The King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand.

MahaNakhon SkyWalk guide: Ticket prices, hours & how to book

When I first approached the King Power MahaNakhon building in Bangkok, it was the unusual 'pixelated' architecture that commanded attention. It is a striking sight, a geometric tower that looks like a skyscraper paused mid-construction. The real thrill, though, is the SkyWalk on the 78th…
The Pina Colada was invented in Puerto Rico.

Birthplaces of booze: Where famous cocktails were created

Thirsty travellers can make a pilgrimage to the places where much-loved cocktails were created, such as… The Singapore Sling – Raffles, Singapore Few cocktails have as strong a geographical connection with their birthplace as the Singapore Sling. In 1915, Ngiam Tong Boon was working at…
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The world’s 10 best stopover cities

If you can’t bear the thought of a marathon long-haul plane journey, breaking the trip into two sections with a stopover might just be the way forward. Pick the right airline, and you can get a city break tagged on to the main trip –…
Groot Constantia in Cape Town, South Africa.

9 surprisingly old attractions in big cities

Discover 9 surprisingly old attractions hiding within modern cities. See ancient ruins like Huaca Huallamarca in Lima and the London Wall in London. Huaca Huallamarca, Lima In amongst the bank buildings of Lima’s San Isidro district – Peru’s de facto financial centre – stands an…
The Singapore skyline.

Asia for beginners: why Singapore offers the perfect introduction

Singapore is often described as “Asia for beginners”, thanks to its accessibility, cleanliness and family-friendly attractions. But beyond the modern cityscape lies a fascinating cultural mix that reflects influences from across the region. A modern city with global influences Singapore is a clean, unthreatening modern…
An interactive map at the Singapore City Gallery.

Personal recommendations for a short break in Singapore

Feast on world-class hawker and Peranakan cuisine, explore the charming Katong area, and discover WWII history at the Battle Box on your Singapore break. Why visit Singapore Singapore is arguably the greatest food city on earth, and a time-honoured stopover on routes between Australia and…
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…