David Whitley, Author at Planet Whitley

Alongside the Water of Leith in the Dean Village.

Dean Village: Edinburgh’s secret, scenic escape

The historic mills, green gully location near the New Town and quirky monuments make Dean Village a beautiful escape from the crowds in Edinburgh. Escaping the crowds in Edinburgh Particularly in August during the Fringe Festival, Edinburgh can get overcrowded and overwhelming. Many visitors find…

Edinburgh, neighbourhoods, Scotland, UK

National Museum of Scotland review: The bit to visit first

With limited time at the National Museum of Scotland, the Beginnings and Early People sections are the best bet for first time visitors. How big is the National Museum of Scotland The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is a vast attraction, spread over nine…

Edinburgh, museums, reviews, Scotland, UK

Canoeing along the Berlin Wall

Paddling along the River Spree in Berlin shows where the city was once divided. Changes along the River Spree The River Spree acts as a barometer for what’s happening to Berlin. Every time I visit, the buildings alongside it look shinier, newer and more futuristic.…

Berlin, canoeing, Germany, watersports

Montreal is Canada’s best city: Here’s why…

David Whitley compares his experiences in Canada’s big three metropoles. A free gig in Montreal Sidling down past cafés and restaurants that have abandoned their usual premises to sell their wares from temporary grills on the street, I find myself following the noise to a…

Canada, Montreal, Quebec

The Shanghai Tunnels – and the seedy history of Portland

On a walking tour of Portland, crime, corruption, vice and the infamous Shanghai Tunnels show off a different side to Oregon’s hipster city. To choose from a range of Portland walking tours, investigate the options here. Erickson’s Nine Bar Saloon “Men outnumbered women 16 to…

Oregon, Portland, tours, USA

Surfing on the St Lawrence River: Montreal’s La Vague à Guy

Deep inland, the Canadian city of Montreal has come up with an unexpected sport: River-surfing. Getting to La Vague à Guy Paddling out, it quickly becomes clear that this is no normal morning surf. For a start, the ocean is a long, long way away.…

Canada, Montreal, Quebec, surfing, watersports

The Vinolia wine tasting room in Santiago, Chile.

Vinolia in Santiago, Chile, review: Wine-tasting, cinema-style

In Santiago, the Vinolia wine-tasting experience aims to change perceptions of Chilean wines. The Vinolia tasting room All cinemas should be like this. Sitting through the latest live action Disney remake, or the year’s 29th comic book movie, would be considerably improved with five generously-filled…

Chile, reviews, Santiago, wine

The Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest in May with children

Why Budapest in Hungary is a great May bank holiday city break for families. Budapest weather in May Cheap flights from numerous airports, short flying times and solid weather make Budapest our May bank holiday banker. The Hungarian capital is usually sunny – the average…

Budapest, family travel, Hungary

The Wiener Riesenrad in the Prater, Leopoldstadt.

Leopoldstadt, Vienna: District II neighbourhood guide

Innovative Kosher restaurants, indie fashion stores and the amiable Karmelitermarkt mean there’s more to Vienna’s Leopoldstadt than the Prater and the big wheel. Kosher restaurants in Leopoldstadt It is no surprise to see a restaurant in Leopoldstadt – Vienna’s District II, sandwiched between the Innere…

Austria, neighbourhoods, Vienna

The Bishop's Cruises boat at One Foot Island, Aitutaki.

A Cook Islands cruise to One Foot Island, Aitutaki Lagoon

In the Cook Islands, the Bishop’s Cruises boat crosses one of the most spectacular lagoons on earth. And One Foot Island is the target at the other end of the Aitutaki Lagoon. Trevally in the Cook Islands There’s quite a commotion by the boat. Yelps…

Aitutaki, Cook Islands, cruises, Pacific Islands