We like a new way to see an old thing. Preferably one that does not involve a selfie; there are far too many shots of people’s mugs eclipsing the Taj or Victoria Falls. So when the new walkway opened up at London’s rather old Tower Bridge, it was time to revisit this ancient way of […]
London’s hotel scene is constantly evolving; from the super-swanky to the terrifically traditional, the uber-quirky to the design focused, it is a plethora of delectable choices, but tricky to keep up with. We try to keep our clients abreast of what’s on offer, so here are a few of the latest offerings in the UK’s […]
Turkey has an epic coastline, from the magnificence of the northern wilds along the Black Sea, to the sublime blueness of the Aegean and the wondrous southern coast that hits the undulating Mediterranean. It’s a coastline is to be explored and admired, and there are so many great places to stay it’s hard to choose. […]
Edinburgh is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. The Scottish capital is a wonderfully evocative metropolis, the old town and new town are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the city has much in store for the intrepid visitor. As you wander along Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle towers over the city grandly, […]
The Galata Tower is situated in an area of Istanbul worth meandering on foot. Once you get out of the city’s exasperatingly crazy traffic and perambulate, it is a flaneur’s delight. This beautiful tower sits on the Golden Horn of Istanbul, across the Galata Bridge from the old town of Sultanahmet, in the area of […]
I adore the cultural aspects of India; it is the ultimate culture shock trip, and a sometimes overwhelming and intense experience. However, it is possible to suffer from temple fatigue, or sightseeing ennui. There are so many amazing things to see that sometimes you need to mix it up with something different, to keep you […]
The world underwater can be an eerily beautiful, serene place. Some of my best memories from far flung destinations are of being under the deep blue; swimming among sea lions in the Galapagos, or floating through the clear glacier waters of the Silfra fissure in Iceland, where all you can hear is the sound of […]
When trying to describe what Tikal is like, it is always easiest to mention that it’s the area where the Ewoks live in “Return of the Jedi”. This ancient place in the deepest jungles of northern Guatemala is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, but this seems less illustrious than its setting in the Star Wars films. […]
Shoreditch used to be an area best avoided; indeed, the ‘ditch’ in question was probably a boggy suburb of London’s City back in Saxon times, known as ‘Sewer-ditch’. Gentrification and its proximity to the financial City of London changed this area into a hub of artistic creativity and art in the 90s, and this former […]
Apart from Goa, India is not known for its beaches; even there it tends to focus on the backpacker or party-goer wanting to, how shall we say this delicately, have a very good time with the aid of sun and substances. Calmer, luxury-seeking beach lovers may despair at the lack of options in a country […]
Most people have dreamed of a private island at one time or another. A paradise surrounded by calm clear blues and your own personal villa. A space to relax, contemplate and sunbathe. A place for sun and sand, and a wee pop in to the sea. A place where the mind calms like the water […]
Hotels, hotels, hotels. We know a lot of you out there are accommodation addicts, envying the large part of every planner’s job that involves checking out all the options for a home away from home. We do get to see some amazing places, but the majority of hotels err on the side of anonymous, big-brand […]
Working in the travel business means I do a fair amount of flying, an activity I neither love nor loathe. The palaver and process that goes with it sometime vexes (like almost stripping for searches and unpacking laptops and undoing belts and being interrogated by surly, power-crazed immigration officers), sometimes fatigues. You do get to […]
In southeastern Turkey, not far (yet safely far enough) from the border of Syria, and about an hour and a half drive from the town of Adiyaman, lies the startling and stunning Mount Nemrut. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, this bald and rocky mountain is out-of-the-way Anatolia (the name for the Asian chunk of […]
Guatemala is a very colourful country. The markets are abundant with shades that would make a painter envious, the traditional dress of the local women is a multicoloured work of beauty and the gorgeous town of Antigua is jam-packed with brightly-hued houses. However, by far my favourite example of the colours of Guatemala is the […]
The bachelor in question here is one George Clooney. Whilst visiting Rye recently I was shown the suite where he stayed at the excellent, and appropriately named lodge, the George in Rye. It’s a gorgeous suite, above a great inner courtyard, and was shown to me by a lovely member of the team who was clearly […]