This is London (courtesy of Flickr user maistora)

Written by Joe Johnson

One of the biggest clichés about England is the weather, most outsiders and indeed the majority of inhabitants will cite the predominantly wet, dreary atmosphere that envelops the country for approximately nine months of the year. What is impressive is that despite this, millions upon millions of tourists visit the small island nation every year, arriving in their droves to marvel at the ancient yet cutting edge city of London, the rolling green pastures and hundreds of other tourist attractions like Stonehenge, the Eden Project, Lindisfarne Castle and Old Trafford football stadium, home of Manchester United FC. These are no doubt impressive sites but there is something else, something intangible, magical that draws people from thousands of miles away to England’s fair shores.

It’s often said that British people are rude or ignorant, while some of us may come across like this, I’d like to defend us by saying that we’re merely polite in the extreme, this is why you might encounter an English person who appears to ignore you, they are simply being ultra polite and waiting until they’re directly addressed to speak. The British value order and organisation which is why you will always find impromptu queues, we don’t need to be asked to be civilised.

It is this intrinsic sense of decency and respect for others that means Britain has such an inclusive, democratic and diverse society. One of the first things tourists notice about Britain, particularly in big cities, is how diverse the population is. People of different nationalities, colours and creed live and work alongside one another creating an infectious cultural melting pot that influences everything from music to fashion to food. It is this level of diversity that makes the country such a refreshing, interesting place to visit; fancy some Bangladeshi cuisine in deepest rural Sussex, you got it!

Of course the one thing that makes England stand out from its European cousins and indeed almost ever other country in the world is its illustrious history, but more so the fact that many of the remnants and artefacts from the country’s empirical past remain. Ancient castles dating back hundreds of years are dotted across the landscape, many of them expertly preserved and converted into museums that document this history in an informative and compelling fashion. Influences from more recent historical periods are evident in the residential architecture; do yourself a favour and visit a traditional English public house.

There are so many reasons to love England, and for some tourists, they are enough to lure them into making England their home which leads me finally onto my main point, why do I love England? I’ve lived here all my life and am therefore well placed to comment on its worthiness as a tourist destination, as well as a place to settle. So, what’s my favourite thing about England? It may seem boring since I’ve been harping on about the magic of the place and the hospitality of its inhabitants, but my favourite thing about this country is its size.

I’d describe England as compact rather than small, an apt term when you consider that so much culture and history is compacted into the island nation. Being relatively compact means it’s fairly easy to get from one side of the country to the other. This makes visiting relatives and friends, attending national sports events, commuting to work and generally being able to see different parts of the country far less painful than a country like the U.S, where driving from end to end takes several days.

Of course there are several other more sentimental reasons I love England, I grew up here, went to school here, made friends and studied here, my life is here. Many inhabitants complain about the weather, the over-crowdedness, the government, and the cost of living, and while I’d agree that England isn’t perfect, and I do enjoy getting away from it all now and again, England is my home, I love it and I plan on spending the rest of my life here.

Joe is an English Travel blogger, he takes Spain holidays for the weather but always looks forward to returning to his home country!

Since I enjoy variety, I have never liked to define myself as a certain type of traveler. While “why” I travel is often for the same reasons, “when”, “where” and “how” tend to vary from one trip to another.

So far, I have traveled by foot, bike, horse carriage, motorbike, car, pick-up truck, mini-van, bus, train, boat, ferry and plane. Fast or slow. By itinerary or intuition. In a tour group, with friends, or alone. Last-minute or planned in advance.

I have slept in tent and under the sky. Stayed in quiet hostels and party hostels. In private double rooms and mixed 12-bed dorms. In apartments and vacation rentals. In boutique hotels, design hotels, luxury hotels and business hotels. In guesthouses and B&Bs. Or rented a room with a family.

I have lived in cities, towns and villages. In the countryside and close to forests. Far from water or near sea, lakes and rivers. Urban or rural.

Trips have occurred mid-winter in -20°C and at the height of summer in 37°C. In frosty snow landscapes throughout northern Sweden and on hot, dry days in Greek Kalambaka against a backdrop of steep rocks.

I have traveled with a 60-liter backpack, large Titan luggage, or small suitcases. With only a day-pack, or a handbag.

On location I have done everything from relaxing all the time to exercising twice a day for a week straight.

I have tasted street food and insanely good meals at local restaurants. Indulged in three-course dinners and gourmet cuisine.  Savored fast food and slow food. Bland and spicy. Organic and raw. Vegetarian or vegan. National, regional or international.

My point is, the unique experiences, perspectives and realizations one can get from varied travel are matchless. And regardless of how one travels, something good (a valuable lesson, a new friend, or simply pure bliss), can come from every trip.

I wouldn’t want to label myself a backpacker and only stay in hostels, only eat street food and only use public transportation, or turn into a snob who accepts nothing less than 5-star hotels, fancy restaurants and first-class flights.

Why limit oneself when variety makes travel much more entertaining, exciting and enriching?

Train travel is not always the cheapest or the fastest mode of travel, but this sometimes romantic mode of traveling brings many advantages. A flexible schedule (unlike at airports, one can arrive ten minutes before departure without any problem). Comfortable seating (because of more space). The scenery. No need to sit still most of the time. The possibility to stop or change route along the way. No boring transfers as one often arrives in the center of a city. Thanks to sleeping-compartments or couchettes, one can depart late at night and wake up in a new city the next day. And for short-distance travel, trains can be real cost-effective.

After many train trips around Europe, I have a few favorites:

Every Swiss Train

No joke. Punctuality, cleanliness and safety are norm for trains in Switzerland. Also, each train tends to have at least one “quiet wagon”. Except for the sound of the train and readers turning pages in books or newspapers, only silence will meet your ears.

Night Train Paris – Zurich

To avoid unnecessary hotel costs, I traveled from Paris to Zurich in one go. Since I opted for a money-saving seat on the way there I booked a four-bed sleeping-compartment for my return. Best part? The joy of sleeping in peace the whole night without waking up until the ticket collector knocked on the door in the morning.

Scenic Train Travel in France

With one of the best transportation systems in Europe, France is a reliable country for train travel. Highlights? The scenery from Geneva to Lyon. The French countryside from Basel to Strasbourg. And the view of snow-covered mountains by Geneva’s Lac Léman on a ride from Zurich.

Spontaneous Train Travel

During a visit to Bregenz near the Swiss border, I impulsively decided to see if I could travel by train around Boden See by purchasing every ticket at the following stop, without knowing in advance how far I would get.

After Lindau and Friedrichshafen, with its outlook tower and pedestrian promenade by Uferstrasse, I continued to Ludwigshafen, where I fell in love with the view over the lake. Next, Radolfzell am Boden Zee (home to an attractive waterfront area) and, last, Konstanz by the border in Switzerland.

Apart from a bit of delay in Ludwigshafen, until I found an automatic ticket machine, the trip went excitingly well.

Iguaçu Falls, at Paraná, Brazil.

Waterfall in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.

Waterfall in Thailand

Small Waterfall © Jeff Hire

Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

Waterfall in the Montreal Botanical Garden © Cris Mate

Which is your favorite waterfall?

 ”A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

Hope to see you in 2011.

The pedestrian shopping street Vallgatan in Gothenburg.

Avenyn in central Gothenburg.

Christmas in Liseberg Amusement Park.

Hamnkrogen in Liseberg Amusement Park.

The Fairytale Castle in Liseberg Amusement Park.

Rather than giving you reasons/excuses for my absence, I will only say that I’m glad to be back. Instead of transfering to Dreamhost I decided to stay with MediaTemple, for now. First out, some blog posts by various guest authors from around the world.

Pictured above, from a few days ago, the beach of Gullbranna and Tönnersa Nature Reserve in Halland, Sweden.

I hope you’re having a great summer so far!

The peacefulness of driving on your own.

Rural scenery in the community of Margaree on the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia.

The curiosity of wondering what’s around the next corner.

No distracting cars allow you to take in all of the landscape.

The sense of freedom.

Speed limit sign on a golf course in Missouri

You can relax and drive as slowly as you like.

The excitement of not knowing what’s ahead of you.

You can drive above the speed limit.

Eye © Darren Fletcher

After a somewhat frustrating experience with my contact lenses a few weeks ago, I considered whether I should consider eye surgery. The prospect of enjoying perfect eye sight almost beats the procedure of having to change lenses every day, or wearing glasses. But the odds were worse than I first thought. Apparently up to one in six who goes through laser surgery suffers complications that affect their eye sight. And even though I know of people who successfully have undergone Lasik surgery, I rather keep using lenses and glasses than risking permanent damage to my vision.

Since I started using contact lenses in middle school and eye glasses on and off in upper secondary school, I have plenty of experience in both. I thought about the benefits of using contact lenses vs. glasses when traveling. What I choose depends mostly on what I will do. If I will take part in any activities involving water (swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing) or snow (skiing, snowboarding), I wear my lenses. The same goes for activities such as yoga and dancing. During city trips with a lot of sightseeing, culture, shopping and nightlife, I wear either lenses or glasses. If I opt for lenses for a theater or musical performance, or to the cinema, I make sure to bring eye drops in case my eyes get dry or tired.

The weather also plays a role. During rain or snow, I prefer lenses. Sunny days, either — unless I plan on going to the beach, where I  wear sunglasses. I haven’t tried those eye glasses that darken in the sun yet, but I bet they’re worth buying.

If you have impaired eye sight, what’s your first choice when travelling — contact lenses or glasses? Or 50/50?

I recently thought about how people show love in different countries around the world. What are common displays of affection? What is acceptable? What is frowned upon? The dos and don’ts?

Whether you travel with your loved one or meet a new special someone abroad, do respect the local customs and cultural codes. Every country has their own customs and traditions.

For example, in China, Japan and Thailand, avoid kissing in public. In New Guinea, show your love by putting your mouth against somebody’s cheek or press your mouth against someone’s ear. In Kenya, South Korea and Jamaica, group dates are a popular form of dating.

When in France, kiss three times on the cheek when you meet. One on the right, one on the left, and then another on the right. If you take away your head after only two kisses, someone may get offended.

And, needless to say, no sex in public in the United Arab Emirates — and many other countries.

If you know of any other specific customs of a foreign country, feel free to share in the comment section.

Riding in chair lifts.

Snowboarding.

Skiing — preferably off-piste and without a rucksack.

Les Deux Alpes, France

Beautiful alp views when skiing.

The day rises in Servoz, a village in the Chamonix valley © Claudia Meyer

Misty mornings in villages surrounded by mountains.

The top of the Wendelstein mountain in Bavaria, Germany

Mountains in Austria and Germany remind me of Sound of Music.

Matterhorn, Zermatt, Switzerland

You feel humbled by their magnificence.

Engelberg, Switzerland

When you’re high enough, you can look down on the clouds.

Paragliders

The prospect of paragliding.

Snow covered mountains © Claudia Meyer

The combination of mist and snow-covered trees and mountains.

The thrill of skiing past ”Danger’ signs.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel asleep in window.

“So you’ve stayed up all night and not slept anything today?”

“Yeah.”

My sister couldn’t understand how I could stay up all night. At the time, I hadn’t had normal sleeping habits for over a year. I looked forward to the day when I could go to bed at night and wake up before noon at least five times a week. And sleep with the light off. If only once. My fear of getting more nightmares caused me to put off sleep — often until the wee hours in the morning, sometimes I went to bed around 8-9 am, other times later. The days somewhat disappeared. A month could feel like a week. I stayed up at night and slept during much of the day.

After an especially terrible nightmare I had a two-week phase in which I forced myself to stay awake until I possibly couldn’t postpone sleep any longer. I didn’t want to sleep and stayed up for days in row. I stayed awake until I was too tired to talk, too tired to eat, and too tired to think — when I had reached that blurry state between awakeness and sleeping. Only then, I could sleep.

Eventually (thank God!) my sleeping patterns improved. I went to bed earlier. I woke up earlier. And I realized how much damage lack of sleep can do to our bodies, overall mood and daily life. I learnt the importance of a good night’s sleep.

Feeling Safe In Darkness

In late April 2009, I went to bed before 11 pm for the first time in longer than I can remember. In October the same year I could finally sleep with the light off. A night last week, when my flatmates had gone to bed, I watched an episode of a vampire series alone in the living room in complete darkness (without feeling the least scared). And when I went to bed afterwards, I felt at peace.

Nowadays, I feel safe in the dark. I no longer fear getting nightmares (and they appear more seldom). I no longer need to look under the bed. I no longer need to sleep with my teddy bear by my side. (Yes, I did use to do that even though my seventh birthday passed almost twenty years ago.) I no longer hide under the covers. The darkness no longer scares me. And that’s a good thing, because I need my dream time. I need my ‘beauty sleep’. Waking up refreshed and full of energy starts the day off in the right way. When you sleep badly, you almost feel as if you walk through fog the next day… you don’t function at your best, neither mentally or physically.

In An Experiment in Sleep Deprivation, Justin Wright shares some interesting facts from Wikipedia:

According to a 2000 study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers in Australia and New Zealand reported that sleep deprivation can have some of the same hazardous effects as being drunk.^[20] People who drove after being awake for 17–19 hours performed worse than those with a blood alcohol level of .05 percent, which is the legal limit for drunk driving in most western European countries (Canada, the U.S. and U.K. set their blood alcohol limits at .08 percent).

Something to think about on your next road trip… Of course, life, work and travels can interfere with sleep. And although there’s nothing wrong with the occasional all-nighter or missing a few hours sleep from time to time, you’ll obviously feel much better when you have slept sufficiently.

Enough Sleep Leads To Better Travel Experiences

In 3 travel secrets…, Cheryl Marie Cordeiro writes about the benefits of a good night’s sleep when travelling:

I think I get so much more out of the visit if I wake up fully rested and raring to go, rather than completely jet lagged with my system out of sync, dampening the senses and what information they can give when experiencing something new.

Looking back, I have enjoyed some of my best daytime travel experiences after having gotten plenty of sleep. And, looking past my period of insomnia, I have slept better during trips abroad (excluding certain hostel stays) than anywhere else. Above all in the big wooden house my parents rented with another family in the Austrian ski resort Dienten (mostly thanks to the soft duvet covers), in the bunk bed at the summer camp in Michigan, in the bed with flowery covers in my room in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, in the place I rented in Zurich, in our rental apartment on Lanzarote, in my cozy bedsit in Notting Hill, and in basically every hotel I had the pleasure of staying in. To me, in a way, hotels can feel like home. And when at home, I sleep very well.

Sleeping Outside

I also have a weakness for sleeping outside. One summer night at the age of four, I got the impulsive idea of sleeping on my grandmother’s balcony. I can still remember the crisp and fresh air, hearing the birds chirp, and the peacefulness of sleeping near nature. Another summer a few years later, some friends and I decided to sleep by the sand dunes near the beach. I loved hearing the sound of the lapping waves before falling asleep.

At 17 or 18, during a particularly warm night after a party near my parents’ summer cottage, I slept in my sleeping bag outside in the garden rather than in my bed inside. And a winter night a couple of years ago, I slept outside on the porch — under a full moon and a sea of stars that lit up the sky. But when I woke up shaking (despite having put on extra clothes, a hat and gloves) at 5 am in the morning, I went inside.

As for future sleeping experiences, I would love to sleep outside in the desert, on the deck of a cruise ship or sailing boat, on a beach somewhere warm, and in a hammock on a tropical island.

How about you? Where did/do you sleep best? And where would you like to sleep?

Kami, Iran

Waranee, Thailand

Osman, Kurdistan (Turkey)

Murani, Iran

I wonder how many different nationalities are represented in Johanneberg, my current neighborhood in Gothenburg. How many nationalities are represented in your neighborhood?

You know you have stayed in luxury hotels too long when you….

1. Forget that you need to make your own bed in the morning.

2. Notice how hard the floor is to walk on without a wall-to-wall carpet.

3. Wonder why your meal has so few courses.

4. All of a sudden realize that no one calls you Miss/Madame or Mr anymore.

5. Wonder why your apartment isn’t cleaned when you come home from work.

6. Keep looking for your bathrobe and slippers without realizing you have never owned any.

7. Wait for someone to knock on your door in the evening and ask if you need turndown service.

8. Wonder why your bed is so small and where all the pillows have gone.

9. On several occasions have found yourself about to go to the club room.

10. Try to remember the number to room service before realizing you’re at home and not in a luxury hotel anymore.

–

If you know of any travel related versions of “You know you have __ too long when __ “, feel free to share a link.

“The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.” — Emily Dickinson

“Free your soul?”

The woman selling handmade jewelry by the road side in Greenwich Village read the text on my tank top.

“Free your soul? How do you do that?”

I wish I can remember what I answered and the dialogue that followed.

Later, a cashier asked the same thing, as did other people I met in Manhattan throughout the day.

Have you ever worn a clothing item with a thought provoking or inspiring message that caused someone to strike up a conversation with you?

What we wear can truly act as great conversation openers.

Pictured above, tank top bought in ButtaFly Unlimited on 325 Lafayette St, New York.