See below for all my latest blogs and articles for the likes of Time Out London, VICE, Fodor's Travel, Rough Guides and BBC Travel.
Specialising in:
🏝Travel and adventure
🍃Sustainability and the environment
From a small doctor's surgery or a large hospital, increasing climate resilience in these establishments not only helps the planet, but patient health too.
Proclaimed as the "heart of London," a Druid altar, and a Roman milestone, the origins of the London Stone have baffled historians for centuries. On a normal pre-pandemic weekday, Cannon Street is bustling with suit-clad commuters heading to and from the City, London's financial district.
The brainchild of architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion-built between 1925 and 1973-is a love letter to architecture and the natural world. The village itself showcases a real mishmash of architectural styles, including Italianate, classical, and baroque, as well as salvaged and upcycled architecture, leading Clough to refer to it as his "architectural mongrel" and his "home for fallen buildings."
We could all do with a little inspiration now and again to help us live a calmer and more mindful life. And sometimes you have to go searching for that inspiration, further than your local yoga class at least. That's where learning from other cultures around the world can come in useful.
It wasn't all bad news, it was just mostly bad news.
The first thing that struck me about Hossa was the pure, unadulterated silence. It's almost as if time stands still here, with nothing so much as a breeze disturbing the pristine, mirror-like lakes and pine-wooded eskers that extend as far as the eye can see.
We've found the best places to stay in the Dutch capital that avoid tourist traps, all bookable with Culture Trip.
In the Dutch city of Amsterdam's scenic canal belt, these B&Bs offer bases to visit the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museums and are all bookable with Culture Trip.
In a secluded cove, Plataran Komodo Resort and Spa is the sort of place that might feature on a poster proudly displayed in the local tourist office. It boasts nine styles of private villas, including the tree-hidden Deluxe Garden Villas - just steps away from the stunning Waecicu Beach - and the brand new, ultra-luxurious Hanging Pool Villas, which come with a private infinity pool.
Named Peaceful Soul for the serenity and privacy of its setting in Central Java's cultural heartland, Amanjiwo is a sanctuary. Overlooking the Unesco site of Borobudur, one of Buddhism's most sacred Mahayana temples, the hotel's 36 suites feature sunken bathtubs and thatched-roof bale pavilions.
Feeling the need for a dose of country village wholesomeness? You'll find it in spades in the oh-so-charming Alfriston, in the heart of East Sussex. With its chocolate-box-pretty pubs, medieval buildings and independent shops, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time.
Lockdown life has given us a unique chance to view the natural world undisturbed - could this be the catalyst we need to see better protection of wildlife and their natural habitats? The health of our planet, and those who inhabit it, depend on it There's nothing like being told to stay at home to make you appreciate the outside world.
Journalist and author Lauren Bravo decided to break up with fast fashion for a whole year. We talk to the self-confessed shopping lover on what brought her to tackle the issue, what she learnt and tips on how people can fall in love with their existing wardrobe again Fashion is a way to establish our individuality, or a way to fit in.
When did sharing food become weirder than wasting it? That's the simple question posed by food sharing app OLIO, which is tackling the food waste crisis community by community. We chat to co-founder Tessa Clarke to find out more "We will look back on 2019 as the year that the world woke up," OLIO co-founder Tessa Clarke tells me.
"Companies should not be using as much palm oil as they are and they should have real traceability in their supply chain; only buying from traders and producers that can guarantee their supply has not been driving deforestation," says Chiara Vitali from Greenpeace UK.
When it comes to fighting food waste, the solutions are simple: eat local, more seasonally and don't waste ingredients. It's something the founders of Native restaurant, in Southwark, London, have been doing for years-with a big dollop of creativity thrown in.
For people who love travelling, but are anxious about the environmental impact of flying, carbon offsetting might sound like a perfect solution. We examine the facts Wanderlust for far-flung destinations comes with a caveat: flying is bad for the planet.
For the first time in living memory, the world is fighting the same enemy: Coronavirus. Economies have come to a standstill, whole nations are on lockdown and even popping to the shops can become an ordeal (especially if you're after toilet paper).
It's lunchtime in the historical heart of Zürich, Switzerland, and just off the bustling shopping street of Bahnhofstrasse, the bright and airy interior of Haus Hiltl restaurant is buzzing with activity. Tantalising aromas fill the air as diners line up at the 100-dish buffet to savour homemade vegetarian and vegan dishes from around the world.
Adventurers who hike down into the steaming Ijen Crater-known as Kawah Ijen-in East Java at night will be rewarded with one of the rarest, and most spectacular, natural light shows on Earth-the mystical "Blue Fire." But what is it and how can you see it? We've put together some top tips below.
insert_drive_file Article * 7 mins * 18 April 2019 There's nowhere quite like Vietnam - a land of true contrasts, from the frenetic and fascinating capital of Hanoi to the idyllic rice terraces of mountainous Sapa. Whether you've got a month to play with, or two weeks off work, here's an at-a-glance guide to the cities in Vietnam to kick off your trip planning.
Have a royally good time and earn serious bragging rights with these captivating castle stays around the British Isles.
Astronomy-enthusiasts don't have to travel too far to witness the magic of the night's sky in the UK. They have some of the world's best stargazing spots right on their doorstep.
Rio de Janeiro is gearing up for a sporting summer, but the kind of action we like best is found down at the beach. Sarah Gibbons picks out the best beaches in and around the city, whether it's volleyball you seek, samba in the sand, or the grooviest rum shack in Brazil.
Don't sit around this summer - get your hike on. Want to unleash your inner Levison Wood and go on an epic walking adventure, but don't have six months to spare? You don't need to travel to the ends of the Earth.
How to spend the perfect day in one of our favourite city break destinations... The Danish capital has it all: great food, culture and bucket loads of Scandi style. No wonder then that Copenhagen is one of the happiest cities in the world. What are you waiting for?
Dogsofinstagram: We meet the pooches who've got the travel bug - and the 'awww' factor. Think you're adventurous? Then you need to check out the globetrotting lives that a new group of social media savvy dogs are leading.
From challenging yourself on the climbing walls at The Castle to flyboarding in the Docklands, there's plenty to keep adventure-seekers entertained in London.
In Switzerland, Lavaux' picturesque UNESCO-listed vineyards are a must-visit for any foodie. Whether it's the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva or the picturesque rural landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, there's something about Switzerland's French-speaking west that immediately leaves you feeling calm and relaxed.
Nendaz, a popular ski resort in winter, really comes alive in summer when you can discover the picturesque water trails of the ancient bisses, as Sarah Gibbons discovers. When walking through meadows rife with vibrant wildflowers, listening to the tinkle of cows' bells as they graze the verdant land, it's hard to envisage that you're exploring a popular ski resort - even when you pass under the maze of chair lifts above.
One official Madrid guide states that 'if you haven't stood before Las Meninas, you haven't been to Madrid'. This immediately gives you an idea how proud the Spanish capital is of its artistic heritage. Las Meninas, Spanish artist Diego Velázquez's most famous painting, hangs in the Prado Museum, one of the world's most prestigious art galleries.
Literally translating as 'Gateway to India', La Porte des Indes very much lives up to its name.
Travelbite editor Sarah Gibbons goes in search of the ideal 'staycation' in the Lake District and discovers another hotel 'hot spot'- Linthwaite Country House Hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere. The first thing I noticed was the view - miles of undulating hills, pine forest and the glistening waters of Lake Windermere.
The 3 Crowns, a minute's walk from Old Street station, looks just like any other traditional street corner pub, but on entering it's clear that punters can expect something a little more refined The owners have clearly rescued what was once a struggling East London pub and dragged it into the modern era with an open brasserie-style restaurant and busy bar, serving an array of hand-pumped ales, wines and craft beers.
As I made my way through emerald-green countryside, the rugged Blue Stack Mountains in the distance lit up in a glorious golden glow as the sun punched through the misty clouds above, I could see straight away why Donegal is one of the most popular destinations in Ireland to get away from it all.
Tucked away in the rolling Cotswolds countryside, Old Swan & Minster Mill offers the perfect weekend break, as Sarah Gibbons discovers Arriving in Minster Lovell - a quiet country town on the banks of the River Windrush - is like stepping back in time.
Sarah Gibbons discovers five-star paradise in the exotic island of Zanzibar "It's a free African massage" our taxi driver chuckled as we bounced and lurched along the bumpy road leading to Essque Zalu Zanzibar just off Ras Nungwi - the northern tip of the exotic Tanzanian island.
Les Menuires is the affordable alternative to neighbouring Courchevel and Val Thorens in the Three Valleys ski region, Sarah Gibbons discovers. The luxury surrounds of Courchevel and the party hotspot of Val Thorens may be among the first resorts skiers think of when planning a trip to the Three Valleys, but Les Menuires - sandwiched in the middle of the vast ski region - is the perfect compromise.
Bobsleighing, White Turf races and skiing in a champagne climate; Sarah Gibbons recounts the active adventures of winter in Engadin St Moritz. I climbed into the compact metal tube of the bobsleigh, clenched the handrails with fervour and took one steady breath before the breakman hurled himself in and we were off down the snaking, icy track of the Olympia Bob Run.
We last saw author, presenter and modern-day adventurer Simon Reeve circling the Indian Ocean, where he encountered pirates, dived with sharks, and explored some of the most beautiful islands on earth. Luckily for us, he is back on our TV screens this Sunday with a brand new series - Simon Reeve's Australia.
Imagine being in the middle of a barren, white landscape in bitterly cold, sub-zero conditions for 59 days - completely alone... That is what Felicity Aston - the first woman to cross the Antarctic alone - faced on her epic Transantarctic Expedition. Supported by Kaspersky Lab, Felicity battled the elements for 59 days, covering 1744km.