Hidden Treasures

Alternative Prague: Escaping the Tourist Trail

An article for Rough Guides, April 2018

"Explore some of Prague’s ecclesiastical oddities, starting with the bearded woman statue in Loreto Church - this is St. Wilgefortis, who prayed for facial fuzz to help escape a betrothal..."

10 Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania

An article for The Independent, March 2018

"Vilnius is known for its historical charm, yet it is a city that's modernising fast. Today, for every baroque church there’s a hipster café; for every old cobbled street, a modernist work of art..."

What’s Hot in Prague for 2018

An article for The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, February 2018

"Field has redefined the boundaries of Bohemian fare. The decor is minimalism incarnate - all beige walls and unadorned tables - but look up to see street art projected onto the ceiling...."

Silverkris Guide to Malé, The Maldives

A destination guide for Silverkris (Singapore Airlines in-flight magazine), December 2017

"With over 130,000 people squeezed into two square miles, Malé is a bustling and fast-paced capital - the antithesis of the laid-back island resorts that draw most tourists to The Maldives..."

Prague’s Best Boutique Hotels

An article for Honey Travel by nine.com.au, October 2017

"Until the turn of the decade, a stay in Prague usually meant either an out-of-town chain hotel or a self-catering apartment. But today, luxury boutique city hotels are growing in popularity..."

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..."

What to Do in Glasgow’s West End

An article for WestJet Magazine, June 2016

"Perhaps the most celebrated restaurant in Glasgow, the Ubiquitous Chip has been a West End favourite since the early 1970s, reputed locally for its superb, seasonal Scottish fare..."

40 Must-See Structures in Scotland

An article for USA Today, May 2016

"As well as its stunning nature, Scotland has amazing man-made structures, from prehistoric settlements to medieval fortifications, Victorian monuments to ultra-modernist parliaments..."

Spotlight On Plzen

An article for Jumeirah Magazine, June 2015

"There are 50 principal cultural events scheduled in 2015 that aim to make the most of Plzen's appealing architecture, from the beautiful Baroque square to the gigantic Gothic synagogue..."

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..."

North Korea Travel Guide

A guide for World Travel Guide, January 2015

"Perhaps the world's most insular, provocative and challenging country, North Korea is not the archetype of an alluring holiday destination. Yet many tourists are visiting this socialist state..."

Seven Bold Vacations That Break the Mould

A contribution to an article for Huffington Post, December 2014

"North Korea is among the least visited countries in the world. Although the U.S. government strongly advises against travel, Reaney says it is worth the trip for the Arirang Mass Games..."

Celebrity Hotels: Where the Stars Stay and Play

An article for The Johnnie Walker House Edit, August 2014

"Perhaps the most famous celebrity hotel on earth, Chateau Marmont, which opened in 1929, drips with Hollywood history. It's been a favourite check-in of film stars throughout history..."

Czech Republic Travel Guide

A guide for World Travel Guide, April 2014

"A historic jewel at the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic packs a big punch for such a tiny country; from majestic castles to medieval towns, elegant spa resorts to scenic parklands..."

My Guard: Terror in Transnistria

An article for PureTravel, October 2013

"My finger is deep inside my right sock when I spot Him. Furtively glancing over the headrest in front of me, I spy the dark uniformed figure holding out an imperious palm to halt the bus..."

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..."

Enjoy Sierra Leone… We’ll Make Sure You Do

Complete web copy for Enjoy Sierra Leone, February 2013

"From the lush rainforests and tumbling waterfalls of the country's interior, to the startling white beaches that line its unspoilt coastline, Sierra Leone is a nation of effortless natural beauty..."

Peru-Bolivia-Chile Tour Itinerary

A 13-day tour itinerary for Viventura, January 2013

"Spanning Peru, Bolivia and Chile, the Altiplano region features some of the most spectacular scenery in South America: thermal geysers, high mountains, and the largest salt flat on earth..."

Rome City Vacation Guide

A city guide for Expedia, December 2012

"It was once considered the centre of the universe, when all roads lead there. Now the Italian capital is a living museum of three million with all the smart trimmings of a cosmopolitan hub..."

Prague City Vacation Guide

A city guide for Expedia, November 2012

"A popular city escape in the heart of Europe, charming Prague has more than 1,000 years of history written into its stunning fairytale church spires, ancient castles and beautiful bridges..."

London’s 10 Best Secret Sights

An article for Forbes Travel Guide, August 2012

“London attractions like the Tower of London and Big Ben welcome millions of tourists each year. But there are other, lesser-seen, secret attractions concealed amid the urban bustle..."

Amman: A Modern Arab City

An article for Serendib (Sri Lankan Airways in-flight magazine), May 2012

“Amman is a capital with many memorable millennia behind it and more to come; where time-worn temples and mosques jostle for space with high skyscrapers and picket-fenced villas..."

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..."

Killing Time in Europe’s Best Cemeteries

An article for StalkingElk Magazine, November 2011

“An inexorable fixture in every childhood - whether burying your gran, losing your virginity or dabbling in the occult - cemeteries are also great for killing time prior to your own demise..."

Weird Beards and other Bohemian Oddities

An article for StalkingElk Magazine, April 2011

“In the heartlands of Bohemia, Christian institutions offer much more than just war-mongering scripture, cheap magic tricks and kiddy-fiddling clergymen. They offer bizarre trinkets too..."

Ischia’s Wild Winter Warmers

An article for Shoestring Magazine, February 2011

“It was one of those bitterly cold December days in southern Italy, when the chill wraps itself around your bones and draws you into winter, and I was freezing to the seat of my scooter..."

Transnistria: Europe’s Last Kid on the Bloc

An article for Shoestring Magazine, October 2010

“As the 1990s rolled in, and the world watched Poland and co. march forwards to a bright new dawn, no-one seemed to notice that one corner of the Eastern Bloc had been left behind…”

The Greatest (and Most Secret) Show on Earth?

An article for Reader's Digest, August 2010

“North Korea is acquiring a reputation for something altogether different from its newsworthy nuclear programme and alleged torpedo attacks. And it involves schoolchildren in leotards..."