Estonia is a small, sparsely populated country of wild forests and teeming wetlands. The convenient national parks are perfect for wild exploration during the summer months, while cross-country skiing is a popular sport during the winter. The capital Tallinn captivates with its blend of medieval and modern; cobbled back-streets and dizzy spires besides trendy bars, […]

With Hollywood studios arguably as important as the Whitehouse in everyday American lives, it was perhaps inevitable that L.A. should become the preserve of dreamers and immigrants, thousands who flock to the city each year for their own little bit of the cherry. There’s no doubting that it looks good, too, from the bleach blonde […]

Like most Caribbean islands, Barbados excels at white beaches, blue oceans and tropical palms. There are countless water sports on offer – the Atlantic-facing east coast is legendary among surfers – and some excellent hiking trails away from the main tourist traps. But far more than simply being a tropical paradise, Barbados is an affordable […]

Canada may have had some bad press over the environmental implications of exploiting its vast natural resources, but its capital Ottawa remains one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world. At the confluence of three great rivers and with an intricate series of canals connecting it to Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, it has […]

The futuristic towers of Dallas’ central district make for an impressive skyline, in this highly image conscious city made for conspicuous consumption. There are all the upmarket hang outs and fine dining opportunities you might expect from a multi-millionaire’s playground, with plenty for the indulgent visitor to enjoy. Downtown Fort Worth is far more understated […]

The Independence National Historical Park, quietly ensconced within Philadelphia’s sprawling borders, is widely regarded as the most historically significant square mile in the US; this is, after all, where the country itself was conceived. Indeed, this has been an almost unfortunate adornment for a city that became known as ‘corrupt and contented’ during the early […]

You may think you don’t know St Louis, but you probably do; the iconic Gateway Arch is one of the most photographed buildings in America. This charming American city has a happy knack for feeling like home and you could easily mistake the guy in the street for your next door neighbour. Most citizens love […]

At the turn of the twentieth century, Belfast was a booming industrial port and the biggest city in Ireland. The Titanic was built here, at the Harland and Wolff shipyards, one of the biggest contemporary shipbuilders in the world. Then came two World Wars and the Troubles, bombs and religious conflict that marred the cityscape […]

Lying just a few kilometres from the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago are two islands on the south-eastern edge of the Antilles archipelago. Formerly a Spanish Colony they were British-ruled from 1802 until dependence in 1962. Today they have become one of the most developed Caribbean nations, whilst still retaining strong cultural roots and […]

Good-looking, refined and spectacular in spring, Canberra was little more than an aboriginal meeting point at the turn of the century. It wasn’t the obvious choice for Australia’s federal capital; rather, it was born out of compromise between Melbourne and Sydney. An opportunity to start anew, the city came to embody the hopes and aspirations […]

One of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, Ethiopia packs in spectacular waterfalls nestled amid lush green forests, Martian deserts strewn with jagged boulders, hot volcanic springs and some of the highest mountains on the continent. It’s sprinkled liberally with a healthy dose of the past, too; the rock-hewn churches at Lalibela are enchanting testaments to Medieval […]

Botswana is one of the most developed and successful nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, and one of striking contrasts; deserts, deltas, salt plains and hundreds of kilometres of rolling safari make it a paradise for budding explorers. It is also one of the safest countries in Africa and a great place to start for first-time visitors […]