Travel Experiences, Advice and Ideas 

A practical day trip guide to Narbonne, France from Carcassonne by train. Complete walking route: Les Halles, Saint-Just Cathedral, Horreum, and Saint-Paul.

Tucked away in the quiet courtyards of the Inns of Court, the 12th-century Temple Church is saturated with Crusader and legal history. From stone knight effigies and Magna Carta ties to climbing upstairs into the Triforium, here is my honest review of this London icon.

Looking to explore the cultural heart of Tours in half a day? From the grand Archbishop’s Palace and ancient Cedar of Lebanon at the Musée des Beaux-Arts to the Gothic nave and hidden Renaissance cloister of Saint-Gatien Cathedral, here is my honest walking guide.

Tucked inside Tokyo Station’s bustling Gransta concourse, Hitachino Brewing offers an authentic Japanese whisky flight from Kiuchi Brewery’s Hinomaru Whisky label. Here are my tasting notes on three distinct drams: Kome, Signature 1823, and the five-cask Sakura Ra.

Walking through the final home of Leonardo da Vinci at Château du Clos Lucé. From his personal bedchamber and recreated artist studios to full-scale mechanical inventions and landscaped gardens, here is my honest review.

Breaking up the Shinkansen ride between Tokyo and Kyoto with an afternoon in Nagoya? Osu Kannon Temple makes for an effortless 30-to-40-minute stop. From fragrant incense clouds and monumental red lanterns to the buzzing arcade streets, here is my honest review.

Dominating the skyline above the Loire River, Château Royal d’Amboise is packed with French royal drama and Renaissance history. From visiting Leonardo da Vinci's tomb in the Saint-Hubert Chapel to sweeping rampart views and lavender gardens, here is my honest review of the visit.

Tucked south of Kyoto in Nagaokakyo, Shoryuji Castle Park offers reconstructed battlements, quiet stone lantern gardens, and deep Sengoku-era tragic history. Here is my honest review of visiting this tranquil local site and how to pair it with the Yamazaki Distillery.

Stuck in traffic after a Great Wall tour and missed out on Forbidden City tickets? Jingshan Park, sitting directly across the north gate, was the ideal antidote. From blooming spring magnolias and ancient cypress walks to a relaxed stroll, here is my honest review.

Long days of shrine hopping in Tokyo leave little energy for nightlife, but booking a single act at the historic Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza was completely worth it. From catching the jokes to evening river views and audience etiquette, here is my honest review of the show.

Everyone heads to Kodai-ji for its famous night illumination, but its sub-temple across the lane is the real hidden gem. From peaceful rock gardens lit up after dark to painted sliding screens without crowds, here is my honest review of visiting Entoku-in Temple in Kyoto.

It is one of the most viral photo spots in all of Japan, but what is visiting the Yasaka Pagoda really like? Here is my honest review of walking Higashiyama’s cobbled slopes, dealing with the heavy crowds, and why it mostly functions as a quick itinerary photo stop.

While exploring the rail corridor between Kyoto and Osaka, I took a quiet detour to Minase Jingu. Even with inner doors closed, its serene forest setting, sacred natural spring, and helpful prayer guide made for a peaceful stop. Here is my honest review of the visit.

Lille might not be the capital, but its premier museum rivals anything in Paris. From brick-vaulted medieval basements to sunlit sculpture halls and dramatic master paintings, here is my honest review of spending a couple of hours inside the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille.

Fushimi Momoyama Castle looks grand on the horizon, but there is a catch. It isn't a preserved Sengoku stronghold, and you cannot step inside. Here is my honest review of the neglected grounds, its amusement-park past, and why it still works as a quiet picnic spot.

Looking for an unpretentious dram by the sea? Tucked away in North Laine just downhill from Brighton Station, Cut Your Wolf Loose strips away whisky snobbery with neon wolf signs, graffiti-lined walls, and an extraordinary library of indie bottlings. Here is my review.

An honest look at Tokyo's indoor Hello Kitty theme park in Tama Centre. Between 45-minute queues for basic walkthroughs, sensory overload, themed cafes, and gachapon machines, here is why this casual visitor left after 45 minutes—and who will actually enjoy going

While exploring Kobe's Nada district, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum blew every expectation out of the water. From cavernous two-storey wooden storehouses packed with life-sized artisan dioramas to sake soft-serve ice cream, here is my honest review of this standout stop.

An honest review of The Melody Whisky Bar in Hammersmith, one of my absolute favourite dram spots in London. Between their massive international bottle list, stellar tasting events and masterclasses, and deeply knowledgeable staff, here is why it never disappoints.

Sitting right between the preserved rustic timbers of Sawanotsuru and the modern lines of Sakuramasamune, the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum strikes an ideal balance. From traditional wooden press beams to antique porcelain sake cups, here is my honest review.

While many sake breweries across Kobe's Nada district lean heavily into dark, rustic timber warehouses, Sakuramasamune offers a strikingly modern and airy contrast. From historic tools upstairs to local art and an exceptional shop, here is my honest review of Sakuraen.

Beyond Kyoto's ancient shrines and temples sits one of Japan's most impressive engineering spaces. From full-scale bullet trains and vintage roundhouses to interactive transit history, here is my honest review of spending an afternoon at the Kyoto Railway Museum.

Soaring 634 metres above the capital, Tokyo Skytree offers unmatched panoramic views. From the Sakura-season lookouts and My Hero Academia pop-up displays to official photo packages and the massive downstairs gift shop, here is my honest review.

An honest review of La Maison du Whisky on Rue d'Anjou in Paris. From rare collector cabinets and stone-vaulted cellars to counter tastings and English-speaking staff, here is what to expect before heading to Whisky Live Paris.

An honest review of Whisky Situation on Stirling Street in Aberdeen. With over 600 open bottles, WSET-trained staff who know their stuff, and an outdoor terrace for cigar pairings, here is why this is a must-visit spot for any spirits lover exploring the Granite City.

My honest review of visiting Madame Tussauds Tokyo in Odaiba. Japanese icons, lack of crowds, ticket prices, realistic visit timings, and how to get there.

A quick guide to visiting the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, Tokyo. The history, the best views of Tokyo Bay, cherry blossoms, and how to get there.

Honest guide to visiting Kensington Palace and Gardens in London. What to expect, royal dress & art exhibits, booking tickets, the café, and realistic timings.

Derbyshire and the edge of the Peak District are packed with dramatic stone landscapes and historic country houses, but tucked just down the road from Matlock lies a completely different kind of heritage: The Great British Car Journey.

Not all whisky festivals are created equal. From the airy halls of Whisky Live Paris and the luxury pours of The Whisky Event London to cramped multi-room venues and rushed 3-hour sessions, here is my honest, first-hand guide to which festivals are genuinely worth your time and money.