Like it or not, what we wear defines us- what we do, how much we earn, what music we listen to, young, old, off to the shops or out for a night on the town. Even so called wardrobe staples come in a bemusing array and will inevitably be shunned … Continue reading
There’s something intrinsically satisfying about riding the train to the end of the line. Some thirteen hours out of Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani province is nearly at the Thai-Laos boarder. The city of same name to a working town with none of the picturesque colonial stylings, enduring cultural practices, sunny beaches … Continue reading
Stark red earth, the dry gray-green of stunted plants, kangaroos and unending flat, disorienting planes; I doubt I am alone in these images of the Outback, culled from postcards, films and friends’ Facebook albums. But after a year of record rains, this is a land transformed. Blanked in thorny shrubs, … Continue reading
To get a real feel of a place it is always best to travel outside of the high season and avoid the hordes of tourists. Granted not a lot of the typical postcard and expensive coffee shops will be open but what will be open are the usual shops the … Continue reading
Located in the centre of south East Asia and bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Malaysia, Thailand has become a massive hot spot for tourists. It seems to cater for all, from the humble backpacker to the extravagant jet setter. With the contrast of ancient towns and temples in the … Continue reading
The Baths: Virgin Gorda is a small island just off Tortola in the Caribbean. On the south side of the island is a national park known as The Baths, which is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt places I have been lucky enough to visit. There is a short … Continue reading
Recognise this very frustrating scenario? You have been super-disciplined for a few weeks or longer , you have lost weight, you are looking and feeling good, you are ready to bare all on the beach and determined to enjoy every single minute of your well-deserved break. But, somehow or other … Continue reading
“Since the June 2009 coup d’état that led to the exile of then president Manuel Zelaya, visitors have been deterred from Honduras by reports of high crime and general insecurity” – so reported the Telegraph recently. Although San Pedro Sula is often dubbed “murder capital of the world”, we were … Continue reading
Do you fancy an idyllic but different break in India? Did you know that there are a host of unique holiday destinations in India that are just a few hours away by flight or road from the tourist traps in major cities? Here is our take on five unique holiday … Continue reading
Paris – a name associated with culture, art, the opera, the bourgeoisie and foremost a world-class cuisine. The French capital invites not only with an incredible charm, but also with an interesting mixture of old and modern architecture. Many artists flock to Paris in the summer to paint the beautiful … Continue reading
The bus slows gently as the driver changes down through the gears; annoyingly the moment before it stops he breaks sharply and sends every passenger lurching forward from their seats. After settling back into my original position I look out the window and notice another person waiting to board. This … Continue reading
You meet them in droves when traveling, people who’ve ‘done’ Fiji, the Amazon and China. Three weeks on a tourist bus and they have miraculously acquired supreme knowledge of the food (delicious but avoid the water), the people (so friendly!) and sites (amazing, but not nearly as good as Angkor … Continue reading
Recently, I reported on the city of Leipzig as a travel destination. This week, City Connect is proud to present the world-famous Baroque city of Dresden, one of the culturally richest cities in the Western world. Dresden is about 800 years old and is the capital of the German federal … Continue reading
Located 32 km from the more famous Rishikesh, Haridwar is often merely a side trip on many Western traveller’s agendas. Bustling with temples, markets and rich historical past, it is a town more than worthy of its own distinction. For many, Haridwar’s primary attraction is its profoundly religious significance. Known … Continue reading
I love the Caribbean’s warm blue seas and powder-white beaches but hate huge, impersonal all-inclusive hotels where, having no will power, I invariably put on half a stone in two weeks. So, after a hectic three-month trip around South America, we chose to spend our final days on Providencia, a … Continue reading
For the hip young things, Bangkok’s Chatacak market is old news. Overpriced, crawling with sweaty tourists and baby bunnies in tutus, swelteringly hot, row on row of the same stuff all held in a purpose built market. And, let’s be honest, a purpose built market? Who does that these days? … Continue reading
Traveling from Koh Sok to Koh Tao is an easy and affordable trip on the tourist bus and boat. If you are after a little more freedom and adventure or are feeling the need for a lie-in (the tourist bus leaves at 6am), a couple of local buses and an … Continue reading
On telling friends we were weekending in Venice, they all related two recent Italian travel stories: British holidaymakers being charged €64 (£54) for four ice-creams in Rome and Italian tourists being billed £85 for four liqueur-laced espresso coffees in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. We were already well aware of the … Continue reading
A night in an Ice Hotel in Swedish Lapland seemed like an unforgettable way to celebrate a special birthday. The adventure was eagerly anticipated but tinged with trepidation. It was impossible to imagine sleeping in temperatures of minus 5 degrees on a bed made from ice. We opted for the … Continue reading
Are you a travel aficionado who’s wondering what the latest buzz in the travel spectrum is? Do you think you’d like to go “green” the next time you travel? Or perhaps you’re a “green” traveller who is looking for a long vacation in beautiful countryside? Or a city stressed soul who … Continue reading
Are you looking for a holistic healing treatment that will rejuvenate your body and soul? Do relaxing massages, bathing in milk and rose petals, sandalwood packs, guava scrubs, chocolate body wraps, aromatic lotions and soothing oils and relaxing massages sound enticing? Then read on to know where you can find … Continue reading
How far is too far? Is there such a thing? It’s one thing following your man to the pub when he wants to watch football and you want to be seen as the ‘supportive girlfriend’. It’s another thing perhaps when he wants you to follow him to the other ends … Continue reading
Mariam Noronha continues her alternative Indian travel series with a review of the best monasteries in Ladakh… Ladakh, an Indian destination known for its undulating landscape, fresh mountain air and the Buddhist way of life is the place you should visit when you want to get away from it all. … Continue reading
Restful vacations, lazy holidays, quick getaways amidst snow capped peaks dotted with orchards, dense forests and green meadows. Are you looking for all or many of these? Then join Mariam Noronha as she unravels holiday destinations hidden in the Indian landscape. Here is a look at her top five tranquil holiday … Continue reading
It was a sunny lunchtime but I was trapped in a dark, underground state-cellar with 150, aged Australians. After an average meal, I was forced to clap and sing to cheesy songs (think ‘Que Sera Sera’) by a strutting, lederhosen clad, German blonde-bombshell who appeared to think he was Mick … Continue reading
Melanie Macro continues to discuss safety on cruise ships in the second part of her article from an insider’s perspective. If you missed Part 1, click here to read it. When the Costa Concordia sank, it was reported that people didn’t understand what was going on, that it was ‘every … Continue reading