Are we still in Italy? The little old lady needed to be reassured. Standing in the middle of the Coliseum in Rome, I assured her. Yes, we were. Breathing a sigh of relief she wandered off again.
For five years I held travellers' hands, answered millions of questions (most common - Where is the loo?) and knew all the A & E departments in Europe's major city hospitals.

Until one day I woke up and didn't know where I was. Ringing reception, the puzzled receptionist said "Grande Hotel, mademoiselle". "Yes, but the Grande Hotel where?" You could hear the thought, "we've got a right idiot here". "In Lyon".

Now I knew - but I was travelling so much that my most constant companions were piles of passengers' suitcases. It was time to throw the passport into the drawer, and start writing about the cities and villages I visited almost every week. Europe was my stamping ground - and my delight was to show my visitors something they would never have found for themselves. Almost a local, I knew unusual views, little shops (and some owners) and castles and villas that weren't mentioned in guide books, but were unique.

Out of this has come articles - hopefully giving readers an insight into the local knowledge of a place, perhaps not mentioned in guide books - but having looked after thousands of visitors from around the world I knew the little quirky items that were a delight, and helped make a holiday.