Milan is famous as one of the world’s most dynamic fashion and design capitals but there’s one monument whose design will never run out of fashion: the Duomo. The Duomo is the largest cathedral in Italy and one of the largest in the world. Work on the current structure began in the 14th century and [...]

Culinary Journey: Cal Sastre in Santa Pau
What: Fine-dining at a small medieval village in the Garrotxa region of Catalonia. Where: Cal Sastre restaurant, Santa Pau. Notes: Santa Pau is a sleepy medieval village in the Garrotxa Volcanic region of Catalonia, north of Barcelona. The village is tiny but there are a variety of reasons that make a visit absolutely worthwhile: its [...]

The Dutch winter frenzy
It’s that time of the year again, when the thermometer hanging outside my window shows a lower reading than the display on my freezer. When I first moved to the Netherlands more than 20 years ago, one of the first things that caught my attention was the Dutch people’s preoccupation with ice. As soon as [...]

Velvet moments: travel photo – fields of tulips in Holland
One of my favourite things to do (and something I recommend to everyone) in the spring is to go for a drive, a stroll or a bike ride around the tulip fields in Holland. The most famous tulip region can be found around the town of Lisse (where the popular Keukenhof gardens are located), southwest [...]

Velvet moments: travel photo – Noordwijk beach sunset
Noordwijk aan Zee is a beach town in the Netherlands, about a 45-minute drive southwest of Amsterdam. The town is especially popular in the summer. On beautiful winter weekends, the locals flock to the beach for a stroll to enjoy the cold breeze, the sound of the waves and the magnificent sunsets.

Ten islands to visit in Malaysia
Malaysia is known the world over for its cultural diversity, expansive tropical forests, mouthwatering cuisine and yes, its glorious beaches. I’ve had the privilege of visiting many Malaysian islands to laze on the blinding white sands, swim in the crystal-clear water and say ‘hi’ to the amazing marine life. Malaysia comprises two parts: Peninsular Malaysia [...]

Epic train journey on the Rocky Mountaineer
The Vancouver skyline loomed large in the distance as I gazed out the window. My journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer train from Jasper was nearing its end. As the wheels of the train clanged and hissed on the approach into Vancouver station, my thoughts drifted to my experience on board over the past two [...]

Ten things to do in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a small volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco. The island, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, is a popular holiday destination for Europeans who come here to bask in the sun and explore the extraordinary volcanic landscapes. From the air, Lanzarote looks like a chain of volcanic cones, [...]

Enchanting spots: Evason Ma’in hot springs
Jordan is home to numerous places that can justifiably be called ‘enchanting’; walking through Petra by night or floating in the Dead Sea at sunset are some of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had. Another place that absolutely fits the bill is the Evason Ma’in Hot Springs. The Ma’in hot springs are located near [...]

Fun and thrills on the Athabasca Glacier
The Athabasca Glacier is one of several glaciers that originates from the massive Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies. Located along the Icefield Parkway between Jasper and Banff, the Athabasca Glacier is a popular attraction due to its accessibility. Visitors can opt for an icewalk across the 6km long glacier or along one of the [...]








