Santa Grand Hotel West Coast, Singapore

Driving the West Coast of Scotland

Advantages: Stunning scenery
Disadvantages: lots of driving

In early September we spend a week driving the west coast of Scotland. From Newcastle we drove to Glasgow and spent a night in the city. Then up to the stunning scenery of Loch Lomond and then continuing up the West Coast which is just stunning, empty and pristine..... Then across to the isle of Skye for a night and finally across the country to Loc Ness and Inverness and the long trip back home from there. This is a trip I would recommend to anyone willing to undertake the driving, believe me it's a long way even from the depths of the North that is Newcastle. Additionally of course you must be happy to camp and in this respect obviously you take a risk with the weather but this is Scotland what do you expect! We had perfect weather which helped, although it was freezing at night. There are countless back of beyond, empty ...

nickyturnill 07.01.2005 (25.02.2005) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of The West Coast (Scotland)

The Wilder West

Advantages: Unspoiled wilderness, fascinating sights and sites
Disadvantages: Persistent rainfall, persistent sandflies

Having crossed the Southern Alps and reached the coast at Greymouth, you may be tempted to head south straight away. This is, after all, the direction in which the highest mountains, the deepest rainforest and the remotest tracts of wilderness are to be found. And if you haven't come to see mountains, forest and wilderness, you've come to the wrong place. Resist the temptation. First, cross the Grey River and take a small diversion up the coast to the north, just an hour's drive to the Paparoa National Park. You will thereby ensure that your first taste of the west coast is not the relatively drab and developed stretch immediately south of Greymouth (only relatively, since nothing along this coast is drab or developed by European standards). North of the Grey River the country is hardly touched, and the drive takes you round ...

torr 21.04.2005 (29.09.2008) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of West Coast & Glaciers (New Zealand)

Grand Hotel Excelsior

Advantages: Beautiful View
Disadvantages: Apalling food

As anyone who has read my early reviews knows- I love Italy! I've been going there now for the past ten years with my parents, and for the first time last year I made my own way there with the boyfriend for a nice Italian holiday. The Grand Hotel Excelsior was my residence for numerous weeks holiday, and it certainly not one for the faint hearted! In the Thompson guide book it is described as 'quaint' which to put it politely is rather an understatement. One thing that can be said for it is it is completely oozing with Italian charm. ARRIVAL/ LOCATION If you book with Thompson as we did (though other tour operators go to the same location) flights go from Manchester Airport on a Friday morning, taking just over 2 and a half hours to get to Naples International Airport. From Naples the coastal resort of Amalfi is approximately ...

lizawithaz 05.09.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Excelsior Grand Hotel, Amalfi