Ebikes: are they worth the hype?

Ebikes: are they worth the hype?

Though sniffed at by "real" cylists, e-bikes are opening up serious mountain routes to more casual pedallers. Andy Turner found out more in the French Alps.

6 reasons your next trip should be to Durban, South Africa

Subtropical heat, golden beaches, craft distilleries and spicy curries: Durban is an intriguing mix of urban South Africa and the Indian subcontinent, with a generous sprinkling of hipster culture thrown in. From surf to spirits, we reveal six reasons you should make time for this sunny city. 1. Durban is probably South Africa’s coolest city “Durbs” has…

Oman: a first-timer’s guide

Poised between the glitzy excess of the Emirates and the rigid conservatism of Saudi Arabia, Oman provides a winning introduction to the Middle East. Politically stable, and packing in a huge range of landscapes from rugged desert and turtle-nesting beaches to misty green mountains, you’ll find off-road adventures, winter sun and old-fashioned Arabian hospitality. Andy Turner introduces what…

6 of the best travel speakers

Whether you’re feeling homesick in a strange hotel room, have hours to kill on the road or are throwing an impromptu beach party, a decent pair of travel speakers can keep you sane and entertained away from home. We asked the Rough Guides crew for their pick of the latest audio gizmos. Here are the…

Trinidad or Tobago – which island is right for you?

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago both have tropical beaches, steamy rainforest and amazing wildlife but are far from identical twins. Here we look at which island to head for on your first trip to these Caribbean siblings. Which has the best beaches? If you’re the type of traveller that packs at least three novels…

Okinawa: Japan’s best-kept secret

Snow-white beaches, giant coconut-eating crabs and karate-loving grannies: Okinawa is Japan but not as we know it. This alluring chain of sun-kissed, hibiscus-draped islands offers a blend of Southeast Asian heat, unique ‘un-Japanese’ culture and delicious, life-extending food. Andy Turner explores how to make the most of a trip to Japan’s subtropical paradise. Find the…

Central America: an adventure travel paradise

Steamy rainforest, smoking hot volcanoes and stunning reef-fringed shorelines, Central America is a god-given playground for the adventurous. Whether you’re packing a surfboard, a wetsuit and a GoPro or simply a pair of hiking boots, Andy Turner rounds up the best activities in the region. Surf in El Salvador Once off limits due to gang…

Make the most of Malta: a first-timer’s guide

For a few chunks of rock in the southern Mediterranean, Malta is a hugely versatile destination. Like its unique language, the country is an intriguing blend of Italian, Arabic and British influences, a legacy of centuries of invasion and assimilation. As its capital, Valletta, gears up for a stint as European City of Culture in 2018, Andy…

Everything you need to know about driving in Australia

With its stunning Outback scenery, arrow-straight roads and stupendous scale, driving in Australia is the ultimate way to see it the country up close and personally. Whether you’re driving a souped-up Land Cruiser capable of crossing a croc-infested creek or a humble hatchback more at home in a Melbourne suburb, you’ll find a route to suit. Use this guide to…

Travel heroes: 11 people you remember after you unpack

For most travellers it’s the people they meet that linger longest in the memory, whether it’s the safari guide you’ve spent days spotting rhinos with or the street-food vendor that serves up the highlight of your trip. Andy Turner selects eleven travel heroes that go beyond the call of duty – add yours in the comments below. 1.…

Jerusalem: a food pilgrimage

A different kind of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, tracing the city's influences through its rich and varied cuisine.

A street art tour of Shoreditch, London

Street art has exploded in popularity over the last few years, relying on a strong aesthetic impact to make you think, or at least raise a smile. Andy Turner takes a look at the Shoreditch scene and learns to distinguish a Banksy from a Borondo A curious thing happens when you walk south across Bishopsgate,…