Why now may be the ideal time to book a safari in Kenya October 13, 2014 Most travel stories you read in newspapers and magazines – with notable exceptions – are the result of press trips. These are fully funded holidays for small groups of journalists paid for by tourist boards, airlines or resorts (or a combination of the three). It’s not an ideal situation – the hacks tend to be [...]
Thriving Cambodia isn’t just for backpackers October 9, 2014 By Nick Pulley When I first went to Cambodia, the journey from the capital Phnom Penh to the temples of Angkor was a 12-hour (if you were lucky) minibus ride from hell. That was 20 years ago, a time when friends might look at you as if you’d taken leave of your senses for venturing [...]
Enjoy a tranquil escape down the Mekong in Laos October 9, 2014 By David Leck It’s a short journey from Chiang Rai in Thailand to the north-eastern corner of Laos – and to a border crossing that evokes the days before the onslaught of soulless airports and mega-brand domination. Despite the recent opening of the “Friendship Bridge” spanning the Mekong River the small town of Houeyxai is [...]
Prince William’s favourite island retreat October 3, 2014 Malta is a hot ticket right now. Even Prince William paid a visit last month to mark its 50th year of independence. While he was there, he may have noted the red, 1940s postboxes that still line the streets, embossed with the letters RG (Rex George), and smiled at the thought that they will be [...]
Indulge in Pippa Middleton’s favourite pastime in Oslo September 26, 2014 What do you think Pippa Middleton’s secret is? Cross-fit? Pilates, maybe? Wrong: cross country skiing. The Duchess of Cambridge’s sporty sister took on the infamous nordic skiing marathon at Vasaloppet in 2012, taking seven hours and thirteen minutes to complete the 90km course. Anyone who does that is going to be in the best shape [...]
Why Slovenia is the perfect place for a spot of posh hiking September 19, 2014 First things first: backpacking is a lot more fun without the backpack. Forget any student holidays spent hauling grubby camping gear from hostel to hostel. Today’s self-guided walking tours are altogether more grown-up. The company supplies a route, takes care of accommodation and transports your bags. There’s no group walking, you’re free to stride up [...]
Get on the road with these famous literary trips August 19, 2014 A-level results are in and those of us with kids are preparing to put our hands in our pockets to fund their “mind-expanding” trip abroad before the hard work – or hard drinking – of university begins. According to insurance firm Endsleigh, almost a third of students have a road trip across North America as [...]
Spitbank Fort: Welcome to the UK’s craziest hotel August 8, 2014 Spitbank Fort is a granite maritime castle marooned in the home waters of The Solent, one mile out of Portsmouth harbour but a comfortable breast stroke swim from the Isle of Wight. It was built by Prime Minister Palmerston in 1878 to discourage Napoleon III in his ambitions of sailing the French fleet up the [...]
Learn how to fight like a gladiator in Rome August 1, 2014 Things started badly. Paolo tried to convince me to hold the sword in my right hand. “I really can’t. I’m very left-handed,” I whined back. “OK. You will die first,” he replied nonchalantly. Paolo was my gladiator training instructor and it was a beautiful sunny day – a “great day to die” as they shout [...]
48 Hours in… Panama City August 1, 2014 Where to stay Panama City isn’t exactly lacking in hotels but the five star Bristol stands out among a wealth of good options. With 125 comfortable rooms offering views of Panama City’s great architecture, it’s the ultimate choice if money is no object. Visit thebristol.com Where to go With the Pacific to the west [...]