David Whitley, Author at Planet Whitley

The Wicker Man rollercoaster at Alton Towers.

How to do Alton Towers with an 8-year-old: 15 tips

An eight-year-old child can have an amazing day out at Alton Towers. But there are some tactics that can make the queues, rollercoasters and general theme park experience better. 15 top tips for tackling Alton Towers with an eight-year-old: Short version Make sure your child…

England, family travel, theme parks, UK

Orchid at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Fiji.

The strange origin of the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Fiji

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant on Viti Levu is one of the most popular tourist attractions. But its back story comes as something of a surprise. Under the Sleeping Giant Mountain Sat under the looming Sleeping Giant Mountain, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant…

Fiji, gardens, Pacific Islands

How I got trapped in Guam’s Ritidian Point Wildlife Refuge

A long layover, tiredness and a Japanese map almost lead to disaster in Guam… A layover in Guam Around the world, there are some places we never spend time in by choice. Nonetheless, we’re forced to tackle them through inconveniently long layovers between connecting flights.…

driving, Guam, Pacific Islands, stopovers

What to do on a short break in Noumea, New Caledonia

French flair meets South Pacific relaxation on the world’s largest lagoon – and here’s what visitors to New Caledonia should consider doing. What is Noumea like? Noumea is an intoxicating swirl of contradictions. Urban, but with an island time vibe; in the South Pacific, but…

New Caledonia, Pacific Islands

Noumea: The Pacific’s great missed opportunity

The capital of New Caledonia is a weird throwback. The rule of thumb with island capitals Cities on paradise islands have a tendency to be surprisingly drab and functional. Samoa, for example, is largely stunning but anyone getting excited about Apia is seriously deluding themselves.…

New Caledonia, Pacific Islands

Tricots rayés, clownfish and giant lighthouse: An Amedee Island boat trip

In New Caledonia, Amedee Island is frequented by semi-aquatic sea snakes, but on a glass-bottomed boat trip there are plenty more surprises beneath the water To skip the story and book a full day trip to Amedee Island from Noumea, with a glass-bottomed boat tour,…

cruises, New Caledonia, Pacific Islands, wildlife

What happens when an airline breaks your suitcase

I got off the plane to discover my suitcase was damaged. What happened next was… weird. RIP suitcase Last Tuesday I arrived back at Birmingham Airport after a trip to Marrakesh with the family. Awaiting me was a sorry imitation of my suitcase. The logo…

air travel, consumer, luggage

Death Valley and Badwater Basin from Dante's View, California.

Why Dante’s View may be the best lookout in California

Dante’s View in Death Valley National Park offers a level of drama and starkness that nowhere else in California can match. Where is Dante’s View? Dante’s View is one of the highlights of Death Valley National Park in eastern California. This Death Valley lookout is…

California, Death Valley, Las Vegas, national parks, USA

The Shotover Jet on the Shotover River, Queenstown, New Zealand.

The best places to go jetboating in New Zealand

When choosing a destination for jetboating in New Zealand, look for river trips. Here’s why. New Zealand is not exactly short of things to do. One day you might kayak to the Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo, the next seeing the albatross colony near…

adrenalin, cruises, New Zealand, North Island, Queenstown, South Island, Taupo

The view on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Why you should visit New Zealand in the spring

Autumn in the northern hemisphere is spring in New Zealand – and it’s the perfect time to visit. Why visit New Zealand in the northern hemisphere autumn? Mid-October to the end of November is when flights to New Zealand are traditionally cheapest. It also falls…

itinerary, New Zealand, North Island, South Island