Advice

It was shaping up to be a textbook take off. The conditions were clear and the AndoluJet plane had taxied onto the runway at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. It was scheduled to fly to Istanbul, a breezy two-hour journey. The pilot conducted the final checks, and then a number of passengers felt a light

If there was ever a month (and a year) to stay near Buckingham Palace, June 2022 is the one to pick. With so many pockets of celebrations happening for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee it makes perfect sense to bed down and be right in the thick of the events for maximum enjoyment. Spots like Victoria,

Ah, the “mini break”. That must mean a 1950s headscarf and shades. An overpriced and impractical valise. A picnic hamper in the boot. And a drive to a country house retreat, where you shall waft around in floaty fabrics, and bathe in champagne, candlelight, sunsets and smugness.  Or maybe not. It’s been 25 years since

The term ‘spa break’ conjures up ideas of grand country house getaways or residential retreats but what if you choose your spa experience to be in the city? Who says you can’t combine the two elements? It’s actually a stroke of genius because when you’ve been pounding the streets and rinsing the city for all it

It’s fair to say that the airport experience has taken a turn for the worse over the past couple of years. From confusing Covid admin at check-in to nightmarish queues and an upswing in last-minute flight cancellations, it seems there’s little glamour in flying these days.  Still, some airports manage to make the experience a

Cornwall is all well and good for humans, but it’s nothing short of paradise for dogs. Bounding along great expanses of sandy beach, splashing about in the surf, going for long walks on the moors or along the Southwest Coast Path. And in turn, the Duchy loves its four-legged visitors. Most pubs and cafés are

Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities, overlooking the calm blue Adriatic. Once the capital of the mighty sea-faring Republic of Ragusa (1358-1808), it’s now Croatia’s most upmarket destination. Historically, this diminutive republic was sophisticated, refined and cultured. Today, the pedestrian-only Old Town – packed with aristocratic palazzi and elegant Baroque churches,

You could happily spend all day eating and drinking wherever you are in Spain, and I frequently do. One thing just sort of slides into the next – if you’re doing it right.  Be warned though, this means resetting your eating routine and having your lunch and dinner at least an hour or two later

Any hotel that has a ghost story attached to it involving Suzi Quatro is a hotel that I want to stay in. For those readers under 45 who didn’t book tickets for her show at the Royal Albert Hall in April, Quatro is the Detroit-born leather-clad rock chick who took England by storm in the

Founded almost a thousand years ago, Marrakech is one of the great cities of the Maghreb. Somehow this bursting-at-the-seams city exists on the edge of the Sahara Desert, its pink pise (rammed earth) palaces framed by the snow-capped High Atlas. In its seething souks, Europe, Africa and the Middle East mingle and merge, and the

Gone are the days of dull, corporate hotels with drab interiors, little or no atmosphere, and limited amenities. New York is home to a host of innovative properties promising more than cosy beds and free Wi-Fi. From spacious, well-designed lobbies-cum-workspaces to celebrity chef-driven restaurants, not to mention ultra-convenient addresses merely a skip to the office,

With sparkling seas, silky beaches, stylish accommodation, sumptuous food and seriously fun activities, Greece holiday resorts (which are surely one of the world’s most family-friendly places) are the perfect destinations for a worry-free, all-inclusive trip – with or without the kids in tow. Food is a major plus here in the home of the Mediterranean diet

Stand between the fragrant orange trees that line the main square in Vila Real de Santo António, surrounded by charming 18th century town houses and a mosaic of bold black and white cobblestones at your feet and you could be forgiven for thinking this little town’s claim to fame lies in its looks. In many

The mask is slipping. After two years of hidden faces and muffled conversations, mask rules are being discarded around the world.  Most of Britain ditched the divisive face covering back in January, sparking something of a domino effect. Norway and Denmark quickly followed suit, as did a clutch of Eastern European countries. Reticent Scotland joined

Do you know that feeling when you walk into a hotel, a restaurant, a bistro or a bar and you instantly know you are going to have a good time? “I love this place,” declared my dinner companion, one of the pickiest people on the planet, as he settled into a deep-pink velvet armchair at

Remember those two-week holidays when you wished you could’ve stayed longer? When you dreamt of spending days on end getting lost in the streets of a new city, returning to a favourite café until you’re counted as one of the locals, or having more time for day trips further afield? It seems retired travellers are

It’s no secret how much carbon footprint is generated when we travel. Yet, who can blame us all for wanting to explore the wonders of this fascinating world? There are, however, a fair few things you can do before you travel, along the way and afterwards – if you wish to go green as you

Travel for solo travellers is on the rise, especially among those in their 50s and 60s, say tour operators that focus on guided and specialist tours. Cox & Kings, which runs small group tours worldwide, says 40 per cent of its sales this year have been to older people travelling on their own. This shouldn’t

All-inclusive holidays have changed for the better, offering greater choice, more personalised service and value for money. Whether you’re a couple seeking relaxation or a family wanting a fun-packed adventure, there are plenty of hotels in Majorca to choose from. And when it comes to all-inclusive options, it’s not about bland buffets with nothing to do

Walking, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. There’s the sense of freedom, fresh air and forward motion; the big views and little surprises; how good a chilled post-walk pinot grigio tastes. And none of these things – none of them – require you to trek until you’re broken each day.  Soft