Some argue that of all the towns dotting the swanky French Riviera, Nice is the least… French Riviera-y. True if you’re into hobnobbing and celeb-spotting, but for anyone into photography and flowers (and tiny candies shaped like fruit), Nice is a perfect stop. As luck would have it I am, in fact, into photography, flowers, […]

There are a lot of reasons to fall madly in love with India. It’s a land of ridiculous cultural and historic depth. The optimism and spirituality of the people is captivating. And it sure is gorgeous. But I’ve always been smitten with what’s written. India has a way with signage that’s unlike anywhere else I […]

Swakopmund is: a) a quaint coastal town in Namibia, b) the adrenaline capital of Namibia, c) a tribal word meaning “excrement opening” or d) all of the above? The correct answer is d) all of the above. Swakop, as it’s called by the locals, is a charming little town set on the northwest coast of […]

Chances are your New Year’s resolutions include experiencing new things, or shedding those holiday pounds and getting fit. Roll them into one master plan with five hikes around the world that will jump start you toward your goals. The views aren’t bad either. Everest Base Camp, Nepal This 12 day hike takes you into the […]

Bedtime stories are not just for children. In fact, if 40 Winks’ tales are anything to go by, it could be argued that they get better with age. Pyjamas are still compulsory, but hot milk is replaced with a fruity Hendrick’s cocktail, and the stories are naughtier, darker and funnier. Tucked away in the increasingly […]

Back then it was an important port city; now it is somewhat reminiscent of San Francisco, and long gone is its “Jewel of the Pacific” title. Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason, however, and there’s nowhere better to enjoy warm Chilean hospitality. Valparaiso is just 90 minutes from Chile’s elegant, currently […]

Combine someone’s living room, six unsigned bands, and a bunch of cool, creative music lovers; it’s an idea so simple you wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself, and yet so powerful it will change the way you view live music… guaranteed. Co-founded by Rafe Offer, a music aficionado based in London, Sofar Sounds is an […]

I’ve always loved the Makgadikgadi Pans, but struggled to put my finger on why, as I’m a sucker for a huge herd of elephants, or a magisterial lion lounging in the grass; the Pans have none of this. After spending some time at the newly resurrected San Camp I have finally figured it out. Out […]

Special is hard to do in Hong Kong, where understatement can be confused with dullness. However, there are sometimes things you come upon which are undoubtedly special. You recognize them when you see them, and you savour them. Lok Man Rare Books is such a place. This small antiquarian bookstore is nestled on a discrete […]

As a traveller, you know that moment. You open your suitcase for the first time back at home and catch a fleeting scent of your trip left clinging to clothes and souvenirs; it instantly takes you right back. I had such a moment a few weeks ago, and was instantly transported back to Nolita. Just […]

As we approached the Mendenhall Glacier, I could see several tiny black specks in the distance. The helicopter landed, and I took my first shaky steps onto the glacier. I was greeted by the overwhelming sound of nearly 200 barking sled dogs, letting me know they were ready to run. I recently went on an […]

Gone are the days when the best of English cuisine was pie and mash or a pickled onion. With the likes of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, the bar in the kitchen has been well and truly raised. Cooking fever has taken London by storm; my favourite is baking your own bread. In search of […]

It’s official: I’m a Sicilian junkie. The Aeolian Islands have cast their seductive spell on me. I am now suffering from acute Summer Withdrawal Syndome, and have been salivating over Salina ever since the day I left. I keep going back to the bewitching Aeolians. The stark volcanic landscape is stunning, the sea sparkling, the […]

What happens when music icons venture to an ashram in India to study meditation, write some of their most famous songs, and unwittingly inspire a radical shift in western spirituality? The holy site becomes wholly forgotten. In 1968 The Beatles put Rishikesh on the map, and om on the lips of the world. Their stay at Chaurasi […]

The French have a knack for signs. Funny, confusing, iconic or just plain odd, there’s a character to their signage that gives quite a lot away. Here’s a collection of photos to take you on a trip around France. Following the signs. Some of them show advertising of one form or another—and most of those […]

I’ve come to Easter Island for a week away, and I’m determined to do something other than see the moai. I mean them no disrespect. But it seems ludicrous to travel five hours by plane from the nearest significant speck of land (continental Chile) to do nothing but stare at statues. I am greeted at […]