We stayed in an AirBnB in Sheriff Hutton just 10 minutes away from the Castle and on our first day we visited both Yorkshire Lavender Farm and Terrington Cafe for a lovely lunch. In the evening we ate at the Highwayman pub in Sheriff Hutton and I cannot speak highly enough. They were so pet friendly, food was lovely and great atmosphere, not open on a Monday though so watch out for that.
We spent all day at Castle Howard, we walked from the Car Park, past the castle front and then up to the Temple of the Four Winds before circling Ray wood and heading to the lake. We then grabbed a coffee at the restaurant before doing the gardens before we got rained off. We used the rain to divert into the house after returning the puppies to the car (on dog mode) for a much needed rest.
The house is something else and I would love to see it at Christmas. So palatial and grand, how must it of felt to live and grow up in a place like that. I have started watching Brideshead Revisited, which was also filmed there. The audio tour was a must but the guides were also so friendly.
We ended our day in the walled garden, the cafe and then the gift shop for the Christmas decoration that we collect from all of our travel destinations.
We did 10-4 and felt we had got the most out of our day!
If you are in the York area then it is a real must visit.
Meet Rhubard (Red Collar, darker fur) and Custard (White Collar) now 18 weeks old and still being trained. We have toilet training, sit, stay and shake hands going well but the jumping is still out of control so any tips would be great! A lovely lady told me to raise my knee if they jump at me so watch this space to see if it works.
We all make mistakes when packing to go on holiday and a cruise especially, can be hard to navigate (excuse the pun)! Whether it's your hand luggage, formal nights or cabin ideas then carry on reading to ensure don't make the mistakes that we did.
On your first day don't forget that your luggage may take a few hours to arrive and if you are on early dining then I would recommend you go prepared. In my travel bag I would take, Medication, Swim Suit, Kindle/Book, Documentation & Travel Tags
We are looking out for you to make sure you don't make the mistakes we have made over and over by buying overpriced cruise ship items, Here's our red flags!
Avoid BINGO and go when you're back home! With prices ranging from £30 to £80 it is a really expensive way to spend an hour!! If you show up as a group then some serious money could be spent.
SAIL AWAY COCKTAILS - Sooo overpriced, wait until a deal day with two for one and have a cocktail day with your new found friends!
PHOTOS - get friends to take your photographs to capture the moments or choose one special photo to keep but watch the price tag and don't rely on the cruise photographer to capture all your special moments.
MEDICATION - Pack a few pain killers, some throat lozenges, plasters and a nasal spray to cover off most common ailments and avoid, where possible expensive on board medication. Remember you only have to last until a port day when you can visit an onshore pharmacy yourself or ask a friend to go on your behalf.
MENS HAIRCUTS - Go in port, it's such fun speaking with difficult cultures, in Turkey my husband had the painful experience of waxing his nostrils and his ears!! A real experience and no where near the price tag!
LAUNDRY SERVICES - most ships have self service laundrettes, either on ship or even on shore and whilst we don't want to spend all of our shore days in the laundrette, we also don't want a massive laundry bill so grab your Dr Beckmans Laundry sheets to run some bits in the sink and for the rest visit the laundry's a few times during your trip.
Elon Musk may have nailed his Starling WIFI and on P&O we could even do video calls from the middle of the pacific, it does come with a price tag. I would recommend it for long journeys but would encourage limiting your devices. One device halved the cost for us. My husband and I had one device and easily shared the wifi by one downloading something to watch giving the other an hour with the wifi. Whilst we don't want to spend our epic adventure on the internet we do miss loved ones and my pooches!
On the world voyage we did a hike in Hawaii, salsa & salsa, swimming with turtles and also had one booked to canoe in New Zealand but that was cancelled. Next time I also want to tour the ship on a sea day.
Next week I will tell you about when I wouldn't book a shore experience and when I would go under my own steam and why, join me then.
This week, we're diving into the delightful (and sometimes tricky) world of pet travel.
Things we learned:
Book Early, like a year early if you have your dates and want a pet cabin.
Crossings are often only once a week in the winter!
Not all route/ships have pet cabins, there is the option for a kennel but my two would be scared being just 12 months old when we go. We wanted Santander but had to do Bilbao instead.
Dogs have to be mussled while on deck or in public areas.
I had no idea of how far in advance you have to book if you want a pet friendly cabin. We are taking our two labradoodles to Portugal next March and struggled to get a cabin from Portsmouth to Bilbao in the whole of March 27! It's only April 26!
It was also a lot more expensive than I thought it would be so booking far out gives us time to save up.
We booked through the Brittany Ferries website and it was super easy. Pick your date, crossing and cabin, there is an option for food vouchers but we will sort ourselves out depending on how we feel. Hubby isn't great crossings so motion sickness patches will be used.https://amzn.to/4sWsV8H
we got a confirmation email very quickly with the booking reference on and a link to tickets.
We now have to plan driving to Portugal!
This week we talk about Seville, you can read an blog on the top tourist things to do but what I want to share is the tips other people don't share.
1. The circular bus C4 is a cheaper option that the hop on hop off bus.
2. Have drinks under the tree for lovely shade at 29L a 5 minute walk from Plaza de Espana.
3. Stay across the river for cheaper prices, bigger accommodation and gorgeous restaurants.
4. Tours - university tour is free or €5 runs on Thurs at 6pm or Fri at 1pm, the building is an old tobacco factory and there is a plaster cast museum. 'Walk a hike with me' walking tour is self guided and fun.
5. Mercado de Tirana is like a food court with amazing Spanish cuisine, olives, cured meats and the wine.....lush!
Enjoy your trip x
We have been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and P&O cruises and over the years the formality has changed.
I love to dress up but on most cruise lines, formal night is a nice dress and a jacket/tie for men, tuxedos and sequins are few and far between, if any.
I would say that the world cruise was an exception with formal nights being an event, a special night for your to put on your best, more like the good old formal nights. With so many sea days, you have plenty of time to get ready and use the hairdresser/barber on board.
Remember Ladies, No Heels, Wedges, you are on the ocean and if it is rocking or even bobbing then you want to be steady on your feet and still ready for dancing.
What to wear? What to pack? Our blog demystifies the art of travel preparation. We offer practical packing ideas, essential gear recommendations, and fashion tips for every climate and occasion. Get ready to travel smarter, lighter, and more stylishly, making your journeys easier and more enjoyable.
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