Anyone missed what’s happening in London at the moment? Yup, thought so. Even if you don’t normally watch sports on TV you can’t miss the Olympics. They are everywhere. I’m not that much into spectating sports from the couch, but there is something enthralling about the Olympics that glue me in front of the TV.

There is also something enthralling about the southwest coast of England. Think thatched cottages, wild ponies, green moors, beautiful coastline. So if you are in London right now, first of all, I’m jealous. But if you are there and feel the need to escape the busy city (it MUST be crazy out there right now!), why not escape to the beautiful southwest corner of England, Devon? This is also the perfect destination year around if you are thinking of a trip to the City and want to do something different while there.

I first visited Devon almost ten years ago when my now husband, who is from the UK, suggested that I would join him there for the winter. At first, I was not keen at all. I was dreaming of more exotic and warm locations of India or South America but somehow he managed to persuade me and Devon quickly stole my heart. Now I return to the area once or twice a year for some country pub charm, kayaking, wild pony encounters and strolls on the beach.

However, if a trip to England is not in the plans for you in the near future, why not take the time during your next city break to anywhere really, to explore what can be found outside the city boundaries. Do you already have a favourite out there beyond the big cities? I would love to hear!

Devon, easy access from London

Devon is less than 2,5 hours away from London by train. You can catch the First Great Western train from the Paddington Station to Exeter or Plymouth, or to one of the smaller station in between the bigger cities. It is worth buying the train tickets in advance, check thetrainline.com for specials. Alternatively you can rent a car and have the freedom to explore the region on your own.

What to Do in Devon

I would highly recommend hiring a car in Devon. If you only have a couple of days to spare, this way you can explore the county at your own pace and easily reach the small quaint villages and secluded beaches off the main roads and transportation links. Here are some of my favourites in the county.

Exeter

A city full of character and ancient history, Exeter is the destination for history lovers, shop-a-holics and for those looking for a good meal or excellent pint of beer. The majestic St Peter’s Cathedral with its Norman towers dating back to 1133, the medieval Underground Passages and the Historic Quayside all tell the story of a city rich with history and folklore. With more than 700 High Street and independent stores there is something to everyone’s taste, and when taking a break from sightseeing or shopping,the traditional Devon cream tea will get the energy levels back up for some more strolling along Exeter’s streets.

For more information and inspiration, visit Heart of Devon, the tourism website for Exeter and the nearby coast and countryside.

Totnes

Totnes is a small, unique market town in the hearth of South Devon. I would describe it as “hippy gone rich”, meaning that it seems to be inhabited and run by ex-hippies who have embraced the more corporate world while still holding on to their more alternative values. And all of this in a very good sense. The town’s streets are lined up with interesting independent shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and pubs, and there are many tasty alternatives for those with vegetarian diet too. The annual Totnes Christmas Festival Evenings in December are worth a visit, this is the best Christmas Market I have visited with a cozy atmosphere, varied selection of food and great ideas for under the Christmas tree.

More information: Totnes Information Centre

Dartmoor National Park

You might have already visited Dartmoor through Steven Spielberg’s recent blockbuster the Warhorse, which was filmed in the area in the summer of 2010. A visit to Devon should not be done without taking some time to stop in this area to stroll along the footpaths criss-crossing the park. The green rolling hills, the narrow hedge-lined roads and wild ponies you may meet offer a great contrast to the busy city life offered by the region’s bigger hubs of Exeter and Plymouth.

More information: Dartmoor National Park Authority

By the Water

Devon is an excellent spot to practise or try out various water sports from surfing to kayaking and rafting or fishing. If water sports or fishing are not your cup of tea, a day on the beach or a picnic by the river provide for an excellent day out nevertheless.

More ideas for activities off and on the water: Visit Devon

Donkey Sanctuary

Donkey Sanctuary? Yeah. You are allowed to laugh. But this is a must for any animal lover or family with small kids. The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is a charity and a working farm, and home for around 200 donkeys who live in small groups around the farm area. During your visit you can explore the walks around the area and meet the donkeys, many of them very friendly towards visitors.

The Sanctuary is open 365 days a year and there is no entry fee.

Where to Eat in Devon

Besides dining and wining in the county’s cities or small towns, some of the best culinary experiences I have had in the area are in the tiny little family owned pubs found in all the small villages of the area. One of such is found in the village of Ughborough. The Ship Inn won the title of the “Best Dining Pub of 2011″ by DevonLife Magazine and the food is just as good as you can imagine from an award winner. If you are looking for a hearty meal made of organic local ingredients, the restaurant of the Riverford Farm is a no-brainer. Check the website for the current menu and booking.

Where to Sleep in Devon

There is an abundance of accommodation in Devon from B&Bs to hostels and from luxury hotels to camping. Many of the country pubs and freehouses that are so great for an evening meal and a tasty pint of local brew also offer accommodation, and this is a great option for an authentic Devon experience. One of my favourite freehouses can be found in the small village of Croyde in the coast of North Devon. The Thatch with its 25 and then some years of experience is a local phenomenon and not surprisingly, is regularly featured in UK travel and food magazines.

British Airways is ready for London Olympic and Paralympic Games and they literally cooked something special for the customers traveling from London with British Airways this summer. British Airways announced Olympic Games inspired menus created by rising star Simon Hulstone. The London Games themed great traditional British menu will be available on long-haul flights from London Heathrow from July in First, Club, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins.

The Olympic Games inspired menu takes inspiration from the airline’s menus dating back to 1948 – the last time the Games were held in London, and the emphasis is on local produce and traditional British dishes. British Airways has been focusing on bringing a better culinary experience and they have been doing research on “height cuisine” and perfecting food served on high altitudes. While the menu consists of popular ingredients from the 40′s, many of the traditional British dishes have been reinvented for a modern day audience – rich in umami. To complement the nostalgic experience there is a special on-board soundtrack you can listen during your flight – featuring uplifting music and commentary from iconic British moments from previous Games.

Michelin-star chef Simon Hulstone, said:

“It’s an honour to have created a menu that millions of people will experience during the Games – I can’t think of a better platform to showcase British cuisine.”

Simon’s menu includes great seafood dishes like ‘Rillette of mackerel dressed on a pickled cucumber carpaccio with sour dough croutes’ and ‘Fish pie using sustainable sourced hake, dressed with parmesan pomme puree and a warm tartare sauce’.

‘Steak and mushroom casserole’ and ‘Braised beef chasseur with young carrots and chateau potatoes’ from the airlines’ 1948 menus are also part of the Olympic menu. Simon has reworked this chasseur dish for a new audience with umami rich ingredients, to become ‘Potted braised beef with a potato and horseradish topping, served with hispy cabbage, baby carrots and roasted shallots with a rich jus’.

In keeping with the drinks list from 1948, Gin from London is also available on-board.

View the full menu:

Top Adventure Travel places in the world

How to define adventure? For some it might mean extreme sports in demanding conditions, for others, following narrow paths deep into the forest for a picnic on a family day out. On this list I have gathered some of my favorites, some more “adventurous” than others. You could say that few obvious ones are missing. No matter how much I dream I still haven’t made it to New Zealand. Nor anywhere on the South American continent. But these are the ones I return to time after time for more fun and games. As ranking these ten destinations in order is practically impossible because of their uniqueness, here they are in an alphabetical order.

1. Devon, UK

Nestled in the southwest corner of the UK you will find one of the most picturesque counties in the kingdom. Made up of acres of national park inhabited by (almost) wild ponies and criss-crossed by small rivers and creeks, beautiful coastline, buzzing historical towns and cosy villages, this county will keep you going visit after visit. Here you can try anything from watersports (surfing, sailing, rafting, kayaking) to hiking and biking. You can find activities suitable for the whole family in this area.

More information: www.visitdevon.co.uk

2. Interlaken, Switzerland

This is one of the more obvious adventure destinations, or how could it not be for a town that once called itself the adventure capital of the world? The steep mountain cliffs and rolling valleys provide activities from summer to winter, whether it is climbing, rafting, skiing or hiking.

More information: www.interlaken.ch

3. Jinja, Uganda

For myself travelling to Africa is an adventure in itself. But to get those adrenalin levels up, take a stop in the country’s 2nd largest city in the south-eastern parts of Uganda, hop on a raft and experience the source of the Nile from the water. Note: Not for the faint-hearted!

More information: www.visituganda.com

4. Nepal

I think the whole country reserves a mention. Again, this is one of the places to which travelling itself is an adventure. However, in Nepal you are never far away from active adventures. Located right on the foot of the Himalayas, trekking is the number one activity for foreigners visiting the mountains. Note: for many of the hikes you do need to have sufficient fitness levels.

More information: welcomenepal.com/promotional

5. Ruunaa, Finland

OK, I might be biased here, this is my home country after all. But Ruunaa, which is situated in the very eastern part of Finland, right by the Russian border, has always been kind of a haven for me. While this is the place for kayakers practising their freestyle moves, it is also great for enjoying a relaxed long weekend with the family, doing easy hikes or bike rides, picking berries, fishing, or just enjoying the heat of the sauna and dips in the cool lake water in the midnight sun.

More information: www.ruunaa.fi

6. Sjoa valley, Norway

It is not easy to locate the small hamlet of Sjoa on a map, yet this valley is conveniently located close to both Rondane and Jotunheimen national parks. The Sjoa River is the main attraction in the valley with suitable rafting sections for children and adults alike. There are several professional rafting companies to choose from, and also a kayak school for those who want to experience white water fun more independently.

More information: www.visitnorway.com

7. Soča, Slovenia

Imagine clear, turquoise water, karst rock gorges and beautiful mountain scenery bathing in the sunlight and you have the Soča River Valley. Besides watersports, hiking, biking and paragliding in the summertime, the surrounding mountains are also ideal for affordable winter family adventures in one of the small-medium sized ski resorts. Due to Slovenia’s small size you are never far away from other attractions, whether you want to combine your adventure packed holiday with a city stay in Ljubljana or Venice, sunbathe on a beach, or sip wine in one of Slovenia’s vineyards.

More information: www.slovenia.info

8. Valsesia, Italy

This is a small narrow valley surrounded by sharp, high peaks and finishing up at the “Freeride Paradise”, the ski centre in Alagna in Italy’s Piedmont region. Besides amazing skiing on both sides of the Italian-Swiss border in the winter time, from early spring on you can once again hop on a raft for some water based adventures or just enjoy a glass of local fizzy wine in the sunshine. Valsesia is also a traditional place of pilgrimage for whitewater kayakers from all around the world in May/June.

More information: www.piemonteitalia.eu /  www.alagna.it

9. Vancouver, Canada

I always wondered why so many of my friends in Europe wanted to move to Vancouver. No offence, for me it is just too far away from the cultural diversity of Europe. Or so I though until I visited this city. A perfect mixture of city life and outdoors, you can easily do pretty much any outdoor based activity right out of your doorstep while enjoying the conveniences and attractions of the life in the city. This was definitely love at first sight…

More information: www.tourismvancouver.com

10. Voss, Norway

Last but not least – where else could you observe, try out and compete in this wide a range of extreme sports as at the Voss Ekstersportveko? This is probably one of world’s largest and diverse adventure sports events and the dates for next summer’s festival are out now. Book your accommodation and travels soon for June 26th to July 3rd!

More information: www.ekstremsportveko.com

Written by Satu Vänskä-Westgarth, Skimbaco’s Adventure & European lifestyle expert. In the early 2009 Satu decided to take a year off the regular nine to five lifestyle in Finland and launched on an adventurous year on the road, sometimes travelling with her kayak, bike or skis and sometimes without. One year has turned to next and she is still enjoying the life out there living her dream. Together in her journey is the not so British entrepreneur husband from Britain, who seems to spend more time outside the borders of his homeland than within. With background in marketing management and communications Satu is figuring out the next step in her life and career, while planning the travels to come. For more stories from the road, visit Satu’s blog Destination Unknown (in Finnish) and Skimbaco Travel where she will be our travel reporter in Europe.