17 September 2025

Grecotel Marine Place is located between Heraklion and Rethymno next to the village of Panormo on Crete's north coast. The hotel has been thoughtfully designed in the style of a village, with low rise Mediterranean style buildings sprawled across beautifully landscaped gardens perched on the coastline with great views. Flower lined pathways link up the different areas of the hotel which has 4 lar

13 December 2023

My business is committed to responsible tourism and protecting animals who are impacted by the travel industry. Animal encounters have become increasingly popular as part of people’s holiday experiences, however, in recent years the world has realised that some animal-related activities, such as elephant washing and rides, photo opportunities with tigers or watching dolphins perform, lead to suf

13 December 2023

I am both personally and professionally passionate about ethical, sustainable travel and the incredible potential tourism has to be a positive force in sustainable development. Here is my poetic commitment to travelling more sustainably, both as a traveller and a travel professional! Our planet is changing by the day, To explore it is a privilege, if we don’t respect that we will surely pay

21 November 2023

Over the past 10 years (or more) the travel industry has begun a journey of awareness about the ethics of animal attractions. However, back in 2010 I had been backpacking around Central America and ended my trip at a hotel next door to Dolphin Discovery. Wandering into this attraction one day was a defining moment for me on my responsible travel journey. A solitary sealion crunches his body int

08 June 2023

It's up there with the likes of London, Rio, Vancouver and New York as one of the world's most iconic cities, yet Sydney boasts a relaxing Aussie vibe. It's not a city to hot foot it around sights, it's a city to hang out and savour the famous beaches, parks and beautiful views. Sydney’s harbour setting is among the world’s most stunning, but there is so much more to take in. The compact centr

08 June 2023

The sun is gently sinking in the sky, the waves lapping the white sand beach. Bird call echoes around the swaying palms; an owl-like 'twit too', squawks, clatters and tuneful song all make up the sunset symphony. A lone fisherman casts a hopeful net in-between boats, and beyond the lagoon, the waves break over a reef filled with colourful fish. The sunshine glimmers in a perfect channel across the

08 March 2022

During my time as a product manager for an educational travel company, my role was to set up volunteer projects around the world. Over the years I met some incredible women doing incredible things, often with little support, in all sorts of places. Miss Rachel always stuck in my mind, and I wrote this about her for International Women's Day in 2019. Straddling Central American jungles and the c

10 September 2021

September 11th 2001 is a day the world will never forget. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a tasteful tribute to those who lost their lives, to heroism and the to resilience of a city that has somehow picked itself up and recovered. Above ground it's all very serene and relaxing. Water gently cascades into “reflecting pools”, essentially underground waterfalls whose enormous perimeter marks the footpr

01 July 2021

(Continued) Day Four. Peruvian transport at it´s best We jumped on a bus to get down to a cable we would need to take over the river. Well, it had been a bus once upon a time but now it was a battered heap with no glass in the windows and a piece of plastic for a door. As we arrived near to a river the bus stopped and 30 local men ambushed it, pushing and shoving to get the luggage as it was br

01 July 2021

Day One. “Can I borrow that Llama’s coat please?” Our minibus zig-zagged the dirt roads, clinging perilously several times to the edges of the cliff edge. Whilst trying to get around a hairpin bend the bus driver bumped into a tree and chipped the corner of the minibus. Good start. We had set off from Cusco, already 3400m above sea level before even the roosters were up. Cusco, once the centre o

21 June 2021

Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires, pulsates with a glamorous and seductive energy. A combination of rich architecture, cultural heritage, world-class cuisine, electric nightlife, and a vibrant arts scene makes it one of the world’s most intriguing cities. Here are some of the reasons I fell in love with it on my first visit. Getting to know Gardel. It was on the second night that my love

18 June 2021

Many years ago I spent a year travelling around South America. This is a tongue-in-cheek article I wrote towards the end of that year about South American bureaucracy, an integral part of the Latino culture! In the early days, as a South America Postal System Virgin I would collect my things together, trot off to the nearest post office and presume sending a parcel would be a task no more diff

22 May 2021

How can I meet the characters? The magic of Disney is undoubtedly created by the characters, but unfortunately wait times to have that special moment and photo with your most dreamed about character can be long. To beat the queues here are 3 tips: • Download the Lineberty App. The App texts you when they’re ready for you • Bear in mind that its relatively easy to meet Mickey and friends in the

21 May 2021

So you’ve got your tickets, booked your hotel and worked out how you are getting there, but holidays to Disneyland Paris need some prior think time. Planning and strategy are key if you want to make the most of your time (and all the money you have spent on tickets!) Firstly, have a think about what you want to get out of this visit, are you more interested in the Disney Characters and the parade

20 May 2021

This article appeared in the Daily Telegraph as winner of their "Just Back" competition. Why Bolivia is using animal onesies to tackle the problem of road deaths Squinting in the high altitude sunshine of downtown La Paz my lungs struggle and all my senses are assaulted at once. Businessmen whizz past homeless people begging, colourfully dressed Cholitas sell their wares from stands, shoeshine

25 March 2021

Spectacular views are not the only draw card to New York's 541m high One World Observatory. Nearly 20 years since the day the world can never forget, the new One World Trade Centre pierces the clouds in its brand new glass and steel glory. Built on the northwest corner of the World Trade Centre site, it stands where 6WTC once stood before the entire area was decimated by the September 11th attack

25 March 2021

Tiny Eswatini (previously Swaziland) lives in the shadow of its big-5 neighbour, South Africa, but a long conservation heritage has left a legacy of impressive yet intimate game reserves. I have had the good fortune of visiting Swaziland a few times to set up volunteer projects (Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV in the world) and game viewing activities during my time as a Product Manager. Its

22 March 2021

For many years I was fortunate enough to have a job that involved travelling to some of the world's most incredible places. My role was to set up educational experiences for young people in the developing world. I would travel around on public transport and set up volunteer projects, treks and activities checking their safety and suitability. The people I met, the sights I saw and the hospitality

18 March 2021

The Galàpagos Islands, an archipelago of 14 islands 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, is described by UNESCO as “a living museum and showcase of evolution”, being home to more than 100 species found nowhere else on earth. For most, the mere mention of the Galápagos conjures up images of giant tortoises lumbering across the volcanic landscape and various other species cavorting lovingly with tourist

18 March 2021

Vancouver rates as one the world’s top cities on just about every count. A vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis with diverse and distinct neighbourhoods, it is framed by spectacular scenery. Mountains, forests and blue sparkling waters characterise a stay in Vancouver not to mention the incredible wildlife opportunities. Here are a few reasons to put Vancouver on your bucket list! STANLEY PARK A qu

18 March 2021

Vast unbroken stretches of golden sand, a wide range of beach accommodation, family-friendly atmosphere and many of Thailand’s true gems within exploring distance. In 1999 Khao Lak had just 3 hotels, now it has 10,000 beds. Completely destroyed by the 2005 Tsunami, 13 years on its access to some of Southern Thailand’s best rainforest, dramatic coastal scenery and world-class dive spots have help

17 March 2021

Almost 90 years ago it Inspired Gerald Durrell’s “My family and other animals”, and in many areas, Corfu's natural beauty and charm has remained intact despite the invasion of tourism. You can still happen across the unspoiled corners which inspired Durrell. With its wooded mountainous interior, irresistible bays and olive groves, Corfu provides a great balance of culture, fun, and relaxation even

17 March 2021

The dogs are barking furiously and there is a flurry of activity, we get into the sledges and the chorus reaches a crescendo. The sledge in front moves and we are off. Instant silence fills the crisp air, only broken by the smooth crunching of the snow as we whizz through the forest of pine trees, each branch holding a thick layer of snow. Two Hundred and fifty miles north of the arctic circle t