The French Secret Of Poitou Charentes

Punts lined up at Coulon in Marais Poitevin, one of the top destinations in the French region of Poitous-Charentes
Punts lined up at Coulon in Marais Poitevin

By Roger Allnutt Have the French been keeping the Poitou-Charentes region on the west coast of France a secret? The French certainly know about and visit in large numbers this delightful and varied region. Yet it seems virtually “off the map” for overseas visitors compared to the more famous Loire, Burgundy, Dordogne and Provence regions.  This […]

London is Welcoming Vaccinated Travelers… Here How to Get There and Where to Stay

Street view of the entrance to the Thistle Holborn the Kingsbury hotel in Bloomsbury, London

Our top hotel pick, Thistle Holborn the Kingsley, balances style, comfort and affordability in the very center of London By J.C. Thomas As the end of 2021 approaches, the pandemic and its travel disruptions are by no means over. Yet, travel is tentatively back, with many of the world’s greatest destinations eager to welcome back […]

Discover the Gorgeous Landscapes of Guilin

The River Li with karst formations in the background, in a misty atmosphere near Guilin, China

Unusual karst formations bestow great natural beauty upon the Southern Chinese city of Guilin By Roger Allnutt For many visitors to China it is the bustling cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou together with man-made treasures like the Great Wall and the famous Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an that are the main drawcard. China is also […]

Discover the Delights of Cochin, India’s “Queen of the Arabian Sea”

Tall mounted fishing nets appear like sails against the Arabian Sea and a grey sky in Cochin, India

Explore the exotic sights, sounds and scents of Cochin (a.k.a. Kochi), an ancient spice trading port and major modern city on India’s southwest coast By Roger Allnutt A group of nuns flutter around the famous Chinese fishing nets at the mouth of Cochin harbor and the fishermen joke with them. Are they praying for better […]

Discover New Zealand’s Magical Northland and Bay of Islands

People walking along a pathway through green vegetation near the coast of Cape Reinga, seen from above
The path to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga, a highlight of New Zealand's beautiful Northland and Bay of Islands region.

By Roger Allnutt New Zealand is a small country with an amazing variety of scenery and attractions. Top among them are majestic mountains and fjords in the South Island, hot springs and volcanoes in the North Island, and fine cities such as the capital Wellington and Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. One of the most popular […]

Places to Play: Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, England

A view of the Royal Liver Building with the tall ship Glaciere in the foreground at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, England

At the mouth of the River Mersey in Liverpool is one of England’s top tourist attractions – the Royal Albert Dock. The historic complex of red-brick warehouse buildings is bustling with visitors who come for its restaurants, shops and excellent museums. Among those are The Beatles Story, dedicated to Liverpool’s most famous sons, and Tate […]

Exploring Hanoi, Halong Bay & Central Vietnam

Lily ponds in front of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Citadel in Hue, Vietnam

Outstanding natural beauty, ancient architecture and French-accented cultural treasures await in central Vietnam, Hanoi and Halong Bay By Roger Allnutt Although the first port of call for most visitors to Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City (still referred to as Saigon) more and more visitors are including the capital Hanoi, the amazing Halong Bay and […]

The Best of London For Little Ones

Trafalgar Square in London

By J.C. Thomas With its incredible number of attractions, most notably historic landmarks, first-rate museums, expansive parks full of greenery and an eternally dynamic vibe, London is one of the world’s most coveted tourist destinations. It has immense appeal too, for families traveling with children. Here, parents can introduce their children to the city’s unrivaled […]

The Magic of Mumbai

The Gateway of India in Mumbai

By Roger Allnutt Located on the west coast of the country facing the Arabian Sea, Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is India’s most vibrant city. It’s the financial capital of India, the country’s busiest port, a thriving center for film production (Bollywood) and a dynamic and cosmopolitan city whirling with color and activity. The city is […]