A king cobra at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Snake Farm in Bangkok, Thailand.

Up close with king cobras at Bangkok’s snake farm

The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Snake Farm in Bangkok farms king cobras for antivenom - and puts on demonstrations for visitors. Too close to king cobras in Bangkok Ugh. His last films may have been cinematic travesties, but Indiana Jones certainly has the right idea…
The streets of Lagos, Portugal.

Guide to Lagos, Portugal: See, do, eat & sleep

Lagos is the historic heart of the Algarve, with a strong line in kayak and boat trips. What makes Lagos unique? Southern Portugal is a bit of a balancing act. There are several towns along the Algarve coast, many overdeveloped but with plenty to do,…
Malbork Castle near Gdansk, Poland.

Visiting Malbork Castle from Gdansk: Train vs tour

Tours to Malbork Castle from Gdansk are strangely expensive. You can save a lot of money by taking the train to Malbork instead. Why visit Malbork Castle A red brick behemoth, Malbork Castle was once the HQ of the Teutonic knights and Polish kings, and…
The JFK Presidential Library in Boston.

Five really good reasons to visit Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, the historic capital of Massachusetts, brims with heritage and tourist attractions. But some aspects of the city make it truly stand out. Baseball The other US sports lag way behind the ball game in Boston’s affections. Baseball diamonds can be found all over the…
York's city walls and York Minster.

Why overseas tourists shouldn’t miss out on Yorkshire

Many of England’s most enjoyable tourist attractions are in Yorkshire. Visitors from overseas should make time to see them, rather than heading straight for Edinburgh. The train through Yorkshire As the camera-toting hordes pack into London, then take the train up to Edinburgh for the…
MAS in Antwerp.

Why Antwerp is one of Europe’s most underrated cities

The Fashion District, the hip Het Zuid neighbourhood and attractions such as the Red Star Line Museum make Antwerp unique in Belgium. Antwerp: Not like the rest of Belgium Cool is not generally seen as Belgium’s strong suit. Overcrowded Bruges is all picturesque canals, horse…
Inside the Capela dos Ossos, Faro.

Faro, Portugal: What to see, do and eat

A chapel made of bones and a birdlife-packed estuary help make Faro more than just a gateway airport to the Algarve. What makes Faro unique? The Algarve is often seen as a patchwork of smallness – some pretty ghastly resort towns mixed in with cute…
Anna Bar in Bangkok, Thailand.

Why plastic seats are the sign of a great Bangkok bar

Thailand’s capital is at its best when it’s cheap and international – and the best bars in Bangkok have plastic seats. People-watching in Bangkok’s bars The posh type on the next table is braying about how he used to be his school’s top dope dealer.…
Edinburgh Castle.

Is Edinburgh Castle open on Mondays?

Edinburgh Castle is usually open on Mondays – but there’s one important thing to check before you turn up at the gate. What makes Edinburgh Castle worth visiting? The city views from the terrace outside Edinburgh Castle are tremendous, but inside it’s a glorious mixture…