Picture Yourself There

Welcome to Picture Yourself There

Welcome to Picture Yourself There, a blog all about locations – from seaside walks to ancient houses, from luscious parks to beauty spots, every place you’ll find mentioned here is something special.

We spent several months searching the globe for the most fascinating, spectacular and just plain lovely locations, as well as the most interesting things to do when you get there. Search our archives to find the Big Brother House, the Verona Opera Festival, the Van Gogh Museum and even Sainsbury’s car park in Darwen (where you’ll find the World Gravy Wrestling Championships). Whether you find places that are curious, iconic, sublime, or ridiculous, you can be sure that all are both diverse and inspiring.

Navman Loves - the Thames Festival, London

As a city, London can be pretty unforgiving. If, as a tourist, you’ve ever strayed onto the Underground system at rush hour, you’ll be faced with quietly fuming commuters intent on staying as silent as possible and desperately trying not to make eye contact with anyone around them. God forbid you should fumble and take your time at the rail ticket machines. And don’t get us started about the atmosphere on the night buses.

But, love London and it will love you back. This weekend’s Thames Festival is a huge party for all those who have embraced the UK capital, and is a chance to finally see those Londoners letting their hair down. Southwark Bridge will be transformed into a banquet - featuring delicacies from oysters to hog roast - while some of the world’s finest tango dancers will be setting the South Bank alight with their passionate performances. Surely a weekend of food, music, craft and dance can’t fail to raise a smile?

Just don’t expect any chit chat when you get back to the tube on Monday morning. To find the festivities, maybe head for the London Eye and work your way along the South Bank. Get the NavPix here…

Navman Loves - Scotland

If you’re the kind of person who’s fuelled by black coffee and fast food (curse the greasy goodness of those double-cheeseburger-and bacon-whoppers), it’s time to take stock of your bad habits. Today is the start of Organic Fortnight, and – as organic sales reportedly hit £2 billion in the UK – now’s the time for you to start getting a bit Gillian McKeith. No, they don’t do organic Big Macs.

But happily, September seems to be all about food, and today is also Scottish Food fortnight. OK, we’ll forgive you should you turn your nose up at haggis (even though, actually, it’s really rather nice) but you really should get involved with the neeps and tatties. We love I J Mellis, a fine food store in Scotland, which does a great line in cheese. Alright, so cheese isn’t necessarily that healthy, but it’s a start, right?

Get the NavPix here…

Navman Loves

If all you can remember from your French lessons is how to tell people that you’re twelve years old and that you like aller au camping, it’s time to brush up on one of the world’s most colourful and romantic cultures. Today is Bastille Day, celebrating the Fete de la Federation in 1790, but more commonly associated with the storming of the Batille - with fireworks and festivities taking place across the country, le quatorze juillet will be one of the most spectacular times to visit the beautiful capital.

Why not take a trip down the Champs Elysees, where you’ll be able to watch military parades featuring infantry and motorised troops as well as air displays. Or go for the full-on tourist experience and take a trip to the Eiffel Tower to get a bird’s eye view of the celebrations. And remember, when you’re tired of it all, you can chat to the locals about their favourite hobbies, and how many brothers and sisters they have.

Get the NavPix here…

Navman Loves - Tour de France, Cantebury

Cyclists get a mixed press. You either love them (and probably are one) or hate them (and have probably nearly run over / nearly been run over by one). Often existing in a limbo between the pedestrians and motorists, with a few happy to bend the rules about whether to stop at that zebra crossing or not, this particular breed of road users has its moment of glory every year with the Tour de France. With the first leg of the Tour de France beginning in a different location each year, entrants to the 2007 competition have this time been making a journey from London to Canterbury in a bid to secure the coveted yellow jersey.

Thick with history and heritage, Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage site – as well as two castles and six museums the city is also home to the stunning Canterbury Cathedral, which dates back to 597AD. Whether you’re getting there by bike or otherwise, this is one location definitely worth the trip – even if you’re not first across the finish line.

Get the NavPix here…

Henley Royal Regatta

Held every year since 1839 except during the two World Wars, the Henry Royal Regatta is set to get pulses racing on the Thames tomorrow. A five-day marathon in celebration of amateur rowing, this is one serious competition for one serious sport – for anyone who’s ever actually tried to row, you’ll know how difficult it is to even keep the boat balanced, let alone tear down the river like there’s no tomorrow.

While we raise a glass to these admirable athletes, it all sounds a little bit like hard work to us. We reckon that, after a long day watching people remind you just how unfit you are, you should console yourselves with a trip to The Catherine Wheel where you can sample some fabulous gourmet pub-grub. In the glorious – and unmistakeably English – setting of Henley on Thames, sit back, relax, and console yourself that, even though you can’t row, you’re not the one with soggy trousers.

Get the Catherine Wheel Inn NavPix here…

Navman Loves The Fantastic Four

At some point in your childhood (or maybe when you’ve just been really bored at work), we bet you’ve wondered about what kind of superhero you might be. Maybe you’d have X-ray vision? Or telekinetic powers? Take a trip back to your youth and choose your favourite Marvel star with the release of The Fantastic Four 2: The Silver Surfer. And maybe feel a bit sorry for the guy who – while his buddies get the cool slots as the invisible woman and the human fireball – has to play the big, lumbering rock-thing.

In anticipation of the film’s release, the Silver Surfer (was it just us, or did you expect him to be an old person who’s quite handy on the internet?) himself is currently surfing the London Eye, which the cast of the film will be riding as they give interviews. Take a trip on the Eye yourselves and, flying above the capital, feel as close as you ever will to being a superhero.

Get the NavPix here…

Navman Loves - Grindelwald in Switzerland

Even if you were the kind of child who was banned from recorder lessons, an event beginning tomorrow is guaranteed to bring out the music lover in you. Featuring some of the finest jazz, rock, soul and blues acts from across the world, the Montreux Jazz Festival is bound to get your toes tapping, and is taking place at various venues across Switzerland until 31 July. Have a look here for more details...

But if you decide to visit, don’t forget that there are a whole host of European NavPix on Navman’s library – why not have a peek and see if there’s anything else you’d like to see in the area? Grindelwald in Switzerland featured recently in our Top Ten Secret Agent NavPix, and we think it would be well worth your while to check out this beautiful village.

Nice. Have a look at the Top Ten Secret Agent NavPix here…

Colchester Zoo

What do Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have in common with Carlos and Fernando, the only gay flamingoes at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Gloucestershire? That's right, they're all proud parents of adopted babies. While Brad and Ange scoured the globe for their sprogs, the two proud and feathered dads found their little bundle of joy a touch closer to home - they have rescued a youngster abandoned by their neighbour, and taken it under their kindly, pink wings.

A heartwarming story for this week's Navman Loves post, then. If feathered and four-legged creatures make you go all fuzzy inside, why not check out some of the zoos and great animal parks available on the NavPix library? We like the Colchester zoo, which is a brilliant day out for little and big kids alike.

Get the NavPix here...

Navman Loves

What with the next Bank holiday rapidly approaching, we at Picture Yourself There think you should consider a mini break in the Big Apple. Extravagant? Not necessarily. Check out our favourite NavPix for this week, and you’ll see what we mean…

That’s the best thing about sharing NavPix, you see – as well as the beautiful landscapes, the fascinating tourist spots, the amazing tucked-away boutiques and coffee shops that regularly appear on the library, we occasionally find something that really makes us chuckle. We love the Big Apple, a little shop – and iconic attraction in Mumbles village - at the edge of Bracelet Bay in Wales, and think you will too. It’s much more lifelike than the Gherkin, don’t you think?