As the oldest oak forest in England and an area of natural beauty, the Forest of Dean has plenty of things to do. Find a slice of rural luxury here.

Your guide to Chiavenna Italy, including what to see in Chiavenna, where to stay and eat, day trips, local delicacies and lots more helpful tips.

Everything you need to know about shopping in Seville, including where to buy authentic Seville souvenirs

To the soundtrack of thunderous monsoon rain, I learned these easy Malaysian recipes at the Mango Garden Restaurant in Borneo.

The best things to do in Germany – travel ideas and itineraries  Germany attracts repeat visitors through an intoxicating mix of sweet gingerbread and beer. Sizzling sausages (some protected by law,) fairytale castles and snow-laden chalets with glühwein on tap take the chill off the history of the Berlin Wall and the shadows from the well documented […]

Get back to nature and the salty, sandy, rocky coast of West Wales with a luxury camping experience in Felin Geri.

It snaked towards us slowly. A scarlet, silted, rust-red, blood-red, iron-tinged flow. The water seeped around the edges of my boots, my footprints swallowed up within seconds.

It visibly stained my soles.

Up ahead, I saw two men walking, the two men who were travelling with me. But no other soul was there.

From dreaming about a trip, planning a trip, writing up a trip and reviewing trips for work, it’s hard to find a day when I’m not zig-zagging across various travel websites.

I’m also honoured to be a regular contributor to The Independent’s 50 Best Travel Websites feature since 2013 as well.

I first wrote about the importance of doing nothing while travelling alone. Now, as a mother of a toddler, alone time is scarce. Doing nothing seems positively criminal. So, I’ve caught up with the neuroscientist in me and reminded myself why it’s important. Is it time that you did too?

During the winter, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Lapland, a stunning, snowy extravaganza that shimmers with the oomph of the human spirit. Lapland itself spans Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. It reflects the long held traditions of the Sami more than modern map making convention.

London, you sweet, pretty, gritty city, you. With your thousands of years of history, your up to the minute design, your art, your celebrities, your Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾, and your life-saving discoveries, you. Here’s how to unlock your secrets within 3 days.

 Where are the best places to travel with a baby?Professional travelling parents share their experiences in this handy, practical guide.Updated 2019Where are the best places to go with a baby?On some days, let’s be honest, it feels as though the answer is “nowhere.” The tiredness, the packing lists, the changes of clothes and the thought […]

Florida is known for its crystal, turquoise blue. So why am I deliberately slipping into the mud with a snorkel? To go swimming with manatees, that’s why. To search for and understand those gentle marine giants who carry with them an eco success story all of their own. Here’s an ethical guide to swimming with manatees.

This is a terrible photo. It’s taken with a point-and-shoot about as old as shoulder pads and legwarmers. It has splashes from water and glare from the sun (just in case you hadn’t noticed.) It’s also one of my favourite photos…

Geneva, Switzerland. My first thoughts leaped to watches, chocolates and human rights – and my first half hour in the city certainly backed up that list.

Kamakura. It’s one of those words I’d never heard until I went to Yokote in north Japan.

Snow was falling as I arrived in the city, 260 miles from Tokyo. Softly at first, like…

Toddler Travel ToysPlease find our collection of the best toddler travel toys for airplanes (and aeroplanes) below.  Quick Guide to Toddler Travel Toys Toddler Travel Toys for AirplanesWhat makes a good travel toy?The Best Toddler Travel ToysThe Airport Busy BookAquadoodle: Art on the GoPuzzle With Connected PiecesAirport Sticker BookWashable Crayons and A Colouring Book Toddler […]

What to eat in Tenerife – Tenerife Food GuideWhat is typical Tenerife food? Forget jokes about Full English Breakfasts and fish and chips for a pound, the real cuisine in Tenerife stretches back over centuries.Your Guide to Food in Tenerife ​The Top 10 Foods to Try in Tenerife​ GofioBarraquitoRopa VIejaPuchero Roast Chestnuts  Almogrote Papas Arrugadas Tenerife Honey Tenerife Wine Mojo   […]

In the beginning, there was…

A dragon. Well, at least a dragon king from the sea. I’m not quite sure what the difference is but since there’s a dragon involved (and a king – my name!) I’m not going to ask questions, I’m just going to get on with the story.

In the beginning, there was a dragon king who lived in the sea.

There’s no doubt about it: Seville is one of Spain’s most exciting cities, a place with intoxicating heat, history, architecture and food. From cosy hotspots in the centre of town to fortress-like luxury in the hills. Here are the best places to stay in Seville after years spent living there (and reviewing hotels for a living.)

Fika. So said the letters, so said my host. It was not yet four in the afternoon and I began to brace myself.

The word fika, I decided, had all the hallmarks of a potent local spirit, the sort that could stand in for paint stripper on an identity parade and would give you a headache as soon as look at you…

Known for its sunny package holidays, the subtropical island of Tenerife hides its unusual things to do in plain sight. Unusual Things to do in Tenerife With two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and food, landscape and culture aplenty, Tenerife offers so much more than simply lying on the beach. And hardly […]

The best travel movies and travel films  When it comes to putting together a list of the best travel movies, which should make the cut? Should it include movies like Eat, Pray, Love or Into the Wild where the protagonist is largely, well, travelling as a traveller? Or should it include movies that focus on a sense of […]

   When I first started looking for things to do in Harrogate, it was out of a dull sense of duty: I had to go there for work. But then I uncovered a world of intrigue, relaxation and reinvention in this pretty Yorkshire town.Introducing HarrogateHarrogate hit the headlines in the 19th century with its strong subterranean […]

Let’s face it, the Dead Sea has a depressing name. It also fizzes the synapses by sounding too much like Red Sea.
Red Sea, Dead Sea. Red Sea. Dead Sea.

It’s an astonishing feeling to sip morning tea high above the treetops. To see them swaying, sunlight splintering through, to feel with them, swaying slightly, unable to see their base.

The treetop cabin at Redwood Valley seems different to how I’d imagined: not perilous and poky but refreshing and full of the promise of adventure. A steep path leads here, rather than a ladder, the banks of earth thrusting upwards to lift visitors up, up, up and into the forest.

And what a forest it is.

The Real Pride Rock Africa  This Kenya Wildlife Safari inspired creators of Disney’s the Lion King and you can see the real Pride Rock. And it’s not reserved for celebrities, anyone can travel there. There’s a video at the end so if you’re a fan of moving pictures, hop straight down there to enjoy! Cheers – AbiWildlife Safari […]

And so, at last, I am in Berlin. After more than a thousand miles by train, through some of the darkest moments in European history, some well known, others not, I find myself with a plastic fork in one hand and a fluffy orange sausage in the other.

Have Japan’s Okinawa Islands found the secret to a long and healthy life?

Tried and Tested Gifts for Travellers Find the perfect present for someone who travels a lot, someone about to go travelling and someone who travels for work. After years on the road, in each of these situations, here’s what I’d recommend Quick Navigation Present Ideas for People Who Love TravelThe Hotelgift CardA Pretty, Practical Travel […]