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.
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.
The UK is having one of the sunniest spells of the year. What better time to finally visit the beautiful locations of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove on the Dorset Coast? Well, it turned out the weather had other plans but I still had a wonderful day on one of southern England's most scenic stretches of coastline.
I've been to Paris many times over the past four decades, but somehow it had been almost nine years since my last trip. Milestone birthday celebrations brought me back with my family last week and it was as though I'd never been away. We spent just over 48 hours exploring old haunts and pastures new — while trying to stay cool in the heatwave!
On the first warm weekend of every year, I find it impossible to resist the urge to hop on a train to the Kent Coast. I love London but when the mercury rises, I crave the sea — and Margate has much more to offer than just a beach. I visit several times a year and keep coming back for the cliffside walks, quirky attractions and excellent dining and shopping.
I think the Regent's Canal towpath from Little Venice to Limehouse is one of London's best walks. The 9.5-mile route weaves past Regency-style villas, through beautiful parks and cool neighbourhoods, and alongside striking contemporary and heritage architecture. This is my guide to the route, including all my favourite places to stops.
With its Renaissance-style castle, picturesque Old Town and sweeping views of the Danube, Bratislava has a lot to offer, even if you're only visiting for the day. The Slovak capital is the only world capital bordering two other sovereign states (Austria and Hungary) and it makes for an easy day trip from Vienna, which is what I did.
Barcelona is one of Europe's best cities for specialty coffee and has a huge variety of excellent coffee shops, cafes and roasters. In this guide, I'm sharing my favourite coffee spots from my recent long-weekend trip — plus one from a previous visit and even a bonus coffee cocktail experience!
Planning a French vacation on a budget? Cannes may not be the first destination that springs to mind. The euros soon add up in the Riviera city known for its Film Festival premieres, designer stores and luxury hotels. But you can have a White Lotus Cannes experience — with beautiful beaches, history, culture and delicious food — without breaking the bank. Here's how.
