Travel Magazine
Stories, tips, and inspiration from our travel editors around the world
The Digital Nomad's Guide to Lisbon: Work, Surf, Repeat
Lisbon’s charm sneaks up on you, mate. One minute you’re typing away in a sunlit co-working space, next you’re waxing your board for a quick surf session at Carcavelos. This guide breaks down why Lisbon has become the remote work capital of Europe and how you can balance hustle with ocean vibes without losing your mind (or wifi).
The Wine-Dark Sea: Sailing the Greek Islands Homer Described
Between the wake of a catamaran and the open pages of Homer’s 'Odyssey,' geography and myth blur. Here in September, the Ionian Sea sheds the summer chaos: the beaches are empty, the fishermen’s tavernas welcome you without fuss, and the islands that once lured Odysseus homeward reveal their quieter truths. You follow the same sea he did, but with salt on your skin, ouzo at hand, and history echoing beneath every bright ripple.
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!
Taking the Waters: Karlovy Vary and the Spa Triangle That Healed Emperors
When my 11-year-old daughter Emma asked why people would pay to drink hot, salty water, I realized we'd stumbled onto something bigger than a family spa day. The Bohemian Spa Triangle isn't just about wellness - it's a living museum where emperors, composers, and revolutionaries all sought the same thing: healing. And surprisingly, it works beautifully with kids in tow.
The Lost City of Z: Percy Fawcett and the Amazon's Deadliest Secret
In 1925, British explorer Percy Fawcett plunged deep into the Brazilian Amazon, chasing a shadowed legend - a lost civilization he called the City of Z. Decades later, the dense jungle revealed a truth stranger than fiction: vast pre-Columbian cities hidden beneath the canopy, the remnants of the Kuhikugu complex. Join me on a journey into the Xingu region, where history, mystery, and the unforgiving wilderness collide.
The Vanishing Islands: Ireland's Blasket Islands and the Last Storytellers
The Great Blasket was abandoned in 1953, its final 22 residents evacuated to the mainland. They left behind Europe's richest oral storytelling tradition and a village that now serves as a monument to the Irish language's last wild refuge.
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.
Travel Photography with Just a Phone: A Practical Guide
Can you really capture magazine-quality travel photos with just your phone? I’ve done it countless times on remote Himalayan trails, bustling Bangkok streets, and vibrant fishing villages along the Mediterranean. With a few insider tricks and a bit of practice, your pocket camera can become a powerhouse.
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.