Tanah Lot Day Trip

Tanah Lot Temple

There are few sights in Bali more instantly recognisable than Tanah Lot Temple. Perched on a dark volcanic rock just offshore, its pagoda-like silhouette rises above the waves, seemingly suspended between sea and sky. It is the kind of scene that has become synonymous with Bali, reproduced endlessly in photographs, paintings and travel brochures.… Read the rest

Uluwatu Day Trip

Uluwatu Day Trip

Uluwatu feels like Bali in concentrate. An Uluwatu day trip will only just scratch the surface, for the essence of Uluwatu needs to be lived in longer stretches.

Nevertheless, today the lush rice fields and busy streets of central Bali give way to the limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula, where the landscape becomes drier, wilder and dramatically coastal.… Read the rest

Ubud Day Trip: A One Day Itinerary from Seminyak

Ubud Day Trip: A One Day Itinerary from Seminyak

After several days enjoying Bali’s beautiful coastline, we were ready to swap surf breaks and beach clubs for something completely different. An Ubud day trip is high on our list, anticipated since arriving on the island.… Read the rest

Nusa Penida Snorkeling

Nusa Penida Snorkeling

Swimming with manta rays in Bali’s most spectacular marine sanctuary was high on our list for a recent adventure and a day trip to Nusa Penida snorkeling really delivered.

Long before arriving in Bali, we’d admired photographs of giant manta rays gliding effortlessly through crystal-clear water and sea turtles grazing over vibrant coral reefs.… Read the rest

Phuket Travel Guide: Best Beaches, Things to Do & Day Trips

Best Beaches, Things to Do & Day Trips

Phuket is an island of contrasts, where beautiful beaches, turquoise waters and tropical landscapes sit alongside vibrant resorts, historic neighbourhoods and a rich cultural heritage. From the energy of Patong to the quieter shores of Nai Thon and Nai Harn, Phuket offers a remarkable variety of experiences, while the colourful Sino-Portuguese streets of Old Phuket Town reveal a very different side of the island.… Read the rest

Phuket’s Beaches: 7 of the Best

A perfect arc of pristine sand and crystal water

Finding your perfect stretch of sand among Phuket’s beaches may be harder than you think.

Thailand’s largest island is blessed with an extraordinary coastline. Along its shores, jungle-clad headlands tumble into the Andaman Sea, framing everything from hidden coves and undeveloped bays to bustling beach towns lined with restaurants, massage huts and colourful longtail boats.… Read the rest

Nai Thon Beach, Phuket: A Quiet Alternative to Phuket’s Crowded Beaches

Nai Thon Beach

Some places are memorable because of what you do there. Others stay with you because of how they make you feel. Nai Thon Beach on the island’s northwest coast, is firmly in the latter category.

Nai Thon Beach remains one of Phuket’s most underrated coastal gems, a place where natural beauty takes precedence over development.… Read the rest

Kamala Beach: Finding Our Rhythm in Phuket

Kamala Beach

Kamala Beach never really asked to be the highlight of our time in Phuket. That became part of its appeal.

We spend two weeks based here. First, we settle into a backstreet villa at Nathon House, located along the suburban Hua Khuan Nuea Road.… Read the rest

Racha Yai Diving

Racha Yai Diving (photo credit Roberta Martinotta)

Today starts with a crackle of anticipation as the alarm sounds in the early morning. We’re all excited about our our family scuba diving tour to Racha Noi and Racha Yai Islands. We have been promised coral gardens, curious marine life and just enough unpredictability to keep things interesting.… Read the rest

Rush Coffee

Rush Coffee

Tucked into the pastel-hued streets of Phuket Old Town, where Sino-Portuguese façades lean gently into one another and the tropical air hangs thick with incense and street food, I stumble upon something I hadn’t realised I was missing quite so desperately – proper coffee.… Read the rest