A road trip around the celestial mountain landscape of isolated Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has eighty-eight separate mountain ranges, covering 70% of its 200,000 square kilometres of territory, perfect for a road trip back to nature.
Simon Buckby
Simon Buckby was a London-based BBC and Financial Times journalist, among other things, before running communications consultancies. He has travelled to well over 100 countries, and recently moved from Hong Kong to Dubai.
Royalty, Islam, oil, ancient cultures and pristine rainforests in Brunei
With a couple of days in the capital, a day in the western oil heartland dipping into local Iban culture, an overnight stay in the protected and pristine Ulu Temburong National Park rainforest in the eastern enclave, plus diving in Brunei Bay, you have a busy and rewarding itinerary in this tiny country.
There is more than a Grand Prix in Bahrain
It is easy to spend a long weekend or more in Bahrain. Manama is a relaxed capital with beach resorts, souq shopping, eating and even drinking. Then the wider archipelago has heritage sites from both an ancient civilisation and the era of the most successful pearling industry in the region.
Macau is Asia’s Vegas with a Portuguese heritage and a Chinese future
Macau's primary attractions are its glitzy casino resorts on the Cotai Strip that copy almost exactly those in Las Vegas. In addition, it has an interesting history as a Portuguese colony, and, like neighbouring Hong Kong, a controversial imminent future as part of China’s Greater Bay Area.
Kuwait beyond the Gulf War
Overshadowed by the Gulf War, Kuwait is little visited. But there are terrific hotels and top notch restaurants, a substantial corniche and a handful of photogenic attractions, plus a lovely old souq and an excellent modern mall. Out in the desert, highlights include the road from Iraq used by Saddam’s troops to invade and retreat, and a day at the camel races.
The natural wonders and human resilience of Uganda
Mountain gorillas. And chimps. Plus the source of the White Nile, Lake Victoria, white-water rafting, the equatorial line, the world’s most powerful waterfall, the safari Big Five, and numerous rare birds. Along with cool Kampala and pygmy people from the forest.
Uzbekistan is an easy and fun place to access breath-taking heritage sites in exotic settings
Crammed with top class heritage sites, as well as loads of fun stuff, such as tasting plov and local wines, enjoying hammams, and getting a bit of Soviet kitsch too. It is all easy to access, making Uzbekistan perfect for ten days of exotica.
A short guide to which Seychelles Inner Islands have the best beaches, jungle trips and sailing, plus a brief history of slavery
Tips on how to explore the Seychelles' most visited Inner Islands , including by yacht, to reach the best and most isolated beaches.
‘Fragrant Harbour’: a resident’s guide to falling in love with the unique energy of urban Hong Kong
A love letter to Hong Kong from a departing resident with comprehensive tips for visitors and immigrants on how to get the most from this magical city, including all the obvious tourist attractions, but also delving deep into its authentic, hidden and often quirky side that too few people take the trouble to explore.
The trails less travelled: the hidden treasures of rural Hong Kong
Explore the hidden treasures of rural Hong Kong, including breath-taking hiking trails up steep mountains and along coastal paths, a complete circuit of brand new cycle lanes through ancient villages, and gorgeous islands east and west stuffed with beautiful beaches and authentic local restaurants.