Sri Lanka’s east coast is a place of space, stillness and untamed beauty. Swept by the Indian Ocean and defined by long, luminous beaches, this lesser-explored region offers a gentler, slower rhythm than the island’s south. Here, you can walk for miles along powder-soft sands where the sea remains calm and shallow…read more

Trading the hum of Sri Lanka’s bustling southern coast for the soft symphony of rustling palms and birdsong, the journey east to Kumana National Park feels like a gentle exhale. As the road winds past sleepy villages and salt-sprayed lagoons, the landscape transforms…read more

The south coast of Sri Lanka is a tropical ribbon of oceanic paradise. Between the colonial-era treasures of Galle and the wildlife haven of Yala, you’ll find a looping line of crescent bays where chalky sands are bordered by towering palms and rich jungle..…read more

Leaving the bustling heat of Delhi, the two-hour flight north to Ladakh is an experience in itself; skimming the tips of the Himalayan Mountains before dipping in to land on a remote, high-altitude desert plateau where the Himalayas meet the Karakoram mountain range…read more

Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is one of the island’s most enchanting regions, a land of swirling mists, jungle-clad peaks, emerald tea plantations and spellbinding views. Where cool weather and remote wilderness accompany a deep spirituality and colonial-era charm… read more

Often referred to as “the pearl of the Indian Ocean”, Sri Lanka shimmers with a captivating allure. Its small size and diverse geography combine sun-kissed shores with misty mountains, cultural heritage with abundant wildlife and aromatic cuisine with enticing adventures.…read more

Louis de Bernières first introduced me to the Greek Island of Kefalonia in his bestselling novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Reading it for the first time was to have a…read more

Once the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan’s towns and cities are steeped in history, and rich traditions are still woven into daily life…read more

Sculpted from sand-hued stone and adorned with a mosaic of blue tiles, the timeworn city of Khiva shimmers like an azure oasis alongside…read more

One of Central Asia’s most historic and holy cities, Bukhara rises out of the sandy desert plains like a baked-brick showpiece, adorned by turquoise tiles…read more

Known for its dazzling turquoise domes and monumental squares, Samarkand is one of the great Silk Road cities…read more

Once a Silk Road crossroads and largely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1966, Tashkent has grown into Uzbekistan’s bustling capital and the beating heart of Central Asia…read more

From Soviet history and nomadic culture to mountain-backed lakes and steaming hot springs, Kyrgyzstan’s cities and rural landscapes each…read more

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s relaxed yet lively capital, is a city of leafy boulevards, striking…read more

Cradled at the eastern tip of Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol is a gateway to northeastern Kyrgyzstan’s most captivating landscapes…read more

Encircled by the snow-dusted peaks of the Tien Shan mountains, Issyk-Kul is a natural wonder of staggering proportions…read more

Deep in the Tien Shan mountains, Song-Kul Lake offers wide-open alpine scenery and the chance to connect with passing nomads…read more

Amsterdam is not all that it is purported to be. Far from the alleged throngs of pre-marital revellers and hedonistic travellers, this is a city that exudes a deep…read more

It’s a life-questioning moment familiar to many of us: surrounded by family beach holiday detritus, we lie back on sandy towels, soak up the warm sun, listen to the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach and…read more

Devon is, in many ways, the dream location. Eminently well connected, London is a little over two hours away on the fast train from Exeter and…read more

Middle Eastern feasts at traditional Bedouin camps, camel rides across infinite-seeming sand dunes, aromatic souqs selling spices and scents…read more

The United Arab Emirates’ capital city, Abu Dhabi combines cosmopolitan modernity with traditional culture and heritage. Spanning the desert…read more

Once a small fishing village and vital desert trading hub on the coast of the Gulf, Dubai has transformed into a global metropolis, a “city of gold” rising…read more

Ochre-hued mountains, plunging waterfalls, pristine coral reefs, and valleys peppered with historic sandstone forts…read more

The northernmost emirate of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is a lesser-known enclave of serrated mountain peaks, aquamarine seas, and rolling sands…read more

Wherever you do it, there is always something tantalising about leaving the mainland behind and heading out to the islands…read more

Undeniably Mediterranean with its sparkling sea, rocky coastline and scented pines, Croatia is also excitingly other. There is a rawness to this country…read more

Drive as far southwest as you can in the UK and eventually you come to the raw beauty of wild West Penwith…read more

Rajasthan is a hymn to India’s mythic history. Ancient monuments of intricately carved marble stand silhouetted against sunset skies…read more