Author Archives: Mike Gerrard

Mike Gerrard

Ten of the Best American Scenic Byways

13/03/2017 by .
Amangiri Photo copyright Amanresorts 4

Everyone’s heard of Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, two of the greatest road trips in the USA, but there are over 100 other stunning scenic drives which needn’t take you weeks to complete. These are America’s National Scenic Byways.

Read the full story here

11 Best USA Music Festivals 2017

23/12/2016 by .
11 Best USA Music Festivals 2017

Frustrated when you can’t get tickets for your favourite US artist’s UK tour? Why not hop on a plane and catch them – along with many more – at one of the USA’s best music festivals. Nowhere does music festivals like the States and they’re a great way to combine music with a city break or road trip holiday. Mike Gerrard lists his 11 best USA music festivals 2017.

Read the full story here

Swinton Park Castle Hotel

12/09/2016 by .
Swinton Park spring

It had been a glorious autumnal day at Fountains Abbey, as we drove from Harrogate towards Masham and our treat of the trip: a stay in Swinton Park Castle Hotel, a proper Yorkshire castle

Read the full story here

Cooking Gumbo in New Orleans

07/09/2016 by .
New Orleans School of Cooking 1

‘I tend to scream at you and then feed you, as that’s how I grew up,’ chef Toya Boudy tells us as we start to watch her cookery demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, in the heart of the French Quarter. We’re cooking gumbo in New Orleans and it’s clear from the start that we’re in for an entertaining afternoon, and it’s no surprise to learn that Toya has been an actress and also has her own YouTube channel . She’s a natural entertainer and we spend as much time laughing as learning.

Read the full story here

Twelve Top USA Art Museums

07/09/2016 by .
DAM

People holiday in the States for many reasons – Disneyland, beaches, Hollywood, to ski, to see Graceland or to party in New Orleans – but going to art museums is not usually the main attraction. Nevertheless, many of the world’s finest art museums are in the USA, giving extra reasons to visit city break destinations that are already popular, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. In fact New York has so many fine art collections it’s one city that’s worth visiting for that reason alone. Here are twelve top USA art museums, in alphabetical order, from a list that could easily be twice as long.

Read the full story here