Sitting on the veranda of my bamboo-thatched hut, in this quiet Thailand homestay, I can hear chickens clucking underneath the floorboards, the odd bleat from a family of goats I can see grazing their way across the lawn and...
Port Stephens in Winter – a top 10 for teens

Winter is possibly a better time to visit Port Stephens than summer – there’s a great mix of good food, adrenalin hits and winter-exclusive experiences.
Cook Islands with teens

The Cook Islands, quite simply, stunning - but how does it stack up for teens? Here are a few ideas on what teens will enjoy in this South Pacific paradise.
The Coffs Coast with teens

I’ve been bringing the kids to Coffs since they were in nappies, and boy, has it changed over the years. The Banana remains but there is so much more to do in the great outdoors. Here’s my top picks...
8 Top Tips for Road Trips with Teens

If you’re road-tripping with teens this year, here’s some advice from someone who knows all about that: me. Here are my Top 8 tips for surviving road trips with teens.
Hogmanay in Edinburgh: 12 stories to experience.

Here’s my pick of experiences to tick off for a great Hogmanay in Edinburgh – not all limited to New Year’s Eve, and each with its own story to tell.
We love Paris, the girls and I

There’s something special about Paris that’s for sure. It’s special, even in the face of adversity. Or maybe I mean, especially in the face of adversity. When we undertook our Big UK Trip last Christmas, it was also a...
Ladies who lunch (like Marie Antoinette) – Pavillon Ledoyen.

Lunch at Pavillon Ledoyen is an incredible treat. The restaurant holds three Michelin stars, which it was awarded just six months after its stewardship was handed to acclaimed chef Yannick Alleno.
Travelodge goes nice and simple – less quinoa, more sausages anyone?

Travelodge Hotels has undergone a brand-wide refresh that promises to keep things simple. Less quinoa, more sausages. I really like this idea.
Island hopping in the Philippines Last Wild Frontier: Palawan

In Coron, an hour's flight from Manila in the Philippines, you are on the edge of civilisation, surrounded by rather magnificent landscape and wildlife.