• How to Photograph the Northern Lights
    Europe

    How to Photograph the Northern Lights

    06/17/2022 - By 

    During my Icelandic adventure in Akureyri there were three big things on my wish list – try husky sledding, go whale watching and see the Northern Lights. Our holiday package included a Northern Lights tour, so my hopes were high, but I also knew there was no guarantee we’d get to see them. Poor weather conditions postponed the tour on the first two nights and I began to resign myself to the fact we were unlikely to see them. Still, third time lucky I hoped, and on a cloudy Wednesday night we jumped on a coach and headed out of…

  • Two Days in Rome – Part One of the Rail Trip of a Lifetime through Italy
    Europe

    Two Days in Rome – Part One of the Rail Trip of a Lifetime through Italy

    05/30/2022 - By 

    Just before the pandemic I was planning a trip to Italy – my initial idea was to fly into Rome and spend a couple of days soaking up the sites before moving on to Perugia. Covid-19 almost drew a permanent line under the whole idea when I contracted the virus and spent two months in intensive care. It was touch and go for a while; so much so that I was put into a medically-induced coma for more than a month… it was not something I’d recommend. The excellent ministrations of the NHS doubtless saved my life (I was almost…

  • Japanese Afternoon Tea at Ginza St James’s, London
    Europe

    Japanese Afternoon Tea at Ginza St James’s, London

    05/09/2022 - By 

    For a unique Japanese afternoon tea experience in London, you can beat a visit to Ginza St James’s. My boyfriend and I went to London over Easter for a mini-break and went to Ginza St James’s for afternoon tea as a birthday treat. Tucked down a side street in Mayfair, you can’t miss the restaurant as it’s covered in pink cherry blossoms, but when you head inside to the bar everything is sleek and modern. We were taken downstairs to the main restaurant, which was full of mirrors making it look huge. Not your average tea selection… We were seated…

  • The Best Reef Safe Sunscreen Brands
    Travel Tips

    The Best Reef Safe Sunscreen Brands

    04/18/2022 - By 

    Discover the best reef safe sunscreen brands according to experienced travel bloggers. Did you know that over 3,500 of the sunscreens currently available can damage marine ecosystems, in particular coral reefs, and that between 6,000 and 14,000 tonnes of this stuff ends up in these areas each year? The danger lies in the chemicals they’re made of. They may be great as UV blockers for our own skin, but they’re doing untold damage to small marine life, from mussels and fish to the coral that sustains them. Not only can these damage the DNA of coral, stopping them from growing…

  • 8 of the Best Night Markets in Bangkok
    Asia

    8 of the Best Night Markets in Bangkok

    04/15/2022 - By 

    Discover eight of the best night markets in Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital city, offering everything from fake designer goods and vintage clothes through to boutique shops and hipster eateries. Whenever I visit South East Asia I always have to search out the best night markets. There’s something about the bustle of the crowds, the hawkers vying for your attention, and oh, the amazing street food, that has me hooked. Shopping after dark has always felt a little exotic to me as I’m used to UK markets, which close way before the sun goes down. So when I think of night…

  • Our Quirkiest Thailand Experiences… So Far
    Asia

    Our Quirkiest Thailand Experiences… So Far

    02/28/2022 - By 

    It’s been fun reminiscing over the unique experiences we’ve had in Thailand, and reminded us of how great a country it is to visit. Although we loved exploring its temples and palaces, some of our most memorable experiences have been a little more unconventional, so we thought it would be fun to share with you some of the quirkier Thailand experiences we’ve had so far… Going on a nightly crab watch We’ve all got our ‘special places’ in Thailand and mine is Koh Jum. Visiting for my 40th birthday, we splashed out and stayed at Koh Jum Beach Villas, where…

  • Cheap Resorts in the Maldives – a Little Luxury at the Rahaa
    Asia

    Cheap Resorts in the Maldives – a Little Luxury at the Rahaa

    02/28/2022 - By 

    Places like Rahaa Resort prove you can get the turquoise lagoon, the white sand, and the feeling of genuine escape without the $1,500-a-night price tag — if you know exactly where to look. The Maldives budget tier is real. You just have to navigate it correctly, because one wrong booking decision can silently double your total cost before you ever land. What “Cheap” Actually Means in the Maldives Before you book anything, understand the pricing reality. The Maldives runs on a spectrum from $80 local island guesthouses to $6,000-a-night private islands. Most travel coverage focuses on the top end. The…

  • Afternoon Tea in Bangkok – The Grand Hyatt’s Erawan Tea Room
    Asia

    Afternoon Tea in Bangkok – The Grand Hyatt’s Erawan Tea Room

    01/21/2022 - By 

    You’re in Bangkok on a Thursday afternoon, three hours free before dinner. Someone’s list has circled the Erawan Tea Room at the Grand Hyatt. Reviews are positive but imprecise — “beautiful,” “delicious,” “romantic” — none of which help you determine whether 1,500 baht per person is a justified expense or money better spent elsewhere in a city full of exceptional food at a fraction of the price. This guide examines the specifics: what’s actually served, what you’ll pay, how the Erawan compares to its direct competitors, and the situations where you should book a different venue entirely. What the Erawan…

  • Afternoon Tea in Plymouth at The Flower Café
    Europe

    Afternoon Tea in Plymouth at The Flower Café

    09/09/2021 - By 

    The short answer: The Flower Café is Plymouth’s best mid-range afternoon tea option for groups of two to six people. The food is made with care, the setting skips the stuffiness of hotel dining rooms, and at £22–£26 per person, the price is honest for what lands on the plate. That said, it is not the right answer for every situation. If you are organising a large group, want waterfront views, or need a venue that handles dietary substitutions without advance notice, there are better options in Plymouth. This review covers where The Flower Café earns its reputation — and…