Kathmandu Ambassador Garden Home, Traditional Boutique Hotel in Thamel

Kathmandu, the Ambassador Garden Home in Thamel ©Solange Hando

The name says it all: 100 years ago, this was the home of the Ambassador to China, great grandfather of the family who continue the hospitality tradition of their illustrious ancestor in  a beautifully converted building.

Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor, this cosy boutique hotel is right at the heart of Thamel and with just 18 rooms, an unexpected retreat next door to the big and bustling Kathmandu Guest House.

The Living Room, Ambassador Garden Home ©Solange Hando

Everything here is warm and welcoming, a real home with stylish furniture, traditional Nepali brass and wood carvings, family photographs and artefacts and a shrine to the Ambassador, lovingly tended every day.

There are fresh fruit on the table, colourful sprays of orchids, magazines and free WiFi thoughout.

A Quiet Place to Relax ©Solange Hando

Guest rooms range from Superior to Deluxe, those located at the back quieter than those at the front (closer to Thamel's night life). All are comfortable and equipped with modern amenities, bathrobe, tea and coffee facilities, mineral water, minibar, safe and complimentary daily paper. All rooms have air conditioning and the hotel has its own generator, should the power fail.

The Ambassador Garden Home  is not top luxury but for character and atmosphere, as well as location, you simply can't beat it.

Kathmandu Ambassador Garden Home, the Garden ©Solange Hando

There's a small secluded garden at the back, with comfy chairs tucked in the greenery, a restaurant for Nepali and international fare, dozens more around if you feel like a change, and a terrace where breakfast is served al fresco.

Breakfast is cooked to order and brought to your table and if it's a bit chilly in the early morning, the outdoor heaters are turned on. What more could you ask for?

©Solange Hando

Enjoy!

See you there in October...

So, what's special about Fishguard?

Fishguard Lower Harbour, Pembrokeshire, South West Wales ©Solange Hando

First there are two harbours, the big one where the ferry sets sail for Ireland and this lovely little marina in the lower town, on the other side of  the bay. There are quaint cottages and flower-draped lanes and tales of Welsh women in national dress scaring off  French invaders in the 18th century.

Writing with a View ©Solange Hando

Then, there's the new Writers' Holiday held in the last week in July, a chance for writers of all abilities and genres to exchange ideas, share their experience and attend workshops led by widely published professionals. The six day residential conference takes place in the Fishguard Bay Hotel with en suite rooms, waitress service in the restaurant and a wonderful terrace overlooking the bay.

Nine writing courses are on offer, plus drawing/painting if you feel like a change or wish to bring a non-writing partner. Take a look at next year's programme and if you fancy travel writing, follow the link on Amazon to whet your appetite and you'll be off to a flying start.

But don't wait too long before you book, there are only 10 places left.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park near Fishguard ©Solange Hando

Now don't forget, this is a holiday, nothing is compulsory and you can relax whenever you wish.

There are fabulous walks along the coast, traditional villages and beaches and to top it all, a Welsh Male Voice Choir to entertain you on the last night.

What more could we ask for?

Enjoy, I hope to see you there...

Travel Writing? Go Local, Taste the Food...

Want to join in? ©Solange Hando

'Fried spiders, madame? Favourite snack in my country...I've got fat ones and spindly ones, long legs really nice. See this little one, crunchy like a prawn, you try?'

I close my eyes, imagine it's pink, fresh from the sea, and down it goes, reluctantly. I buy a bagful...for the guide.

But if you can't manage spiders, or sheep's eyes, don't worry...

There's plenty of mileage in food for travel writers.

Why? It's colourful, fragrant, tasty, surprising and we all have to eat.

As a feature in its own right or part of the bigger picture, food will add zest to your writing and, believe me, editors love it too.

That's just one of the 'winning ideas' you'll find in this quick and easy guide to travel writing.

Special offer on Amazon, hurry while it lasts... 

Travel Writing? Guess how I started...

Snake Story ©Solange Hando

Do you like snakes?

I don't...

I know they're silky and soft, amazingly graceful, but there you are...

Now, guess how my first travel article got it into print?

I spotted a slot in a magazine for a reader's holiday, wacky picture essential, so I kept on the look-out.

No, it wasn't this little beauty parading in the Costa Rican jungle (that one had fangs) but a host of sacred vipers in Malaysia, posing with  tourists like me in Penang Snake Temple. So I took a deep breath and there they were, draped around my arms, shoulders, hands and one dangling on my head...

Defanged, of course, but the story was sold, with pictures, to Take a Break. One foot in the door and I never looked back.

Now, are you packing for your holiday or planning the next one?

Would you like to write about it and  publish your work?

Whatever you do, don't forget your camera...

These days, most editors expect a complete package, words and pictures.

Give them what they want and you double your chance of success.

Likewise, in just 100 pages, 'Be a Travel Writer' gives you the complete package, tips and advice on writing, pitching and travel photography.
You don't need to be a pro, if I can do it, anyone can.

Enjoy and good luck!

Be a Travel Writer? A month and a day...

'Be a Travel Writer' has come of age, just a month and a day since it rolled off the press to inspire all wanderers to tell their stories and earn some cash.

Eight 5 star reviews is a good sign so why not take a look inside?

Enjoy a page or two for free on Amazon and it could change your life.

Let it tickle your wanderlust, set your imagination alight and start to dream.

Everything is possible and if you love travelling, you too could be a writer and get paid for your stories.

Good luck, I'll see you on the road.

Travel Writing? Go for it the Easy Way

Travel Writing Workshop in Hong Kong ©Solange Hando

Ever dreamed of being a travel writer but don't know where to start?

Well, there are all sorts of ways but the easiest and quickest is to focus on travel features.

Why?

Here are three good reasons:

1-Features are short term projects, a day, maybe two, leaving you plenty of time for other interests and commitments. 

2-If an article is turned down, you soon get over it, but a book? Months, years of hard work perhaps and not getting anywhere? Not so easy...

3-But best of all, articles are always in demand, right across the world.

 Did you know that over 80 countries use English as an official language with hundreds, often thousands of magazines and newspapers looking to fill their pages, every week or every month?

The world is yours, all you have to do is get it right.

Did you spot the red roses in Hong Kong?

Wonderful but you don't have to go there to learn the trade...

Just a click away, this little book tells it all, 100 easy to read pages, packed with tips and anecdotes and endorsed by award-winning travel writers.

Special discount on Amazon, enjoy while it lasts!

Travel Story? Love to join in...

Royal Cousins...and me at the Coronation ©Solange Hando

Belt, pins, kira, it was all there, laid out on the bed but how do you put on a Bhutanese dress? Perhaps the hotel staff could help?

'Sorry, madam, too early, no ladies on duty.'

So there I was in a hotel room, 5.30 in the morning, with two men I'd never met, struggling with metres of fabric, folding this way, that way, under the arm, over the arm, to no avail. 'I can't be late for a Coronation,' I pleaded, so the youngest ran out into the street to look for a woman, any woman who would know what to do. No one in sight, the men struggled on.

When I reached the monastery gate at last, the police lady smiled: 'Excuse me, madam, your dress isn't quite right, may I help you?'

Going native is great fun and can be more exciting than you'd expect!

Now, what's your story?

I'm sure you have plenty to tell so if you'd like to be a travel writer, enjoy yourself and earn some cash, just follow the link on Amazon.  

Good luck and see you on the road...