Bracciano

Bracciano’s layers of old town

Benvenuto Bracciano!  It’s been a bit of a long day so far.  We have been up since 2am and didn’t get much sleep before that with last minute packing, not to mention the excitement.  Somewhere en route mid air over Diyarbakir, heading towards Ankara, I have a major pinch-me moment. … Read the rest

Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano

Castello Odescalchi di Bracciano by night

The incredible Renaissance castle, Castello Odescalchi, sits in the heart of Bracciano and has borne witness to centuries of change.  As we arrive in Bracciano on the first leg of our Summer Holidays, it greets us.… Read the rest

JA Palm Tree Court

JA Palm Tree Court from Pool Side

JA Palm Tree Court is part of the Jebel Ali Resort, an oasis in the truest sense of the word.  Located in the southern region of Dubai, near the base of the undeveloped Palm Jebel Ali and next to the Jebel Ali Free Zone and port area, it’s a lush green space set on the coast between sand and sea. … Read the rest

Bateaux Dubai

Seating on board

We are only here by luck.  Our Bateaux Dubai cruise was an ‘extra’ on our resort weekend stay at the JA Palm Tree Court. We nearly decided to forego it, though thank goodness we didn’t!

Batteaux Dubai

Appearing as a bonus in the fine print, we have completely underestimated the value and enjoyment of this activity. … Read the rest

Bab Al Shams

Where the desert meets the pool

It is somewhat fortuitous that our Wedding Anniversary this year coincides with a visit from my mum.  If it wasn’t for this, our anniversary could have very easily ended up being celebrated at home with the boys rather than something rather romantic somewhere rather luxurious like this little interlude at Bab Al Shams.… Read the rest

Ballooning

Canberra by balloon

“Did you know that ours is the only Parliament House in the world that you can get clearance to fly over [in a hot air balloon]?”.  I think about this for a moment and I’m not sure whether to be proud of, or concerned by, this fact.… Read the rest

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert truly stands as one of the great icons of Australian travel. Set along the wild coastline of Western Australia, 200km north of Perth, this otherworldly landscape feels like a hidden treasure. Many of Australia’s 7.5 million annual visitors never make it to WA, let alone to this remote stretch of desert.… Read the rest

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

The only word that comes close to describing the enormity of the Forbidden City is “vast”. Even this doesn’t seem to do it justice. It’s hard to comprehend that the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) was built in the Ming Dynasty (around 1420).… Read the rest

Drum & Bell Towers

View of the Drum Tower from the Bell Tower

The Drum and Bell Towers stand opposite each other at the ends of Drum & Bell Square. Together, they served as the city’s official timekeepers until 1924, with drums beaten and bells rung to mark each hour of the day.… Read the rest

Temple of Heaven: Imperial Walkway Bridge

The Imperial Walkway Bridge (Danbi Bridge)

The Temple of Heaven Park is a vast green space in the heart of Beijing. It has the not-so-green Temple of Heaven, including its Circular Mound Altar structure as its centerpiece.  By no means is the Temple the only structure though.… Read the rest