Travel Magazine
Stories, tips, and inspiration from our travel editors around the world
The Geology of Iceland: Walking on a Planet Being Born
Iceland is one of the rare places on Earth where you can quite literally walk on a planet being born. Positioned on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this island nation embodies both the violent and the beautiful forces that shape our world. From erupting volcanoes to steaming geysers and vast black sand beaches, Iceland offers a geology field trip like no other. Join me as we traverse Þingvellir, Mývatn, and Fagradalsfjall - sites where history and science unfold beneath your feet.
Scotland's Loch Ness: 1,500 Years of Monster Hunting
For over fifteen centuries, the mysterious depths of Loch Ness have been whispered about, drawn to, and scientifically scrutinised. From Saint Columba’s 565 AD encounter to the infamous 1934 ‘surgeon’s photo’, the legend of Nessie weaves folklore, science, and a splash of cheeky fakery into one of the world's most enduring mysteries. Yet, despite modern sonar scans turning up nothing but cold, murky water and trout, Loch Ness continues to reel in half a million visitors a year. Let’s dive beneath the surface-both literal and cultural-to explore the science of deep lakes, the psychology behind monster beliefs, and the very best vantage points where you might just glimpse the grin of the loch itself.
Humboldt in the Andes: The Scientist Who Invented Nature
In 1802, Alexander von Humboldt stepped onto the slopes of Chimborazo, then believed to be the highest mountain on Earth. At a time when nature’s workings were a puzzle, Humboldt’s ascent was not merely a feat of endurance but a breakthrough in how humans understood the interconnectedness of the natural world. Join me as I retrace his steps through Ecuador and Peru, where altitude, plants, temperature, and geology narrate a story he first sketched in his notebooks.
Trolls, Huldufólk, and the Hidden People of Iceland
In Iceland, the landscape breathes with legends. Roads curve and bend, not just for geography but for beings unseen-elves and trolls whose stories ripple through lava fields and mist. Over half of Icelanders openly accept that the hidden people dwell among them. Join me as I wander these volcanic realms where folklore and geology entwine in mysterious harmony.
The Perfect Empanada: A 5,000km Hunt Across Argentina
Every Argentine province claims theirs is the best empanada, and honestly, they'll fight you about it. I drove my Mercedes Sprinter van 5,000 kilometers from Salta to Ushuaia, tasting every regional variant along the Ruta 40. What started as a simple food quest became an obsession with finding the perfect fold, the ideal filling, and the story behind Argentina's most beloved handheld meal.
Swedish Midsommar: Dancing Around the Maypole at the Edge of the Arctic
When my 11-year-old Oscar asked why we were hopping like frogs around a giant flower-covered pole at midnight in broad daylight, I realized we'd stumbled into something bigger than Christmas in Sweden. Midsommar isn't just a holiday-it's a pagan fertility ritual disguised as the world's most family-friendly party.
Italy Beyond Pizza and Spaghetti: The Regional Foods Tourists Never Find
Italy is not just the land of pizza and spaghetti. Its 20 diverse regions serve a culinary storybook filled with flavors untamed by tourist menus. From the tripe sandwiches in Florence to the sun-kissed arancini of Sicily, this is a journey through Italy’s true food soul - one bite, one region at a time.
Kyrgyzstan: Nomadic Life on the Silk Road
Imagine waking up in a yurt, the thin fabric walls glowing orange from the rising sun. Outside, horses paw at the earth, waiting to carry you across rugged mountain passes to the shimmering Song-Kol Lake. This isn’t some fantasy adventure-it’s the daily rhythm of Kyrgyzstan, where nomadic traditions pulse alongside the remnants of the ancient Silk Road. Few travelers find this land on a map, fewer still experience it from the saddle. I did-and it changed how I see the world.
Tokyo After Dark: An Izakaya Guide for the Uninitiated
Tokyo’s neon glow fades only to reveal an even hotter pulse: the hum of izakayas, standing bars, and smoky yakitori alleys where locals spill secrets over frothy mugs. If you think izakayas are just tiny pubs serving random snacks, think again. They’re an adrenaline shot of culture, flavor, and camaraderie after 9 PM. I remember the first time I ducked into an alley in Shinjuku, stepping into a fragrant cloud of charcoal, laughter, and sizzling meat - I was hooked. Here’s your no-BS field guide to navigating Tokyo’s after-dark drinking dens, from ordering etiquette to neighborhood secrets and what to sip when the sun dips below the skyscrapers.
Tulip Mania: From the World's First Financial Crash to Holland's Flower Fields
In 1637, a single tulip bulb sold for more than a canal house in Amsterdam. Today, the Netherlands still commands 80% of the global flower trade, its fields painting the landscape in geometric precision each spring. This is the story of beauty, obsession, and the economics of desire.
Surfing Portugal's Silver Coast: From Ericeira to Nazaré
If you’re chasing waves in Europe, Portugal’s Silver Coast is where it’s at. From beginner-friendly breaks to some of the world’s gnarliest big waves, this stretch between Ericeira and Nazaré offers a raw, salty ride alongside charming fishing villages, lively surf camps, and an endless Atlantic soundtrack. Pack your board, mate - we're hitting the road and the water!
Via Ferrata in the Dolomites: A Beginner's Guide to Iron Paths
At 2,500 meters above sea level, clipped into steel cables with nothing but a harness and your wits between you and a steep drop, the Dolomites’ via ferrata roads offer a raw, exhilarating taste of alpine adventure. Whether you're a first-timer or a hardened climber, navigating these iron paths rewards you with vertigo-inducing views, adrenaline jolts, and an unforgettable connection to the mountains. I’ve done 12 via ferratas here; this guide cuts through the hype with real-world insights on the best routes, gear rentals, rifugio stays, and what to expect when you sign on for your first climb.