You could be forgiven for thinking that a simple request for a glass of tap water in a luxury hotel restaurant would be nothing more than a formality. Well… think again. It might not be as straightforward as you’d imagine. While many people will claim it’s simply a basic human right, one luxury hotel in […]
Have you ever booked a vacation rental that looked perfect online, only to feel disappointed once you arrived? Studies suggest that almost two-thirds of travellers worry about choosing the wrong accommodation when planning a trip. You can make the wrong choice due to misleading images, undisclosed fees, and the ambiguity of available listings. There are […]
Travel plans can change even after careful preparation. A delayed bag, missed flight, lost passport, or sudden need to return home can create stress during a trip. Travel insurance can offer support for these concerns, depending on the policy terms. It is not limited to medical bills or cancelled bookings. This article explains how suitable […]
As all conversations suddently seemed to be leading to Uzbekistan, I felt it was time to take the road there – or rather the train. What I discovered was a country of interesting traditions and lasting legacies. My tour with Great Rail Journeys took me through four cities on the ancient Silk road. I started my journey […]
As the capital starts to heat up, an endless array of enticing entertainment awaits. Part of a new seasonal series, I share my favourite new finds for those looking to explore London. Wellness at Ham Yard’s Soholistic Spa It’s a minute’s walk from Picadilly Circus yet wonderfully tucked away from all the buzz so that […]
Most people book flights and hotels and then stop planning. Everything else gets left for the last day – and then everything in a rush. People forget about insurance, transport arrangements, and how to use the phone abroad. None of it is complicated, but it all takes time, and doing it the night before a […]
Travel should feel rewarding, not financially heavy. A good trip gives you a change of scenery, time to rest and experiences you can remember long after you return home. Still, travel can become stressful when the costs are unclear or when the trip is paid for without a plan. Travel budgeting helps you enjoy the […]
For many families collecting Avios, there often comes a familiar moment of frustration. One parent has 22,000 Avios in the BA Club Account. The other has 18,000. Maybe the kids have picked up a few thousand points from flights over the years, if they’re older. Individually, those balances feel annoyingly small — not enough for […]
There are places where luxury seems so effortless – where there’s a quiet confidence that’s deeply rooted in the quality of the offering. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is one such place. Situated just off the Crook Road that runs between Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere, the hotel enjoys a tranquil location among rolling fells on the […]
There’s a certain kind of holiday that leaves you feeling like you’ve genuinely lived something. Not just ticked a destination off a list or found a nice spot by a pool, but actually done something that stays with you. An adventure that reshapes your perspective a little, pushes you somewhere outside your usual edges, and […]
I’ll be honest with you. I used to be a cruise sceptic. The word conjured images of enormous floating shopping malls, buffet queues, and organised fun that felt anything but. Then I actually started paying attention to what modern cruising really looks like, and I changed my tune pretty quickly. Because the truth is, cruising […]
There’s a question I get asked more than almost any other, and it usually goes something like this: “I want to travel but I don’t know where to go.” And my answer is always the same. Before you pick a destination, figure out who you are as a traveller first. Because here’s the thing. Travel […]
Once called the chimney town by renowned local poet Julian Tuwim the Polish city of Lodz has undergone such a dramatic transformation it is now part of the UNESCO network of Creative Cities and a UNESCO City of Film. A sensitive re-generation of the city of Lodz recognised and renovated the town’s historical buildings including those […]
Most first-time visitors to New Zealand’s South Island put Queenstown on the itinerary without much deliberation. It’s the world’s adventure capital – a title and a reputation deservedly earned and as such one of the headline ‘must-visit’ destinations in New Zealand. Most people will have heard of Queenstown even if they can’t tell you where […]
I have always thought New Zealand’s wilder places work best when people are given time to meet them properly. Not in a rushed, heroic sort of way, and not with the expectation that every hour outside has to become a story. More often, it happens quite quietly. Someone steps out of the vehicle in Fiordland […]