a rainy day in Timanfaya Lanzarote
Europe, Spain

How to Visit Timanfaya National Park • On the volcano trail in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is worlds apart from any other of the Canary Islands; in fact a lot of this little island looks more like you'd expect the surface of another planet to appear. (Mars, perhaps, thanks to the fiery red dust and the hot lava that lies beneath.) The surreal landscape feels eerie to some, but if… Continue reading How to Visit Timanfaya National Park • On the volcano trail in Lanzarote

Chris Alex and Polis at Amphawa Floating Market
Asia, Thailand

When is a Floating Market Not a Floating Market • Bangkok to Amphawa

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, although instinct told me to do both at the same time. Night had fallen, and we were standing at a bus stop in a village in Thailand; a bus stop where it was almost certain that no buses would be arriving until the next morning. There were… Continue reading When is a Floating Market Not a Floating Market • Bangkok to Amphawa

the Glacier Express travelling from Zermatt to Chur in winter
Europe, Switzerland

Zermatt to Chur on the Glacier Express • Winter in the Alps

The journey from Zermatt to Chur on the Glacier Express was as magical as the name suggests, through thick snow-covered mountains and with panoramic views galore. And contrary to what you might think, you don't need to splash all your cash to ride this scenic railway. (Although it certainly is possible; this is Switzerland after… Continue reading Zermatt to Chur on the Glacier Express • Winter in the Alps

Zermatt and the Matterhorn at dusk
Europe, Switzerland

One Day in Zermatt • Vibes and Views for the Non-Skiers of the Alps

One day in Zermatt, followed by one of the most stunning train journeys in Europe, was a great way to reintroduce myself to winter. And I'm here to tell you, pals, that it is definitely possible to visit Zermatt if you're not a skier. I was there for the views and the vibes, and this… Continue reading One Day in Zermatt • Vibes and Views for the Non-Skiers of the Alps

yellow and green shrubs in Teide National Park
Europe, Spain

In Search of Mount Teide • A Road Trip from Santa Cruz de Tenerife

"Wooooow!" Andrii declared for the twelfth time in the last ten minutes. It had become a strong catchphrase for him on these road trips of ours, and I didn't blame him one bit. The thing about working on a cruise ship is that while you can almost achieve 'local' status in the immediate vicinity of… Continue reading In Search of Mount Teide • A Road Trip from Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Villa Beach closest beach to Kingstown
Caribbean, St Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent Cruise Port • A crew member’s guide to Kingstown

Sleepy St Vincent cruise port is definitely one of the quieter of the Caribbean's many ports, and yet the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines definitely pack a punch. Whether you're after a casual beach day, an action-packed adventure, or want to discover more of the culture of St Vincent and its old pirate-welcoming… Continue reading St Vincent Cruise Port • A crew member’s guide to Kingstown

old acropolis of Archangelos Greece
Europe, Greece

Archangelos, Rhodes • A slice of the quiet life

Some of my most favourite places that I've ever visited have been the little villages of the world, slightly off-the-beaten path, where life continues without too much interference from prying visitors (like, well, myself). So when I visited the Greek island of Rhodes for a few days in summer, I naturally sought out a quiet… Continue reading Archangelos, Rhodes • A slice of the quiet life

sunrise in Ha Long Bay
Asia, Vietnam

A 3 Day Halong Bay Cruise • The Best Way to See Ha Long Bay

Never in my life, did I ever think I'd be waking up somewhere as breathtakingly stunning as this. A sunrise view of jungle-topped stone karsts, rising from a mirror of still water. A soundtrack of silence, permeated by distant birds. This 3 day Halong Bay cruise was full of enchanting moments, rendering me entirely speechless… Continue reading A 3 Day Halong Bay Cruise • The Best Way to See Ha Long Bay

a restaurant window in Barcelona
Europe, Spain

Eating and Drinking in Barcelona • Barcelona restaurants, coffee shops and street food

Whilst I definitely do not profess to being the ultimate fountain of knowledge on all the taste sensations this stunning Catalan city has to offer, I've been really lucky to spend a lot of time in Barcelona over the last five or six years. Which means that I've managed to build up quite a list… Continue reading Eating and Drinking in Barcelona • Barcelona restaurants, coffee shops and street food