Edmontonians are proud of their city’s food scene. Get talking to a local about their hometown (it’s easy, they love where they live) and food is bound to come up early in the conversation. And it’s easy to see why, when there are so many incredible cafes, restaurants and bars dotting the city. They even …
Elle Croft
I arrived into Nîmes as the sun was going down. The golden light reflected off ancient Roman buildings, the warm air carried smells of dinners being served closeby, and the square I walked through to find my hotel was filled with strolling couples, laughing kids and a couple of older ladies laughing together on a …
In just a few weeks I’ll be driving to Portmeirion to attend my very first festival: Festival No. 6. I’m a bundle of excitement and nerves, so to calm the latter I’ve spent quite a bit of time researching what I should pack to make this experience not just survivable, but enjoyable. Although I’m not a …
Have you ever experienced the real France? I’m not talking about the sidewalk cafes of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, or candy-coloured pastries stacked prettily in a window. What I’m referring to is the baguette-in-a-handbag-on-the-way-home-from-the-markets kind of France, usually found in tiny towns in the countryside. And one town in particular, tucked into the gorgeous scenery …
Deftly straddling the Gardon River, the Pont du Gard is an aqueduct that was built by Romans in the first century. The three-tiered, arched bridge dates back some 2,000 years and was created to carry water from the source in Uzès to the cosmopolitan town of Nîmes, where it was used for decorative fountains, home sanitation …
It’s no secret that France excels when it comes to food and drink. In fact, for many people (myself included) it’s one of the reasons I visit the land of fromage et pain. I knew I’d eat well throughout my recent journey to Southern France…I just didn’t know I’d discover new French favourites that I’ll …
If you’ve only got 3 days in Dubai, then today’s post is perfect for you. Dubai is one of the largest cities in the UAE so it should come as no surprise that there are lots of things to see and do in the city. To help you to narrow down your itinerary, we’ve put …
Before I travelled to Cebu I had no idea what to expect. I should have learned by now that it’s the places I have no preconceptions of that blow me away the most, and Cebu was no exception to this rule. Of course, the Philippines isn’t the sort of place you go to for a …
Hi, I’m Elle, I’m 31 and I’ve never been to a festival. *waits for horrified gasps to die down* Yeah, I know. The thing is though, in Australia, where I grew up, festivals aren’t the rite of passage that they are here in the UK. But probably more importantly, I’m scared of camping. We broke up, …
There are a few destinations you’re likely to think of if someone mentions Scotland. Edinburgh is of course one of them, with its picturesque buildings and atmospheric alleyways. Glasgow is another; the edgy metropolis with arts and culture galore. And if you’re really adventurous you might picture the Highlands, or islands like Skye or Mull. …
As if getting to travel to the spectacular Philippines wasn’t exciting enough, I was in for a big surprise. When I received my invite to experience the inaugural Emirates flight from Dubai to Cebu, I didn’t even try to play it cool before responding with an eager “Yes please!” It was almost as an afterthought, …
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 …
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 …