Archive

Inle Lake market, Myanmar After complaining yesterday about the commercialisation which has come from tourism on Inle Lake, I felt it only fair to highlight something a little bit more real and local. Well, as real as something can be when it’s still in one of the busiest tourism regions of the country. From the ...

Yodpiman Flower Market, Bangkok In Bangkok, the markets provide some of the most interesting sights. There’s a vibrancy to the bustle of the locals rushing through, past the small crowded stalls. Through the whole city, none is more vibrant than the flower markets. By the very nature of the wares, it’s all about colour. Throw ...

La Boqueria markets, Barcelona When it comes to Spain, there seems to be nothing more important than food. Every meal becomes a feast – a long rambling expedition down a path of courses, helped along with many a glass of wine. But it’s not just the quantity which is important… quality is a vital factor ...

The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul The lamps hang from the ceiling of the stall, glowing like a constellation. Different shapes, varied sizes, a range of colours. Each on their own is a work of art – together they become a gallery of light. Such is the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. At the centre of the old ...

Zurich’s Bahnhoffstrasse, Switzerland Have you got a bit of spare change to buy something with? Then don’t come to Zurich’s Bahnhoffstrasse shopping street. Around these parts, you may need a bank loan if you’re hoping to make a purchase. Bahnhoffstrasse has the reputation for being the most expensive shopping strip in the world. Some of ...

Ciudad del Este Paraguay Entering Paraguay for the first time feels like taking the wrong turn at a shopping centre and ending up in the alley with all the discount stores. Except these ones are guarded with shotguns. Coming from Iguazu, the gateway to Paraguay is the city of Ciudad del Este. It was a ...

As the road turns into cobblestones, uneven underfoot, the first signs you’re going back in time become clearer. The colonial buildings lining the street look sturdy but weary from the struggle of existing for centuries. For San Telmo, the oldest neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, has seen many changes over the past 300 years as the ...

The best things to do in Austin, Texas Austin is a city with its own identity. It’s part-Texan but also part-funky. There’s plenty to do if you like music, the arts, sport or just relaxing. Make sure you give yourself enough time to chill out and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the coolest cities ...

All about Austin Texas Austin is a city that likes to remind everyone that it’s a little bit different from the rest of Texas. At the same time, the rest of state treats the city like the artistic nephew that it’s openly proud to have but secretly wishes would just keep to itself. For years, ...

What are the best things to do in Beijing? Beijing is one of the most exciting cities on the globe. It’s the capital of the world’s new superpower and, although it’s being heavily-influenced by its transition to a modern world city, it hasn’t let go of heritage or tradition. A great way to get a ...