Opinion

I went to Devon for a weekend of cream teas and beach walks. But ever one for adventure when I discovered that the UK’s best flight simulator is right here on the south coast, I set aside a couple of hours to try it out. This is the story of learning to fly a 737 in […]

Let’s face it the idea of visiting maritime museums on your travels could make you feel a little bit sea sick. I love all kinds of museums and galleries, and have been to plenty with nautical themes, but while some are leagues ahead of the competition giving a fantastic insight into travel by boat, others make you want […]

I’ve just bought my first car, and for a traveller like me, that must mean more road trips! It may not be anything fancy but it is the first car that’s ever had my name on the registration papers, so I’m pretty keen to take good care of it. And I’m also keen to take […]

When the clocks go back and winter draws in, my mind turns to dreams of escape – preferably to a paradise island. Like many Brits, the Caribbean is what I imagine when I think of palm-fringed beaches and the last time I took a winter break to a Caribbean island I chose Antigua. Here are […]

When British Airways’ (then called British European Airways) opened it’s first ever route from the UK to Spain back in 1957, the original destination for those pioneering English holidaymakers was none other than the city of Valencia. Fast forward almost 60 years and many Brits have been to Barcelona, mooched around Madrid and conquered the Costas […]

Anyone who has ever visited Iceland knows that on top of the well-deserved reputation for jaw dropping scenery, the small island nation is quirky, cool and cutting edge with a totally unique take on the world around it. I remember visiting Iceland for the first time in the aftermath of the economic crisis  – and as […]

Our brains are busier than ever before; phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, and of course for us bloggers, the need to keep blogging – this cerebral stretching never seems to let up, leaving far less time for taking care of our bodies than we would like. I’ve been putting in exceptionally long hours in […]

I’ve been a bit quiet of late on the blog – and that’s because I’ve been busy making a big move: giving up my base in BC, Canada and deciding to spend all of my time (or most of it at least) back in Europe  – as well as bringing my Canadian fiancé home to Blighty […]

It shouldn’t be bright yellow, or fluffy, it isn’t intended for dinner and it’s not supposed to be synonymous with seafood. In fact, technically it’s not even a Spanish dish.  Even though the first food that springs to mind when you think of Spanish cuisine is probably paella, the dish has been bastardised beyond all recognition to a point where […]

‘You may well cry in class; lots of people do,’ says Wendy, who will be my yoga teacher for the next 6 days at a Mexican Yoga retreat near Cancun. ‘No I bloody well won’t’ I think to myself, ‘I’m English’. Wendy is the dictionary definition of a Californian goddess, all flowing golden locks, sun-kissed […]

Mexico’s Riviera Maya isn’t short on publicity for its vacation charms, and the entire Yucatan Peninsula isn’t exactly bereft of 5 Star hotel options.  So chances are if you’re headed to this area of Mexico you already know exactly what you want, and that’s likely to be a luxurious haven of relaxation encompassing the holy holiday trinity of sun, […]

A romantic weekend away for Valentine’s Day – sounds like a great idea in principle, right? But as anyone who has tried to book even a simple night away with their partner already knows, the process of finding the perfect hotel for romance isn’t all hearts and flowers. You’re searching for seclusion and sophistication in […]

I’ve been asked the same two questions consistently since I began travel writing. Firstly: How do you make money? Secondly: What’s your favourite country? The answer to question 2 is Italy! (question 1 would take more than a single word to answer!). It may be an utter cliche to say that the best things about Italy […]

At the start of winter I usually struggle with the idea of weekends away to colder European countries – ever clinging onto that last bit of winter sun. But that all changes come Christmas when I’m a sucker for short breaks to snowy cities and can’t wait to hit the European Christmas markets to stock […]

I recently wrote a post sharing some of my favourite things about Iceland and called, rather unsurprisingly, 5 things you should know about Iceland. But of course in compiling this list I ended up thinking of way more than just 5 things that I really believe all travellers, including you should know about Iceland. So, […]

The first time I visited Iceland I was blown away by the Nordic nation’s mysterious mix of Scandinavian-style scenery spread across a vast canvas of North American proportions. As I plot a return visit, I’m reminded of my favorite things about the utterly unique island nation – here are the top 5 things I think […]

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey, right? Well sometimes, wrong. When the destination is Arizona’s famed scenic and sacred red rock panorama, specifically the high class hippy hiking mecca of artsy Sedona, and that final section of your journey is a spine-tingling first glimpse of looming rocks under the cloak of darkness, […]

They say the best things in life are free, and that really does go double for the land of the double-double (that’s a Canadian way of ordering coffee to the uninitiated) – but with these money saving tips, you could cut the cost of that Canadian coffee as well as every other aspect of your trip to Canada, in […]

Most people think of Mayfair and imagine upscale hotels, the beautiful boutiques of Dover Street Market and the high-end establishments of Shepherd Market but take it from a local girl, whether you’re more of a Professor Higgins or an Eliza Doolittle you can still find your fun in Mayfair…

I’ve got a different kind of seven step program for you in this post; one that won’t help break your addictions to travel, shopping and good food but which will show you where to find your fix of the luxurious Monte Carlo lifestyle without leaving London. Here I share my 7 favourite places in the […]

Have you heard the Buddhist parable of heaven and hell? The tale goes that in hell all the tortured souls sit at tables heaving with delectable food which they can enjoy to their heart’s content without ever getting full. It doesn’t sound too bad until you learn the only rule – they must eat everything with metre-long spoons, which […]

The reputation of Dutch design precedes it, so what better way to truly connect with everyone’s favourite canal-laden city than to seek out some of that Amsterdam style during your holiday to Holland…

British Columbia’s mountain-and-coast nature is of course its major draw, so much so that BC’s latest tourism campaign is entitled ‘Super, Natural British Columbia’  – and a big part of that super, natural lure is the amazing fishing on offer. One of the local pastimes to which I’ve been well and truly converted (as well […]

When we think of a big city like London we automatically think of the headline attractions that make it famous – and we tend to assume that a trip to the big smoke has to cost the earth. For me moving away from London highlighted the fact that the best things in life, and in […]

International linguistic differences, eh? Just how much fun are they? Lately I’ve been chatting to some Canucks on patios around Vancouver with a cold beer, discussing just how many Canadian words seem humorous to a foreigner like me. These have gotta be the top 7, right? 1. Right? A certain breed of Londoner might say ‘innit’ a […]

I’m the first to be picked up for today’s boat trip to go snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh, so I get chatting to the rep as we take the minibus to the next hotel. Like the rest of the staff at Emperor Divers – and as I soon realise the clients too – my guide is a Brit. I ask […]

I’ve been to Portugal twice before and both times the food was a major sticking point for me, so I knew my recent trip round the country would be make or break for my relationship with Portuguese cuisine. I’m happy to report that from green wine to roast chicken, Port to quince jam, via fresh […]

You probably already know that Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest artists to have ever lived, but the Italian inventor also made some startling discoveries about the human body which were light years ahead of their time – and subsequently lost to the world for nearly 400 years.  The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham […]