Aruba cruise port is in the colourful city of Oranjestad, which is filled with designer stores, plenty of restaurants and all-inclusive hotels, and a substantial population of iguanas. (I do love those little dinosaur-creatures.) And although this is a Dutch island- part of the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao- aside from the clogs… Continue reading Aruba Cruise Port • Docking in Oranjestad
Perhaps you've seen the staircase of the Queen's House in Greenwich already. If you're on instagram, and you're interested in exploring the hidden gems of London, it's highly likely. Because this spiral staircase with its wrought-iron blue tulip bannister, known as the Tulip Stairs, is a true beauty. And not only is this royal house… Continue reading Queen’s House Greenwich • Ships and spiral staircases in Greenwich Park
I've been on plenty of long distance trains before- the Coast Starlight in California, the Glacier Express in Switzerland, the Sunset Limited across the southern states of the USA, and a rather nightmarish ten hour journey from Zürich to Hamburg being just a few of them- with, to be honest, widely varying levels of enjoyment.… Continue reading Da Nang to Hanoi By Train • Railway Adventures in Vietnam
A visit to the Caribbean's 'Nature Island' wouldn't be complete without some chill out time in one of the island's geothermal pools. Heated naturally thanks to the volcanic underbelly of the island, the warm water is rich in healing minerals, and pools are often surrounded with tropical flowers and trees in a rainforest setting. Here's… Continue reading Hot Springs in Dominica • Rest and relaxation in the rainforest
The Greek island of Rhodes is a wonderfully pink kind of a place. As I sat in the taxi from the airport to the village of Archangelos, the sky was blushing with a rosy glow- which tinted the landscape with the same warm blush. Along the roadside and up into the dry hills were pops… Continue reading 3 Days in Rhodes • Solo Travel in Greece
It's no wonder they call Mallorca the 'gem of the Mediterranean.' This Spanish island is an absolute stunner. Whether you want to meander through the winding alleyways of Palma, head to one of the beautiful beaches to swim in crystal clear water, or head further into the luscious Mallorcan countryside, Palma de Mallorca cruise port… Continue reading Palma de Mallorca Cruise Port • Docking in the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’
Guess who's back?? Back again?? Alex Coleman's back. Tell a friend. That's right, pals, I am back with my annual rundown of what the heck happened in the year just past, which let's face it, I do more for my own benefit than for anyone else. Since 2020 when I began this annual update, things… Continue reading 2023 • Here, There and Everywhere
Willemstad is a wonderful place, pals. This gem of a city is charming, artistic, colourful, and quite frankly captivating, with some of the prettiest neighbourhoods I've yet to wander through in the Caribbean islands; the first day that I docked here I was instantly enamoured with its historic streets and friendly atmosphere. There are so… Continue reading The Best Things to do in Willemstad • Exploring the capital of Curaçao
Muscat cruise port is one seriously pretty place to dock, with craggy mountains surrounding the white buildings of the city, turquoise and green minarets and domed mosques, all combining to make a breathtaking view. There's plenty to do within walking distance, there are some brilliant excursions into the city and the surrounding desert, and a… Continue reading Muscat Cruise Port • Docking in Oman’s Capital
Is one day in Hoi An enough? I only had a day to explore this beautiful ancient city, and in all honesty I could have happily spent at least two more there! But when time is of the essence, here's my suggested, and very much tried-and-tested itinerary for spending one day in Hoi An. *This… Continue reading One Day in Hoi An • An itinerary for exploring the ‘Lantern City’
