Fika! The most civilised of Swedish traditions
August 24, 2017* My feature about a family holiday is due out this autumn but, by way of a flavour, this is some accompanying online content about the great Swedish tradition of fika. Fika is a way of life in Sweden. The concept is hard to translate but roughly means a mid-morning or mid-afternoon coffee break accompanied … Read more
Staycation holiday parks for Telegraph Travel
August 17, 2017Summer holidays, eh? Family holidays at home save on airport hell but they can be expensive and very weather dependent. We all want a weak in the sun, right? But, with Brexit chaos ensuring that sterling continues to plummet faster than Theresa May’s credibility, families are looking to UK holiday parks for a non-Euro alternative closer … Read more
Nation of Shopkeepers: Chester for the Daily Telegraph
July 15, 2017I’m always on the look out for story ideas around Chester. My daughter spotted this antique doll shop and the interview with the owner was fascinating. This story first appeared in the Daily Telegraph. Mo Harding, owner, Dollectable, says: “I was born in Cheshire and, after running a hotel in Manchester for years, we were looking … Read more
Cannes Film Festival and Riviera for Telegraph Travel
May 16, 2017Cannes. It’s getting to be a habit. I’ve been three times on assignment in the past year and recently returned from another and very timely sojourn. The reason? The Cannes International Film Festival opens tomorrow — May 17. This year marks 70 years of cinema heritage [mural pictured above]. I was there to report back on … Read more
Multi-generational cruise story for Telegraph Cruise
October 28, 2016I had a piece published this week in the family holidays section of Telegraph Travel. It was a piece about a multi-generational cruise to appeal to a broad age range — in my case from Olivia, 6, to grandad, 76, [pictured above]. Here’s a preview. “I’m the ultimate squeezed middle — a single father caught … Read more
Just back: In Flanders Fields for Telegraph Cruise
September 23, 2016The first assignment of autumn then. It was a return journey to an old favourite destination — Flanders — but with a new perspective. I’ve been before to Bruges, Ghent and several times to Antwerp. But I had never visited the WWI heritage sites of Flanders Fields, nor previously witnessed the moving Last Post ceremony … Read more
Northwest hotel reviews for The Hotelegraph
September 3, 2016I’ve seen a lot of hotel rooms in some 16 years of travel writing. And I saw a whole lot more over the summer months on a journey that took me from a castle in North Wales to a country haven for foodies in rural Lancashire [pictured above]. The reason? Telegraph Travel has been beefing … Read more
Just published: Roald Dahl 100 events in Wales this autumn
August 15, 2016Roald Dahl is everywhere these days. From school set texts to West End theatres, his stories have been translated into 58 languages and he has sold more than 200m books worldwide. Many of his creations have already been adapted for stage and screen, notably Willy Wonka and Matilda, while Steven Spielberg’s new film of The … Read more
River Pilots exhibition at the Merseyside Maritime Museum
August 14, 2016They are the quiet men of shipping. While the captain is struggling to navigate the treacherous tides of the River Mersey, one of the Liverpool River Pilots will shimmy up a rope ladder, come aboard and peel off their waterproofs to reveal a neatly pressed suit before extending a firm handshake and taking conduct of … Read more