Swimming with a whale shark on the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.

What it’s like to swim with whale sharks

Snorkelling with whale sharks off Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s most remarkable experiences. Here’s what it’s like. The first sighting of a whale shark It’s difficult to know what provides the bigger shock – the size or the clarity. We gracelessly…
A statue of Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Understanding Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Visitor Center at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, provides thought-provoking insight into Abraham Lincoln via his most famous speech. Gettysburg: The battle that no-one wanted The coachloads pulling up outside Gettysburg’s Visitor Center really shouldn’t be there. The Battle of Gettysburg – the biggest single bloodbath in…
The Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain.

Córdoba’s Mezquita: The strangest building in the world?

A mosque converted into a cathedral, the Mezquita in Córdoba, Spain, is a mesmerising field of archways. Entering Córdoba’s Mezquita The grand patio of Córdoba’s Mezquita is a vision of all that is lovely about Andalucia. The centuries-old walls surround orange trees bearing fruit, and…
The steps out of Vidgelmir, Iceland's lava cave.

Inside Vidgelmir – Iceland’s giant lava cave

In Iceland, tours head inside a giant tunnel cave carved out after a volcanic explosion. Darkness inside Vidgelmir “If you can see your hands in front of you, then I have bad news,” says the guide. “You are crazy.” We’re about 500 metres inside Vidgelmir,…

Pubs and poems | Edinburgh literary pub tour review

The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour combines beers in historic Edinburgh pubs with stories about Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Poetry in the Beehive Inn, Grassmarket In the upstairs room of the Beehive Inn on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, a gathered crowd sits utterly…
Prague Castle from the Vltava River.

5 great Prague attractions for solo travellers

A practical guide to five places in Prague that are easy to visit alone, including tips on timing, accessibility and avoiding the biggest crowds. For more Prague activities and experiences, check out dozens of options here. Prague for solo travellers: The Castle The largest castle…
The Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp, Belgium.

Discovering Antwerp’s Red Star Line Museum: A Migration History

The Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp tells the tale of one of history’s greatest migrations. Walking through Antwerp’s Diamond District Just out of Antwerp’s magnificently OTT, cathedral-esque Centraal Station, the Diamond District starts. The majority of the world’s sparklers are traded here, but the…
The Naschmarkt in Vienna, Austria.

Why the Naschmarkt might be your favourite bit of Vienna

The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s best food market, known for its mix of local produce, international street food and moochable atmosphere. VIENNA TRAVEL TIP: To enjoy the best of Vienna’s Naschmarkt, tasting from the stalls as you go, book on to a Naschmarkt food tour. Naschmarkt…