The Durban city skyline and Indian Ocean beaches.

Durban: The city that South Africans go to for winter sun

South Africans go to Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast for winter sun. But why don’t international travellers join them? Direct flights to Durban When British Airways announced it was going to start (now-cancelled) direct flights to Durban in October 2018, it came to many as…
The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

7 reasons to visit Durban, South Africa

Reasons to book a break in Durban include a unique shark tour, a memorable history lesson at KwaMuhle and the biggest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. Durban has many guises. For some, it is a mere gateway to the wildlife-packed parks and reserves of kwaZulu-Natal.…
The Wicker Man rollercoaster at Alton Towers.

How to do Alton Towers with an 8-year-old: 15 tips

An eight-year-old child can have an amazing day out at Alton Towers. But there are some tactics that can make the queues, rollercoasters and general theme park experience better. 15 top tips for tackling Alton Towers with an eight-year-old: Short version Make sure your child…
The beach at Ritidian Point, Guam.

How I got trapped in Guam’s Ritidian Point Wildlife Refuge

A long layover, tiredness and a Japanese map almost lead to disaster in Guam… A layover in Guam Around the world, there are some places we never spend time in by choice. Nonetheless, we’re forced to tackle them through inconveniently long layovers between connecting flights.…
The view from Ouen Toro, New Caledonia.

What to do on a short break in Noumea, New Caledonia

French flair meets South Pacific relaxation on the world’s largest lagoon – and here’s what visitors to New Caledonia should consider doing. What is Noumea like? Noumea is an intoxicating swirl of contradictions. Urban, but with an island time vibe; in the South Pacific, but…
Yachts moored at Noumea's port.

Noumea: The Pacific’s great missed opportunity

The capital of New Caledonia is a weird throwback. The rule of thumb with island capitals Cities on paradise islands have a tendency to be surprisingly drab and functional. Samoa, for example, is largely stunning but anyone getting excited about Apia is seriously deluding themselves.…