Travel advice, ideas & expert tips

GRAMMY Museum, LA: Ticket prices, opening hours & visitor guide

First time visiting the GRAMMY Museum? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there. It was updated in September 2026. History and overview of the GRAMMY Museum The GRAMMY Museum opened as a space to explore the art, history…

Why our mental maps are so unreliable

Working out where places are relative to each other without seeing a map can be surprisingly difficult… A little quiz on English towns On Sunday evening, I had an idea for a quiz. Given an English town, you have to name the nearest city from…

Battleship USS Iowa, San Pedro: Ticket prices, hours, parking & visit tips

First time visiting Battleship USS Iowa? This visitor guide, updated in October 2026, covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there. History and overview of Battleship USS Iowa The Battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship of the last class…

Grove of the Titans: a practical visitor guide to California’s giant redwoods

A visitor guide to the Grove of the Titans in California. Learn about the elevated boardwalk, parking, and protection of these giant redwoods. Deep in California's northern rainforest lies one of the most remarkable groves of coast redwoods on Earth. The Grove of the Titans…

What is the best entry gate for Ephesus?

The north gate at Ephesus is busier and has better facilities. The south gate is quieter and allows for a downhill walk through the ancient city. How many entrance gates does Ephesus have? The extensive ruins of Ephesus are one of Turkey’s tourist highlights. Thousands…

The queue outside the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus, Turkey.

The best time to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Turkey

Beat the cruise ship passengers on the giant tour buses and get to the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus as soon as it opens. What is the House of the Virgin Mary? The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic shrine near…

The African Penguins at Boulders Beach, Cape Town.

How to see the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day

See the Boulders Beach penguins and Cape of Good Hope in one day. A practical guide to transport, timing, and essential route planning tips. Cape Town is visually stunning, with its natural attractions showcased by the likes of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Chapmans Peak…

The Spanish Inquisition exhibition in Granada, Spain.

Spanish Inquisition museum in Granada’s Palacio de los Olvidados | Review

In the historic Andalucian city of Granada, the Palacio de los Olvidados hosts a fascinating museum about the Spanish Inquisition. This guide was updated in January 2026. The Bull of Phalaris Well, it’s inventive. You’ve got to give them that. The Bull of Phalaris looks…

The specially adapted East German car at the International Spy Museum, Washington DC.

International Spy Museum, Washington DC: Learning spycraft & seeing Bond-style gadgets

Enter the world of espionage at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. Learn spycraft, see famous gadgets, and compare James Bond to reality. Taking on Operation Spy It’s a race against time to find the evidence and the nuclear detonator. Fail, and disaster could…

Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco: Ticket prices, hours & tips

Forget the theme park hype. This is your essential, no-frills guide to planning a smooth visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum, covering tickets, transport, parking, and the best time to go. This guide was updated in September 2026 to reflect ticket price increases. Other…