The best hotels in Liverpool to see the Giants
September 17, 2018Image: istock My latest article for Independent Travel is a guide to the best hotels in Liverpool. It’s a timely piece to plan a visit to the area for the forthcoming Liverpool Dreams event, the street performance by French giant-puppet troupe Royal de Luxe over the weekend of October 4-7.… Read more
How a nostalgic return to Paris made my summer special
August 24, 2018It looks like an innocuous apartment building. It is in many ways but, to me, that faded-green front door represents far more. Welcome to 60 Rue Letellier [pictured above], located near Place Cambronne in Paris. This was my home from September 1992 for one year as part of my study-abroad… Read more
How To Spend A Family Day Out At Tatton Park Cheshire
August 16, 2018Stuck for a family day out this summer holiday? Here’s a suggestion based on my latest article for The Guardian and centred around my home patch of Cheshire — well, East Cheshire but it’s near enough. It centred on a new attraction for the summer holidays at Tatton Park. The… Read more
The amazing story of the Normandy artist behind the Water-Lilies
August 14, 2018Just back home. I spent last week on the Monet trail In Normandy, exploring sites associated with the father of the Impressionist art movement. It was scorching hot and peak-season chaos but I could still get a sense of the delicious tranquility of Monet’s garden at Giverny [pictured above]. And, by… Read more
Get a sneak preview of the new V&A in Dundee, Scotland
July 29, 2018To Dundee, then, for the a preview of the opening of the new V&A museum on September 15. V&A Dundee will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland. The museum [pictured above] will feature permanent Scottish design galleries, including objects from Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Oak Tea Room. The opening exhibition,… Read more
Robin Hood: how to follow the legend around Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
June 27, 2018Robin Hood is making a comeback. The latest take on the folk tale hits cinema screens this winter (November 23). It’s a darker, more adventure-based retelling of the traditional story, starring The Kingsman‘s Taron Egerton in the lead role and produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film comes off the back… Read more
How to a spend a perfect weekend in Nimes — my ultimate guide
June 17, 2018My first assignment for a few months — long story. But it was a good one: a trip to the Occitanie region of France for the opening of the new Museum of Roman Civilisation. It was a Roman-heritage-themed trip, visiting the Pont gu Gard, the Unesco-listed aqueduct, and the city… Read more
My story for Guardian travel will make you save the bees
May 28, 2018May half term, then. Here’s an idea for a family day out based around my story for Guardian Travel. The story is based around a visit to the National Beekeeping Centre Wales, near Conwy, combined with a preview of the new trail at Bodnant Gardens. It was also a family… Read more
Why I made the shortlist for the French Travel Media Awards
March 2, 2018It was close but no cigar. My story about a tour of the French Riviera [pictured above], first published in the Daily Telegraph, was shortlisted this week at the French Travel Media awards. The article describes a trip in the footsteps of film stars and the Euro glitterati. It was… Read more