Judy Johnson, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

Review: Radisson RED Liverpool, UK

By Judy Johnson on Feb 28, 2023 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Whilst the Radisson RED Liverpool is brand new - just two months old when we visited - the building itself is Grade II Listed and was originally opened as the first railway hotel in the country, dating back to the 1800s.

Review: SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland, UK

By Judy Johnson on Jan 31, 2023 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

The SCHLOSS Roxburghe has a long and interesting life and could tell many a tale of romance, war and uprisings since the 12th century, which include Bonny Prince Charlie and a white rose bush said to still bloom today.

An enchanted evening at Stoke Park

By Judy Johnson on Nov 30, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Founded in 1908, Stoke Park is the perfect place to enjoy life in a five star and friendly atmosphere. They provide a unique combination of the traditions of an exclusive club and the best of today’s sporting, leisure, entertaining and hotel facilities in one of the most convenient locations in Britain. Stoke Park’s Country Club,

Combining golf with gourmet cuisine at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire, UK

By Judy Johnson on Aug 30, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

The last time I played golf at Stoke Park, I was only able to play four of the middle nine holes dues to a visiting party following behind us. On a recent visit I was therefore able to rectify this and played the full 1 to 18 holes. Stoke Park has 27 holes made up

A foodie break at Fishmore Hall, Ludlow, UK

By Judy Johnson on Nov 24, 2018 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Ludlow has for many decades been the Mecca for foodies in the UK and now it has another. Sitting just outside the town is the elegant Georgian house known as Fishmore Hall. This remarkable building has been lovingly restored and now operates as a 3 star boutique hotel and spa with fine dining. The 15

Specialist holidays with Authentic Adventures

By Judy Johnson on Jul 20, 2017 in Europe, Featured, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

There appears to be a growing trend for travellers to look for holidays that match either their existing interests or hobbies or take up new challenges. I have just returned from one such holiday organised by Authentic Adventures who specialise in walking, singing and painting tours with specialist tutors in those fields. I travelled to

The perfect pre-cursor to Wimbledon: The Boodles, Stoke Park

By Judy Johnson on Jul 07, 2017 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Anyone for tennis? These words are synonymous with Wimbledon but there is a new venue rapidly gaining recognition as THE place to warm up before the two weeks before the famous Championships. This is The Boodles at Stoke Park – a glorious setting for a wonderful event for the tennis fan but also appreciated by

A luxury golf break at Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire, UK

By Judy Johnson on Apr 18, 2017 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Hotels, Regions, Resorts, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Set high above the magnificent 18 hole Championship Ailsa golf course along the spectacular Ayrshire coastline overlooking the majestic Irish Sea and the bird sanctuary on the island of Ailsa Craig sits the remarkable Trump Turnberry Hotel. This is part of President Donald Trump’s portfolio of businesses. Whilst the President currently has matters of state

A luxury golf break at Stoke Park Country Club, Spa and Hotel, Buckinghamshire, UK

By Judy Johnson on Jul 18, 2016 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe

The estate of Stoke Park has a long history dating back over 900 years but it was John Penn – 1760 to 1834 – who was responsible for most of what you can see today. In the latter part of the 18th century James Wyatt, architect to King George III, worked on the development of

Salamanca - a city of many pleasures

By Judy Johnson on Oct 17, 2015 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Western Europe

Whether your interests are architecture, religion, art, history, music, education, food or sport Salamanca has something for you. I went as an independent visitor travelling from Segovia by bus having already visited Irun, Hondarribia and Toledo, all with ease and comfort either by train or bus. All the towns had some interest for me in

Top tips for a memorable weekend in Lincoln, UK

By Judy Johnson on Jun 29, 2015 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

800 years ago, pilgrims travelling to Lincoln would have been able to see the distant tower of the cathedral long before they reached their destination. And today that splendid building can still be seen from afar. Visitors arriving by car will quickly find themselves down by the River Witham where there are modern developments and

Special feature: The Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course, Kelso, Scotland

By Judy Johnson on Dec 18, 2012 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Special Features, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

The wonderful welcome from Robyn at reception is typical of the staff at the Roxburghe. Always at hand, always willing, yet never interfering. This wonderful Georgian house, owned by the Duke of Roxburghe, is situated on the banks of the River Teviot. This river, together with the Tweed where the Duke also has beats available

Special feature: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, South Africa

By Judy Johnson on Mar 17, 2009 in Accommodation, Africa, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, Special Features, Travel Miscellany

My husband and I were indeed fortunate and privileged to stay for three nights at Bushmans Kloof. I had been hankering to stay there for many years as I had heard much about it and it certainly did not disappoint us in any way. The beauty of the site is breathtaking – so

Special feature: Sheraton Bilbao Hotel, Bilbao, Spain

By Judy Johnson on Sep 29, 2008 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Restaurants, Spain, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Bilbao is a vibrant city being brought back to life by the reconstruction of old shipyards into areas alive with walkways, parks and stunning architecture and sculptures. Nestled amongst this redevelopment is the Sheraton Bilbao Hotel – itself an individual piece of architecture – which was designed by the father and son team of architects

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