China’s third largest city has so much for families to se and do […] read more…
Exploring Queensland’s Cape Hillsborough with kids […] read more
An ethical wild elephant experience in Sri Lanka’s Minneriya National Park […] read more…
Exploring the ancient wonders of Siem Reap with kids […] read more…
For me, travel isn’t necessarily about the journey or the destination. It’s more about the moments. Some of them inconsequential in the grand scheme of things but others stay with you and change you forever. My pilgrimage to Nan, a province on the Laos border of North-Eastern Thailand, delivers one such moment. Infrequently visited […] Read more…
“Guangzhou is lit!” squeals my son, pun totally intended, his face illuminated by a giant radiant pig. He’s right, the city is indeed luminously lovely from the thousands of red lanterns lining its streets. An epic lantern fair in Yuexiu Park takes it next level, and we can’t resist joining the throngs of families to […] Read more…
Harajuku, like Tokyo itself, has something of a split personality. Serene and extreme all at once, the area is home to one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrine as well as the city’s most out there shopping strips. In fact, Harauku is in itself a shrine… to conspicuous consumption. Only in Harajuku would you spot […] Read more…
Hailed as the “Venice of the East”, Thailand’s boisterous Bangkok offers visiting families a chaotic but cool combination of fast-paced city life and ancient culture. It is a city for all the senses with dazzling lights, the fragrant scent of street food, sprawling shrines to consumerism, and the cacophonous honking and tooting of tricked-up tuk-tuks. […] Read more…
Written by Raffles – Aged 10 I love travel more than just about anything, even eating. Ok, so maybe not more than, but at least equal to. But, luckily food and travel go hand in hand. Unfortunately, so do travel and airports. I mean, I love flying, unlike my scaredy-cat mum, but there’s literally nothing […] Read more…
Given Singapore’s national sports appear to be eating and drinking, it’s hardly surprising that, as a card-carrying glutton, it is a destination that has wormed its way into my heart, via my fickle stomach. Without doubt one of the best food cities on earth, traders and settlers from Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Europe have […] Read more…
Tokyo is one of the world’s great culinary cities, so be prepared to eat. A lot. And often. Seriously, you need to forget Lost in Translation, because in this city, you’re far more likely to be lost in digestion. Street food is delicious and cheap, while at the other end of the dining spectrum there […] Read more…
From Sanrio’s sassy Hello Kitty to ancient Edo cat literature and cat art, cat cafés, cat islands and even an unofficial cat holiday – Nyan Nyan Nyan Day – held each year on February 22, you could be forgiven for thinking that Japan is utterly smitten with kittens. So, it turns out, are Raffles […] Read more…
Written by Raffles – Aged 10 My mama is the only person I know who can actually make magic happen. She’s always conjuring up incredible creations in the kitchen and has this way of making everything my sister and I wish for come true. And she does it all without even needing to use an […] Read more…
“Land Ahoy” shouts Raffles, between a volley of “Arrhhs’ and “Yo ho ho’s”. As you do when sailing in to Dubrovnik’s Old Town on a timber galleon. The tiny traveller is convinced it is a real life pirate ship and, in a strange twist, it would appear the skipper concurs – proffering my small swashbuckler a feathered pirate […] Read more…
Travel means different things to different people. When you’re flying solo, it may be for the chance to discover the world, or to discover yourself. And when you travel with kids, you might view it as a chance to bond or an opportunity to raise globally aware humans. No matter how or who you travel […] Read more…
It’s no big secret that Raffles loves a dumpling. And when I say loves, I mean with a passion equalled only by that of a seagulls for chips. In fact, if eating dumplings were an Olympic sport, he’d bring home Gold. In every event. Including the relay. This is a child who considers Xiao Long Bao (pork […] Read more…
I was first tempted to visit Sri Lanka as an 18-year-old. Tickets were booked, tours organised and bags packed when, BANG!! I got rear-ended in a car accident the morning I was due to leave and instead of checking in to my flight, ended up checking in to the casualty ward with a minor […] Read more…
Already one of my favourite Singapore hotels – thanks to an incredible location and lovely staff – Swissotel The Stamford has knocked it out of the park with their brand-new Vitality Rooms. More than just beautiful rooms (which they are) with insane views of the Singapore Skyline (which they have), Swissotel The Stamford’s Vitality Rooms […] Read more…
When Zomato asked me if I would I like to try the Japanese Hot Pot at Sydney’s new Izu Village it took me about 1 seconds to reply yes! I mean, seriously, I am the president of the hot pot fan club. I will swim in that stuff if I am given the chance. So, […] Read more…
Pop! Canton Kitchen has just opened in Castlecrag. I’m excited too because Head Chef Jason Chan is from Queen Chow, so it’s gotta be good! The restaurant itself is like a Cantonese pop art explosion of cool with retro posters papering the walls. I was in the birthplace of Cantonese cooking, Guangzhou, just a few […] Read more…
You get what you pay for right? So, we really don’t expect much when we fly economy. I mean I figure as long as we get where we’re going in one piece, the job is done. That was until our first date with China Southern, the biggest airline in Asia by fleet size. We’re flying […] Read more…
Gorgeous Guangzhou is a clean, green and super smart city that’s marching boldly towards the future, without losing sight of its incredible 2000-year history. China’s third largest city with a population of almost 16-million, it’s one of the world’s fastest growing tourist cities. And, I’m ashamed to admit, a few short months ago I didn’t […] Read more…
Whether you speak Japanese or not, that special Disney Magic won’t need translation at the extraordinary Tokyo DisneySea ®, a unique Disney park with seven exquisitely themed ports inspired by the myths, legends and lore of the sea. Said by some to be the very best Disney Park in the World, Tokyo DisneySea is a completely […] Read more…
It was wizardry that brought us to Edinburgh or at least my son’s obsession with them. And while the Scottish capital more than delivered in Harry Potter inspired thrills, there’s so much more to love about the historic, and famously festive, city. For starters there’s all that gorgeous Georgian architecture, cobbled alleyways, and its famous looming […] Read more…