The lawns are preternaturally green, the trees and shrubs luxuriant, the flowers sit prettily, ruffled by a breeze in the borders and beds dotted with artless informality all over the grounds.

Can we talk about check-out? Check-in – oh yes, you'll read all sorts of stories about how long it took, messing up reservations, that sort of thing. But no one ever mentions check-out.

Not surprising, really. Who wants to remember leaving a wonderful hotel, or being stiffed with a bill which is always more than you imagined.

So let me change that.

Ever since I had a close encounter with tigers on a safari in India, I have been smitten with these magnificent creatures. Sadly they are becoming an endangered species.

It's part of the United Kingdom but going to Caerdydd, pronounced Cayer-deeth and known as Wales to the English - feels like you should have to show your passport.

Perhaps crossing the Severn Bridge does it; like leaving one land for another - crossing a boundary - and paying a toll for the privilege to do so.

The small Caribbean island may be only a 10-hour flight away on the other side of the Atlantic, but you are greeted by scenes you would have thought probably only possible in paradise: beautiful blue skies, the ocean lapping at the side of the runway, and scorching sunshine.

It was strange to go to a bar in Nova Scotia and overhear Arcadian spoken by the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who once settled here. It's not quite French and there are lots of English words, but with an unusual striking accent.

Visiting this rugged Maritime province with 4,700 miles of spectacular coastline is full of surprises.

In just over four weeks, around 90,000 Britons will congregate at one of the biggest events of the UK motoring year. Just like the film Le Mans starring Steve McQueen, there's little dialogue needed because the racing drama of iconic cars whizzing around the Circuit de la Sarthe with its long straights and high-speed sections through the S-bends, says it all.

As Count Rudi takes my hand and brushes it with the lightest of kisses, it's impossible not to feel just a little impressed as I switch down a gear and ease into my stay at the Marbella Club Hotel.

Serengeti, and Zanzibar in the east African country of Tanzania conjure images of explorers, traders and old civilizations. These days Tanzania is a destination for a different kind of explorer - those looking for a different holiday experience.

Think Normandy and two things normally come to mind: D-Day Beaches and the slightly soggy part of France you pass through on your way to warmer climes in the Dordogne or Provence.

Whilst the former is richly deserved and a good reason to explore the region, the latter proves nothing but our infatuation with avoiding "British" weather when we go abroad.