Sri Lanka looks simple on a map, yet slow journeys, 2 monsoons and a tempting number of stops can make planning a trip here surprisingly complex. You can climb an ancient fortress, ride through tea country, see wild elephants and reach the Indian Ocean in one holiday… provided you resist squeezing in everything! For most […]
05
Oct
Oct
The Kandy to Ella train is one of Sri Lanka’s great travel experiences. It curls through tea plantations, cloud forest and mountain villages, and is normally one of the cheapest ways to travel between the two destinations. There is one important catch at present. Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive damage to Sri Lanka’s hill-country railway in […]
01
Oct
Oct
Often hailed as the most famous tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is world-famous for its breathtaking beauty and its role in the country’s history. The beautiful Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by stunning landscapes. Whether you want to climb the rock fortress, see Sigiriya for yourself, or use the […]
28
Sep
Sep
Sri Lanka may be famous for golden beaches, ancient temples and wildlife-filled national parks, but head into the island’s central highlands and the scenery changes dramatically. Here, mountainsides are covered in impossibly green tea bushes, colourful tea pickers work their way across steep slopes and old factories still produce the Ceylon tea that ends up […]
24
Sep
Sep
Travelling between Georgia’s capital and its Black Sea coast? The Batumi to Tbilisi train offers an excellent combination of price, comfort and simplicity, with fares from 11€ each way. Georgian Railway operates the route using modern, double-decker Stadler trains. With reserved seats and no change required, it is a refreshingly civilised way to cross Georgia. […]
21
Sep
Sep
If you’re planning a trip to Georgia’s capital, then adding a few Tbilisi day trips into your itinerary is an absolute must. One of the best things about Tbilisi is its location. Sitting almost in the centre of the country, the city gives you easy access to mountains, monasteries, wine regions, Soviet history and even […]
17
Sep
Sep
If there’s one experience in Georgia’s capital that lives up to the hype, it’s the sulphur baths Tbilisi is famous for. Steamy, slightly smelly and surprisingly affordable, these historic bathhouses are as much about culture as they are relaxation. Set in the atmospheric district of Abanotubani, and centred around iconic spots like Orbeliani Baths, this […]
14
Sep
Sep
Morocco is wonderfully easy to reach from the UK, but sadly using your usual mobile data there isn’t always as easy. Because Morocco is outside the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA), it is not normally included in UK networks’ standard European roaming allowances, meaning data use in Morocco can be painfully expensive. Which […]
10
Sep
Sep
If you only have one day in Bordeaux, you might assume you need to choose between seeing the big sights and keeping your budget under control. Thankfully, you can do both. Bordeaux is one of those cities where much of the appeal is simply being in it. Grand 18th century architecture, enormous squares, medieval gateways, […]
07
Sep
Sep
Sète was one of those places in France I had barely heard of before visiting. Yet, within a few hours, I was completely won over by its slightly gritty, wonderfully authentic character. This is not a polished Côte d’Azur resort where every fishing net has been strategically positioned for Instagram. Sète is a genuine working […]