Exploring Grafton Ghost Town in Utah
I’m a fan of ghost towns. I’m a fan of dark tourism in general. Part of the planning for our foray into the desert landscapes of Arizona and Utah was to research historical sites and … Read more
36 hours in Atlanta : A Fun Foodie Weekend Itinerary
Heading to Atlanta and only have a short time? Let me share with you my jam-packed itinerary to enjoy 36 hours in Atlanta. This weekend guide to Atlanta takes in the highlights and areas to … Read more
A Dog-Friendly Guide to Bilbao
Bilbao is the most dog-friendly European city I have ever visited. We travel with our dog, Moose, whenever we can, even to cities. And Bilbao in the Basque Country of Spain turned out to be … Read more
Verteuil-sur-Charente – A Fairytale French Village
Have you ever been to a place that looked just like a fairytale? Verteuil-sur-Charente is a picturesque village in the Charente department of south-western France. TV chef, James Martin, visited the Chateau de Verteuil as … Read more
Sunrise at Cocoa Beach – viewing & photography tips
I remember vividly the moment when I decided that the sunrise in Cocoa Beach, Florida, would be worth getting up for. We were leaving the Sandbar Sports Grill at sunset – the sky was on … Read more
One Day in Savannah : 24 Hour Guide
Savannah is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities I have ever visited. The series of perfectly symmetrical city squares, long avenues with trees dripping in Spanish moss, and grand antebellum architecture – it is … Read more
A Local’s Guide to Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is a magical city. From the ancient buildings and monuments, to the amazing pub and restaurant scene, Edinburgh is a city with old bones but a modern sensibility. I lived in Edinburgh for 16 … Read more
Choosing the Perfect Florida Everglades Tour
Florida is a diverse and beautiful state, and people flock there for the wildlife, and temperate climate. We visited Florida for the art deco architecture in Miami Beach, the barbecue; and to see manatees and … Read more
Cinque Terre Photography + Visiting Responsibly
You’ve probably seen the colourful villages of the Cinque Terre National Park in National Geographic and Conde Nast. Impossible houses layered on impossibly steep cliffs, and hilltop views, along the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Here … Read more
Tips for visiting Alcatraz Island
Just the word ‘Alcatraz’ has impact. This well-worn prison island in San Francisco Bay is the scene of many movies, escape attempts and an air of mystery that draws people to visit from around the … Read more
Gatlinburg Scenic Drives : Smoky Mountains
The scenic drives around Gatlinburg, in the Smoky Mountains, are some of the most serene I have ever driven. The rolling green hills and subtle blue light, the lush greenery and wildlife sighting opportunities, all … Read more
Naples Revisited : The Power of Travel
In 1999 I spent some time in Naples, Italy, and it totally changed my life. I can say that with distinct clarity, with the benefit of hindsight and twenty more years of travelling under my … Read more
Cinque Terre Accommodation Guide
It’s sometimes hard to understand where to stay without seeing an area. But with my accommodation guide to the Cinque Terre, you will be able to identify where the best spot is for your needs … Read more
Italian Food Tours & Traditions
The chance to indulge in my Italian food cravings was one of the motivators of our recent Italian road trip. I have such vivid memories of the richness, the colours, and the homeliness of Italian … Read more
Review: Resort La Francesca, Cinque Terre
Fancy exploring the iconic Cinque Terre in Liguria, Italy? I highly recommend staying outside the main 5 villages that make up the Cinque Terre – for both your sanity, and for your budget! We recently … Read more
One Day in Naples – 24 Hour Guide
Naples is one of my favourite cities in the world. I would recommend a week there, as it is a vibrant and diverse city that will challenge your conceptions and your senses. With world class … Read more
A Self-Guided Tour of Calgary
We visited Calgary during Stampede week, and it can be crazy-busy. But with that busyness comes a wonderful vibe too, the city is buzzing. So I thought I’d put together a guide to help you … Read more
A Weekend in Venice Italy
Venice is one of those places that has been a victim of its own beauty and desirability. I’m a fan of tourist taxes, restricting cruise ship numbers, and finding that balance between the tourist economy … Read more
4 Days in Berlin Germany
Berlin had been on my travel wish-list for the longest time. We finally got to spend 4 days in Berlin and the city lived up to and bypassed all our expectations. The history of this … Read more
3 Days in Rome : Weekend & Short Stay Itinerary
Rome is a gritty and delicious city – particularly the juxtaposition between the ancient roman sites and the modern day city. It is also chaotic, frenetic, crowded and very hot in Summer – but all … Read more
Chateau de Rochechouart : Where Old Meets New
The beautiful Haute-Vienne town of Rochechouart is home to the Chateau de Rochechouart. This château is now home to the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Haute-Vienne; and it is a fabulous mix of old … Read more
London in One Day – 24 Hour Guide
London deserves a lot more than 24 hours of your attention, but this gives you a good jumping off point. Whether you are just in London for one day, or you need an itinerary for … Read more
Yellowstone Itinerary : 4 days
Yellowstone was the first National Park in the USA, and holds a special place in the collective consciousness of the country. This legacy is part of why I wanted to visit Wyoming and the surrounding … Read more
Paris : The City of Love
Paris is the city of love. And by this, I don’t mean that it is always the romantic dusk caress that you might read about and swoon. It can be, but it is also a … Read more
How to Spend 2 – 3 Days in Chicago
Chicago has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I’m an architecture geek, and a lover of blues music, so it’s naturally a good fit. Chicago really did exceed my expectations; the dynamic … Read more
Visiting Carhenge in Alliance Nebraska
Did you know that there is a scale copy of Stonehenge made out of cars in Alliance Nebraska? “Carhenge” was made by artist, Jim Reinders, and completed in 1987, as a memorial to his father. … Read more
24 Hours in Paris : One Day Guide
Only spending 24 hours in Paris is a little like only dunking your big toe into a shimmering mediterranean sea; and then never swimming in it. But I understand that sometimes time is not on … Read more
Visiting the Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland
“A water spirit in the form of a horse” – One of the most googled crossword clues – the answer: A Kelpie! The Kelpies are also stunning sculptures located in Falkirk, Scotland. Glimpsed briefly from … Read more
A Weekend in Nice, France : 3 Day Itinerary
The old town of Nice, with its cobbled streets, little bars, prix fixe menus, and beautiful architecture is a treat. The bonus of Nice is that you have the beach and promenade nearby too. A … Read more
Banff Itinerary: 36 Hours of Art & Culture
When you think of Banff, you undoubtedly think of crystal blue lakes, hiking and unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies. And of course, this area can offer you all of those things and more. Banff and Lake … Read more
Collecting Passport Stamps
I’ve been collecting passport stamps since I got my first passport at age 16. Before then, I was on my Mom’s passport, where I collected a few at a young age moving from London to … Read more
Copenhagen City Break Itinerary
I’ll be honest, Copenhagen was never at the top of my ‘must-see’ list. But this is where the budget airlines can inspire trips to new places. When looking for a birthday city break, I discovered … Read more
Clarksdale Mississippi : One night in Bluestown
Little did I know that driving Highway 61 down through the Mississippi Delta, and visiting the city of Clarksdale, would turn out to be one of my favourite road trip drives in the USA. Following … Read more
Kuaotunu – The Gem of the Coromandel, NZ
I would love to keep Kuaotunu a secret. But this gem on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand is too beautiful a place not to wax lyrical about. So here it goes – my secret … Read more
Discovering Elvis : Visiting his Birthplace & Graceland
Elvis Presley was before my time, but his music is most certainly timeless. His legacy is so much part of popular culture and the collective consciousness, it would be hard to avoid knowing something about … Read more
Street Photography Amsterdam – A Photo Essay
One of my favourite things to do in Amsterdam, is to people watch. The hundreds of cafés and restaurants that have outdoor seating make it easy to sit and watch the world go by. Street … Read more
Be Inspired by the City of Holly Springs MS
Have you ever heard of Holly Springs, Mississippi? No? Neither had I until recently. Thankfully, Twitter is a great place for travel inspiration. Holly Springs Tourism & Recreation Bureau saw that we were passing close … Read more
Dungeness Mansion Ruins on Cumberland Island
Cumberland is an island off the coast of Georgia. Just north of the Florida border line, the island is accessed via ferry from Saint Marys. Once mostly owned by the Carnegie family, it is now … Read more
Eating Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
The movie Fried Green Tomatoes was on repeat in my household as soon as it came out on video. I was 11 when it was released in 1991, and was captivated by the strong female … Read more
NOLA Cemetery Tours with Two Chicks Walking Tours
I was looking for a walking tour of New Orleans that included both a cemetery tour as well more information about Storyville and the French Quarter. I found Two Chicks Walking Tours and their ‘Dead … Read more