Planet Whitley

Clumber Park near Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

My greatest family travel creation: The Magic Park

How one special park can make all the difference on long car journeys with kids. Let me tell you about the Magic Park… Some of you may be unaware of the Magic Park. That is sad, because the Magic Park is one of the most…

car journeys, family travel, parks

How to get into Edinburgh Castle when the tickets have sold out

Edinburgh Castle tours – which include admission tickets – often have availability when straight entry tickets have sold out. What to see at Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle is justifiably one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United Kingdom. It has a rich history,…

castles, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Crater San Fernando on Volcan Masaya, Nicaragua.

Exploring Volcan Masaya: A Top Managua Day Trip

Volcan Masaya offers thrilling day trips from Managua, showcasing its active craters and rich cultural history linked to Spanish colonists.

Central America, Nicaragua, volcanoes

How travelling as a parent has changed me

When seeing the world becomes less important than letting little people see it. Daisy and the Sistine Chapel “Dad! Dad! Dad! Dad!” came the cry from upstairs, followed by the unmistakable thud-thud-thud of the world’s least demure princess. My eight-year-old burst into the living room…

children, family travel, Italy, parenting, Rome

The John Harvard statue on the Harvard University campus, Massachusetts.

Understanding Harvard: Legends and Campus Life

Harvard University, rich in tradition and legends, offers intriguing stories, campus rituals, and a notable town-gown rivalry in Cambridge.

Boston, Massachusetts, tours, USA

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona.

Why Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument?

The interior of Montezuma Castle in Arizona is off-limits to all except National Park staff. But here’s why the Montezuma Castle National Monument is worth visiting anyway. What is Montezuma Castle National Monument? Montezuma Castle is one of the oldest national monuments in the US.…

Arizona, national parks, USA

The Frank Lloyd-Wright Home and Studio in Chicago.

The best places in Chicago for Frank Lloyd-Wright architecture

For lovers of Frank Lloyd-Wright’s architecture, the best places in Chicago to visit are his Oak Park studio and Frederick C Robie House. Chicago’s most famous architect For a city so famous for its skyscrapers, it’s perhaps ironic that the single most celebrated Chicago architect…

architecture, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Discovering Laos, from Luang Prabang to Pakse

From the monasteries of Luang Prabang to the treks and Mekong River islands of Champasak Province, Laos proves to be frequently, alluringly unusual. Waiting for the monks of Luang Prabang As the sky begins to sieve through enough light for the mole-like eyes of the…

Asia, Laos, Southeast Asia

Avoid Long Queues at Alton Towers: Rainy Day Secrets

The secret to avoiding the crowds at Alton Towers during peak season is to look closely at the weather forecast. The worst time to visit Alton Towers Everyone knows the worst time to visit Alton Towers – or, indeed, any theme park. The school holidays,…

money saving, theme parks, UK

Why Te Anau is the Best Base for Milford Sound

Milford Sound – or Piopiotahi, to give it the Maori name – is arguably New Zealand’s most prized attraction. The steep-walled fjord, lined with waterfalls, is a natural wonder on the west coast of the South Island. It’s also pretty remote, and most people use…

New Zealand, South Island, tours

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