A travel wish list for 2017
Travel trends and resolutions are all the go right now, as we start the new year. Where to go? What to do? Where to eat? So…
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Victory in remembering
One of my strongest childhood memories is of getting lost. I was four years old and it was ANZAC Day, the day on which Australians and New Zealanders turn out to honour those…
My year of islands
Born and bred in an island nation, perhaps it’s no surprise that I’ve got a penchant for islands. And looking back on my travels this year,…
Things I love about hotels
They may not ever be perfect (although some come close), but there’s a lot to love about hotels. And after staying in countless different types of…
What I love to hate about hotels
This year, I have stayed in 51 hotels. I was stunned when I added them all up. They’ve ranged from five-star city hotels to a YHA,…
A very antipodean Christmas
Christmas in the southern hemisphere is almost incomprehensible to those who haven’t experienced it. For those who live on the far side of the planet, where…
Porvoo: a medieval town
Finland has six medieval towns, and when I visited recently I was lucky enough to visit two of them, both within easy reach of Helsinki. Founded…
Helsinki’s quiet places
Even for those who aren’t church-goers, the great churches and cathedrals of the world hold a certain allure. They are quiet and beautiful spaces, respite from…
