Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads

The air smells of sea, salt and various scents of sunscreen. Kids surf, locals walk dogs, drink coffee and laze in the park or on the sand. Burleigh Heads is doing its thing. Likewise our holiday is doing its thing – that thing where time loosens its grip.… Read the rest

Cruising Dubai’s Sparkling Coastline

Cruising Dubai’s Sparkling Coastline

Cruising Dubai’s sparkling coastline provides an unforgettable escape from the city. Think sea breezes, skyline views and pure sunshine.

There are days when Dubai feels like a city made of light: reflections dancing on glass towers, pale sun unfolding over the Gulf and the warm promise of adventure.… Read the rest

Topkapi Palace: The Fourth Court

Topkapi Palace: The Fourth Court

Topkapi Palace dominates Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, completing what I think of as the city’s essential sightseeing trifecta alongside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Perched above the Bosphorus, the palace does not simply reward visitors with views; it opens a door into more than four centuries of Ottoman rule.… Read the rest

Topkapi Palace: The Third Court

Topkapi Palace: The Third Court

Topkapi Palace dominates Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, completing what I think of as the city’s essential sightseeing trifecta alongside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Perched above the Bosphorus, the palace does not simply reward visitors with views; it opens a door into more than four centuries of Ottoman rule.… Read the rest

Topkapi Palace: The First Court

Topkapi Palace: The First Court

Topkapi Palace dominates Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, completing what I think of as the city’s essential sightseeing trifecta alongside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Perched above the Bosphorus, the palace does not simply reward visitors with views; it opens a door into more than four centuries of Ottoman rule.… Read the rest

Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar

Chaotic, colorful and endlessly fascinating, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, a sprawling maze of covered streets, has been the beating commercial heart of Istanbul for more than five centuries.

Step inside and you’re immediately immersed in a sensory overload: the shimmer of gold in jewellers’ windows, the rich scent of leather and spices, the rhythmic calls of shopkeepers, and the soft clink of tea glasses being served.… Read the rest

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

There are many remarkable monuments in Istanbul, yet few possess the gravity, beauty and layered history of Hagia Sophia – known variously as Aya Sofya, Sancta Sophia and the Church of the Divine Wisdom. Commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD, transformed into a mosque by Mehmed II in 1453, and later secularised into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1935, it stands today as one of the most significant and symbolically rich buildings in the world.… Read the rest

The Roast Easter Brunch

The Roast Easter Brunch

Easter in Dubai is a time for reflection, renewal and most importantly, celebration. What better way to embrace Easter than by gathering with friends at one of the city’s most renowned brunch destinations? The Roast by Bubbalicious at Mina’s Kitchen, offers an unforgettable Easter brunch experience that combines delectable cuisine, lively entertainment and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.… Read the rest

Oman for Eid

Oman for Eid

We have been to Oman for Eid previously. Our last experience, in 2017, was a vastly different one to our more recent experience of Oman for Eid – a perfect long weekend of camping at the beach.

Campsite views

With the Eid holidays offering the perfect excuse for a short getaway, Jason, our boys Jasper (14) and Harley (11) and I team up with another family.… Read the rest

Motorbikes & Mayhem

Motorbikes & Mayhem

It’s our last day on the farm and it’s filled with motorbikes and mayhem. Over the weekend we celebrated our Family Reunion after 40 years, Aunty Carol’s 80th birthday and Uncle James’ 70th for good measure. So this morning is a little more low key for the adults.… Read the rest