Sunvil Discovery Archive
Standards – How do we maintain high standards in the face of cut-price travel and the dross it creates?
Tourism is a fashion business and its clients are rather like lemmings in that they all want to go to the same place at the same time. This year, for those who can afford to go there, it’s Burma. The mass market, at the other end of
Summer Festivals in Madeira
There are many reasons to visit the green Atlantic island of Madeira. Some come for the excellent walking trails, others to enjoy the slow pace of life and the fresh food and wine for which the island is well known. Stay for a while and you’re bound
The colourful flora of the Azores
Imagine an island filled with the most colourful flowers in bloom where even the hedges that frame the quiet lanes are made of up of miles of vibrant hydrangea bushes. If we add in a sprinkling of banana and pineapple trees you’ll probably have placed your imaginary
The downside of flying on no-frills flights…
Noel Josephides blog post about the perils of flying no frills.
Alentejo and an introduction to Portuguese seafood
Alentejo Coast The Alentejo region of Portugal is known for its flat plains dotted with distinctive cork trees and its pretty hilltop villages made up of white-washed houses. Yet many visitors come to the Alentejo to experience the region’s stunning coast. Stretching out from the south of
A night in the woods, Swedish style
‘Washing and cooking facilities are primitive’. You would expect to see such a comment on a negative Tripadvisor review, but it might surprise you to find these words on promotional material written by the owners of a property. Yet this unorthodox approach is exactly how the Kolarbyn
Happy Birthday Atlantic Airways!
At 1600 on the 22nd of March, the Faroe Islands saw the arrival of the new edition to the Atlantic Airways fleet, the Airbus A319, marking the company’s 24th birthday. The new aircraft has been specially designed to better cope with the challenging conditions associated with the
Birdwatching in the Faroe Islands
Sitting in the wilds of the North Atlantic Ocean around halfway between Scotland and Iceland, it is perhaps no surprise that on the Faroe Islands the human population is massively outnumbered by birds. In fact the islands are considered one of Europe’s top destinations for bird
Houseboat rental on the Alqueva reservoir
The Alqueva reservoir was only created 10 years ago and as yet is little known as a tourist destination. Yet this 250 sq km pool of crystal clear water, Europe’s largest artificial lake, is quietly developing a reputation as a top destination for a houseboat holiday. Alqueva
Leave the gun, take the cannoli
The Godfather is a film packed with memorable quotes, yet this one stands out from the rest. Clemenza, the trusty henchman, stops to water the plants at the side of the road while one of his men puts three shots into the back of his driver’s head.