"The first hour is very hard," my guide warns as I start the hike up Guatemala's Volcán de Acatenango. "But it will all be worth it when you catch that first glimpse of Fuego at basecamp." I didn't plan to do a volcano hike in Guatemala but the more I read, the more hiking Acatenango felt like one of the country's most unmissable experiences. I rearranged my itinerary accordingly — and what an exhilarating adventure I had!
The erstwhile Guatemalan capital Antigua is located in one of the country's main coffee growing regions, where the fertile volcanic soils and subtropical highland climate combine to produce delicious coffees. Antigua is also one of the best cities for specialty coffee in a producing country and I spent several days exploring its beautiful coffee shops and cafés.
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!
It's hard to think of Cannes without conjuring up images of the Festival de Cannes, the glamorous film festival held every year right by the beach. If you're looking for fun ways to tap into the French Rivera city's cinematic culture, why not take a self-guided walking tour of the Murs Peints — murals that celebrate Cannes' film history?
During our recent stay in Cannes, my parents and I took a side trip to the Gorges du Verdon. With its towering cliffs and meandering turquoise river, this gorge-ous region is known as the 'Grand Canyon of Europe'. We spent two action-packed days hiking, white-water rafting, boating and enjoying the views. Read on to discover the best things to see and do in the Gorges du Verdon and my tips for making the most of your stay.
Last Saturday, I took a day trip to Leigh-on-Sea: a new-to-me seaside destination that's just a 45-minute train journey from London. Once a busy fishing port, Leigh has stacks of character with its cobbled streets, historic buildings and wide array of wonderful restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as some great specialty coffee spots and a lovely sandy beach. Just be sure to check the tide times if you fancy a swim!
When I planned my recent trip to Mallorca, I decided to stay in Palma and explore other parts of Mallorca by taking day trips. During my stay, I visited four of Mallorca's most beautiful destinations by public transport and small-group tour. Warning: this post contains beautiful beaches (platjas), stunning coves (calas), charming mountain towns and much more!
My Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6 Travel Pack had its second foreign excursion this month when I took it on a five-day trip to Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Once again, I was impressed with how much I could pack in and how comfortable it was to carry. Read on to discover how the backpack worked as a personal item on a BA flight and what I packed.
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 reasonable weather forecast for the recent bank holiday, I visited the historic town of Windsor. Less than an hour from London by train, Windsor is a great day trip destination whether you're into English history, the Royal Family or simply fancy a stroll along the River Thames. Most visitors (including me) head straight for Windsor Castle, but there's lots more to see and do — even when it rains (sadly, it did!).
While spending a long weekend in Riga last month, I checked out some of the Latvian capital's many excellent specialty coffee shops. Most of the cafés I visited were located in the Art Nouveau district, although there are also some good options in the Old Town. Sadly, Easter Monday closures meant I didn't make it to all of the venues on my list, but read on to discover my favourite Riga coffee spots.
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.