Hello Reader It's cherry blossom time, not only in Japan but in London too! I know this because having recovered from my Australia trip in February ( the jet lag is real!) I've been out exploring London. I grew up in London and go back often to visit family. So I thought I'd make use of these visits to explore some neighbourhoods - both new and familiar to me. Spring is a great time to see things afresh! I'd eaten out in Kings Cross but not discovered the extent of the new development in this...
16 days ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader Since the war kicked off in the Middle East I've been thinking a lot about the people in that region and the trips I've made there. Luckily, our return flight from Australia transferred smoothly through Doha's impressive Hamad International Airport, just days before its airpace was closed. I visited Jordan a couple of years ago for a friend's wedding and was overwhelmed by the warmth and friendliness of the people. After the wedding, we drove south to the UNESCO World Heritage...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader It's been a fun 3 weeks in Sydney, Australia, (read about our last visit here) but now it's time to head back to the UK. We've had so many memorable moments on this trip visiting family and I'm feeling quite at home with the relaxed Bondi Beach lifestyle, coastal walks and stylish cafes of Sydney. One of the highlights was a 4 day trip to Tasmania, just a 2 hour flight from Sydney. This island state of Australia is paradise for outdoor and adventure lovers, with rolling...
3 months ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader I'm currently in Sydney, Australia visiting family, so this newsletter is a chance for some Aussie updates. We came through the 26 hour flight from the UK relatively unscathed - I'm almost over the cricked back and jet lag! So far I'm loving the early morning swims on Bondi beach followed by the essential cappuccino. We couldn't quite believe how busy a beach can be at 6.30am, when everyone in Bondi is out swimming, jogging, kayaking and generally hanging out. The brunch scene...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader For the last couple of weeks I've been dreaming about sunny days, whether it's a relaxing break in the Caribbean or catching some early season sunshine in southern Europe. But next week the dreams become reality, as I head back to Australia to visit family and soak up the sun. Next time you hear from me I'll be sharing tales of brunch in Bondi, hiking in the Blue Mountains or a weekend break in Hobart, Tasmania. I've already written about the best things to do in Sydney and our...
4 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader Last week I featured some amazing Caribbean islands, where sunshine is pretty much guaranteed at this time of year. However if you live in the UK or Europe, and are looking for somewhere warm that's a little closer to home, I have plenty more ideas. Warmer weather arrives in Southern Europe around the end of February. It may not be sunbathing weather but the temperatures are perfect if you enjoy sightseeing or activities like hiking. I've previously enjoyed early spring trips to...
4 months ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader It feels as though we only just put away the Christmas decorations and already we are half way through January! In a few weeks I'll be flying to Australia for a family visit and certainly won't miss the February grey skies here in the UK. While I love the relaxed lifestyle of Australia, the 24 hours flying time can be a challenge. So in this newsletter I'm channelling Caribbean vibes - bringing you winter sun destinations that are more easily accessible, whichever side of the...
4 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader Here's wishing you a very Happy New Year, with new beginnings, plenty of fun and more of what you love in 2026. While I don't have any firm resolutions for 2026, it's a good time to reflect and consider what you'd like to do more of this year. I've shared a few of these 'things I'd like to do more of' below (hint: food and hiking feature strongly, so I'm hoping they aren't mutually exclusive!). How about you? In which direction would you like the new year to lead you? January is...
4 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader With the Christmas festivities over, my thoughts are already turning to the year ahead. Tis the season of New Year travel trends as we indulge in a bit of crystal ball gazing for 2026. Personally I take trend predictions with a pinch of salt, as they aren't always relevant to my travel style. Still it's fun to see what and where is expected to be popular in 2026, even if you do the exact opposite! So in this newsletter, I've played with three trends trends from a recent BBC...
4 months ago • 3 min read