Expert Insights

October 18, 2013 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World

Read time – 4 minutes Waterfalls are beautiful feats of nature, whether we’re talking thundering torrents crashing over wide-open cliff faces or gentle cascades tinkling on the rocks. They hold the power to cast a mesmerising spell on us, instantly captivating with their reflections, refractions and ripples. Ultimately, these liquid assets lure many travellers to...

October 08, 2013 Climbing Slovenia: Mount Triglav

Read time – 3 minutes A pinkish hue begins to tiptoe across the barren crowns of jagged limestone peaks of Slovenia, announcing their hulking presence along the horizon. Far below the fertile meadows remain embraced in a cradle of darkness, tucked in by a soft duvet of mist that curls upwards at the edges. Ambitious rooks...

October 08, 2013 High Tea & Walking in the Himalayas

Read time – 4 minutes The instructions were simple. If it was clear at 5am, Dilip would rouse us with a shout of “mountain view” and a steaming cup of tea. If, however, the Himalayan heights were obscured by a stubborn morning mist, it would be a 6am wakeup call accompanied by a cup of...

October 02, 2013 Conquering the Aconcagua Climb

Read time – 3 minutes Having successfully completed a number of high altitude peaks over 5,000 metres, Aconcagua in the Andes has always been my ultimate trekking goal. So when the opportunity to attempt the highest ‘trek-able’ summit outside of the Himalaya presented itself, I snapped it up. Comprising nine males and three females aged...

October 02, 2013 Inca Trail Alternative – Moonstone Route

Read time – 3 minutes Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is rightly considered to be the most iconic walk in Latin America and many of you will have completed the four-day, 35km hike. However, there is another (and in my opinion, better) way to reach the fabled ruins: the Moonstone Route. Views on the Moonstone trek Reasons to...

October 01, 2013 My Kilimanjaro Climb on the Rongai Route

I arrived home and flopped down to some mind-numbing soap opera when I suddenly realised what I’d agreed to. “I’m going to climb the tallest mountain in Africa!” I told my kind and supportive flatmates, who all burst into laughter. The next day was the first of many spent in preparation for Kilimanjaro. It became...

October 01, 2013 Trekking in Wadi Rum

Read time – 3 minutes The small dot wheeling above me was a steppe buzzard. I only knew that because Mr Nabil had pointed one out earlier that day. Passing high to my left, it had appeared from over the red mountain to the south, which although looked close enough to touch, was actually 25...

September 26, 2013 Walking the Great Wall of China

Read time – 3 minutes The Great Wall of China can be seen from the International Space Station, (although the view was probably better before China’s industrial might took hold) and I dream of one day seeing it from space for myself – in fact I am saving as quickly as I can for this...

September 26, 2013 Walking in Andalucia – A Moorish Land

Read time – 1 minute Liquid gold light tumbles through the hot, dry air. Andalucia is a land drenched in tawny yellow hues, amber and ochre blurred in a haze of heat. This pastoral world follows the undulations of the seasons, and slopes are perfect for growing olives and lemons. They hang from bleached, pale...

September 26, 2013 A Walking Holiday in Greece

Read time -3 minutes I have been walking for the past 37 years (I think I was 13 months when I started) but never realised that walking could be such good fun. First, some facts about me: I smoke, drink a bit, have a few extra pounds around my waist, never exercise and prefer to drive...