Also know as the Voronya (crow) Cave – a nickname referring to the numbers of crows that nest in the entrance pit – this is the deepest (2191 metres) measured cave in the world. And a 56-member international expedition in 2007 concluded that there are still further depths to be explored.
Combining a rich cultural history with miles of jaw-dropping scenery and wildlife, the Isle of White is a great place to visit during any season.
Where to Stay: For a touch of the surreal, stay at The Kasbah, a Moroccan themed bed and breakfast. Ask for a second floor room if you want to enjoy fabulous sea views. Double rooms start from £49.00 a night including breakfast.
How to get there: An off-peak return with South West Trains from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour costs £32.10 and takes around two hours. From there take the Wightlink Fastcat ferry to Ryde Pier Head, £18.60 return.
Where to eat: Offering tasteful decor in a warm environment, the Pond Café is situated in the lovely village of Bonchurch. Order the slow roasted tomatoes (£3.50) to start followed by the fish and shellfish stew with roasted fennel (£15).
Run by the attentive and personable Ffiona, this cosy little restaurant off Kensington High Street exudes individuality. On 26th November, Ffiona will be offering a Thanksgiving menu (£38.00). Starters include vegetable soup, mozzarella and tomato, king prawns and duck pate, followed by roast turkey and trimmings, ending with a selection of desserts. Good practise for Christmas!
51 Kensington Church Street, London W8 (020 7937 4152)
Located in a former pub, this restaurant offers neutral, yet stylish interiors, enlivened by ample window space and decent lighting. Often a favourite with people hunting down a good steak, they will also be offering a Thanksgiving menu (£35.00). Choose the Waldorf salad to start, followed by roast turkey. There some great options for pudding, including pumpkin pie with creme fresh.
4 Crosswall St, London EC3N (020 7481 8422)
The Wadi Rum desert in southwest Jordan is one of the world’s most arresting landscapes and holds an array of mountains, canyons and caves amid its stretches of golden sand. T.E Lawrence – or Lawrence of Arabia – famously operated against the Turks from there during the Arab Revolt of 1917-18.
The presence of a desert in Poland comes as a surprise to many and the Bledow Desert in the Silesian Highlands was formed centuries ago as forests were cleared to make way for silver and lead foundries. The Germans also used the area during the Second World War to train the Africa Korps before deployment to Africa.
Why: Standing at the head of Windermere, England’s largest lake, Ambleside is a charming town that is a popular base for walkers and climbers.
Where to stay: Based in the heart of town and with great views, the Ambleside Salutation Hotel also has a reputation for making guests feel welcome. Stay there from £53.00 a night including breakfast.
How to get there: National Express trains take around three and a half hours from London Euston to Windermere, an off-peak return costing £83.30. Then take a bus or taxi to Ambleside, which is ten minutes away.
Where to eat: The Log House is known for serving up good, honest food. Between 5-6pm (yes, a tad early) enjoy 3 courses from the Chef’s Menu for £17.50: start with artichoke soup with chiabatta, followed by fillet of sea bass with hand-cut chips, aioli, gherkin and baby caper salsa, and finish with a Pavlova dessert.
Overlooking Green park and with sumptuous middle-eastern decor, Fakhreldine is a great asset to those wanting to eat Lebanese food in a smart environment. The quality and freshness of the food here makes the relatively pricey menu bearable. Try the Baba ghanoush (£6.00) – puree of grilled aubergine, Tahiti and lemon – to start, followed by Kabsi chicken (£17.00) – roasted marinated chicken, served with lamb rice.
85 Piccadilly London W1JÂ (0207 493 3424)
Named after a Lebanese town, Kaslik is decked out with low-slung brass tables, traditional lamps and piles of cushions. Vegetarians will happily find that Lebanese food offers them plenty of variety, not a bottom of the menu concession. Start with vine leaves stuffed with parsley, chickpeas, mint and lemon juice (£3.50), followed by baked aubergines, cooked with tomatoes, chickpeas and served with rice (£7.95).
Technophobes or holidaymakers wanting to escape the long arms of their employers, should find this privately owned island a Godsend. None of the 22 cottages have televisions, telephones or internet access and guests communicate through the use of flagpoles. Paradise doesn’t come cheap though: double occupancy, £410 a night.
Not every remote hideaway requires you to part with your life’s savings and this former weather station on the edge of the Fannarak glacier in the Jotunheimen National Park will set you back a modest £15.00 a night. You will however, have to earn your escape from civilisation with a gruelling four-hour hike.
Why: Once equated with heavy industry and violence, Belfast has re-established itself as a young, energetic and friendly city.
Where to stay: Full of character and innovative touches, the Ten Square Hotel by City Hall, will place you in the heart of the city. Take advantage of the Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package (£135.00), which includes room, a two-course meal for two, bottle of house wine and full Irish breakfast.
This 800-yard stretch of sand is popular with naturists as it’s close to Miami and being located in the Sunshine State, enjoys great weather. Unlike many desolate nudist beaches, Haulover Beach is chock-a-block with facilities including lifeguards, who rather unsportingly remain clothed.
A delight for nudists, this 3.1 mile Blue Flag beach in Valalta has wonderful soft sand, little man-made terraces to relax on and many palm and olive trees to shelter under. The beach attracts a mix of local and international nudists who head here for the day or to camp.
With straightforward, clean decor and fresh, zingy food, this Vietnamese restaurant has won its fair share of plaudits. They have a great range of soups to eat in or scuttle away with, including the wonton noodle soup containing ground prawn and meat dumplings and bok choy greens in a home made chicken broth (£4.00 or £7.00 for a large portion.)
58 Kingsland Road, E2 (020 7739 6686)
Crussh are known for making great juices and smoothies, but they also do a range of tasty soups, all made avoiding preservatives, GM foods and added salt or sugar. Warm the bones with the free-range beef bourguignon soup from the gourmet menu (£3.00 or £3.70 for a larger serving).
59 Notting Hill Gate, W11 (020 7221 4325)
copyright Kelly Armstrong 2009
