I’ve always wanted to visit Thailand, but somehow I’ve always ended up booking holidays to other destinations, with Thailand sort of glaring at me from the top of my bucket list. The Philippines, however, was never on my radar. I wanted pristine white beaches, unspoiled islands where electricity is hard to come by, epic marine …
Elle Croft
Earlier this year, Elle visited Ras Al Khaimah, a little-known gem in the UAE. We think you need to get Ras Al Khaimah on your bucket list before this secret destination gets on the radar of travel lovers worldwide. RAK is the ideal destination if you’re looking for affordable luxury travel with 5* holidays starting from …
Royal Brunei seems to be an airline that most people have heard of, but not many people have experienced for themselves. Which is weird because, after flying to Ras Al Khaimah on board one of the airline’s Dreamliners, I was raving about it to anyone who would listen. Of course, it helped that I flew …
Earlier this year, Elle visited Ras Al Khaimah, a little-known gem in the UAE. We think you need to get Ras Al Khaimah on your bucket list before this secret destination gets on the radar of travel lovers worldwide.... Check out Southall Travel's 5* holidays to Ras Al Khaimah for more info. Now it's over to …
If you think that Venice is the kind of destination you can only visit on a romantic break or your honeymoon, you’ve got it all wrong. Sure, it’s the sort of place where you can stroll hand-in-hand, float along in a gondola or share a bowl of pasta, Lady and the Tramp style. But Venice …
Some cities are memorable for their food. Others, their architecture. And then there are some rare cities that you just can't get out of your head. Sure, the cuisine is good and the buildings are pretty, but there's more to it than that. The cities I'm talking about are breathtaking - everywhere you look there's …
It’s easy to fall in love with Budapest. Made up of two cities, Buda and Pest are divided by the majestic River Danube. And although both sides are now joined by a number of spectacular bridges, they’re two very different places, each with a unique character, and each offering plenty to keep you busy. There …
If ever there was proof that you don’t need to go far to find an exciting and memorable weekend getaway, Edinburgh is it. The recipe for a perfect short break is a destination that doesn’t take long to reach, is easy to get around, and one that offers plenty of charm, attractions and a generous …
If you’re easily spooked, it’s best not to walk around Edinburgh alone at night. The old town is made up of dark, narrow alleyways, with hundreds of years of history clinging to its walls. Without a doubt, nefarious characters skulked these cobbled streets, mingling with wealthy residents, merchants and the city’s hoi polloi. Many of …
Have you ever felt like New Year’s Eve was...well...a little bit of a let-down? There’s something about the anticipation - the expectation that I absolutely must have an epic time - that leaves me with a nagging sensation. A feeling that my New Year’s Eve experience isn’t going to be quite good enough. But that’s …
So you've booked a holiday to the Canary Islands! How exciting. But now you're wondering what to pack and everything you'll need while you're there? The Canary Islands are a gorgeous place to visit at any time of the year. I visit Tenerife most winters for a sunny break from the gloomy British weather! But …
Christmas in London is a magical affair. As soon as the lights twinkle to life above Oxford Street, the mulled wine begins flowing and the carols start chiming. That's when the festive season has officially begun. But it can be easy to miss it all by getting carried away with Christmas shopping, office parties and huddling inside …
There's a quote that occasionally pops up in my Facebook feed or on a Pinterest board, and it always elicits a nod from me. The quote is this: "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." There really is something about an experience that is so much more valuable than a thing. …
If you thought Lanzarote was all about beaches and booze and Brits abroad then you can think again. Elle discovered just a few of the amazing sights this tiny island has to offer. Here are 5 of her favourites... When I wrote about whether you should visit Fuerteventura or Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, I …
I have a confession to make: when I was invited to explore the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, I had to go straight to Google Maps to find out where these destinations were. In case you're also wondering, they're in the Canary Islands which, although owned by Spain, are situated off the coast of Morocco. …
I first flew with Singapore Airlines when I was about six. I don’t remember much about the flight, but I vividly recall my parents raving about the airline to their friends and family after we returned home. A few years ago I experienced the airline for the first time as an adult. Since then, I’ve …
It's fairly common knowledge that Singapore is a great stopover destination, especially for those venturing to or from Australia or New Zealand. Singapore's airport, Changi, is a veritable playground for in-transit passengers, as proven by the fact that it constantly tops lists of best airports in the world. It's a lesser known fact, however, that …
Singapore is an island city-state in Southeast Asia. Back in 2015 it received the title of 'top country to visit' from Lonely Planet and today it boasts a tropical climate, a multicultural population and the long list of things to do in Singapore will shock any tourist visiting the city. The sheer volume of activities, places …
There are few things in life I’m genuinely scared of. Snakes, sharks and spiders top the list. Bungee jumping is up there. And so is camping. I know there are people who truly love camping. They find joy in being so close to nature, in having to rely on their skills rather than technology, in …
Remember that scene in Hugh Grant’s failing travel bookshop, when Julia Roberts tells him that she’s ‘just a girl standing in front of a boy, telling him that she loves him’? It was this film, named after and set in Notting Hill, that brought a small area in West London into the world spotlight …
It’s hard to believe that one of the biggest cities in the world doesn’t have an extensive 24-hour transport service. You can feel a little like Cinderella if you’re out past midnight in London, except instead of your carriage turning into a pumpkin you’ll just have to pay an arm and a leg for …
Is there anywhere better than London in the summer? When I first moved to the UK’s capital from Australia I wondered why locals were so excited for summer, but after spending a winter in the city I was soon following flocks of Londoners as they sought outdoor spaces to spend the warmer months in. Now I …
Today's Insider's Guide comes from Elle Croft, the fabulous and well travelled blogger behind A Bird in the Hand. Elle is telling us all about her hometown of Adelaide in South Australia. 1. Can you begin by telling us how/why you know Adelaide so well? I grew up in Adelaide - so I lived …