We have all been there. You pack up the car with a canvas tent, several metal poles that never seem to fit together properly, and a sleeping bag that promises warmth but delivers only damp shivers. You spend an hour fighting the wind in a muddy field, only to realise you forgot the tent pegs. It is a classic British holiday rite of passage, certainly, but it is hardly relaxing. In recent years, a far more elegant alternative has captured the … [Read more...]
A Visit to Mountain Wave Winery, Ningxia China
During a recent trip to China, I visited with Melvin, the owner of Mountain Wave Winery. This property is about a 45 minute drive from the center of Yinchuan, the largest city in the immediate region. The property is located on gravelly soils at the base of the Helan mountains in the autonomous region of Ningxia, China. Grapes were first planted on the property in 2016 and the winery was built in 2022/2023. The original vineyard is planted to 2.5 … [Read more...]
Empire Mine, Grass Valley California – August 2026
The 'big dog' was one of California's largest, most productive and longest lasting mines having been founded in 1850 (based on gold found in rock outcroppings on the surface) and remained in operation until 1956 (although it closed temporarily during World War II). This was California's richest hard rock mine. By today's pricing, this mine produced over 8 billion dollars in gold (nearly 6 million ounces). Most associated with the Bourn family, … [Read more...]
Tallinn has Captured my Heart
Tallinn is a city that feels like it’s been sketched from two different dreams: one medieval, one modern. Its Old Town - all cobbled lanes, spired churches and honey‑coloured stone - is a UNESCO‑listed wonder that looks almost too perfect to be real. But step beyond those ancient walls and you’ll find a city pulsing with creativity, digital innovation and a Nordic‑Baltic cool that’s entirely its own. For example, beyond the Old Town lies … [Read more...]
It Stopped Feeling Like Travelling and Started Feeling Like Surviving
The brutal reality check that hits every backpacker flying from SE Asia into Australia. The barman at the first pub I walked into after dropping my bag slid a schooner across the bar and said nine dollars. I handed over a tenner and stood there waiting for change that wasn't coming. He'd already moved on. I picked up the glass and did the maths in my head the way you do when you already know the answer isn't good. Here's what Southeast … [Read more...]
San Diego’s Cider Trail: A Craft Beverage Journey from Coast to Apple Country
In a town known for craft beer, San Diego's cider scene is a small (and exciting) alternative Like most of the country, craft cider in San Diego makes up only a small portion of the local beverage scene. But cider is growing in popularity, thanks to its natural lack of gluten, relatively low alcohol content and the fact it's simply a delicious drink. For what San Diego cideries lack in numbers, they more than make up for with quality, with … [Read more...]
Mistakes to Avoid When Travelling to Italy in 2026
Italy is a beautiful country that tens of millions of people visit every year. It’s one of the world’s most popular destinations and ranks fourth for international arrivals. As popular as it is with tourists, both young and old, that doesn’t mean everyone’s travel plans go off without a hitch. Travelers make a range of mistakes that have the potential to impact their vacations, including the following: Planning the Trip Yourself Many people … [Read more...]
A California coast road trip: Big Sur, redwoods, and slow evenings
The Pacific Coast Highway is one of those drives that somehow lives up to its reputation. I had seen a thousand photos before I went, and I still spent the whole trip with my jaw somewhere near the steering wheel. Last spring I drove a stretch of the California coast over a relaxed week, from Monterey down through Big Sur and on toward Santa Barbara, and it reset my definition of a good road trip. One honest note before the highlights. A … [Read more...]
5 Day Barcelona Itinerary for First-Timers: What to Do, Eat & Skip
I landed in Barcelona with a broken suitcase wheel, a dead phone, and absolutely no idea what I was doing. It was my first solo trip to Spain, and I'd spent weeks reading guides that all said the same thing: "Visit the Sagrada Familia before 9 AM for the best lighting." Helpful? Sure. But not exactly the kind of advice that prepares you for the moment you step out of the metro into a plaza full of strangers, with the Catalan sun on … [Read more...]
Fighting off Jetlag, a Quick Trip to Yinchuan, China
We arrived in at Beijing International, always an overwhelming airport based on its immense girth. But our gate was very close to immigration and we breezed through without much delay as officials kept opening new lanes as the lines swelled from the arriving flights. We discovered a small short-stay airport hotel and without hesitation spent the $40 for a two hour stay. Showers after long flights are one of the best things one can gift one's body … [Read more...]
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