Travel before you leave.

“Perfectly fine museum, which is now (also?) called Hart. Bit weird, but ok. Today we've seen American Identities: David Levinthal & Chicano Prints and that was a…”

eauxier about Hermitage Amsterdam · 25 February 2026

“Very green, child-friendly camping in beautiful nature. We will be back this year!”

Essie Lar about Camping Le Chambourlas · 14 February 2022

“Pretty nice camping, with a lot of apartments, and on Crete, so always close to the see. :-) If you're on Hania, take a look at the beautiful sightseeing from the…”

frenette about Camping Hania · 29 September 2020

8.0 “Big Ben is the ultimate tourist magnet that somehow still manages to feel like a proper British celebrity who’s been famous for so long it’s forgotten how to be modest. Standing there staring up at the Elizabeth Tower (yes, that’s its real name now, but nobody cares) while it bongs away is weirdly satisfying. It’s dramatic, slightly smug, and completely unbothered by the fact that thousands of people are photographing it every hour. Do I recommend it? Absolutely — if only so you can later say “I saw Big Ben” with the same casual authority as someone claiming they once shared a lift with the Queen. It’s not life-changing, but it’s peak London theatre. Was it worth visiting? Yes, with one important caveat: you’re mostly just looking at a very tall, very punctual building from the outside. The real value is the surrounding circus — the river, the buses, the people arguing about the best selfie angle, and the faint sense that time itself is being judged by a giant clock. If you’re already in Westminster, it’s free to admire and takes about ten minutes of proper gawping. Pure value. If you travelled across the Atlantic solely for this… well, at least you’ll have a solid story and some excellent photos of scaffolding (it seems to be renovating something forever). Is it interesting or fun for kids? Surprisingly, yes — in the “wow, that thing is enormous and makes loud noises” category. Younger ones tend to treat the chimes like a personal announcement that snack time is approaching. Older kids will enjoy the scale, the history-lite stories, and the chance to pretend they’re in a spy movie. Just don’t expect interactive exhibits or cartoon characters. It’s more “impressive landmark” than “theme-park attraction,” so pair it with ice cream and a boat ride on the Thames for maximum kid approval. Loads of historical value, and it’s the good kind — the kind that involves fires, political drama, and a bell that has been through more drama than a soap opera. The tower went up in the mid-19th century after the old Palace of Westminster burned down (classic British understatement: “a bit of a blaze”). The Great Bell itself cracked almost immediately and has been living its best imperfect life ever since. It’s survived wars, renovations, and endless tourist selfies. Standing there, you’re looking at a piece of Victorian confidence that still keeps the entire city vaguely on schedule. That’s proper historical swagger. Is Big Ben easily accessible? Delightfully so, as long as you don’t mind sharing the pavement with every other visitor in Europe. It’s right by Westminster Underground station, so you can pop out of the Tube and be face-to-face with it in under a minute. Pavements are wide(ish), the views from the opposite side of the river or from Westminster Bridge are excellent, and you don’t need tickets just to stand there looking impressed. Wheelchair access to the general viewing areas is fine; climbing inside the tower is a different (and currently limited) story. Pro tip: go early or late if you prefer fewer elbows in your photos. Final verdict: Big Ben is the architectural equivalent of that friend who’s always on time, slightly dramatic, and somehow still the centre of attention. Go see it, take the photo, listen to the bongs, and then reward yourself with a pint. You’ve earned it.”

Review of Big Ben

10.0 “Fantastic restaurant for all those who like luxurious, Italian food. The staff is friendly, in for a little joke, and professional.”

Review of Caffe Concerto

10.0 “We went to the Guggenheim at a time when no very interesting exhibitions were on display. That gave us a chance to stroll around the museum, and discover all the lines and beauty of the building. When in Bilbao, you should always visit the Guggenheim.”

Review of Guggenheim