From Almaty, I flew to Tashkent, Uzbekistan's cosmopolitan capital. For many visitors, Tashkent is the stepping stone to the Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. But Tashkent is a fascinating city in its own right and there's plenty to see and do during a three- or four-day stay.
Tea has long been at the heart of Kazakhstani culture and remains a symbol of hospitality and respect. I drank a lot of tea while there, but I was also excited to explore Almaty's specialty coffee scene. I sampled everything from single-origin pourovers to signature drinks featuring local ingredients. And even a camelccino!
When Central Asia featured on the latest series of Race Across the World, it was the push I needed to book a long-awaited two-week trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. My first stop was Almaty, Kazakhstan's fascinating former capital, where I spent five days.
When I was in Winchester, I didn't get the chance to visit Kavi Coffee, Dhan Tamang's latest specialty coffee venture. Luckily for me, the six-time UK Latte Art Champion has opened a second Kavi rather closer to home, in London's Borough neighbourhood.
After spending the summer exploring the best beaches near London, it was time for a more autumnal day trip. With its moated castle — the childhood home of Anne Boleyn — and beautiful grounds, set around a lake, Hever Castle & Gardens fit the bill perfectly. Better still, it's only an hour from London Bridge.
When planning our two-day road trip in Provence, my parents and I wanted to stay somewhere special. Somewhere we could relax and indulge midway through our action-packed itinerary. Baumanière, a luxury hotel at the foot of the hilltop village of Les Baux, was just what we had in mind.
For the second year running, my parents and I took a side trip from our late-summer stay in Cannes. We spent two glorious days in Provence, discovering Roman sites and Van Gogh's inspiration in Arles and Saint-Rémy and visiting picture-postcard Provençal villages like Les Baux, Gordes and Roussillon.
With its Film Festival glamour, grand hotels and palm-fringed beaches, Cannes is one of the Côte d'Azur's most iconic destinations. Here are 15 of my favourite things to see and do in Cannes, from pâtisseries and perfume-making to boat trips and bay views.
King's Cross is arguably the London neighbourhood that has changed the most in recent decades. Now home to stylish shops and buzzy eateries, the area has shed its gritty veneer but retains stacks of history and character. This is my one-day guide to King's Cross, from its industrial heritage and cultural gems to its thriving dining scene.
I've lived near London's Borough Market for 13 years and often visit for a bite to eat. I've always wanted to take a food tour to get an expert's take on the best things to eat and drink and learn more about the market's storied history, so I was delighted when Eating Europe invited me to experience one of their London food tours.
Another sunny weekend, another beach day trip! This time, I took the train to East Sussex to visit the neighbouring seaside towns of Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. If you like your beach day to come with a side of history, foodie culture, great shopping — and even true crime — this is the day trip for you.
Of all the countries I've visited, Mexico is the one I'm keenest to return to. But in the meantime, I've been getting a taste of Mexican art, culture and food here in London thanks to the Tate Modern's current Frida Kahlo exhibition and a Frida-inspired food menu created by acclaimed chef Santiago Lastra.
After many years of using the Longchamp Medium Le Pliage as my primary day bag, at home and while travelling, I've been converted to the Baggu Medium Crescent, which is smaller and more flexible. Here's what I pack for a typical summer day out.
It's been so hot in London this month that I'd been craving a beach day. When my planned trip to Leigh-on-Sea fell through due to rail disruptions, I had to seek an alternative. My search reminded me of all the other great beach day trips I've taken by public transport, and today, I'm sharing eight of my favourites.
My last trip to Brussels was 10 years ago, and even then, I was supposed to be going to Paris. This time, I was back in the Belgian capital for five days during the recent heatwave. I was working for most of it, but I managed to see a fair bit of the city — and found some wonderful places to eat, drink and wander.
