How to see Japan’s cherry blossoms responsibly
14 Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms are popular for good reason. Tap into local knowledge to unearth the best ways to make the most of the fleeting spring season, while travelling responsibly and respectfully. Fluffy-looking pink and white trees framing an ancient temple. Petals falling like snow. When you dream of a trip to Japan, the romanticised image of sakura […]
Cancun to Isla Mujeres (Isla Mujeres Ferry Guide 2025)
If you’re trying to find the best way to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres then look no further. Our in-depth guide will provide you with all the info you need about transportation to Isla Mujeres, along with some ideas of things to do once you get there. Isla Mujeres is Cancun’s closest island, and […]
Paris Bound? Tick Off These 9 Essentials First
Heading to Paris soon? Before you board the plane, there are a few things you absolutely want sorted. Not glamorous things. But the kind that decide whether your first day feels smooth — or stressful. After 20 years living in Paris and planning trips for readers every week, I’ve seen the same small mistakes ruin […]
10 years of living in Wānaka as an expat
Sharing is caring! Exactly ten years ago, I arrived in Wānaka in a little red car with my whole life packed inside it. Back then, Wānaka was still a sleepy little mountain town where Instagram wasn’t really a thing, and no one cared about a tree in the lake. I cannot believe I’ve passed a […]
A Typical Day on a Star Clippers Caribbean Cruise
What does a typical day look like when you’re sailing the Caribbean on a gorgeous tall ship? Sailing on a Star Clippers cruise could not be more different than a day on one of those overbloated cruise ships! So I decided to write about what an actual day is like aboard the Royal Clipper. There […]
Paris Through My Lens: Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres
The massive and painstaking restoration of this cathedral has created a storm of controversy. Many think that the cleaning has rendered the magnificent stained glass windows not nearly as effective when viewed against the centuries of grim and soot removed. Others celebrate seeing the incredible details uncovered. I will admit that seeing the restored portions […]
10 Jaw-Dropping Beautiful Landscapes for Adventure Travellers
This post was originally written by Daniel Sendecki on 23 Nov, 2015 The world is full of landscapes that stop you in your tracks. From ice‑scarred islands at the edge of Antarctica to turquoise alpine lakes and towering granite peaks, these are the places that make you feel well and truly alive. In this guide, […]
6 Reasons Tourists Getting Fined on the Paris Metro
Navigating the Paris Metro can feel intimidating at first. The ticket system isn’t always obvious. The rules are stricter than many visitors expect. And when everything’s in French, it’s easy to second-guess yourself. I’ve seen travelers fined for small mistakes — not validating a ticket properly, buying the wrong ticket, or tossing a ticket too […]
Why missing out on some wildlife in Costa Rica *actually* made my trip better
11 Not seeing Central America’s resplendent quetzal led Richard Mellor to reframe the idea of failure as a prerequisite to appreciating success. All I felt, sitting in my hillside suite, overlooking volcanic slopes densely cloaked in cloud forest, was disappointment. Despite these exuberant tropical surroundings in Costa Rica’s Central Highlands, my spirits sagged. I felt […]
How to Get from Cancun to Tulum (2025 Travel Guide) (2025 Travel Guide)
Getting from Cancun to Tulum doesn’t have to be complicated, and if you’re spending any time at all in the Yucatán Peninsula, don’t hesitate to make this trip. The ancient town of Tulum has a long history that dates back to the Mayan empire, and you can still see the influence of days past in […]