There is a little sliver of land that lives between the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean, and connects Thailand to Malaysia. Dotted with incredible destinations on both coasts, this very special part of the world called the Kra Isthmus on the Malay Peninsula. The Southern Thai provinces populating this peninsula include places rich…
Travel Guides
Montepulciano: Exploring One of Italy’s Most Beautiful Towns
The terracotta rooftops huddled Tetris-like on the limestone ridgeline. The rust-red quickly melted to green as the valley fell away and verdant vine-wrapped hills were revealed. As we wound around the tight bends, guided by perfectly formed cypress trees we edged past cars, trucks, and even the occasional sedate tractor as the anticipation brewed. The…
An Epic Guide to Hakuba, Japan: Where to Stay, Ski and Unwind
Driving through Hakuba valley we were swept up in the magic of a sky dusting every treetop, rooftop and mountain top in the legendary white powder snow. It’s this feather-soft cover that draws so many to Hakuba, Japan year on year. Pulling in to Happo Village, the first of many warm smiles and thick Australian…
Why Samoa Could Be Your Next Dream Holiday Destination
Luscious, verdant, wild yet serene, Samoa is a treasure trove of untouched natural beauty, where turquoise seas meet rolling mountainscapes and an emerald carpet of rich vegetation greets you at every turn. Mention that you’re visiting Samoa on your holidays and you’re likely to be met with confusion and curiosity. Because unlike its South Pacific neighbour…
A Weekend in Ghent: Belgium’s Quirkiest City
I challenge you to take a bad photograph in Ghent, Belgium. It simply isn’t possible. This point-and-shoot town is a living postcard everywhere you look, so picturesque that it hardly feels real. I recently found myself in this beautiful city, just a short train ride from Paris and it was the perfect place to be for a…
Aitutaki Island: Paradise Found in the South Pacific
Have you ever visited a place that left you without words? We’ve all likely heard the saying that something leaves us breathless, but for a writer sometimes we are left wordless too. In the words of one of my very favourite authors, sometimes “we do not take a trip, a trip takes us,” and Steinbeck’s words…
Exploring Rarotonga: The Heart of the Cook Islands
“Kia Orana!” is what you hear as soon as you land in the breathtaking Cook Islands; “May you live a long and fulfilling life”. It’s a common phrase, exchanged with a smile, many times a day. More than that, it is the sentiment at the heart of the way the locals live here. It is impossible…
48 Hours in Palm Springs: A Healthy Weekend Getaway Guide
People say that Paris is always a good idea. Well, that is how I feel about Palm Springs too. Palm Springs has always been one of my favourite places to spend a weekend away from San Francisco. I love it for the desert temperatures, the chic pools and the incredibly cool vibe. Recently, I discovered that there…
A Guide to Chiang Rai: Exploring The Golden Triangle
Chiang Rai is a quiet poem in the middle of the book. The oldest city of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, it holds many beautiful secrets for you to discover. Not far from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, and a sister to Chiang Mai, this beautiful Northern region of Thailand is filled to the brim with diverse…
The Ultimate Local’s Guide to San Francisco
There are a million reasons why you might want to put San Francisco on your list for a visit, with around the same number of city guides for this place that I have called home for more than a decade and where I return to when I’m not travelling. This San Francisco city guide is a…
A Weekend Getaway in Arizona: Exploring Mesa and Phoenix
When it’s cold and foggy in San Francisco, I dream of being in the desert sunshine. The desert sunshine for me waits in Arizona. From the magic and mystic of Sedona, to the wide open spaces of Phoenix, and every bit in-between. So, I spent a long weekend visiting Mesa and Phoenix and discovered how incredible Spring is…
The Perfect Weekend Guide to the Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is one of the world’s most iconic areas, known for its location near the Great Barrier Reef. Although this archipelago of islands covers more than 2,600 km2, only seven are inhabited. With so many breathtaking places to see and things to do in the Whitsundays, the hardest part is deciding where you’d like to go. If…