Spain Archives -

Home
About Us
Armchair Travels
- Travel Related Reads
- Inspiring Book Lists
Book Reviews
Travel
- Literary Travel
- Boutique Stays

Sorry, no posts were found

Find us on:

Meet Tam & Paul

Hi! I'm Tam, a self-confessed, caffeine-fueled bookworm writing about all things literature-related whilst Paul's passion for photography means we never miss a great photo opportunity. Together we blog about a luxury lifestyle designed to induce wanderlust in everyone!

Subscribe Here

Be the first to find out about our Geeky Adventures.

If you enjoy finding out about historical facts, cultural experiences or reading the latest book reviews we have it all here.

(Please see our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use and store your information).

Join 11,809 other subscribers.

Email Address

August 2020
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

« May

Find Us on Instagram

Scabby Queen by Kristin Innes has recently been de

Scabby Queen by Kristin Innes has recently been described as a 'state-of-the-nation novel with a feminist heart' by Catherine Taylor at @guardian
Clio Campbell was a huge success during the 80s, after her anti-poll tax single gets her a prime time slot on the nations favourite music show, Top of the Pops. Unfortunately life isn't kind to Clio and after numerous struggles she gives up the fight just before her 51st birthday.
Through her friends and associates we learn more about both Clio and the the UK as we look back over three decades. From the poll tax riots, to the Scottish referendum, this is the story of successes and failures, highs and lows, life and death.
With it's strong feminist undertones, it will definitely appeal to those that like a sassy protagonist who doesn't like to conform but still wants the world to love her.

In need of a new spy thriller? The Treadstone Res

In need of a new spy thriller?
The Treadstone Resurrection written by @joshuahoodbooks is the latest novel under the Treadstone theme.
Unlikely the series written by Robert Ludlum, this new collection sees a different badass hero turning up to save the day.
A good spy thriller has a number of plot twists, dramatic scenes, a foreshadowing of things to come, and several red herrings thrown in for good measure, and that is exactly what we find within the pages of The Treadstone Resurrection.

There was only ever going to be one place to read

There was only ever going to be one place to read this one and that is in Italy itself.
Hemingway had a love affair with this wonderful country, especially the north, and it is really is hard to argue against him.
In 'Hemingway in Italy' we learn more about what brought him to the country for the first time and why he particularly fell in love with the region of Veneto, which is the back drop for some of his most famous work including 'A Farewell to Arms'. Through the research painstakingly undertaken by Richard Owens we discover why Hemingway returned to the country time and time again, spending time in Venice and Veneto including Lake Garda, but also Sicily, Genoa, Rapallo, Cortina, the Italian Alps, Lake Maggiore and the region of Lombardy.
Richard also highlights where Hemingway got inspiration for his writing and how his own experiences often became immortalised in his words.
If you are a fan of this Nobel Prize winning author, and have a desire to learn more about his travels in Italy, this is a book for you.

Today, I started reading 'Hemingway in Italy' by R

Today, I started reading 'Hemingway in Italy' by Richard Owen (published by @hauspublishing as part of their Armchair Traveller series). Within the opening pages, Hemingway is quoted as saying he "loved northern Italy like a fool", and I wholeheartedly agree. It is the one place that now feels like home.
For us, Venice is a city we fell in love with many many years ago. This year, before the mayhem begun we were fortunate enough to spend time in the watery city during the carnival, something we have wanted to do for many years, and towards the end of a wonderful evening we spotted this figure stood outside the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in St Marks Square.
Have you visited Venice during carnival season?

The Familiars is @staceyhallsauthor first novel se

The Familiars is @staceyhallsauthor first novel set during the witch trials of 17th century England.
This historical novel, set in 1612, delves into the life of Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a high society woman who married well but has trouble to conceive and carry a baby to full term.
One day, during a ride into the forest, she stumbles upon and then employs a woman she believes can help her survive her latest pregnancy. Of course, unbeknown to Fleetwood, this woman has a history that will come back to haunt her when she is put on trial for witchcraft.
This novel further explores the Pendle Witch Trials that took place during 1612 at both York and Lancaster, where 10 people were charged for they witchery and executed by hanging.
Do you enjoy historical fiction?

Have you visited Stratford-upon-Avon? If you are c

Have you visited Stratford-upon-Avon? If you are considering a trip, we highly recommend the @whiteswanstratford
It is a pub with rooms above, but don't let that idea discourage you. Each of the rooms are dedicated to one of Shakespeare's plays so you will find yourself lounging amongst his most famous characters - Macbeth, Othello, Romeo and Juliet to name just a few.
The hotel itself is historical with the wonky walkways, beamed ceilings and old fashioned decor only add to the sense of staying somewhere with a past.
The bar itself should not be discounted. With plenty of smaller rooms and nooks to choose from you can easily find yourself a quiet corner to enjoy the great food and fine wine on offer as well as one of the Bard's plays if you so wish.
Have you visited?

Have you visited Cambodia? Before visiting, if yo

Have you visited Cambodia?
Before visiting, if you wish to find out more about the country's gruesome history surrounding the now well-known Killing Fields then this book, 'Surviving the Killing Fields' by Haing S. Nor will certainly open your eyes to the tragic time.
Haing S. Nor also starred in the film, The Killing Fields (1984) for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Sadly, after surviving the atrocities of his home country, he settled in America only to be murdered outside his home in Chinatown, Los Angeles in 1996.
This may be a dark time in Cambodian history, but it is a history we should all learn about and remember for the sake of all who suffered.

This beautiful 500 year old cottage is where Anne

This beautiful 500 year old cottage is where Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare lived as a child.
Located in the village of Shottery, about a mile from Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare himself was born.
Anne Hathaway's cottage was originally a farmhouse built in 1463 and at that time comprised of just 3 rooms. Wandering around today you would never have guessed this however, as the building is now quite substantial largely thanks to Bartholomew Hathaway, Anne's brother.
Since 1892 this has been owned by the @shakespearebtrust. Thanks to their upkeep Shakespeare's fans are still able. To visit and retrace the steps that Anne and William would have taken together.

We may not be able to physically travel at the mom

We may not be able to physically travel at the moment but that doesn't mean we cannot travel from the comfort of our own armchairs.
Today, we are heading to Bruges with Bruges-La-Morte by Georges Rodenbach. Through the story of intoxicating love and destruction we also get a glimpse of Bruges and how the city can be perceived by those around her.
Have you visited Bruges?

Crime Fiction is one of the fastest growing genres

Crime Fiction is one of the fastest growing genres but why? Have we all developed a morbid fascination with the suffering of others? Or is it that we love to delve into the mind of a killer to try and analyse what makes them tick?
Dark Corners, the new novel by @darrensully, looks at what happens to a group of teenager friends when one of their own goes missing. As the story unfolds, it seems that even 20 years after the incident, the friends of Chloe Lambert are still unable to come to terms with the loss.
It's a book that will grip you from the beginning, but it's the twist towards the end that will not only slap you hard in the face but leave its mark long after the story has finished.
Have you read any of Darren's novels?

Today I am reflecting back to a time where Italy w

Today I am reflecting back to a time where Italy was rejoicing and we were enjoying the famous Venice Carnival.
While it was just over a month ago, after being in lockdown here for a little over 2 weeks, it feels far longer.
Venice is a city we love and have visited many times but on this particular trip we wanted to explore some different areas, hence my copy of Rilke's Venice : The City in Eleven Walks by Birgit Haustedt.
Have you wandered the canals and crossed the bridges of this famous, watery city?

What are you reading this week? 'You Never Told Me

What are you reading this week? 'You Never Told Me' is the latest novel by @sarahontheboat that looks at the topics of parental loss, personal identity and reinvention.
If you have ever tried to come to terms with who you are and where your roots actually lay this is a soul-searching story to enjoy.

This library at @b2_boutique_hotel is so wonderfu

This library at @b2_boutique_hotel is so wonderful we just had to share a second photo.
When the hotel opened in 2012 the owner wanted to create a small library for his guests to enjoy. At the same time, a local bookseller was looking to retire but wanted his vast collection to remain whole.
The owner finding out about this brought the entire 55,000 collection and now 33,000 are available for guests to enjoy during their stay.
With books in many languages including German, French and English you are bound to find something to read.
The chandeliers are original features from the time of the brewery which once owned the site. They were originally used to dry the beer bottles out but have since been turned into these fantastic light fixtures instead.

This is the wine library at @b2_boutique_hotel in

This is the wine library at @b2_boutique_hotel in #Zurich. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?
Home to 33,000 books, you can enjoy a coffee, glass of wine or a light meal surrounded by these wonderful shelves.
This hotel isn't just for book nerds though there is also an amazing thermal spa and rooftop jacazzi that are a must regardless of whether you stay at the hotel or simply want to visit to enjoy the warm waters for a few hours.

This is the Refectory bar upstairs in the #plymout

This is the Refectory bar upstairs in the #plymouthgin distillery. It dates back approximately 500 years and it’s a stunning venue to #indulge in a glass of one of the many different types of #Gin or a cocktail or two.

Are these the best chocolate bars ever? Just when

Are these the best chocolate bars ever? Just when you think your Friday night can't get any better you walk into @yorkschocstory and come face to face with possibly the best ever chocolate bars.
Are these the perfect addition for a weekend set aside for reading?

Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo? This week

Romeo, Romeo where for art thou Romeo?
This week we are in Stratford-on-Avon visiting the sites of the world's favourite Bard.
During the day we have explored his birthplace, his family home and his daughter's home thanks to @shakespearebtrust and then in the evenings we have enjoyed relaxing in the oversized tub in our Romeo and Juliet Room back at @the_white_swan_hotel.
Have you visited Shakespeare's home town?

The Other You is the latest release by best sellin

The Other You is the latest release by best selling author, J. S. Monroe.
This crime novel explores the possibility of doppelgangers and the impact meeting them could have on your life.
Would you want to meet your double?
I guarantee this will be one of the top-selling crime novels of 2020.
I also want to take this opportunity to show off my @buddlebook that I got for Christmas to help protect my books going forward.

What are you #currentlyreading? 2020 is my year o

What are you #currentlyreading?
2020 is my year of #classicreads as I feel a need to revisit the great authors of bygone years.
Kicking off with Robinson Crusoe, this #travelogue is one of the first ever published and was 300 years old in 2019.
The narrative follows the story of Robinson Crusoe as he travels from Hull in the UK to various countries, including Brazil. Unfortunately however, he has to be one of the unluckiest travellers going and is shipwrecked off the coast of a Caribbean Island.
We continue to read about his life of surivial on the island and how he adapts to his new surroundings as well as how he avoid capture by savage cannibals while saving the lives of others.
Think #castaway with @tomhanks!

@lesleykarawriter is the bestselling author of #Th

@lesleykarawriter is the bestselling author of #TheRumour, and today, is hardback publication day of #WhoDidYouTell?, her second book set in the Fictional town of Flintstead.

Recently Read:

Surviving The Killing Fields: The Cambodian Odyssey Of Haing S. Ngor

Pretty Guilty Women

How to Be Perfect

Feather and Claw

The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas

Bruges-La-Morte

The Silent Patient

Who Did You Tell?

Stay Up with Hugo Best

Sleeping Beauties

In Xanadu: A Quest

How Not to Travel the World: Adventures of a Disaster-Prone Backpacker

The Last House Guest

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

Whisper Network

Tamason's favorite books »

Search for…

Archives

Archives

©TravellingBookJunkie (2018)