan lotion on the tops of your feet too! It’s a painful place to be burned and often is forgotten in application. Bring some smart clothes in case you decide to visit a nice restaurant, but make sure you have plenty of shorts and cool clothes!

What NOT to Pack for Florida: A Speedo

I couldn’t end this blog post with integrity if I didn’t include the ONE thing you absolutely CANNOT pack for Florida, boys.

I beg you. Please, please, please don’t show up to my home state beaches and pools in one of these! The banana hammock just isn’t something Floridians want to see. EVER!

What to Pack for Florida: Final Thoughts

There you have it! It’s a good thing Mr. Sunny (my husband) has me to guide him through what to pack for Florida, so he doesn’t end up with just ‘pants and socks’ in his suitcase. Oh, and for you American readers, by ‘pants’, he means underwear.

If you are British and know people who are or want to have a holiday in Florida, please share this blog post on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon or any social network you value. It would be great if you pinned the picture below too so your British mates have a better chance at a sunny, happy holiday in Florida.

Update: And don’t miss this YouTube video published in August 2018 with even more travel tips!

If there’s anything you can suggest to add to the list, please do so in the comments! I’m eager to answer any Florida questions you may have as well. Don’t forget the blog has tons of expat living and Things to Do in London posts, as well as a Guide for Visitors.

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!!

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 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?

August 13, 2019 by: Sunny London

Why You Should Have an International Driving Permit- US and UK

Why would you need an international driving permit if you’re planning to drive abroad?

You should read this article if you are:

American and living in London with a valid US Driver’s License
American and planning to drive in the UK or EU on a holiday
American expat living in the UK and have a valid UK driver’s license
British, have a valid UK driver’s license and planning to drive in the EU

International Driving Permit

When planning our recent fly drive holiday from London to Spain and France, Mr Sunny informed me that I should get an international driving permit. Since living as an American the past six years in London, I have yet to get a UK driver’s license. I could have driven in the UK my first year on my valid Florida driver’s license. Within that time I would have been able to take a reduced driver’s test. Assuming I passed, I could have had a UK driver’s license.

However, simply making the cultural adjustment and career change the first year I lived in London was more than enough to manage. So, I did not pursue getting a UK driver’s license.

Anticipating cars coming from the opposite direction is still something I am sifting through daily!

Since learning that in Spain and France they drive on the right side of the road (had to take a little dig there in the spirit of the English humour I’ve acquired), I wanted to take advantage of being behind the wheel on our holiday.

Mr Sunny and I both obtained an international driving permit for our fly-drive holiday. But, each of us had a different process.

International Driving Permit for UK Drivers

You are able to use a Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving license in all EU or European Economic Area countries and Switzerland. However, if there is no Brexit deal at the end of October 2019, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in some EU and EEA countries.

Note that if you’re caught breaking the law while driving in the foreign country, authorities can get the vehicle’s registered details from DVLA. This can be done through speed camera.

You should check each country’s requirements on the UK government website on the page for Driving Abroad.

The UK Process- Mr Sunny took 2 passport photographs to a post office in London, along with his valid UK Driver’s License. He paid £5 for each one. He needed two because he learned that France and Spain are grouped in two different categories for an international driving permit.

His international driving permits for these two country groups are valid for one year from the date he received them.

International Driving Permit for US Drivers

The steps for an American living in the US are simple.

Visit the AAA website and download the application for an international driving permit.
Bring the completed application, your valid driver’s license, two signed passport photographs, and $20 for the permit to the nearest AAA branch office.

Since I am living in London, obviously this simple visit wasn’t possible for me. Instead I mailed all the information to my mother, who was gracious enough to make the trip to an AAA branch office for me. I also sent her two passport photos that were each signed on the back, as well as a copy of my valid Florida Driver’s License.

They completed the application for the International Driving Permit while she waited. My mother then mailed the booklet back to me.

If you have someone’s assistance, your timeframe for getting an International Driving Permit can be factored by considering the transit time for mail and your helper’s schedule for making the trip to an AAA office.

However, it is possible just to mail all the information directly to one of their offices. You can include additional U.S. funds for expedited return mail service, if time is important.

You can watch the Sunny News YouTube video for additional information plus see the gorgeous scenery of Basque Country. I got an international driving permit so I could have bragging rights on being able to say I have driven in foreign countries. Additionally, I also wanted to experience the beautiful scenery of these places as more than just a passenger.

You may also find the comments from other viewers who have advice on their experiences useful too.

International Driving Permit- A Fly Drive Holiday

If you are considering this type of holiday, you may wish to learn more about our fly drive route as well as what hotels we recommend. You can see our experience in this trip video.

International Driving Permit- Why We Have Them

You might be wondering why we each made sure to have an International Driving Permit for our trip. With the uncertainty of Brexit, Mr Sunny thought it would be best to have one since they are valid for a year and we knew he was driving on this holiday and possibly those upcoming. Also, these permits are not an actual license and do not replace them in any capacity. The booklet you receive has a translation in 10 different languages of your driver’s license.

Having completed our fly drive holiday, we can say that it was not common to meet someone who spoke English well in Basque Country, outside of hotel check in staff and concierges. In the unfortunate situation of being pulled over by a police officer in another country, you will likely encounter the same language barrier. Save yourself aggravation by having your passport, driver’s license for your country and the international permit readily available.

International Driving Permit- Final Thoughts

Further, to avoid surprises and possible huge disappointments, you should check with the car company you are hiring in advance. Knowing if they require an international driving permit from drivers you are registering is important.

Also, I indicated an activation date just a few days prior to our trip on my International Driving Permit. You do not need to write the date for which you are mailing the application, so I suggest you do the same as me to get as much of the 1 year you are allocated as possible.

Please add your comments and questions about international driving below. Are you American and afraid of driving in another country? What do you think could be intimidating? What would encourage you to try it?

For More Information on US and UK Differences:

US vs UK Restaurant Differences
American vs British Breakfast Food
UK vs USA Travel Tips for Choosing a Hotel in London
UK vs USA- What the British Do Better
Differences Between American and British TV
Grocery Stores– UK vs USA Differences

August 20, 2019 by: Sunny London

Sercotel Villa De Laguardia Review – La Rioja Spain

As we were driving up to Sercotel Villa De Laguardia my heart began steadily began to climb higher than the mountains I could see. Everything on our fly-drive holiday to Spain and France had exceeded expectations, so I wasn’t ready for a disappointment.

On our drive from San Sebastián to Laguardia that morning we had anticipated going through lovely towns and villages that offered countless photo opps and food stops. That wasn’t the case. In fact, it wasn’t until we got much further in to the La Rioja region that we started to see bodegas. Those are the wine shops or cellars in Spain.

sercotel-villa-de-laguardia-review-la-rioja-spain

As the satellite navigation decreased to less than a mile to our destination, I bit my tongue. Mr Sunny didn’t deserve to tormented with my nervous fantasies after he had spent several hours navigating our way behind the wheel in a foreign country.

When we pulled in to the hotel’s parking lot, I held my breath and decided to give it a chance. There seemed to be nothing near by. My negative spirit started wondering how we would enjoy our two days trapped in a ghost town. Actually, it wasn’t even a town. It appeared to be just a hotel and a gas station about a 5 minute walk away.

Walking in to the lobby, my heart sprang from my chest when I saw a wine store and sign for the Wine Oil Spa. There is a great panning shot of this experience in the video I made for advice for planning a fly drive holiday through Basque Country.

Sercotel Villa De Laguardia Review – Check In

We waited a few minutes for the guests who arrived before us to finish with their questions. Then we began the check-in process to Sercotel Villa De Laguardia. After about 20 minutes, my heart raced with enthusiasm- not anxiety.

While checking in, we learned that we each had 90 minutes accessing the hotel’s spa both days we were staying as guests of Sercotel Villa De Laguardia. Further, Mr Sunny learned that the ‘lift up a cliff’ he thought he spotted on the way to the hotel would lead to something intriguing. Indeed, it was how you gained access to village of Laguardia if you were not driving.

We rushed to our room so I could comb through the spa menu and book my appointments. Mr Sunny quickly grabbed his packing cube from our suitcases so he could get his bathing costume immediately ready for later.

Our room had a nice view of the restaurant’s patio and the decor reflected a more Spanish vibe than our previous two hotel stays. Some people might find it a bit tired and in need of a renovation, which could include some floor upgrades, brand-new curtains, and new vinyl windows, like the ones we see on the best site for home improvements. But it suited our purposes just fine.

The amenities Sercotel Villa De Laguardia offered far outweighed a slightly old appearance and furniture. We had two twin beds pushed together, rather than a king-size bed. But the beds and bedding were comfortable and the room was immaculate.

Sercotel Villa De Laguardia Review – What to Do

After I gleefully booked a chocolate massage, express facial and wine exfoliating experience, we made our way to the hotel’s restaurant. Since we hadn’t stopped to eat all morning, it seemed best to try what the hotel had to offer for food. We felt many of the village’s restaurants could close for their afternoon siesta by the time we arrived and chose one for our late lunch.

Another pleasant surprise!

While the restaurant’s menu was a bit more than we anticipated but in reality closer to London’s prices than anything we had found on our previous days in Basque Country, we found the food shockingly good!

Our servers did their best to speak English and brought us many fantastic dishes. Of course, the wine was exquisite. We followed their recommendations and basically let them choose whatever they felt suited our food. We highly recommend taking advantage of the hotel’s dining service. Our breakfasts both mornings were also superb.

What surprised me the most about our stay at Sercotel Villa De Laguarida was the fact that we didn’t move our car the entire time. I had visions of us touring wineries each day and returning mid-afternoon to the town out of obligation and adherence to drink driving laws.

The concierge arranged for us to be included on a winery’s English speaking tour less than 24 hours after we arrived. That experience was fantastic and later I learned that this tour is the #1 thing to do in Laguardia according to TripAdvisor.

Sercotel Villa De Laguardia Review – The Spa

My spa appointments provided a tremendous amount of relaxation each evening, especially since I scheduled them after Mr Sunny and I spent our 90 minutes in the pool and spa.

The total of the three experiences equalled less than what I would spend for a 90 minute facial/massage experience in London.

We appreciated that we were given a comprehensive, quick tour of all the spa offered as well. The thermal circuit has a bathtub with different shower contrasts, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bathroom and an ice fountain. In the curved swimming pool, you will find water jets, geysers and cold water basins. In the video above, you can see me on my favourite item, the hydromassage benches.

The entire venue is covered with a singular semicircular dome which allows for exterior views and has a chromotherapy night system.

Sercotel Villa De Laguardia Review – Final Thoughts

We can’t recommend this hotel enough to anyone considering a holiday in Basque Country. Although we booked through British Airways, we would suggest booking directly with the Sercotel Villa De Laguardia hotel. I outline the reasons why in this detailed fly drive holiday article. It shares more information on our driving route, parking tips, cultural advice, day trip suggestions and other suggestions for a road trip in Basque Country.

Every recommendation they gave us for food, restaurants and things to do exceeded our expectations. They view we had of the region and wineries during our last evening at a restaurant they indicated was frequented by locals is featured in the videos and is breathtaking! You can see it when I introduce Mr Sunny.

I would love to know your experience in Basque Country, considering we know we will return to this area. If you’re American or British, you might want to watch our advice about why you should get an International Driving Permit for foreign holidays too.

Please leave any questions you have about our hotel experience or time in La Rioja and Basque Country too.

You can see all of our Sunny travel destinations on the Sunny News too. It features a new video every Sunday and has a very lively community of regular viewers from America and Europe who are eager to offer their advice!

August 18, 2019 by: Sunny London

Top Food Travel Destinations for 2020

Where should you go for food travel in 2020? If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know that in the past few months I have been to the top two food travel destinations in the world.

At the end of July you also saw on my social media that I spent two days at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival in London. Through my research and writing as a London food blogger, trips I have taken and exhibitions I have attended, I can make some fairly strong predictions for future food travel.

The two panel discussions to which I was most looking forward at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival were the Culinary Trends and Food Hotspots.

To learn about the healthy food trends coming up in 2020, you can watch the Sunny News YouTube video below. I also included on the blog the ‘non-healthy’ information for Top Food Trends 2020.

But, let’s rewind a bit more.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- World Travel Market

For several years I have attended the Blogger Speed Networking event at World Travel Market. Below is my stand from 2015. At the most recent exhibition, I categorised myself as a food travel blogger.

In the video I share two regions that were keen to talk to all food bloggers about promoting their destination. One I don’t mention is Serbia.

Mr Sunny, a former sound engineer and war cameraman for NBC News, was quite shocked when I returned home that do to say they were inquiring about organising press trips to promote food.

Cuisine in Serbia mixes Byzantine-Greek, Mediterranean, Turkish-Oriental and the cuisine of the Austro-Hungairan Empire. It also has Slavic influences. Perhaps since unlike the USA, Serbia bans production and import of GMO’s it will be able to make a big leap for being a world recognised cuisine?

In the past at WTM I have attended press conferences on increasing travel to Croatia. Now, several years later we are reading about the problems of overtourism in Croatia.

So, do you think this recent campaign Serbia to attract influencers to promote their cuisine will create the same buzz and attraction?

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- National Geographic Food Festival

Again, in the video I indicate some hot topics at the panel discussion. But, what I don’t include is one panel member’s indication that Ireland will achieve higher status for its cuisine.

If you research articles published by National Geographic, you will see Ireland as a top listing. They cite its craft beer and cider development, as well as fresh seafood. It also offers highly regional options.

If you are a food traveller, you know the top consideration in people’s profile when they travel is authenticity.

One cuisine that I shrugged off when a panel member mentioned it is Mexican. Specifically, the discussion was about Baja California.

I just don’t see it happening. Growing up in Florida, I ate Mexican food regularly. There is a very high Hispanic population in the state. In many places it’s the only language spoken. So, you’re able to get amazing Mexican food right in Florida. Having been to Baja California, I don’t feel it offers anything that much different than authentically owned and operated Mexican restaurants in Florida.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- USA

In the video I mention the standard cities for American cuisine popularity. They will still thrive in 2020. However, there are two cities that I indicate are really under rated. Having lived in both, I can say it is easy to eat well in them, and they have regional dishes that are famous and often replicated poorly world wide.

One place I don’t mention is Miami. Between Cuban food, Mexican, seafood, and steakhouses frequented by celebrities, this city has a lot to offer a British traveller. You might say it’s a great way to get damn good plates from many international locations.

If you want to consider what to eat in Florida that is regional, you can watch this one too.

Or, if you visit my hometown, take my advice as a local.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- Mr Sunny

A rising star that Mr Sunny endorses is Beirut. He regularly says it would be the one city in which he would most want to return. We eat Lebanese food as often as we can in London. Its influences are Ottoman, Armenian, Palestinian, Syrian, French and Israeli.

He also said that he agreed with me when I indicated that Israel’s wine selection at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival were impressive.

We will both be cheering for Israel making a name for its cuisine in the future.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- Final Thoughts

So, who is going to take the leap with me and vote for London for 2021?

After living here six years, I can honestly say that British cuisine is quite impressive. London’s food has come a long way since when I first lived here in the late 90’s. Steep competition (pun intended!) among themed afternoon teas makes them quite extraordinary compared to two decades ago.

Further, it seems Michelin starred restaurants and things to do in London for food are popping up everywhere.

What do you think, Sunny friends? Have you travelled to any of the above places and agree? What rising stars and old favourites do you have?

Want a London food freebie?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Food Travel Related Blog Articles and YouTube

What to Know about Eating Out in London– Restaurant Differences US vs UK (YouTube)
Food Travel Things to Do Culinary Activities & Events in London (YouTube)
Cooking Tips for Making a Full English Breakfast
Best London Pubs for Food Riverside (YouTube)
What You Must Know About Eating Traditional British Food
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube)
The Best Hidden London Pubs (YouTube)