Expert Insights

April 25, 2014 Best Europe Hiking Holidays

Europe: what’s not to love? For Brits, it’s right on the doorstep, and you can’t beat that killer combination of world-class walking and convenience. Here are some of the best hiking holidays in Europe. The incredible diversity of scenic splendour is draw enough – it’s hard to believe such variety is packed into such a...

April 24, 2014 Best Places to Find Penguins

Read time – 4 minutes Though it’s true that all species of penguin live in the Southern Hemisphere, you may be surprised to learn that of the world’s 17 varieties, just six inhabit Antarctica. Of these, only two (Adelie and Emperor) truly make the continent their home. So if you’re looking for where to find...

April 23, 2014 11 facts you probably didn’t know about Turkey

You’d be forgiven for thinking that tulips come from the Netherlands and the capital of Turkey is Istanbul. As it turns out, though, you’d be wrong… 1 – Turkey isn’t actually called Turkey. It’s officially the Republic of Turkey. 2 – Ankara is the capital of Turkey, not Istanbul. 3 – Istanbul is the only city...

April 23, 2014 Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in the World

Read time – 3 minutes Long before the mechanised, industrial-scale carriages that crowd our skies today, mankind was flying with a little less sense and a little more style. The very first successful aeronautic endeavour was the hot air balloon, and the iconic original remains the vehicle of choice for romantics, if not airlines. The...

April 17, 2014 Join South Africa for a Celebration

“Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.” You would be right to think this quote belonged to an unflinching traveller. This man’s journey, however, was different to your average luggage-laden escapade. Both epic in proportion and politically transforming, his inspiring life became the subject...

April 17, 2014 Canyoning in Slovenia

Read time – 1 minute ‘’Keep your arms across your chest!” commanded our guide. “Legs together!” We snapped into the vampiric pose obediently. “Oh, and don’t forget to scream…” This was our briefing. We stood, suited and booted in heavy wetsuits and helmets, and were considered ready. In silence, we edged towards the edge of...

April 16, 2014 Chocolate Destinations of the World

Read time – 5 minutes In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of artisan chocolate. Taste-conscious consumers are not only demanding higher quality, but also sustainable, ethically-sourced produce. This demand can only mean good news for hardworking cocoa farmers around the world, as well as for those of us with a...

March 27, 2014 What a Pa-Lava: Best Volcano Holidays

Read time – 4 minutes It feels like sneaking up on a sleeping dragon. But the beast beneath your boots is no fairy tale: volcanoes are firmly rooted in the real world. Ever since Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland threw its toys out the pram in 2010 (much to the chagrin of news presenters struggling to pronounce...

March 26, 2014 Architectural Wonders of the World

Read time – 4 minutes Part of what distinguishes human beings from other species is our singular talent for changing the world around us to suit our needs. Of course, we started small – tents and huts were built for shelter, warmth and security. It wasn’t long, though, before our imaginations allowed us to break...

March 25, 2014 Top Five Cultural Walking Holidays

Read time – 2 minutes Trekking isn’t all about mileage and perseverance. Often, the best way to enjoy a walk is to stop for a moment and soak up the atmosphere. Our cultural walking holidays take you to the most sublime locations in the world – marching straight through without looking up is no less than a...