They tell me it’s Spring.
Ha! Ha! That’s awfully funny ‘cos we haven’t actually had a winter.
Golly!
It’s going to be March in a few days so officially, that is the beginning of the Spring season. The travelling season.
Yeah!
In March and April, I’ll be travelling to England, Portugal and Spain. And here’s why!
ENGLAND.
England needs no introduction. It’s my home-country of course, and the land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia n’ all that.
England has been in the news a lot recently, well, Britain has!
If you’re a British expat living abroad and have been registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can register as an overseas elector, which entitles you to vote in the UK Parliamentary General Elections, UK-wide referendums, and European Parliamentary elections. Even though the date of the EU referendum is still unknown, you can already register to vote and you can register to vote online here.
For more information for overseas voters, please go here.
My blog isn’t about political issues but if you want to discuss the heavier stuff, you can find me on Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn where we can “talk” if you like, but just to be clear, my vote will always be for Britain to stay WITH-IN the European Union. There. I’ve said it!
Back to the issue at hand.
England, otherwise known as Old Blighty!
WHERE WILL VICTORIA BE GOING TO EXACTLY?
Well, I’ll be going to Chester and Cheshire.
WHY?
I’ll be attending the dignified graduation ceremony for my MA Degree.
GRADUATION WHAT?
My graduation ceremony!
If you look on the About Me page, you would see that I was obtaining an M.A. in Education Leadership and Management at the University of Chester in England.
I finished it!
My first degree was obtained at an elite university abroad, with a BSc. honours degree in Political Science! I then did a Masters Degree at Durham University which is the 3rd oldest university in England!
All of this was yonks ago of course and after a while, your mind starts to get mushy and a thirst for more learning develops.
I must be a sucker somewhat, ‘cos I decided to do a second Masters Degree. At the University of Chester!
I’ll write more about that in a couple of weeks!
WHAT ELSE WILL I BE DOING?
I’ll be going to Chester.
Chester is a small city in the county of Cheshire and is very close to the tiny country of Wales!
It’s a very old Roman city founded in AD79 in the Roman province of Britannia (see what I mean!), over-flowing with history, glory and rich archaeological and architectural treasures from the era of Roman occupation. Not only was Chester an old Roman fort, but it was one of the last cities to fall to the French Normans and also boast of one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain.
In fact, part of that old Roman wall is just outside my Faculty window!
Chester has an effortless combination of history and heritage so that there is plenty to explore and lots of things to do.
It has a population of 120,622 people.
ANYTHING ELSE?
I’ll also be going to Cheshire.
Chester is actually a part of Cheshire, but Cheshire is the county (a bit like a State).
I grew up in Cheadle, a suburban village in what was then known as Greater Manchester, and when my brother and I went to university, my family moved to Cheshire.
Cheshire is an Anglo-Saxon settlement first thought to have been created by King Edward (Edward the Elder) in AD920. The county is in the country (the country-side) and is mostly rural with small towns and villages supporting the local agriculture and industry, and so we have horses not far from the home of one of my brothers!
Cheshire is also very close to Wales, sometimes having both Welsh and English names, in various parts of the county!
It has a population of about 1 million people.
I won’t really have much time to do stuff since this fleeting visit is really a family affair, but as English Tourism Week will take place in March, I might stretch a few hours to:
Walk on the City Wall of Chester which has the most complete city walls in Britain!
Explore Cheshire’s Peak District which covers 100 square miles of inspiring scenery brimming with dramatic landscapes, world-class events, fascinating history, wonderful heritage and beautiful gardens.
Take a vigorous walk through the Gritstone Trail – a 35 mile walking route covering wild moorland, rocky outcrops, impressive peaks and breathtaking scenery. Gulp!
Make a quick dash across the early 16th century Chester Racecourse which is the oldest racecourse in England!
Breath in the majesty of Chester Cathedral which is where my graduation ceremony will take place.
Go to see the A War-Torn Parish: The effects of the Great War upon the families of St Werburgh’s, Chester exhibition in Chester!
See a display of the Shadow Catchers: Warrington and its people through the lenses of local photographers and historic collections in the 1840’s.
Jump into a lambing weekend where you can actually see new lambs being born!
Go for a Snowdrop Sunday Stroll at Adlington Hall and experience the showcase of snowdrops within the wilderness of Adlington’s Gardens.
Ramble along to a Spring Bird Walk at Hare Hill which is a tranquil woodland garden, surrounded by parkland an a delightful walled garden.
Join a local bird watching expert for an informative two-hour walk through the garden and parkland at Hare Hill so that I can learn to identify birdsong and discover more about bird activity at this time of year.
Or if I’m feeling particularly energetic, I might join the Rangers at that very same Hare Hill to gain an insight into Ranger life and learn about the day-to-day running of the park, and the life of a National Trust Ranger.
It’ll be difficult coming back home to Berlin!
WHY SPAIN & PORTUGAL?
Why not?
No seriously. Why not?
They’re in the South of Europe, have long magnificent histories, fascinating cultures, and a gastronomy to die for.
And the dancing. Oh, the dancing…!
SPAIN
Spain, officially known as the Kingdom of Spain, Iberia or España is located in South-Western Europe, and on several territories known as the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast. It has two (2) archipelagos islands, two (2) major exclaves in continental North Africa, and the islands and peñones or rocks of Alborán, Alhucemas, Chafarinas, and Vélez de la Gomera.
The mainland is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary – Gibraltar – which is British! Bordered by France, Andorra, the Bay of Biscay, France, Morocco and Portugal, it is one of the only three countries in the world to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines and also lies on the 1,214 km (Portugal–Spain border), which is the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union!
Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, and the fourth largest country in Europe, with a population of a little over 46 million people.
WHERE WILL VICTORIA BE GOING TO EXACTLY?
I know Spain quite well.
I usually prefer Barcelona but it’s been over thirteen (13) years since I last went to Madrid and after last years’ nightmare experience, it’s clearly time to go back again.
I’ll be going to Madrid and Seville.
WHAT ELSE WILL I BE DOING?
Madrid is still a little up in the air but I’ll be staying in the historic zone which has one of the most beautiful urban landscapes as well antique buildings. It’s a unique neighbourhood rich in history, architecture, food, bars and restaurants, and is livened up by the local people and local art.
ANYTHING ELSE?
I’ll be staying with a blogger friend and her husband, in Seville.
We’ll be staying with an expat local, and getting to grips with the fact that we’ll be in the beautiful city of Seville with it’s Moorish influences and Arabic architecture coupled, with beautiful weather (I hope) and fabulous food!
It’s going to be awesome!
PORTUGAL
Portugal, officially known as the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula, in the South West of Europe. The republic also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira.
I’ve been to Portugal before and let me tell you, it is indeed the most western point country in the whole of mainland Europe, and I have a certificate to prove it!
Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Spain and as I wrote above, the Portugal–Spain border – 1,214 km or 754 miles – is considered to be the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union!
Portugal has a population of almost 10.5 million people!
It’s one of the first global empire countries and had great influence across the world in the 15th and 16th century but sadly after the independence of Brazil in 1822, and the end of the longest-lived European colonial empire, with the handing over of Macau to China in 1999, hardly anybody speaks it’s language and most tourists are reluctant to visit. Preferring instead, it’s neighbour and colonial rival – Spain!
Strange really, when there over 250 million people who speak Portuguese world-wide, it has left a most profound cultural and architectural influence across the globe, has an advanced economy, and a higher living standard than France, Spain and Italy!
I’m going to try and change it’s image!
WHERE WILL VICTORIA BE GOING TO EXACTLY?
I’ll be going to the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto
WHAT ELSE WILL I BE DOING?
We’ll be staying at a hotel apartment in the Old Town of Albufeira, which is an old fisherman’s village and very near to the sea in Lagos. We’ll also be going to Lisbon and staying at the StayInn Lisbon Hostel which is a family-friendly hostel, located a few minutes walk from many historic and tourist attractions, right in the heart of Lisbon’s Bohemia nightlife! And we’ll be staying at the trendy luxury artistic family-run Gallery Hostel in Porto!
Perfect for trendy parents with a young teenager!
ANYTHING ELSE?
There’ll be seafood galore!
I love seafood.
I just don’t know if I can wait!
This article is isn’t sponsored and the academic Masters Degree that I’m going to collect, is my very own!
In March and April, I’ll be going to England, Portugal and Spain!
I’ll be attending the Spring Reception for the British Community, at the British Embassy on March 2nd.
On March 3rd, I’ll pop into the Berlin Alternative Fashion Week (BAFW) Network in Fashion Launch Party at LNFA, Bikini in Berlin.
On March 8th, I’ll be at the ITB Berlin Opening Party taking place at Urban Spree. It’s always a lot of fun, so if you’re in town, come and join us.
To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, I’ve joined the Berlin Travel Massive campaign which is hosting an OPEN CALL for the best photos of awesome WOMEN IN TRAVEL. You can share your pictures using the hashtag #WomenInTravel & #travelmassive until March 4th where photos will be featured at Travel Massive’s biggest night of the year – the Opening Party at ITB Berlin on March 8th: To RSVP go here!
The best pictures will also be published on the platform of Travel Massive & featured by Lonely Planet, on Twitter!
The world’s leading travel trade show – ITB Berlin – will be taking place from 09.03.16 – 13.03.16.
I’ll be there. Will you?
As usual, you can also follow me via daily tweets and pictures on Twitter & FB!
If you’re not in Berlin in March, I haven’t a clue where else you’re going to be!
March is going to be busy!
Watch this space!
Which of these historical places would you choose to visit? Have you ever been?
See you in Berlin.
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Filed under: ENGLAND, English, EUROPE, EXPAT, FAMILY, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, motivation, Portugal, Spain, the travel industry, THOUGHTS & IDEAS, TOURISM, TRAVEL, University, women in travel Tagged: England, europe, European, European Capitals of Culture, European Union, family, international travel, motivation, Portugal, Spain, tourism, travel, Travel and Tourism, University, women in travel