Family & Kids

Bucket List Europe: Edinburgh

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, December 2023

"History plays out before your eyes along the Royal Mile, a succession of storied streets. It begins on Castlehill, where alleged witches were burned at the stake in the 16th century..."

Bucket List Europe: Slovakia

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, December 2023

"Bratislava’s most striking Secession-style building, the Church of St. Elizabeth is renowned for its gorgeous powder blue exterior, which extends all the way up to its 120-foot round tower..."

Bucket List Europe: Czech Republic

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, December 2023

"The Czech capital Prague is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, with a romantic riverside location enhanced by graceful bridges and a skyline punctuated by medieval church spires..."

Bucket List Europe: Central Europe Intro

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, December 2023

"Prepare to exchange - while the euro is used in Austria, Germany and Slovakia, you’ll need francs for Switzerland, crowns for Czech Republic, forints for Hungary and złoty for Poland..."

Essential Great Britain: Travel Smart Chapter

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, September 2023

"Britain and America are (in the phrase attributed to playwright George Bernard Shaw) “two countries separated by a common language”. Knowing some British idioms can be helpful..."

Essential Great Britain: Experience Chapter

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, September 2023

"Great Britain and the United Kingdom: what’s the difference? GB is the landmass comprising England, Scotland and Wales; the UK also includes Northern Ireland and some smaller isles..."

Great Britain: Sporting Britain

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2023

"During the 18th and 19th centuries, Britons codified major sports including tennis, cricket, golf, field hockey, billiards, bowls, netball, water polo, baseball, horse racing, squash and boxing..."

Great Britain: Divided Kingdom?

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2023

"Two historical referendums, one on Scottish independence (result: remain) and another on Brexit (result: leave), have revealed deep divisions between Britain's three member nations..."

Great Britain: Meet the British

A guidebook article for Lonely Planet, July 2023

"For many Britons, their identity is specific to their country, their region or even their city. For me, it’s more general than that. The conclusion I've come to is this: I am British, not English..."

England: Hadrian’s Wall and the Northeast

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, May 2023

"England's Northeast has wide-open spaces, curiously charming fishing towns and villages, and ancient abbeys and castles that are all the more romantic for their often-ruinous state..."

England: Canterbury and the Southeast

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, May 2023

"Surrey, Kent, and Sussex form the breadbasket of England, where bucolic farmland stretches as far as the eye can see, dotted only with great historic castles and beautiful stately homes..."

Essential England: Experience Chapter

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, May 2023

"Whether you are rooting for Liverpool, Man City or Newcastle, attending a game or watching at a pub, a football (soccer) match is a great way to observe locals at their most passionate..."

Scotland: Northern Highlands & Islands

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, May 2023

"The most popular route through Scotland’s northern Highlands is the coast-hugging NC500, a 500-mile loop of spiky mountain peaks, dune-fringed beaches and brooding castle ruins..."

Scotland: Edinburgh

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, May 2023

"It all began with fire and rock. The rugged, rangy landscape of modern-day Edinburgh was formed by three great volcanoes, which rose together here around 350 million years ago..."

DK Eyewitness Prague

A travel guidebook (extract) for DK Eyewitness, September 2022

"A long and rich history has bequeathed Prague a wealth of unique artistic treasures, from Gothic sculpture and Baroque painting to interwar design and contemporary installations..."

Scotland: Northern Highlands & Western Isles

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, June 2022

"As Scotland in miniature, the landscape on Skye ranges from the lush, undulating hills and coastal tracks of Sleat to the deep glens and saw-toothed peaks of the Cuillin Mountains..."

Scotland: Inverness and Around the Great Glen

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, June 2022

"The Great Glen is world-famous for its hill walking, with some of the best routes around Glen Nevis, Glencoe and Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. Look out for golden eagles..."

Essential Scotland: Edinburgh & The Lothians

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, June 2022

" From floor-stomping ceilidhs to avant-garde modern dance, Edinburgh’s calendar of cultural events - including the Edinburgh Fringe, the world's largest arts festival - is truly outstanding..."

Scotland: Skye and the Outer Hebrides

A travel guidebook chapter for Lonely Planet, March 2022

"Skye's jaw-dropping landscapes and time-honoured castles are popular tourist draws, while those seeking solitude – and stunning sandy beaches – venture out to the Outer Hebrides..."

Budapest Guidebook: Side Trips From Budapest

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, August 2021

"As one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Budapest naturally hogs the limelight. But those who venture just a bit farther afield find themselves rewarded with a host of Hungarian highlights..."

Budapest: Varkerulet (Castle District)

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, August 2021

"Attraction-packed Castle Hill is a long, narrow plateau of cobblestone streets with beautifully preserved baroque, Gothic and Renaissance houses, crowned by the glorious Royal Palace..."

Budapest Guidebook: Belvaros (Inner Town)

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, August 2021

"The Inner Town is the beating heart of Pest, and the city’s most visited neighborhood, thanks to its blend of lovely, stroll-worthy streets and grand avenues lined with stately old buildings..."

Austria: Innsbruck, Tyrol and Vorarlberg

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, July 2021

"The provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg make up the western tip of Austria with Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, as the historic and economic center. Come in winter to find unrivaled skiing..."

Austria Guidebook: Salzburg

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, July 2021

"From the Mirabellgarten to Nonnberg Convent, it is hard to go anywhere in Salzburg without hearing someone humming The Sound of Music's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?..."

Austria Guidebook: Day Trips From Vienna

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, July 2021

"The area along the Danube and around Vienna unfolds like a treasured picture book, with its vast Roman ruins, medieval castles and Baroque monasteries perched high above the river..."

England: Hadrian’s Wall and the Northeast

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, March 2021

"Winding through the wild and windswept Northumberland countryside, Hadrian’s Wall once formed the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, and it remains an important Roman relic..."

England: Canterbury and the Southeast

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, March 2021

"Gardens are a real English specialty - and at Sissinghurst, Wisley, Chartwell and even Hever Castle, you can easily while away a long afternoon wandering through acres of exotic flora..."

Essential England: Experience Chapter

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, March 2021

"A true afternoon tea consists of cakes, pastries, finger sandwiches, and scones with jam and clotted cream displayed on a tiered stand and served with steaming pots of loose-leaf tea..."

Scotland: Northern Highlands & Western Isles

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, April 2020

"The Northern Highlands is a region where roads hug the coast, offering stunning views over the clear blue ocean, across dramatic mountain peaks, or along stunning heather moorland..."

Scotland: Inverness and Around the Great Glen

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, April 2020

"Defined by its spectacular topography, the Great Glen brings together mountains and myths, history and wild nature, then lets you wash it all down with a dram of the world’s best whisky..."

Essential Scotland: Edinburgh & The Lothians

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, April 2020

"Edinburgh is "a city so beautiful that it breaks the heart again and again," as Alexander McCall Smith once wrote. Its seven hills make a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history..."

Essential Great Britain: Experience Chapter

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, January 2019

"Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay are just the tip of the culinary iceberg, as chefs nationwide now indulge their passions for high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients..."

Scotland: Northern Highlands & Western Isles

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, March 2018

"Wild and remote, Scotland's Northern Highlands and Western Isles have a timeless grandeur. Dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and craggy peaks rising out of moorland like islands in a sea..."

Essential Scotland: Edinburgh & The Lothians

A travel guidebook chapter for Fodor's Travel Guides, March 2018

"Take time to explore Edinburgh’s streets - peopled by the spirits of Mary Queen of Scots, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson - then enjoy a candlelit restaurant or a folk ceilidh..."

Northern Beauty: Scotland’s Secluded Islands

An article for Flight Time (Flybe in-flight magazine), March 2017

"Head beyond the Scottish Borders, bypass the capital, traverse the Highlands and cross the North Sea. Only then will you reach Scotland's outer limits - its remote, remarkable, islands..."

Cameron House: Luxury on Loch Lomond

An article for About Luxury Travel, December 2016

"Martin Wishart's Michelin-starred restaurant is the culinary apex of a stay at Cameron House. We had the six-course tasting menu, starting with confit of trout with smoked mussel cream..."

Adler Thermae: Hot Spring Luxury in Tuscany

An article for About Luxury Travel, October 2016

"A beautiful and bountiful wellness retreat built around warm thermal springs, Adler Thermae Toscana is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the gorgeous Tuscany countryside..."

Adler Mountain Lodge: All-In Dolomites Luxury

An article for Private Air Magazine, January 2016

"The incredible beauty, drama and otherworldliness of the Dolomites make it one of the most spectacular and rewarding natural landscapes in the world. And it isn’t overrun with tourists..."

Liechtenstein Travel Guide

A guide for World Travel Guide, April 2015

"A pocket-sized principality in the heart of Europe, Liechtenstein rarely tops anybody's bucket list of continental must-sees. Yet this tiny, landlocked nation offers more than you'd imagine..."

EXPRESS GUIDE TO VENICE

A guide for The Express and Monarch Airlines, September 2013

“Known as The Floating City, Venice lies on the shore of the Adriatic and is divided between 118 islands, all separated by canals and linked by bridges. It is a city with water in its blood..."

London Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, May 2012 - May 2013

"The story of London is a tale of two cities. One narrative is an urban landscape littered with long-established landmarks, time-honored art and culture and a stubborn hint of Britishness..."

London’s Top Afternoon Teas

An article for Forbes Travel Guide, April 2013

"The perfect option for lighthearted luxury, the Mad Hattertakes you on a trip down the rabbit hole, with menus hidden in vintage books and teapots decorated with kings and queens..."

BORDEAUX TO TOULOUSE CYCLE TOUR

A self-guided cycling tour guide for Cyclomundo, January 2013

“There is no greater way to get to the heart of southern France than to cycle through its heart. Begin in the wine-growing town of Bordeaux and end in the cultural metropolis of Toulouse..."

GENEVA TO LYON CYCLE TOUR

A self-guided cycling tour guide for Cyclomundo, January 2013

"Lush green vineyards nestled into rolling hills; secretive Alpine forests lining the banks of crystal clear lakes; and traditional French villages with the scent of local cheese and wine..."

Glasgow Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, August 2012

"Scotland's second city Glasgow is often considered Edinburgh’s little brother. That simply means it stays out later, has far hipper taste in music and still has its best years ahead of it..."

Vienna Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, July 2012

"Vienna is a city shaped by its imperial past. You’ll find its ancient streets home to magnificent state palaces, grand baroque architecture, fine museum squares and ornate opera houses..."

Salzburg Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"The illustrious birthplace of Mozart, the inspirational drawing board for “Silent Night”, and the mountain stomping ground of Julie Andrews’ Maria, Salzburg's a city with music in its blood..."

Warsaw Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"It might not have all the quaint historical culture of Krakow or the distinctive Baltic beauty of Gdansk, but Warsaw is the ever-changing, endlessly fascinating face of 21st century Poland..."

Prague Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"Known affectionately as “The City of a Thousand Spires,” the Czech Republic capital boasts some of the grandest churches in Europe, along with the world’s largest atheist population..."

Edinburgh Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, May 2012

"Described by the famous Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid as "a mad god's dream,” Edinburgh is a multifarious mishmash of a metropolis. It has a history reaching back to the Bronze Age..."

Welcome to Edinburgh

A guide for GuidePal, December 2011

"Wrapped in a blanket of high hilltops, it is home to Michelin-star restaurants and world-class theatres alongside thriving nightlife and hectic urban chaos, all set against a calm sea view..."

Florence: A Cultural Heavyweight

A guide for GuidePal, September 2011

"While visitors have been rediscovering its glorious history since the 19th century, the city has now moved on from the days of the Medici to forge a new and thoroughly modern identity..."

Prague: A Truly Bohemian City

A guide for GuidePal, August 2011

"The Czech capital has a majestic assortment of cobbled lanes, high church spires, medieval bridges and meandering rivers. They're all watched over by a magnificent, fairytale castle..."

FRANCE – LOIRE VALLEY SPREAD

Brochure copy for Welcome Cottages, January 2010

“The ‘Garden of France’ is a region of green meadows and meandering rivers, wooded river valleys and a thousand lakes; a haven for rare orchids, carnivorous plants and birds of prey…”

FRANCE – BURGUNDY & JURA SPREAD

Brochure copy for Welcome Cottages, January 2010

“Burgundy and Jura are the spiritual homes of the nation’s two greatest passions: food and wine. Local culinary trademarks include rich boeuf bourguignon and tasty Comté cheese..."

FRANCE – INTRODUCTORY SPREAD

Brochure copy for Welcome Cottages, January 2010

"What is France? Is it snow-capped peaks or long golden beaches; sprawling modern cities or ancient fishing villages; delicious cuisine or lip-smacking wine? It's all these and more..."

UK & IRELAND – WALES SPREAD

Brochure copy for Welcome Cottages, January 2010

"It may be small in size, but Wales is Herculean in spirit. This is a proud nation of divine male voice choirs and unpronounceable place names, ancient ruins and time-honoured teashops..."

UK & IRELAND – SOUTH WEST ENGLAND SPREAD

Brochure copy for Welcome Cottages, January 2010

“Ah, the Great British coast: sea breeze, cream teas and knobbly knees. And nowhere else in Britain does seaside fun quite like South West England, whether Cornwall, Devon or Dorset..."

UK & IRELAND – INTRODUCTORY SPREAD

Brochure copy for Welcome Cottages, January 2010

“From the sunsplashed beaches of Cornwall, to the rolling green hills of County Cork, to the giddy peaks of the Scottish Highlands, there’s a little something in Britain to suit everyone..."