Scarborough has been part of my life since the earliest days because my paternal grandmother ran her own boarding house and later newsagent's shop there. We lived in Leeds but we were always going to visit them by train at first and then by car when my dad learned to drive.
My very first trip out as a baby was to Scarborough and throughout my childhood we continued to visit my grandparents. Their boarding house, Ash Leigh, was in Trafalgar Square and it was not far at all from the magnificent North Bay.
Later on she bought a small newsagent's shop at the bottom of Trafalgar Square and she ran it with my disabled uncle Donald Tasker. It was bought for Donald really to provide him with a safe, secure place of work.
There has always been something quite magical about Scarborough and I love the fact that it has two completely contrasting areas, North Bay and South Bay. I adore both these locations for their spectacular differences.
Our last two visits there were to the luxurious self-catering apartments, The Sands on the North Bay. During the off season you can get decent discounts on the 5 night stay prices so we took the opportunity to do just that. For anyone who does like a bit of luxury and home comfort i would definitely recommend The Sands.
Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most magnificent man made structures we have ever visited and both of us really loved being there. We walked right across it to look back at Sydney from the other side.
We recall sailing underneath it on a harbour cruise and we love seeing it every day during our short times in the city. Almost equally as lovely is the Opera House of course and its amazing shape never ceased to disappoint. We can remember a large Welsh male voice choir standing on the steps and singing wonderful songs in Welsh.
I am not that adventurous so I was not one of those who did the Bridge Climb although I did like to stop and watch all the brave souls who were going up there all togged up and clipped on as per security requirements.
The Hotel Siroco in Benalmadina on the Costa Del Sol has long been a favourite of ours over the least 10 years or so. I need a bedroom to fulfil certain requirements due to my insomnia and the rooms at the Siroco all have two queen sized beds. They are spacious too. We often upgrade to a premium room as well.
The Siroco features a large award-winning garden and generous sunbathing zones so we it here.
The food is good without being exceptional but we've never had any complaints with is over all the time we have been going there. There is free wifi but you can only really count on getting a good signal in the lobby area but it is available in the rooms when demand on the system is not too great.
There are plenty of places to walk to from this hotel