Travel

By Naomi Nightingale  The Shangri La Hotel at The Shard and The Goring are two very different hotels, that represent two sides of London, but which is the London I love? It is my belief that there are two sides to London. While both are set in this exceptional, urban jungle, featuring the same landmarks and people, their differences are as prominent as the twinkling beacons that tell us we are home. The sides to which I refer are the...

By Henry Austin There’s a phrase in the Kurdistan region of Iraq: “Those days when we had no friends but the mountains.” It speaks to a time when as a people they had nowhere else to seek shelter from oppression, most recently from the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. Today they have plenty of friends as they stand on the front line in the battle with the extremist Islamic State rebels in both Syria and Iraq. From a safe distance...

 By Naomi Nightingale  Nothing is off limits, even for a solo, female traveller, but if you’re daring enough to take to the streets of Marrakech alone, be sure you’re in the travel know.    There is a land that has caressed my dreams ever since I heard of its flowing deserts and colourful culture. It has always been a waiting wonder, whose path I’d never gained the privilege of crossing. Marrakech, Morocco, Africa’s diverse daughter, had eluded and teased my...

By Neil Kook  WINTER IS HERE and many are starting to dream of escaping to warmer climates this Christmas. Why not spend the festive season sunning yourself on the beach in Mexico, snorkelling in Indonesia, or wandering the markets in Germany? Lamudi has compiled the top eight locations for winter getaways this Christmas. Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia Still relatively unknown, the stunning Nusa Lembongan is one of a group of three islands making up the sub-regency of Klungkung, located southeast...

By Anastasia Miari Santiago's Sandwich Take -over Sandwiched between the Andean mountains, Santiago, the Chilean capital has become somewhat of a hub for gastronomy in recent years. The economy has been growing consistently, with Chile leading Latin America in income per capita. This means an increased penchant for dining out amongst the Chileans, as well as a flourishing bar and restaurant scene. Funny then, that a metropolitan melting pot of cultures like Santiago, full of sushi hot spots, ceviche restaurants...

WHAT’S NEW AND HAPPENING IN LISBON THIS SEASON  Quirky tours, trendy restaurants and colourful exhibitions land in the Portuguese capital By Neil Kook       Lisbon, Libson, Lisbon. Despite being one of Europe’s most ancient and historic capitals, Lisbon is constantly evolving to meet the demands of the modern traveller, adding a host of new attractions, tours and exhibitions to its already impressive repertoire. Here are some of the latest:  NEW TOURS  Street art tours: Fans of Banksy and...

The long winding road that leads to Lainston House Hotel fills you with giddy anticipation from the first instance. Set in 63 acres of beautiful Hampshire parkland the hotel is housed in a 17th century country building that oozes grandeur. “I wish this was my house,” said Mrs TLE as we parked up, you and me both, I thought, as I tried to soak in the luscious green trees and hedges that swamp parts of the building, complementing the white and pink flowers that are...

NYC & Company announces Taylor Swift as New York City’s Global Welcome Ambassador  —Yearlong Global Tourism Collaboration to Use ‘Welcome To New York’ from Taylor Swift’s New Album 1989 to Celebrate New York City— By Neil Kook I very much like Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift has joined NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation, to announce her participation as New York City’s Global Welcome Ambassador for 2014–2015. As part of the collaboration with Taylor, NYC & Company...

THE TOP 10 HAUNTED SITES AROUND THE WORLD By Neil Kook Halloween may be over for most, but travellers need not give up the ghost. From presidential palaces in Colombia to film centers in the Philippines, the most normal places are not always as they seem.In honor of Halloween here are the top ten as selected by global real estate marketplace, Lamudi.   Lawang Sewu, Indonesia A landmark of Semarang, Central Java, Lawang Sewu (which translates as “Thousand Doors”) is a former...