Sandwiched between coastal desert, the Andes and the lush rainforests of the Amazon basin, Peru offers a heady mix of archaeological treasures, intricate cities and vibrant nightlife. Not to mention the food (although I’m not sure about eating guinea pigs) and Paddington Bear, naturally. I’m not sure what he would think about the guinea pig dilemma either. We digress. If you’re pondering where to head...

Cycling is one of the world’s fastest growing forms of transport, with cyclists now taking to the streets on every continent. Yet anyone who is a fan of travelling on two wheels will have faced plenty of obstacles along the way – encountering discouragements, frustrations and dangers that can make cycling something of a hazard, and even a health risk. Yet not everywhere in the world has bus drivers who...

There are plenty of stunning natural wildernesses Down Under in which to embark on a hiking holiday, but only one has been labelled the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. It is Milford Sound, in New Zealand’s imperious Fiordland National Park, that has captured the imagination of travellers since the late 19th century, and it was writer Rudyard Kipling who gave this area its impressive accolade....

The San Juan Islands are often described as the crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest and with good reason. Just a short journey from Washington State, this rural archipelago is a treasure trove of deserted coves and beaches aching to be explored. What’s more, the region boasts an average of 250 days’ sunshine each year and the driest micro climate in the Pacific Northwest. Add to that, temperatures regularly...

The Antarctic summer, bridging 2011 and 2012, has been the busiest in history for Antarctic expeditions, as explorers rushed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Roald Amundsen’s ground-breaking journey to reach the South Pole. The Antarctic explorers are to be commended for their enthusiasm, but a jaunt to the most inhospitable region in the world is an extreme way to celebrate an anniversary, centennial...

Having just seen photos of myself on last year’s beach vacation that’s it. No more lazy days of summer for me, it’s activity holidays all the way.  Gone are the days of a holiday meaning emerging from my hotel at midday to eat a very large lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon sleeping off the after effects of too much sangria. I just have one slight phobia.  My fear of spiders.  Did you know the...