Walking in a Winter Wonderland

While most of Britain sees the snow as freakish weather that's creating chaos on the country's streets and airports, we at Shoestring like to think that we've stayed children at heart. Snowball fights, building snowmen and hunting through the garage to find the sledge last used before winters became gradually warmer in Europe - snow gets us excited.

So if you're like us and like a walk in the snow, head down to London's Kew Gardens from December 26 until January 3. Their 300 acres resemble a winter wonderland and there are free guided tours at 11am and 2pm.

Enjoy a stroll through the park, or take the romantic option with a horse and carriage ride along the Broad Walk. Or duck into the greenhouse to remind yourself of warmer weather.

Treasure hunt in London and online!

If you're in London today (Thursday, 16th September) and have a Twitter account, join the Intrepid Treasure Hunt and follow clues left on Twitter to find eight hidden globes around London. Each globe contains a travel prize, like a trip to Kenya, Morocco or China or travel vouchers for your next adventure.

To go hunting, follow Intrepid on Twitter and follow the clues! So get your smartphone out and buy a day ticket or load up your Oyster card!!

For all those of you who cannot be in London today, there is still a chance of bagging a GBP 2500 vouvher from Intrepid! For this, follow Intrepid on Twitter like above and search for #intrepidtreasure_VIRTUAL to join the global treasure hunt! If you missed any clues, check the Intrepid website for the weekly update. Solve the riddles and win while sitting at home or work!!

And if you do want to get out there and explore and feel the thrill of the hunt but can't make it to London, your next chance will be in the USA.

The next and last city treasure hunt will be in Chicago on 23rd September. So if you're in town, jump on the El and follow the riddles around the Windy City for your last chance of finding the hidden globes and bagging a travel prize!

London's travel book heaven

On a recent trip to London, I found heaven. Well, travellers' heaven. The world's largest Map & Travel Bookshop, located right in the heart of the British capital.

It is called Stanfords, and located on Long Acre between Leiceister Square and Covent Garden underground stations. It offers everything from travelogues, guide books, advice on Gap Years and Green Travel to maps, travel magazines and local interest books. Throughout the store, you can find travel assessories ranging from Click Away insect bite sting relief to Spray-On Showers. They've even teamed up with Craghoppers to offer travel clothing in store.

The sheer amount of information on the shelves at Stanford is amazing, and well worth rummaging through. Bear in mind, however, that this shop does lend itself to spending a small fortune in there, so keep track of your purchases. I was ready to pitch a tent and move in there, with all the books I could ever want about travel right at my fingertips.

I have managed to walk back out onto the street in London with only a small bag of travel related purchases, which is a real achievement for me. Over time, I will review some of the books they have in stock for you though.

In the meantime, check out Stanfords' stock online!