Travel Guides

From festivals in India to white water rafting in New Zealand, we round up some of the best destinations on the planet to visit.

Rafting group navigating through a narrow volcanic gorge on the Upper Navua River, surrounded by rugged rock formations and lush greenery in Fiji.

Upper Navua River Rafting: A Fijian Adventure

After years of apprehension, my wife and I finally plucked up the courage to tackle an Upper Navua River Rafting adventure. Several years ago, we tackled New Zealand's Tongariro River and Queenstown’s legendary Shotover...
Taj Mahal the travel dude

Day 7 – 12 April 2011 – Birthday Cake and Taj Mahal

Updated October 2021 Wow, wow and triple wow.  That sums up today. It was Rhys’ 17th Birthday today and we would be hard pressed to top this.  I can’t remember what I did for my 17th! We...

Day 19 – 24 April 2011 – From One Extreme to Another

Updated October 2011 I was looking forward to Singapore.  I feel a strong connection with her as I was born there and have been fortunate to visit several times since. We left Mumbai at 10:05 this...

Chasing Rainbows – Holi in Jaipur

Ah, Holi 2024 in Jaipur.  A kaleidoscopic carnival of colours that I've danced through umpteen times! Picture this: me, a seasoned Holi enthusiast, diving headfirst into the riotous sea of hues that wash over...

The Magic of Hobbiton – Exploring Middle Earth

Nestled in New Zealand's North Island’s rolling hills, lies the magic of Hobbiton.  It has captured the hearts of J.R.R Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film and book fans all...
Jaipur’s Cafés - Perfect Hideaways for Relaxation and European Breakfasts

Cafés in Jaipur Serving Breakfast with a European Twist

Jaipur, the Pink City and capital of Rajasthan, is a city of contrasts. Between majestic palaces, bustling bazaars, and chaotic streets, travellers seek moments of calm.  As a result, the cafés in Jaipur provide...

The Algarve – Portugal’s Winter-less Region

Ever considered Portugal’s Algarve for a winter break from Northern Europe’s chilly winters? So what makes The Algarve an ideal winter destination? For a start, temperatures consistently reach the high teens during daylight hours. And...

Raise a Glass to Tradition: Enjoy an Iconic Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel

If you're looking for a quintessential Singapore experience, look no further than the iconic Raffles Hotel and its signature cocktail, the Singapore Sling. This historic hotel, located in the heart of Singapore, has been a...

Day 10 – 15 April 2011 – Elephants, Forts and Food!

  Updated October 2021 I freely admit to being a “Jaipurite”.  And it was the perfect place to spend with my son. I’d arranged an early morning rickshaw (we’d given our driver the day off) out to...

Bangkok- An Insider’s Guide

I recently spent two days, as a stop-over, in Bangkok. I won’t say it’s one of my favourite cities I’ve ever visited. But it’s certainly not the worst either. In my opinion, it’s not over-flowing...