A Northern Getaway.

While all the world's eyes may be on London at the moment, England does offer numerous other enjoyable destinations to visit. If the Olympic crazed capital doesn't appeal to you, then why not head 'Up North' and see one of the most beautiful counties of England: Yorkshire.

With plenty to see scenically and culturally, from the breath-taking Yorkshire Dales to the home of the Brontë family, there's many a reason to discover this part of the world.

Ilkley Moor
The beautiful Ilkley moor sits high above Ilkley town and is a popular tourist attraction for walkers and cyclists alike. However the town itself is enjoyable and pleasant in its own right, full of fine shopping and dining including Michelin starred The Box Tree restaurant, where Marco Pierre White trained. The rural surroundings allow for a large choice of different walks and trails to pick from, one of the most striking views being from the landmark Cow and Calf rocks (named due to their apparent likeness to the animals) which overlook the town.

The Brontë Parsonage
If Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre is a favourite of yours, then The Brontë Parsonage in Haworth will become one of your favourite destinations. The museum showcases many portraits, keepsakes and objects owned by the family however, it is the fact that this museum was once their home which makes it so remarkable. Walking around the house, you are able to see where these authors grew up and lived, for instance the dining room where the three sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, spent their days writing their classic novels. Moreover, upon exiting the Parsonage you are greeted with the setting that inspired their works: the stunning views of the moors that are Brontë country. It is by being able to see the views and home of these classic authors that makes this museum so fascinating, you are not simply subject to looking at objects behind a glass case, you are able to experience their home, as the Brontë family did.

Malham
If it is more spectacular scenery you are after, head for Malham. Set in the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, Malham is a small, but beautiful village. Malham Cove, an enormous curving limestone cliff, has been branded as one of the most impressive sights throughout the entirety of the Yorkshire Dales and I do not disagree. Sat on the Cove, the views are really quite astounding. For someone who lives and is so used to the urban London landscape, to be able to see this glorious scenery of valleys and waterfalls for miles upon miles, it is more than impressive, it is quite humbling. To be able to find somewhere so peaceful and impressive, it is hard not to become mesmerised by the striking panoramic views that surround you. This is not a place that merely attracts hikers either; Malham has also fascinated the arts world, inspiring Charles Kingsley for his novel The Water Babies, as well as painters such as Turner - and I can see why. Malham is so beautiful it is almost crying out to be painted! More recently Malham has seen fame as the set for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, highlighting its combination of a magnificent and magical atmosphere.

Harewood House
For another dose of culture, why not visit the splendid Harewood House and its gorgeous grounds? Home to the Queen Elizabeth II's aunt, Princess Mary the Princess Royal, for four decades, this extraordinary period house exhibits regal interiors and furniture by Thomas Chippendale. The attractions do not stop at the House; your entry pass allows you to visit the kitchen and servants' quarters: Below Stairs, the All Saints' Church and many lovely gardens besides the lake. Children are abundantly provided for too with an extremely well equipped Adventure Playground comprising of a zipwire, climbing nets and more; plus a bird garden with daily penguin feeding! Other than the House itself, of all the attractions, the one not to miss has to be the Himalayan Garden. Described as a 'hidden gem and second to none in the UK' by gardener Alan Titchmarsh, the Himalayan Garden is a natural haven which transports you to the floral world of Asia with its various Oriental plant life. Furthermore, the Harwood Stupa resides here. Built by Bhutan monks, this Buddhist monument is one of its kind in England, further accentuating the unique and exceptional Himalayan feel of this garden.

So why not get away from the rest of the manic world and experience a beautiful and peaceful northern retreat.

SoCal...SoCool. Part 2.

With Huntington Beach and Santa Barbara done, the next leg of my journey was Santa Monica and although it meant another three hour train journey, it was entirely worth it.

Santa Monica
Santa Monica seems to have it all: the chilled, fun beach culture, and the lively atmosphere of a trendy city. This blend of vibes means Santa Monica is a place for everyone! Families, couples and friends - it'd be hard for someone to not like Santa Monica. The pier offers its own amusement park for children (and adults if you like), plus shops and eateries with plenty of tourist novelties thrown in. Santa Monica also plays host to the original Muscle Beach. While the more recent one down at nearby Venice Beach is well worth a look, besides the beach itself with the skateboarders, gym fanatics and general bizarre and eccentric characters, Santa Monica's muscle beach is a toned down version. Though people are surely still here to be seen like the Venice Beach gym, the family tone present at Santa Monica's gym creates a more relaxed feel. Other close attractions include Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles so there's always plenty to get up to! Furthermore, Downtown Santa Monica is where you will find the 3rd Street Promenade: 'an alfresco shopping experience'. Wide streets with trendy shops and restaurants will greet you here, but what adds that something special is the talented buskers dotted along the boulevard. Here you will not be hassled by annoying, money grabbing types you may find in other cities. Instead, you are presented with college students, retirees - anyone you can imagine and what's more, they're pretty good! The mixture of city and beach life forms something quite magical in Santa Monica. That relaxed setting of the beach travels into Downtown creating a relaxed city feel, making it a fun, friendly, must-see place to stay.

LA and Hollywood

If you don't have a car, public transport will get you around the LA area with buses and metro services travelling into Hollywood - the known tourist attraction to visit. People fill the streets of Hollywood Boulevard, Melrose Avenue and the Sunset Strip with their digital cameras posing left, right and centre. Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame, and seeing the Hollywood sign are just a few things to do while you're here and while it does feel like an exciting place, there is also a very strong sense of superficiality with the countless amount of tourist shops and promoters. For this reasons I would suggest that Hollywood is good for a day visit, to see, but no longer is needed. On the other hand, Los Angeles is a sprawling city with many different neighbourhoods to keep you entertained, including the authentic Chinatown and Koreatown. Simply walking around will keep you busy as there are plenty of incredible sights to see; the architecture being the most startling aspect. Skyscrapers and towers soar into the sky; from financial offices to cultural buildings, LA's skyline is most impressive. Just as lots of business takes place in LA, cultural and artistic events are also always happening. The Walt Disney Concert Hall plus many galleries, including Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), reside in this bustling city, whilst shopping is taken care of at The Grove mall with all the main brands covered. Yet even with all this action, Los Angeles is not a hyperactive city like New York. In LA a bus driver will pull over mid journey to grab himself a snack - a deed which would cause turmoil with Londoners, but in LA, no-one bats an eyelid. The cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles doesn't lose that calm feel of Southern California, it embraces it.

Southern California really does have so much to offer. Whether it's for family fun, a romantic holiday or a break with friends, this part of the world caters for everyone. That's what is so brilliant about a Californian vacation - the place is very much user friendly; everything can be done with ease and enjoyment. This alongside the 300+ days of sunshine a year guarantees you will love that cool and laidback SoCal vibe.

SoCal...SoCool. Part 1.

The US is a country filled with must-see sights and attractions, from the Statue of Liberty to the Grand Canyon; there is so much to visit that I can almost understand why some Americans do not own a passport. But the award to the coolest place in the States has to go to Southern California, or SoCal as it is otherwise known. The laidback surfer/skateboarder atmosphere, alongside the sunny beaches makes it a place you feel you could stay forever - and that was precisely how I felt while I was last there.


My stay included visits to Orange County's relaxed Huntington Beach, the beautiful Santa Barbara, trendy and friendly Santa Monica and the vibrant Los Angeles. Though all encompass that lovely Southern California atmosphere, each place boasts its own personality and attractions to draw you in.

Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is Surf City USA. Walking along the boardwalk you're guaranteed to bump into a surfer, skateboarder, cyclist, jogger, dog walker - the list goes on - you'll never be bored of people watching here. This is a place bubbling with activity and sport, yet there is also a sense of the mellow, easy-going lifestyle that the residents happily inhabit here and it is this combination that makes Huntington Beach such an enjoyable place to stay. Main and 5th Street comprise all the different style of shops you could ask for. From tons of surfing and skating stores, to the high street chains of Forever 21 and ANGL, to the designer brands of Guess, with even some vintage shops thrown in too, there is something for everyone. You won't go hungry either, with a vast choice of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from. My pick for a bite would have to be Ruby's Diner. Set at the end of the Huntington Beach Pier, Ruby's brings you back to the swing era of the 1940's American diners. With surfboards, vintage photos, retro clad staff and wonderful views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Ruby's is a lively spot with huge portions for not so huge prices! The air of pretension that may prevail in other areas of Orange County does not exist here. Though there are plenty of beautiful cars and people to gawk at, the overriding mood is definitely of effortless ease and cool.

Santa Barbara
Out of all the places visited on this trip, I think Santa Barbara impressed me the most. Perhaps that's because this was the place I had done the least homework on and so was merely happily surprised with what I was greeted with when the train pulled into Santa Barbara station. Nevertheless, it is simple one of the most stunning places I have ever been. The three hour Amtrak journey (which really isn't as bad as many American drivers make out - it's just public transport that's all) takes you along the Pacific coast, with Californian Mountains for one view and lovely beaches aside the aqua blue ocean for the other. These views do not end at Santa Barbara either. They become more impressive. Standing on Stearn's Wharf, the picturesque harbour to your side, the palm tree filled beach to your other and the spectacular mountains behind you, it is hard to not simply stand and stare. Other than the gorgeous scenery, what also makes Santa Barbara stand out is its Mediterranean style architecture. Lining the streets are buildings that evoke a Spanish atmosphere; courtyards, white walls and terracotta roofs all serve to accentuate that already established relaxed SoCal attitude. One of such streets is State Street which treats you to miles of shopping, dining and culture - a definite hotspot, just like the city itself! Whether it's the great weather or the lovely surroundings, the people in Santa Barbara just seem incredibly happy (and I don't blame them). While there, that happiness will undoubtedly rub off on you and ensure you have a fantastic stay.

Part two coming soon.