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Wendy delete all the rest and add the video once the You tube is set up.

Where to Visit, Stay, Dine & Photograph

We’re not travel agents… we’re just curious travelers with smartphones in hand! Since Smarter Photographs has taken us to so many fun places, people often ask us how we got there, where we stayed, what we loved to eat, and which attractions we thought were worth the visit. So we put it all here in one spot — just in case you’ve ever wondered, “Ooh… what did they do there?” These are simply the places, hotels, restaurants, and adventures we personally chose and enjoyed along the way!

We will be adding new locations weekly!

Antarctica

🏨 Where We Stayed: When we visited Antarctica, we traveled with Viking Cruises. We first flew into Buenos Aires, Argentina, where we spent just a couple of days before continuing on to Ushuaia, Argentina, where we boarded the ship. Because of COVID-related changes, the route was a little unusual, so I’ll add more hotel details for Buenos Aires once I track them down.

🍽️ Favorite Places to Eat: Since we were only in Buenos Aires briefly before continuing on our journey, I’m not going into too much detail here yet — but I can always add our favorite spots later if needed.

💛 What We Did: While in Buenos Aires, we also visited the famous Recoleta Cemetery, an extraordinary “city of the dead” filled with little streets, grand mausoleums, and remarkable architecture. This trip was really all about the incredible adventure of visiting Antarctica. After arriving in Buenos Aires, we flew to Ushuaia to board the ship and then continued the rest of the journey by sea with Viking Cruises. One thing to know — the Drake Passage can be very rough, and on our trip the waters were definitely rough! It was all part of the adventure and made arriving in Antarctica feel even more unforgettable. Once you reach Antarctica, it is not a place of cities or towns — it is a protected wilderness, and that is part of what makes it so extraordinary. There are strict rules to help preserve it, including limits on how many visitors can go ashore at one time, and typically no more than 100 passengers may be on land at a site at once. Most of the experience feels more like an expedition than a traditional trip: you head out in small boats for landings, wildlife viewing, and glacier walks, with untouched ice and dramatic scenery as far as the eye can see. Some voyages even offer special experiences like a submarine.

✨ Some trips are once-in-a-lifetime, and Antarctica was definitely one of them.

United States: Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada

Canada: Montreal, Quebec

Cruise from South Hampton

Where to stay: Stay Between Heathrow and Southampton — Near Downton Abbey

If you’re flying into Heathrow and heading to Southampton the next day (for example, to board a cruise), spending a night somewhere in between can be a wonderful option — especially if you’d like to turn your transfer day into part of the adventure. An overnight in London causes you to drive in the wrong direction and fight traffic.

One lovely idea is to stay in the area near Downton Abbey — more specifically, near Highclere Castle, the famous filming location of the beloved series. This gives you the chance to break up the drive, enjoy the English countryside, and add a memorable stop to your trip. Instead of treating the overnight journey as simply “getting from one place to another,” this can be a charming way to enjoy a little extra sightseeing, a cozy overnight stay, and a beautiful taste of rural England before continuing on to Southampton.

The Jack Russell in Andover — A Charming Stay Near Downton Abbey

If you’re looking for a wonderful place to stay between Heathrow and Southampton, we also loved The Jack Russell in Andover, which is about 12 km from Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle).

This charming spot offers a cozy, countryside feel and was a lovely way to break up the journey. It felt warm, inviting, and full of character — exactly the kind of place that makes the travel itself part of the experience.

And the food? Absolutely incredible. If you’re planning an overnight stop in the area, this is a beautiful option that combines comfort, charm, and a truly memorable meal.

Cruises We Loved!

British Isles: Left from South Hampton (See cruises from South Hampton above for where to stay the night before.)

• Cornwall (Falmouth), England: Castle Walk and Shopping area.

• Cork (Cobh), England: Blarney Castle & Blarney Aran Experience. Cobh is the adorable port town for Cork and worthy of a visit - very charming shops, restaurants, a beautiful church and lovely architecture.

• Dubin, Ireland: Howth Cliff Walk near Dublin, Dublin Castle, Dublin Trinity College and the Book of Kells.

• Belfast, Northern Ireland: Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Museum, City Hall, Botanical Gardens

• Glasglow, Scotland: Large Museum, University of Glasglow, Church, cemetary,

• Invergordon, Scotland: Dunrobin Castle outside of Inverness, small town we visited after the castle.

• Edinburgh, Scotland: Normandy (Le Harve) and Paris, France: Edinburgh palace, downtown shopping area, pizza restaurant, stream residential area, Normandy Beach Area, Honfluer.

🌍 United Kingdom & Ireland — Beautiful Stops Along the Way

This journey brought us to so many charming towns, historic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes — each one offering something a little different and definitely worth exploring.

🇬🇧 Cornwall (Falmouth), England — Coastal Charm

Falmouth is a lovely seaside town with so much personality. We enjoyed walking along the Castle Walk and exploring the nearby shopping area, filled with local shops and coastal charm. It’s the kind of place where you can simply stroll and enjoy the atmosphere.

🇬🇧 Cork (Cobh), Ireland — Colorful & Charming

Cobh is the adorable port town for Cork and absolutely worth a visit. With its colorful buildings, charming shops, great restaurants, and stunning church, it feels like something out of a postcard.

While in the area, we visited:
🏰 Blarney Castle
👉 https://www.blarneycastle.ie

🧶 Blarney Woollen Mills (Aran Experience)
👉 https://www.blarney.com

🇮🇪 Dublin, Ireland — History & Scenic Views

Dublin offers a wonderful mix of history and natural beauty. We especially loved the Howth Cliff Walk, just outside the city — a beautiful coastal walk with incredible views.

Also worth visiting:
🏰 Dublin Castle
👉 https://www.dublincastle.ie

📚 Trinity College & The Book of Kells
👉 https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells

🇬🇧 Belfast, Northern Ireland — Iconic & Meaningful

Belfast is filled with history, beauty, and some truly unforgettable sights.

🌊 Giant’s Causeway
👉 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway

🚢 Titanic Belfast Museum
👉 https://titanicbelfast.com

🏛️ Belfast City Hall
👉 https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk

🌿 Botanic Gardens
👉 https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk

🇬🇧 Glasgow, Scotland — Culture & Architecture

Glasgow has a wonderful mix of history, architecture, and academic beauty.

🎓 University of Glasgow
👉 https://www.gla.ac.uk

🏛️ We also explored a large museum, a beautiful church, and even a nearby cemetery — all adding to the city’s unique character and charm.

🇬🇧 Invergordon / Inverness Area, Scotland — Castle Views

One of the highlights was visiting Dunrobin Castle, just outside Inverness — absolutely stunning and straight out of a fairytale.
👉 https://www.dunrobincastle.co.uk

Afterward, we spent time in a nearby small town, which added a relaxed and local feel to the day.

🇬🇧 Edinburgh, Scotland — Classic & Lively

Edinburgh is a beautiful and vibrant city filled with history and charm.

🏰 Edinburgh Castle
👉 https://www.edinburghcastle.scot

We also loved exploring the downtown shopping area, walking through residential neighborhoods, and, of course, stopping for a great meal (including pizza — always a win!).

🇫🇷 Normandy & Paris, France — History & Beauty

This portion of the trip was incredibly meaningful and scenic.

🌊 Normandy Beach Area — powerful, historic, and unforgettable
🏡 Honfleur — one of the most charming towns, with beautiful architecture and waterfront views
🇫🇷 We also spent time in Le Havre and Paris, each offering its own unique experience

💛 Why We Loved This Journey
This itinerary offered such a beautiful mix of history, scenery, culture, and charm — from coastal walks and castles to vibrant cities and quiet towns. Every stop had something special, and together they created a truly memorable experience.

Oxford, England & Surrounding Area

We did a land trip after the cruise.

🌍 Brackley, England — A Charming Home Base

Brackley is one of those quietly charming English towns that feels like a hidden gem — and it makes a perfect home base for exploring some truly wonderful nearby spots.

🏡 A Local Favorite

One place we really enjoyed was Brackley Old Bakery
👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61570477749006
A cozy, local spot with so much character — exactly the kind of place that makes traveling feel special.

🚂 Step Back in Time

The Black Country Living Museum is such a unique experience — like walking through history.
👉 https://bclm.com

And while you’re there, don’t miss the Dudley Canal & Caverns for a completely different perspective below ground!
👉 https://www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk

🌿 Beautiful Grounds & Gardens

For something peaceful and absolutely stunning, visit Stowe Gardens near Buckingham.
👉 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/stowe-gardens
The scale, design, and scenery are just beautiful — and perfect for a relaxing day.

🏎️ A Bit of Excitement

If you’re looking for something iconic and a little more high-energy, head to Silverstone Circuit — home of world-famous racing.
👉 https://www.silverstone.co.uk

🍝 Where We Ate

After a full day of exploring, we loved dining at Rossetti in Brackley.
👉 https://www.rossettirestaurant.co.uk
A wonderful Italian restaurant and the perfect way to end the day.