Travel advice, ideas & expert tips

Hot air balloons over Cappadocia, Turkey.

Cappadocia hot air balloons and rock-carved wonders: A sensory journey through Turkey’s surreal landscape

Floating over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon is one of the world’s most iconic experiences, but the region’s fairy chimneys, rock-cut chapels and underground cities tell an equally remarkable story from ground level. Up in the air above Cappadocia From 800 metres up, the…

The Inscription Point Lighthouse on Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia.

Inscription Point and Dirk Hartog Island, WA: Historic Dutch landings & rugged outback adventure

Explore the fascinating history of Inscription Point on Dirk Hartog Island — where early Dutch explorers left their mark — and discover how this remote part of Shark Bay, Western Australia combines heritage, landscape and wildlife restoration. Inscription Point and the scratched plate On a…

Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta, New South Wales.

7 fantastic things in Sydney that most visitors miss: Hidden spots, walks and historic sights

First time exploring Sydney hidden attractions? This guide highlights lesser-known Sydney sights, from waterfront walks and historic libraries to overlooked museums and peaceful heritage gardens. Macquarie Place Park This easily overlooked triangle of land near Circular Quay is a treasure trove of oddities. First up…

Lao barbecue at Lao-Lao Garden, Luang Prabang: What to expect from this hands-on dining experience

Tucked into the hills of Luang Prabang, Lao-Lao Garden serves a wildly interactive Lao barbecue that turns dinner into equal parts cooking, theatre and communal ritual. First impressions of a Lao barbecue in Luang Prabang I don’t profess to being a world-renowned expert on barbecues.…

Kayaks preparing to head out on Lake Taupo. In somewhat better conditions.

Lake Taupo kayaking, New Zealand: Battling waves, bluster and unexpected rescue

A kayaking adventure on Lake Taupo, New Zealand, goes wrong... Pulling over in the bay We pull over in the more placid bay. I slump forward and drop the paddle across the front of the kayak. Melt me down for glue – I’m done. I…

The world’s most impressive tunnels to travel through

Some tunnels cross seas, others cut through mountain ranges or glaciers. These ten tunnels offer very different experiences, but they’re all highly memorable. The Channel Tunnel Where? UK to France When it opened in 1994, the Channel Tunnel changed geography and thousands of years of…

10 incredible lost cities

From Machu Picchu to Angkor Thom, and Tikal to Troy, the mystery is part of the appeal in rediscovered ancient cities. And these ten are definitely worth visiting… Troy, Turkey In the 1860s, excavations in north-western Turkey uncovered the remains of a series of cities…

The obligatory Key West sunset photo taken from Mallory Square.

How to spend three days in Key West, Florida

A three day trip to Key West in can involve a turtle hospital, the Mallory Square sunset, President Truman’s Florida hideaway and the enormous Fort Jefferson. Day One: Glass-bottomed boat, kayaking and sunset With Key West, much of the fun is in getting there. The…

The Appleton Estate rum distillery in Jamaica.

Appleton Estate rum tour, Jamaica: Cockpit Country, distillery history and river wildlife

First time visiting Appleton Estate in Jamaica? This guide explores the Appleton rum distillery tour, its setting in Cockpit Country, and an unforgettable journey along the Black River. From the top of the tower at Appleton Estate, there’s an awful lot of green to be…

Dodgy flip-flops at the Patpong Night Market.

Museum of Counterfeit Goods, Bangkok: What visitors should expect

First time visiting the Museum of Counterfeit Goods in Bangkok? This review covers what you will see, where the museum is located, and why it offers an unusual insight into counterfeiting in Thailand. The fake goods of Patpong Night Bazaar A stroll down Thalan Silom…