Last month, I travelled to Central America for the first time in a decade to spend two weeks in Guatemala and Belize. First stop? The historic city of Antigua. I spent three days exploring the cobbled streets, baroque architecture, Mayan culture and coffee scene, in the shadow of the volcanoes that surround the city. Read on to find out what I got up to.
From hiking the Inca Trail to the iconic Machu Picchu site, to taking a reed boat across Lake Titicaca and indulging in food and culture in Lima, Peru offers visitors a rich tapestry of incredible experiences. I spent two weeks there in 2018 and while I blogged about the places I visited, my long-overdue Peru travel guide is finally here!
Colourful houses, a world-famous carnival and market and, of course, a film with a certain H. Grant and J. Roberts. These are just a few of the images London’s Notting Hill conjures up. But there’s a lot more to the neighbourhood than elegant architecture and *that* movie. My one-day itinerary will help you uncover Notting Hill’s rich cultural and social history — and make the most of its excellent dining and shopping.
With Easter approaching, I took advantage of the long weekend to book a city break in Riga. Compact and walkable, the Latvian capital blends rich history with a creative energy and beautiful architecture, from the pastel-hued Old Town to elegant Art Nouveau landmarks. Planning a trip to Riga? Here's how I spent 72 hours in the city and my recommendations for places to eat, drink, shop and explore.
Long-time readers know I was lucky enough to call Cambridge my home for six years. But since moving to London 16 years ago, I haven't been back as often as I should. I decided to make the most of last Saturday's glorious weather by taking a day trip, exploring Cambridge's 'town' and 'gown' sides. Read on to discover my ultimate itinerary for a perfect day in Cambridge: things to do and places to eat, drink and shop.
Today I'm sharing the most delicious and caffeinated of my end-of-year recaps, where I pick my favourite specialty coffee shops, eateries and bars from among those I visited for the first time in 2024 — in London and on my travels around the world.
The final stop on my two-week tour of Sri Lanka was Colombo. Located on the west coat, the bustling and sprawling capital makes an excellent place to start or end your time in Sri Lanka — especially if you've been craving city life and culture. Like many other visitors, my itinerary only allowed for a 24-hour stay in Colombo but there is plenty to see and do, as well as many great places to eat, drink and shop.
After ten action-packed days exploring Sri Lanka, I was ready for some beach time. I travelled from Ella to Sri Lanka's southwest coast, staying two nights at a luxury beach resort in Koggala — one of the loveliest hotels I've ever stayed in — and one night in a former cinnamon factory in the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort.
Cannes has some of the best restaurants in the South of France. The beautiful Riviera city offers something for all palates — yes, there are a lot of expensive, high-end venues, but check out my guide to visiting Cannes on a budget if you are looking for more cost-effective ways to make the most of the city.
But one thing is certain: a trip to Cannes wouldn't be complete without at least one meal on the golden sand overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Here are some of the beach eateries I enjoyed on my most recent trip last month (plus a couple of bonus recommendations from previous stays).
In April, it was time to go exploring again. My destination? Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria: a new city for me and the 49th country I've visited. During my four-day trip, I learned a lot about Sofia's complex and fascinating history, admired striking architecture, took several excellent tours with passionate locals and ate delicious food. I even took a side trip to a UNESCO-listed monastery perched high in the Rila mountains and Plovdiv. Read on for all of my recommendations for spending a long weekend in Sofia.
Bermondsey is, without doubt, one of London's best neighbourhoods for foodies. Yes, I'm biased: I've lived in the area since 2012 (it was one of the reasons I moved here). It's home to Maltby Street Market, which draws huge crowds every weekend, and Spa Terminus, where you can hop between the railway arches, tasting and shopping for everything from kimchi to comté. There's a reason why it earned the nickname 'London's larder'. But if you're looking for a restaurant, bar or coffee shop, look no further than Bermondsey Street. And if you're looking for a guide to the best places to eat on Bermondsey Street, read on! (Scroll to the end for a handy map.)
As the end of 2023 hurtles towards me, I am frantically typing up the 13th edition of my annual specialty coffee and food awards, in which I share my favourite coffee shops, eateries, bars and individual dishes from among those I visited for the first time in 2023 — in London and on my travels around the world.
The last major stop on my Thailand trip was on the island of Ko Lanta (technically Ko Lanta Yai, and also spelled Koh Lanta), located in the Andaman Sea off the southwestern shores of the Thai mainland near Krabi. I thought long and hard about which island (or islands) to base myself on and decided that Ko Lanta would be the best for me in terms of weather (for early December), beaches, things to do, nightlife (lack of it in my case!) and easy access to the mainland and other beautiful islands.
From Bangkok, I took a short flight to Chiang Mai and spent four days exploring the former capital of the Lanna kingdom and the nearby area. With a wider urban population of close to 1.2 million, Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand but the Old City and central area are relatively compact and it's easy to get around on foot or by hopping into a songthaew (shared van) or tuk tuk.
