The Best Time to Visit - Page 7 of 16 -

Iceland’s Cities

July 20, 2025 by Ben

It’s true that when we think of Iceland, we tend to picture its raw, untamed landscapes first – if not exclusively – with its volcanoes, waterfalls, fjords, parks and nature reserves, but rarely its cities. And yes, it’s true they’re few in number and rather small. Yet the main one, Reykjavik, is worth stopping for and exploring properly. And then there are the others too… About Cities in Iceland Iceland is a small country of 383,000 inhabitants where the capital, Reykjavik (140,000 residents), and its suburbs alone account for two-thirds of the Icelandic population. This means that outside this area, … Read more

What to see and do in Marseille in a few days?

July 19, 2025 by Ben

Marseille is far more than its picture-postcard images suggest. France’s second city blends different eras and atmospheres against a Mediterranean backdrop. The calanques rub shoulders with tower blocks, luxury yachts pass traditional fishing boats, and pastis flows as freely in trendy bars as it does in the old cafés of Le Panier. You can explore the city on foot, by boat, metro or car, depending on your mood and destination. The neighbourhoods shift dramatically from one hill to the next: well-heeled around Endoume, working-class in Noailles, hip along the Cours Julien. This diversity is what makes Marseille tick, far from … Read more

Sri Lanka: The Cultural Triangle and Beyond

July 18, 2025 by Ben

Sri Lanka – sometimes called “India’s peaceful neighbour” – bears an undeniable resemblance to the subcontinent that lies just a few dozen kilometres to the north. The former Ceylon shares many similarities with India, including a remarkably rich historical and cultural heritage. An Exceptional Culture In Sri Lanka, cultural discovery revolves primarily around what’s known as the “Cultural Triangle”… This vast region at the heart of the country is bounded by Anuradhapura – the island’s most ancient capital, where monumental stupas stand alongside countless temples and palace ruins – and Polonnaruwa, which served as capital between the 11th and 13th centuries and retains … Read more

Orkney : Scotland’s somewhat forgotten archipelago

July 17, 2025 by Ben

When you think of Scotland, places like Edinburgh, Loch Ness, and the wild, rugged Highlands probably spring to mind. A few other classic images are synonymous with the destination. But it’s true that the small archipelago in the north of Scotland, known as the Orkney Islands, rarely gets a mention. And yet, it’s a world apart… Where are the Orkney Islands? Just fifteen kilometres off the north coast of mainland Scotland and south of the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands form a unique world that was under Viking and Norwegian rule for centuries. The archipelago covers a total area of … Read more

If you’re looking for the “greenest” capital in Europe, Oslo is the place to go

July 16, 2025 by Ben

With all the talk of global warming and increasingly frequent heatwaves, it’s cities—especially the largest ones—that often suffer the most. This has led some urban planners and developers to promote the idea of extensive green and wooded areas in urban zones, a strategy currently under discussion for Paris, to create what are known as ‘cooling islands’. The main goal of this is to lower the temperature by several degrees during heatwaves. And it works so well that many cities, particularly in Europe, have adopted the formula. That said, the pace of change varies from one country to another, with some … Read more

Chiang Mai at a Glance: The Must-Sees of Northern Thailand

July 16, 2025July 15, 2025 by Ben

Chiang Mai, the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, remains a city with a character all its own in northern Thailand. A world away from the frenzy of Bangkok, it moves to a different rhythm. The historic centre still has its moats and remnants of defensive walls, encircling over 300 Buddhist temples, markets that spill onto the pavements, and a thriving local arts scene. The Temple Scene Wat Phra That Doi Suthep watches over the city from its mountain perch at an altitude of 1,000 metres. After climbing 309 steps between two golden naga balustrades, the view is more than … Read more

Could Kazakhstan be the next hotspot for space tourism?

July 14, 2025 by Ben

We’ve all heard of Cape Canaveral and Florida’s Space Coast, or Kourou in French Guiana. Both are world-renowned for launching rockets and satellites into space. This has a knock-on effect on local tourism, with crowds flocking to watch every launch and often staying to explore the surrounding area. So, what if, after Florida and French Guiana, there was another global hub for “space tourism” and astrotourism more broadly? Welcome to Kazakhstan and the Baikonur Cosmodrome… Where are Kazakhstan and Baikonur? Covering 2,724,900 km², Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and one of the ten largest in the world. … Read more

China is now home to the world’s largest Lego park

July 13, 2025 by Ben

We all played with them as kids – those famous Lego bricks, the building blocks of our youth. Tiny plastic pieces in different shapes, colours, and sizes, all ready to be clicked together to create buildings, landscapes, characters, and so much more. But for years now, Lego has also meant theme parks, which have been popping up in various countries. And now, the brand’s largest “Legoland” in the world is set to open its doors on the 5th of July in Shanghai, China. 85 million Lego bricks An incredible 318,000 m²! After years of construction and millions of dollars spent, Legoland … Read more

What to see and do in a week in Lisbon and its surroundings

July 12, 2025 by Ben

Lisbon is a firm favourite for European travellers, and it’s set to remain so this summer! Its easy accessibility and still-affordable prices for both travel and expenses on the ground are two of its main draws. But you can also add the variety of its neighbourhoods, its monuments, its pretty cobbled streets, its unique atmosphere, and a consistently warm welcome. So, what is there to see and do in a week in Lisbon and the nearby region? Three days to discover the Portuguese capital… Explore the Alfama district by wandering through its winding alleyways, peaceful squares, and terraces. Here you … Read more

Exploring Australia by Foot: Trekking Through the Heart of the Bush

June 16, 2025 by Ben

Australia offers trekking enthusiasts a variety of landscapes, from eucalyptus forests and rainforests to desert terrains and coastal trails. Stepping into the Australian bush provides an immersive journey through natural landscapes filled with wildlife sightings and quiet solitude. Here’s how to experience Australia’s wilderness on foot. Why Trekking in the Australian Bush Is Unlike Anywhere Else Australian trails are diverse. Walk beneath gum trees filled with birdsong or explore ancient rainforests with ferns and waterfalls. Desert trails offer vast skies and earthy colors, providing a calm and reflective journey. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, and sometimes even the … Read more