Planet Whitley

Vieux Montreal’s Top Attractions: Pointe-A-Calliere Museum

The Pointe-A-Calliere museum tells the history of Montreal – and North America. Montreal likes to bill itself as having the best aspects of North America. It also claims to have the best aspects of Europe. In that respect, it’s not far wrong. Few cities in…

Canada, Montreal, museums, Quebec

A signature king room at the Auberge du Vieux Port in Vieux Montreal.

Explore the Best Hotels in Vieux Montreal

Vieux Montreal is Montreal’s historic heart – and there are plenty of gorgeous accommodation options there, too. Why stay in Vieux Montreal? The oldest part of Montreal lines up along the St Lawrence River, and acts as the tourist honeypot for the easily pleased. That’s…

accommodation, hotels, Montreal, reviews

The destination I adored that I never want to go back to

In 2012, what seems like a lifetime ago, I decided to go to Palau on a whim. At the time, I knew nothing about Palau, other than it was the most obscure country I could think of and there were relatively cheap flights available from…

Pacific Islands, Palau

A saltwater crocodile, as spotted on the Daintree River near Cairns, Queensland.

How worried should I be about crocodiles in Australia?

Short answer If you’re close to a crocodile in Australia, you should be very worried indeed. If you act sensibly within crocodile territory, there’s no need to fret. A saltwater crocodile, as spotted on the Daintree River near Cairns, Queensland. Photo by David Whitley. Long…

Australia, crocodiles, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, wildlife

Where to see bears in Arizona

Not all travellers to Arizona want to see bears. Hikers, in particular, would rather the bears stay well away. But for nature-lovers who want to admire Arizona’s bears from a safe distance, there are a few options. The best place to see bears in Arizona…

Arizona, USA, wildlife

Driving across London Bridge in… Lake Havasu City, Arizona

London Bridge in Lake Havasu City Lake Havasu City in Arizona is home to an extremely strange tourist attraction – London Bridge. This is the bridge that crossed the River Thames in London between 1831 and 1967, arguably best seen on a sunset cocktail cruise.…

Arizona, Lake Havasu City, London, USA

Red Rock Crossing, Sedona: Nature’s greatest swimming pool?

Within the Crescent Moon Ranch Day Use Area, Red Rock Crossing is a spectacular Arizona swimming hole with perfect views of Sedona’s Cathedral Rock. Slide on in. Sedona, Arizona, is outrageously greedy with spectacular views. But Red Rock Crossing combines a perfect view of Sedona’s…

Arizona, Sedona, swimming

Why Ellis Island Deserves More Time Than the Statue of Liberty

Most visitors allocate more time to the Statue of Liberty than Ellis Island. And they shouldn’t. Statue of Liberty boat trips The Statue of Liberty is justifiably one of the great international symbols of New York City – and, indeed, the United States of America.…

New York, New York City, USA

Which is the cheapest Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show?

The cheapest Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show is Mad Apple – but it’s not necessarily the best value for money. Are the Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas worth the money? The Cirque du Soleil shows are a staple of the Las Vegas…

Las Vegas, Nevada, shows, USA

Why you should visit the Benjamin Franklin Museum in Philadelphia | Review

The Benjamin Franklin Museum is often overlooked, but it is full of fascinating insight. Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia Benjamin Franklin’s name appears on pretty much everything in Philadelphia. Which isn’t a bad effort for a guy who ran away from an apprenticeship in Boston because…

museums, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

Planet Whitley

Türkiye vs Turkey: When do you start using a country’s new name?

Why Rome is a brilliant city for solo travellers

Why leaf-peeping is not just for old people

Some random observations about driving in the US

Revisiting Chicago – and why the third visit to a city is often the best

The day I decided to walk to France

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

Muri, Rarotonga: The perfect holiday town?

Why booking a family holiday is horrible – and how to improve it

The two things Rome’s piazzas sadly lack