I was recently nominated to participate in Tripbase’s “3 Best Kept Travel Secrets” by Katie Sorene.
“Congratulations on being nominated in Tripbase’s Best Kept Travel Secrets Project! Two months on, and we’re amazed at the response we’ve had. Over 100 travel bloggers have participated so far, sharing their Best Kept Travel Secrets on far-flung destinations, hidden hotels, exotic foods and expert travel tips.” – Katie from Tripbase.com.
And so here are my ’3 best kept travel secrets’. They were all unknown to me and I found them to be true gems…
1. Xlendi Bay, Gozo, Malta
Found on the small island of Gozo, is the fishing village known as Xlendi. Its focal point is the small sea-inlet ‘Xlendi Bay’ with its deep turquoise waters, sandy beach and surrounding cliffs. The bay is often dotted with the traditional fishing boats displaying the bright colours of blue, red and yellow, adding further beauty to this town.
Photo by stevesheriw
2. Stourhead Garden, England
For a period of six months I lived and worked in Shaftesbury, England. Every weekend was spent exploring the surrounding areas and the National Trust property of Stourhead Garden was a place I frequented. For a short period of time I worked as a groom just down the road. What a divine area of Wiltshire it was to work! I don’t expect, as a passing traveller, I would have had the time to have Stourhead on the itinery but as a ‘local’, I got to truly explore the magestic, 18th century garden with its bridges, grottos and temples.
Photo by BethM527
3. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt is still the travel destination that I hold the fondest memories. I have in the past already dedicated a full post to Hallstatt. What captured my attention is that I stumbled upon it quite by chance and found it to be so lush and green, and tidy with a dolls-house atmosphere within the village. The surrounding mountains and lake, simply resembled nothing like what I would see here in Australia.
I now have to nominate five other bloggers to share their 3 best kept travel secrets.
Shaftesbury is perched high on a chalky hill some 200m above sea level and overlooks the beautiful Blackmore Vale in the southern County of Dorset. It was my home for a period of six months during my back-packing time of the late ’80s. I stopped there for a short visit but ended up staying and getting a job to earn some more travel money. My first position was as a groom to the Assistant Huntsman looking after his four hunting horses and I had the pleasure of exercising them within the vicinity of the stunning Stourhead Gardens. The second position was to assist a family renovate their collection of historic buildings at nearby Melbury Abbas, Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum.
Shaftesbury is most well known for the historic, cobblestone street that climbs up the hill and is lined with old, thatch roofed cottages. The street is ‘Gold Hill’ and remembered fondly in the TV advertisement for Hovis bread during the 1970s and ’80s. On the other side of the hill there is another road that climbs up the steep incline and is called Zigzag Hill. It’s narrow, steep and windy and best avoided when black ice is about or you could find yourself skidding straight for a truck – yes, that was my experience!
Love Shaftesbury as much as I do? Framed Art Poster Print by Jon Arnold
York is located in the County of North Yorkshire in northern England and dates back to Roman times. It is considered to be one of Britain’s best preserved medieval cities with its fine Gothic cathedral (the largest in England), the York Minster. There are four city gates and the old city is surrounded by a large stone wall. Other interesting buildings include, Clifford’s Tower, Treasurer’s House, The Guildhall, Merchant’s Adventurer’s Hall and the Shambles. A fabulous example of medieval shopping street.
The river Ouse flows through York and is a culmination of the small streams which have trickled from the hills of the nearby Dales and Moors. The word ‘ouse’ is a very common name for rivers in England. It’s derived from the Celtic word ‘Usa’, which means ‘water’. The river is very popular in summer with boats cruising the waterway as a means for visitors to view York.
Not far from York and a pleasant drive on the A64, is the famous ‘Castle Howard’. One of Britains finest 18th century private, stately homes. Castle Howard has been part of the Howard family for more than 300 years. You may recognise it for the 1981 television series ‘Brideshead Revisited’.
One great reason to visit York is to wander down the medieval shopping street of the Shambles and view the second storey rooms overhanging the cobbled stone street.
St Michael’s Mount became a National Trust site during 1954 and is located at Marazion, near Penzance in the most southern County of Cornwall in England. It’s perceived to be one of England’s most dramatic and well known coastal attractions. The medieval castle and church are perched high upon the mountain outcrop of an island. This is then separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway. You can visit on foot by the causeway at low tide or take a boat during high tide.
St Michael’s Mount is rich in myths, legends and history dating back to 350 B.C. A full Timeline of the Mount has been provided.
The island currently has a population of approximately 30 inhabitants and whose jobs range from the local boatman, gardener, guide and handyman. They all pool together to ensure the island is maintained for the 200,000 plus visitors that arrive each year.
One great reason to visit St Michael’s Mount is to marvel at the location of the craggy island, that lies beyond the tidal causeway, with a castle and church perched upon it.
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