Planet Whitley

What happens in a plane emergency?

Ever wondered what happens if someone falls ill on a plane, an engine dies or an emergency landing is required? Well, this should help answer those questions… The vast majority of flights pass uneventfully, barring the odd bit of turbulence and maybe the first choice…

air travel

The Museum of Art Fakes in Vienna, Austria.

Vienna’s Museum of Art Fakes | The stories of the great art forgers

In Vienna, the Museum of Art Fakes lets visitors into the weird world of counterfeit art. Edgar Mrugalla – master forger The Rembrandt (or should that be Rembr-aren’t?) etchings on the wall look indistinguishable from the originals. They’re the handiwork of Edgar Mrugalla, a one-time…

art, Austria, museums, Vienna

The view on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Mt Doom, Emerald Lakes & the Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

On the North Island, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is New Zealand’s best day walk – and you might recognise the volcanoes from Lord of the Rings. Walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing The blackened, rough-sided rocks sprawled across the horizon make it pretty obvious that the…

mountains, New Zealand, North Island, volcanoes, walks

Kayaking to the Mine Bay rock carvings on Lake Taupo

A Lake Taupo kayaking tour on New Zealand’s North Island shows off the incredible Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay. Kayaking on Lake Taupo Lake Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island is feistier than usual. A steadfast wind is blowing up, sending the usually serene…

kayaking, New Zealand, North Island, Taupo

Why Rome is a brilliant city for solo travellers

Attraction-heavy Rome is an ideal destination for self-indulgent travel without the family. The treat of alone time You only start to realise how great travelling on your own can be when you rarely get to do it any more. It’s a similar vibe to when…

Italy, Rome, solo travel

Why leaf-peeping is not just for old people

Driving through New England, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, the joy of autumn colours reveals itself. What is leaf-peeping? Up until I actually tried it, I’d treated the concept of “leaf-peeping” with utter contempt. For the uninitiated, the general concept works as follows: You drive…

Boston, driving, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, USA

Street Art in Valparaíso: A Historical Journey

On a street art tour in Valparaíso, Chile, the inventive murals have a history behind them. The Piano Stairs of Cerro Concepcíon Several cities have high concentrations of street art. However, probably only in Valparaíso can you trample all over it without realizing. The truth…

art, Chile, street art, Valparaiso

Braving the Singapore Flyer with food poisoning

If there’s one thing you do not want to do after being sick all night with food poisoning, it is go on a massive observation wheel. Falling ill after the open air buffet My wife took one look at me and knew she was on…

big wheels, Singapore

A perfect day in Edinburgh: 24 hour travel guide

An ideal 24 hours in Edinburgh includes climbing Arthur’s Seat, the Royal Mile without the crowds and a ghost tour at Real Mary King’s Close. Why Edinburgh is worth visiting Edinburgh’s a rare character - both instantly loveable and fascinatingly complex. Age has bestowed distinguished…

Edinburgh, itinerary, Scotland, UK

Some random observations about driving in the US

Americans drive differently, you know. The following random thoughts were ones that sprung to mind as I drove from Boston to Chicago. They’re not entirely based on this trip – a lot of these things I’ve noticed on other big US drives as well. Not…

driving, 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

What happens in a plane emergency?

Vienna’s Museum of Art Fakes | The stories of the great art forgers

Mt Doom, Emerald Lakes & the Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Kayaking to the Mine Bay rock carvings on Lake Taupo

Why Rome is a brilliant city for solo travellers

Why leaf-peeping is not just for old people

Street Art in Valparaíso: A Historical Journey

Braving the Singapore Flyer with food poisoning

A perfect day in Edinburgh: 24 hour travel guide

Some random observations about driving in the US