Destinations Archives

The world’s 10 best stopover cities

If you can’t bear the thought of a marathon long-haul plane journey, breaking the trip into two sections with a stopover might just be the way forward. Pick the right airline, and you can get a city break tagged on to the main trip –…

Hand-feeding wallabies at Symbio Wildlife Park near Wollongong, NSW.

Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh: Visitor guide with prices & times

What is Symbio Wildlife Park? Symbio Wildlife Park is a privately owned, family-run zoo located in Helensburgh, approximately 45 minutes south of Sydney International Airport and just minutes from Wollongong in the Illawarra region. Established in 1975 as a native Australian wildlife park, it's spread…

Coogee Beach in Perth, Western Australia.

Guide to Coogee Beach, Perth: Snorkelling trail, safety & wildlife

Coogee Beach overview? Coogee Beach is a sweeping stretch of white sand and turquoise water located in the coastal suburb of Coogee, approximately 30 minutes south of Perth and just a few minutes south of Fremantle. With almost 4 kilometres of stunning coastline, it's been…

Hofkirche, Innsbruck: Practical guide with hours, prices & visitor tips

What is the Hofkirche in Innsbruck? The Hofkirche (Court Church) is a Gothic church built between 1553 and 1563 by Emperor Ferdinand I as a memorial to his grandfather, Emperor Maximilian I. Also called the Schwarzmander-Kirche (Church of the Black Men), it houses one of…

Angel by Deborah Halpern in Birrarung Marr, Melbourne.

Birrarung Marr, Melbourne: My practical guide to the Yarra-side park

Birrarung Marr is an 8-hectare urban park on the north bank of the Yarra River between Federation Square and Melbourne Park. Opened in 2002, it was Melbourne's first significant new inner-city park in over a century. The name comes from the Woiwurrung language of the…

Inside the NGV International, Melbourne.

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne: A practical guide for first time visitors

The National Gallery of Victoria operates across two magnificent buildings in Melbourne's heart. Founded in 1861, it's Australia's oldest and most visited art museum, holding over 76,000 works — the largest collection of any Australian gallery. Both sites offer free entry to permanent collections, making…

Kirkgate inside York Castle Museum, York.

York Castle Museum guide: Visitor tips, hours, prices & accessibility

York Castle Museum brings 400 years of social history to life through immersive exhibits housed in Georgian prison buildings. The museum's centrepiece is Kirkgate, a meticulously recreated Victorian street where you can step into authentic period shops and meet costumed characters. From prison cells to…

Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath, London.

Kenwood House: Practical guide to London’s free historic art gallery

Kenwood House, managed by English Heritage, is one of London's most underrated cultural highlights. This elegant 18th-century villa, set on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath, is celebrated for its glorious architecture by Robert Adam and its world-class collection of Old Master paintings, known as…

Sea lions at Pier 39 in San Francisco, California.

Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco: enjoying the ultimate tourist experience

Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, California, is touristy as hell, but the sea lions, boat cruises and classic sourdough clam chowder make it thoroughly enjoyable. The appeal of touristy spots in San Francisco ‘Touristy’ places are often very unfairly maligned. After all, there’s usually a…

The view from Alcatraz Island, San Francisco.

Why the audioguide makes a trip to Alcatraz Island special

Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay is one of the world’s most famous prisons. Discover the history, stories, and modern-day attractions on a visit to the island - but make sure you use the brilliant audioguide. Watching films about Alcatraz Island I haven’t seen The…