A Ha Long Bay Cruise with Emeraude Cruises Ha Long Bay is one of those places that feels so magical it almost seems unreal. This breathtaking natural wonder in Northern Vietnam covers approximately 1,553 square kilometres, with thousands of limestone karsts rising dramatically from emerald-green waters to create one of the country’s most iconic landscapes. […]
Abisena Ubud Review Set amid emerald rice paddies, swaying palms and jungle-covered valleys in the village of Keliki, Abisena Ubud is the kind of place travellers come to Bali hoping to find — peaceful, soulful and deeply attuned to its surroundings. This adults-only retreat is more than just a hotel; it is a five-star wellness […]
One of the most popular islands in the world, Bali is renowned for its warm hospitality and striking landscapes: pristine white beaches, lush tropical jungles, verdant rice fields and sacred volcanoes. Often seen as the epitome of tropical tourism, it is a one-stop destination for coasts, mountains, arts and culture. We spent six days there. […]
Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North Review When you think about Qatar, your mind might drift first to the glittering urban skyline of Doha or the vast desert stretching beyond it. But perched on its own vibrant island destination along the coast of Lusail—Qatar’s ‘Future City’— is a property that’s redefining what a Gulf resort can […]
Holiday Inn Resort Bali Nusa Dua Review Nusa Dua feels like Bali at its most refined. Meaning ‘Two Islands’, this premier resort enclave on the island’s southeastern tip is known for its five-star luxury and pristine coastline. It’s a world away from the buzz and chaos of areas such as Kuta and Canggu, appealing instead […]
The Garcia Resort Ubud Review Few destinations capture the imagination quite like Bali. Known for its warm hospitality and striking landscapes, there is far more to the island than its famous beaches. Inland, dense jungle, terraced rice fields and gushing waterfalls reveal a slower, gentler side of Bali — one that rewards travellers who take […]
Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha Review My first visit to Qatar was in 2011. When I returned in 2025, I was amazed by just how much the country had changed over the years. The skyline had evolved dramatically, transforming from a modest cluster of buildings into a futuristic cityscape of glass, steel and ambition. Doha […]
2025 – My Travel Year in Review This is my 12th annual "Travel Year in Review" post — a tradition I’ve come to enjoy. Even though I didn’t travel as much as I would have liked, I still write this post as a personal record of the places I went, and the moments that stood […]
Looking for the best things to do in Qatar. Here are my recommendations... Living at the bottom of Africa often means long-haul travel comes with a connecting flight, and more often than not, that connection is through Qatar. For years, Doha has been a place many of us pass through rather than stop in. However, […]
The Oyster Box Hotel Review Perched on the sun-kissed golden shores of Umhlanga, under the gaze of the iconic red-and-white lighthouse, The Oyster Box exudes timeless charm and laid-back luxury. A hotspot for the elite since the 1950s, this legendary hotel has evolved into a paragon of modern indulgence while preserving the magic of yesteryear. […]
Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa Review Over a decade ago, long before I started writing about my travels, I visited Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa with my family. We were so impressed by the resort that it carved a place in our minds as one of the best places we’ve stayed at in South Africa. […]
An African Cruise on the Norwegian Dawn Cruising holidays in South Africa have become extremely popular in recent years. While other types of holidays are mainly about the destination, cruises are as much about the journey too. They offer a blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life with your food, transport and […]
Looking for the best family-friendly things to do in Cape Town? Read on... Cape Town, also known as South Africa’s Mother City, is consistently listed amongst the best cities in the world. It is endowed with abundant natural beauty, umpteen opportunities for adventure, world-class shopping, delicious food, and captivating history. There are so many places […]
Looking for things to do in Johannesburg by a local ? Read on... Johannesburg – South Africa’s biggest city and commercial epicentre. Also known as Jozi, Joburg, or Egoli (City of Gold in Zulu), it began as a gold-mining settlement in the 19th century. There is more to this cosmopolitan city than shopping. If you […]
Looking for the best hikes in Johannesburg and Pretoria by a local? Read on... Hike: a long walk especially for pleasure or exercise. (Merriam-Webster) I never really bothered much with hiking in Johannesburg until we were locked down in our own province. Then I started looking for parks and nature reserves in Johannesburg and was […]
I recently wrote a post about weekend getaways in Gauteng, which has been quite popular. This is the second post in the series and it covers weekend getaways near Gauteng. These are family-friendly places that I’ve personally stayed at and enjoyed with my family. However, they are also great places for romantic weekend getaways . […]
Vietnam's capital is a 1000-year-old city of striking contradictions. Buddhist monks in saffron robes walk past teenagers on electric scooters scrolling on their phones. Ancient temples stand between French colonial facades and bubble tea shops. Street vendors in conical hats sell hand-woven baskets in the shadow of glass-and-steel towers. The city is both traditional and […]
Looking for the best things to do in Hué? Read on... Tucked between the mountains and the sea in central Vietnam, Hué is a city unlike any other in Southeast Asia. Pronounced “hway” this quietly magnificent city served as the imperial capital for over a century and a half, and remains a living monument to […]
Mercure Jakarta Sabang Review Jakarta is not a city that reveals itself instantly. At first glance, it can feel overwhelming—sprawling, energetic and unapologetically urban. Yet beneath the traffic and towering skyline lies a rich cultural fabric that rewards those willing to explore it properly. For our family, Mercure Jakarta Sabang was a well-located and comfortable […]