Category: Featured
VDNH: a celebration of Soviet Russia
By Paul Johnson on Jul 06, 2018 in Attractions, Eastern Europe, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Regions, Russia
Located in the Ostankinsky District of Moscow, to the north of the city centre, VDNH lies less than a kilometre from Ostankino Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in Europe. Originally opened in August of 1939, and with a major impetus to revive the area since 2014, this ‘Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy’ is 
Moscow's Ukrainian restaurant... complete with resident cow!
By Paul Johnson on Jul 02, 2018 in Eastern Europe, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Russia, Travel Miscellany, Ukraine
If you’re looking for a dinner with a difference, head to Shinok Restaurant (Ресторан Шинок) on Moscow’s Year 1905 Street. This Ukrainian restaurant first opened its doors in 1997 and, despite its modest red brick appearance, is one of the most iconic places to dine in the Russian capital. On entering, you make your way 
5 of the most amazing al fresco dining experiences around the world
By Claire Powell on Jun 29, 2018 in Africa, Australia, Chile, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Iceland, Morocco, Oceania, Regions, Restaurants, South America, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe, Zambia
When the weather is fine there’s nothing better than getting outside and enjoying your surroundings: the only added extra you need is some delicious local food. Here we’ve rounded up our favourite outdoor dining experiences on the planet. Asado de Cordero, Patagonia One of the highlights of visiting Las Torres del Paine National Park is 
Inside the luxury hotel where Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un will meet
By Paul Johnson on Jun 06, 2018 in Accommodation, Asia, Bars, Celebrities, Events, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Singapore, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany
It has been announced that the historic meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un scheduled for later this month will take place at the five-star Capella Hotel Singaporean island of Sentosa. It will be the first time that a North Korean leader has met with a sitting US president. Sentosa is one of 63 islands 
TSUM: Moscow's most fashionable department store
By Paul Johnson on May 16, 2018 in Attractions, Eastern Europe, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Russia, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany
During my recent trip to Moscow with ‘Moscow Seasons‘ (see posts here and here), I called at TSUM (ЦУМ), Moscow’s most fashionable department store. Located in the Tverskoy District just next to The Bolshoi Theatre, TSUM is managed by the Mercury Group – Russia’s largest luxury goods distributor, with more than 20-years’ experience in fashion 
Moscow's a cappella festival gala concert - part of Moscow Seasons
By Paul Johnson on May 15, 2018 in Eastern Europe, Europe, Events, Featured, Regions, Russia, Travel Miscellany
As you may have already read, I was in Moscow recently for the second ‘Moscow Spring A Cappella‘ festival, an event put on by the Government of Moscow as ‘Moscow Seasons‘ to celebrate some of the best a cappella singers from around the world. And the grand finale for this 12-day singing extravaganza was a 
Moscow's open air a cappella festival - part of Moscow Seasons
By Paul Johnson on May 14, 2018 in Attractions, Eastern Europe, Europe, Events, Featured, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, Russia, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Moscow for the first time to attend the second ‘Moscow Spring A Cappella‘ festival, one of the largest a cappella events in the world, and part of a series of seasonal street events across the Russian capital known as ‘Moscow Seasons‘. Moscow Seasons is a comparatively new initiative 
13 of the best national parks to visit in May
By Paul Johnson on May 01, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Europe, Featured, Florida, India, Israel, Leisure Travel, Middle East, Minnesota, Namibia, North America, Regions, South Africa, South America, Spain, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, USA, Virginia, Washington, Western Europe, Zambia
May is a wonderful time of year to get out and explore the countryside. The weather is getting sunnier (for much of the northern hemisphere, at least) and yet most places are not yet overrun by tourism. With many families staying at home (whilst school and university examinations are in full swing), it’s a great 
Short stay: Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, Westminster, London, UK
By Paul Johnson on May 01, 2018 in Accommodation, Business Travel, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Tucked away towards the rear of St. James’ Court, a Taj hotel, and only a short distance from Buckingham Palace, is the exclusive, five-star Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences. This luxurious, all-suite hotel was built at the turn of the 20th century and today consists of 86 luxury suites, ranging from one to 
Short stay: Slaley Hall, Slaley, Hexham, Northumberland, UK
By Paul Johnson on May 01, 2018 in Accommodation, Attractions, Family Travel, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel
Slaley Hall is a large hotel set in a 1,000 acre Northumberland estate, between Consett and Hexham, and part of the QHotels chain. This elegant Edwardian mansion enjoys a winding approach that gives a feeling of grandeur before you even reach the main building. Enjoying a rural location surrounded by moorland and forest, the hotel 
Family fun on a Little Londoners package
By Paul Johnson on Apr 18, 2018 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
London is a great city to visit with family as there is so much to do, whether you’re travelling with very little ones or teenagers, or both. But what’s really important, I find, is to make sure you’re centrally located to make the most of all that the capital has to offer. The Trafalgar St. 
Top 5 luxury family safari properties in Tanzania
By Julian Carter-Manning on Apr 11, 2018 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Camping, Family Travel, Featured, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Tanzania
Many people feel nervous at the thought of going on safari with their kids, and many properties don’t accept children below a certain age. However, taking your family on safari can be an amazing adventure, and it’s all about making sure you choose the right places to stay – ones that can tailor the safari 
12 essential luxury experiences in Paris
By Tim Swannie on Apr 10, 2018 in Attractions, Europe, Featured, France, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Western Europe
Paris’ classic landmarks are undoubtedly worth a visit, but there are a number of unique, luxurious and lesser-known experiences to have here, too. We’ve put together a mix of the traditional and the more uncommon must-dos that Paris has to offer, all with an added splash of luxury, of course. Eiffel Tower experiences No matter 
Galapagos: the 7 top-rated visitor sites
We asked 12 naturalist guides with a combined 231 years of guiding experience in Galapagos to rate each visitor site on a scale of 1-100 against 5 distinct criteria: i) overall diversity and abundance of animal and plant species; ii) chances of seeing iconic Galapagos species; iii) landscape beauty iv) beach quality and v) snorkel
14 of the best cities to visit in April
By Paul Johnson on Mar 22, 2018 in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Chile, Cuba, Eastern Europe, Europe, Featured, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Oklahoma, Portugal, Regions, South Africa, South America, Spain, USA, Western Europe
April can be a fantastic time of year to get away and enjoy a city break. For many of our readers, it’s a time when temperatures are just starting to pick up a little, when destinations are beginning to open their doors more to tourists, and yet it isn’t a peak time to travel… meaning 
