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”…
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
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,…
Street view of the entrance to the Thistle Holborn the Kingsbury hotel in Bloomsbury, London
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…
The River Li with karst formations in the background, in a misty atmosphere near Guilin, China
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…
Tall mounted fishing nets appear like sails against the Arabian Sea and a grey sky in Cochin, India
There are close to 200 nations on Earth, plus dozens more territories. Let’s discover… Albania. It’s almost unfathomable that Albania remains off the tourist radar. Like many of its Mediterranean neighbors, the nation features stunning beaches, a mountainous interior dotted…
Historic buildings in Berat, Albania seen from above
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…
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 Although Sydney is undoubtedly the most recognizable city in Australia, no visit down under would be complete without including the nation’s second city, Melbourne. Compared with brash Sydney with its great location on Sydney Harbour, Melbourne is…
Flinders Street Railway Station in Melbourne, Australia
Flinders Street Railway Station in Melbourne, Australia
By Roger Allnutt There is a distinctly English feel about Vancouver. The mild climate produces a lush greenness, which combined with a love of flowers transforms the city into a floral showpiece. Vancouver is surrounded by water, yet Grouse Mountain which…
A large wooden carved sculpture by Bill Read at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC, Canada
A sculpture by Bill Read at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC, Canada
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…
A view of the Royal Liver Building with the tall ship Glaciere in the foreground at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, England
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…
Lily ponds in front of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Citadel in Hue, Vietnam
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,…
Trafalgar Square in London
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…
The Gateway of India in Mumbai