- Antigua & Barbuda
- Arabian Peninsula
- Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao
- Bahrain
- Brunei
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- China
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Guam
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Melanesia
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- New Caledonia
- North Korea
- Oman
- Palau
- Qatar
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
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.
Guam is a brash Hawaiian mini-me, with beaches backed by high rise hotels and glitzy shopping malls; US naval and airforce bases are thrown in too. It is under US jurisdiction and proud to advertise itself as “America’s western border”. In practice that means it is also the frontline of potential conflict with North Korea.
Like an onion, the layers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are too many and too deep for tourists to see what is really going on, especially in the environment of the strictly policed tour that is required to visit the country as a foreigner. But you can pick at the surface, and you will certainly get to know the country as its officials wish to present it to the world, and this is more than sufficiently fascinating to make the accompanying frustrations worth bearing.
Palau is a scuba diver's paradise. Unspoiled coral reefs, abundant sharks, mantas and other pelagic life along with countless tropical fish provide a unique underwater experience. On land, the tropical flora and fauna, and the idyllic white-sand beaches of the uninhabited Rock Islands, make it a special - if remote - spot.
This was a nine-day journey tracking the changes since the 1979 revolution. We started in Isfahan trying to understand the lives of ordinary Iranians, and Shahr-e Kord visiting businesses to see the impact of sanctions. Then we moved north to Qom, the religious centre. In Tehran, we spent time looking at Iran’s system of government, its media, economy and relations with its neighbours.
Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, is one of the weirdest places on the face of the earth, and that alone makes this trip outstanding. Plus, there are excellent natural wonders and decent big ticket heritage sites. Above, this is a chance to peep behind the iron curtain of one of the most isolated countries in the world.
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.
Tips on how to explore the Seychelles' most visited Inner Islands , including by yacht, to reach the best and most isolated beaches.
Sierra Leone boasts a hidden paradise: palm-fringed, white-sand beaches made famous by a 1980s Bounty advert, and lush mountainous rainforests that lead you to the sea. It's also the setting for what's dubbed "the world's most worthwhile marathon".
Paradise beaches, perfect sailing, a low key vibe and a preserved colonial heritage. All the ingredients for really rather a nice time.
There is brilliant diving on all three islands, especially on Bonaire, there are awesome beaches on Aruba, and in Willemstad on Curaçao there is a colourful old colonial city to explore.
Having spent almost two weeks in North Korea in 2016, I came back. To experience the Mass Games of synchronised gymnastics, and to see if anything had changed since I was last here. And I was surprised by some of what I found.
There is more to South Korea than the high-tech hub of Seoul. Our main reason for coming was to see the DMZ and the heavily-militarised border with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. But first we started with a relaxing time on the beach at the Republic of Korea’s main summer holiday destination for its own citizens.
There is plenty to see and do in the UAE beyond the big-ticket attractions of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There are beaches, deserts and mountains, with fabulous resorts all over. There are mosques and forts to investigate, arts and culture to explore, and sports galore to play and to watch.
These days, a holiday in Cambodia is a reality for almost 5 million travellers a year. With one of the wonders of the world, Angkor Wat, that's hardly surprising. And there's a hell of a lot more to it than the famous temples. Getting off the beaten track you can really see and feel a thousand years of history. And, on top of all that, enjoy some of the most perfect beaches in South-East Asia.
Saudi Arabia feels like a final frontier. Apart from the two million Muslim pilgrims who go to Mecca every year, very few foreigners have been able to enter the country for decades. Yet, suddenly, we are not only allowed, we are being actively encouraged, and we get the warmest of welcomes. But just because we can now go, why should we? And what would we see when we get there?
Away from any current conflict in Côte d'Ivoire, the main attractions are in the south-eastern corner: the exciting party town of Abidjan, the world's tallest basilica in very odd Yamoussoukro, the former colonial capital of Grand Bassam, and one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth at Assinie. For a small country with a small reputation, Côte d'Ivoire packs a big punch.
Madagascar’s geological and natural histories are crucial for our understanding of the way our planet has developed. Though it is not an easy country to visit, largely because of its vast size and dreadful transport, there is a lot for visitors to enjoy. But it’s current economic plight signals just how far our world still has to go.
It’s only fair to warn you that Palau has far more than its fair share of natural wonders, especially the spectacular Rock Islands and world class scuba diving, and there’s a very good chance you will be overwhelmed by their mind-boggling splendour. What’s more, they’re all easily accessible off the south coast of this tiny Micronesian country, once you finally get all the way here.
Come to find unique ethnic culture, stunning mountain ranges, Christian monasteries, freely available alcohol, and – despite its existential fragility – peace and security. Then leave with a greater understanding of the scars of war and the prospect of an independent Kurdish country.
Fiji can be the most perfect South Pacific destination in Melonesia: calm turquoise oceans gently lapping at the white sandy beaches of remote blissful islands reached by adventurous seaplanes or romantic catamarans. All under a baking sun and with a warm vibe. This is especially true in the spectacular Yasawa chain.
Uruguay boasts 660 kilometres of pristine coastline, unspoilt nature reserves, abundant bird life, countless trekking and horse riding opportunities as well as a vibrant cultural heritage and party scene. It is also a very easy place to explore.
It had been nearly two weeks since the Haitians went to the polling stations to pick their favourite presidential candidate among 54 contenders. It was the day before departure and an email from a Haitian tour operator I had contacted landed in my inbox. The email advised me not to travel to Haiti because of threats to security following protests that can turn violent.
In this woefully under-visited state, there is the tech capital of India at Bengaluru plus several heritage centres with palaces and temples of competing ancient kingdoms. In addition, there are coffee plantations, tiger reserves and uncrowded beaches.
Relax into the cactus-filled Baja desert while discovering the border wall in the Pacific Ocean, wine tasting, remote islands, paradise beaches, isolated villages, restored Catholic missions, along with the outrageous beauty of the Sea of Cortez where you can see several species of whales, swim with sea lions, watch constant pelican shows, go big-game fishing and enjoy world class scuba diving.
With a little imagination and a bit of effort you can go way beyond Cancún to beat your own path to magical parts of Mexico that offer remote colourful towns and seldom seen Mayan ruins hidden deep in the jungle as well as deserted beaches and exciting scuba dives.
It is 40 years since Bob Dylan wrote his lovely, catchy ditty; 40 years since independence from Portugal; and, as one of my guides put it, "Mozambique is finally starting to grow up".
The Marshall Islands are remote, scattered, and hard to reach, which may explain why they have totally failed to establish themselves as a destination even for island hoping travellers. Yet there are enough exciting boat rides to hidden beaches and exotic dives to keep you interested for a little while and much longer if you have the patience.
Only three of the islands are inhabited and they feel remarkably different to each other. Rota is a very quiet, pristine and friendly place that attracts almost no visitors; Saipan is a long-standing magnet for Japanese and more recently also Chinese tourists looking for neon fun amid a slice of Americana; and Tinian has been left as a memorial to the horrors of World War Two.
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.
Tamil Nadu is beyond the tourist circuits of India, with unique local culture, cuisine and temples, colonial legacy, churches and forts, hectic street life, crowded beaches on the Bay of Bengal coast, cool hill stations in the Western Ghats, and the uniqueness of the southern tip of the sub-Continent.
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.
Micronesia is widely overlooked. Yet there is a genuine tropical paradise to be found among these 2,000 tiny Pacific islands: world class scuba diving and World War Two battlegrounds, beaches and remote cultures, in one of the most glorious places there is.
Utah is best known as the home of the Mormons, whose headquarters are in Salt Lake City in the north, and for its incredible canyons and landscapes, found in the national parks of the south. This combination of weird and wonderful make it a fascinating destination for a classic American road trip and is an alluring destination for keen photographers like me.
Myanmar feels exotic, but it is easy to navigate, with new hotels and transport systems, and locals welcoming to foreigners now we have been invited in.
First timers to Africa will find Cabo Verde a very easy step to take. Sun, sand, world-class surfing, a little bit of culture, a lot of hiking up volcanoes, but with no need for injections and no threat of violence.
Unlike other countries on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman can feel more like a traditional holiday destination, with easily accessible natural beauty (for driving and hiking in the wadis and mountains, along with dune bashing in the desert), important heritage sites (especially forts and watchtowers), as well as beaches, diving and high-end resorts.
Ghana was the centre of the slave trade until 200 years ago, with a coastline of colonial castles that were converted into slave prisons that are now respectful memorials of this blight on humanity. It has a well-developed infrastructure and the kind of picture postcard white sand beaches that people pay thousands of dollars to access in the Caribbean.
The enduring legacy of the World Cup – both the modernisation and the controversy – spatchcocked onto a quiet conservative Islamic culture, makes for an intriguing retreat. It’s not hard to have a fun long weekend in Doha, but nor would you be struggling for things to do if you stayed for a week or more.
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.
The Solomon Islands in the South Pacific are usually just passed over on the way to even more glamorous destinations. Yet for the most intrepid visitors, there awaits an authentic culture almost untainted by tourism, along with many Second World War wreck dives.
Arabia is opening up. There are brand new cities, world class heritage sites, desert camps with dune bashing, mountain trekking in the great mountains, and scuba diving in the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Above all, you get insights into a part of the world crucial to global stability and yet so misunderstood and so feared in the West.
Beautiful backwaters, mountain plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, heritage sites and two world-class beaches make Kerala the chilled alternative to Goa.
On this classic itinerary you will see all the famous palaces, citadels and monuments, have your senses assaulted from all sides, and come away with so many talking-point experiences that you will feel you have at least an introductory insight into this vast and complex country.
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.
New Caledonia is one of the most beautiful countries on earth. Simple as that. Yet often overlooked even by travellers to Melanesia. We found almost no foreign tourists here at all.
Once the shock of the 2019 bombings has settled, adventure travellers will return to Sri Lanka, where the biggest attractions are along the routes ignored by mass tourism in the years since the end of the civil war: the remote north (the cultural home of the Tamils and the battlefield sites) plus the secluded east (with its quiet golden beaches).
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.
Not many visitors make the effort to explore what is surely everybody’s idea of tropical paradise, with the turquoise Pacific Ocean, blue skies and white beaches.
Surprisingly few foreign tourists make it to Punjab, the small state on the north-west of India neighbouring Pakistan. But those who do witness two very different treasures - the Golden Temple of Amritsar and the border ceremony at Wagah - that are among the greatest attractions in the world, never mind the sub-continent.
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.
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.
In Vanuatu you can peer over the lip of an active volcano. There is also an American luxury ocean liner that usually rates in the world’s top five wreck dives. Plus interaction with traditional villagers with ancient customs and a subsistence living.
Vast urban areas of sky-high architecture and smart-city innovation make Guangdong one of the best places to understand what is happening in China today and see what much of the world might look like tomorrow. All this has been built on the foundations of a unique history, so as well as the future you can also visit the past in villages, fortresses and temples dating back thousands of years.
Empty Caribbean white-sand beaches baked in year-round sun, with rhum sours and lobster dripping in Creole sauce, five star hotels and modern transport that requires virtually no advanced booking, along with deserted first rate heritage sights, all at the home of voodoo.
With world-class diving of both wrecks and reefs, ancient heritage sites and traditional cultures, all set among some of the most beautiful islands and atolls going, the isolated Federated States of Micronesia are an absolute joy.