With Toronto and Montreal often stealing the limelight from Ottawa, it can be a destination that gets missed off visitors’ itineraries. But, as I quickly…
There’s something quite chilling about walking around a deserted jail, particularly one which closed so recently. But after its final inmates were transferred in 2013, HM…
![Friday review: Lonely Planet's The Best Things in Life are Free](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/lonely-planet-470x140.jpg)
When you first start making travel plans, especially if you’re going on a long trip, like a sabbatical or a career break, one of the…
![The British Airways i360](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Image-28-04-2020-at-07.50-470x140.jpg)
Whenever a new tourist attraction is proposed somewhere it always comes with its supporters and detractors and the British Airways i360 was no different. Architects…
![Staying in Shibu Onsen in Japan](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/onsen2-470x140.jpg)
Updated 18/06/23 If you want to truly experience a taste of traditional Japanese life then staying in Shibu Onsen is a great experience. The well-known…
![How to spend 48 hours in Bath](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Image-17-07-2020-at-23.13-470x140.jpg)
A weekend in Bath When we were considering where to book for the next of our 12 Trips, my friends were shocked to discover I…
![Staying in a Japanese ryokan - Everything you need to know](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ryokan-470x140.jpg)
Updated: 15/04/23 Staying in a Japanese ryokan is a special experience when travelling in the country. It really does give you a fascinating insight into…
![A snow monkey](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Image-25-04-2020-at-10.43-470x140.jpg)
Updated: 07/03/23 It is my long held belief that the snow monkeys at Jigokudani must help to sell a lot of holidays to Japan. If…
![A relaxing weekend at Breedon Hall in Derby](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Image-10-07-2020-at-12.49-470x140.jpg)
Choosing to stay at Breedon Hall in Derby I always find that the best places to stay are the ones where you feel most at…