Author: Tamara Hinson

Hiking the Via Alpina, Switzerland

Tamara Hinson meets marmots and treads in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes along the Via Alpina in Switzerland.  Mountains are my happy place – I’ll take snow-capped peaks over beaches any day. That’s why I jumped at the chance to conquer a stretch of the Via Alpina – the 20-stage, 390-kilometre hiking route which winds across six Swiss cantons and…

Why you need to visit these speakeasies in Washington DC

2020 will mark 100 years since the start of the prohibition era in the United States. With thousands of hard-drinking government workers, Washington DC had more illegal drinking dens during prohibition than there were legal bars beforehand! Today, DC has dozens of speakeasy-style bars that give a nod to this era, serving up beautifully crafted cocktails. Here’s our…

A beginner’s guide to Ljubljana, Slovenia

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by Slovenia‘s recent popularity – it’s one of Europe’s most fought-over countries, after all. The country was once part of the Roman Empire, then the German Holy Roman Empire, then under the rule of the Habsburgs of Austria, and even Napoleon for a brief period. It became part of Yugoslavia in the…

Where to stay in São Paulo, Brazil – an expert’s guide

São Paulo, a.k.a the world’s fourth-largest city, will become more accessible next year, when Virgin Atlantic launches its first Latin American flights to the buzzing, sprawling metropolis in Brazil. Which is all well and good, until it comes to finding a hotel – hardly a breeze when there are thousands to choose from. Luckily, we’ve come to the…

A beginner’s guide to Manila, the Philippines

A sprawling capital which is home to almost 13 million people, Manila can be more than a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. But once you find your bearings, you’ll discover a buzzing, vibrant city which has a great bar scene (three of its bars were nominated in 2019’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards), some of…

The hotel breathing new life into one of Tokyo’s oldest neighbourhoods

Within seconds of leaving the Nippori metro station, the sound of birdsong replaces the rumble of metro trains. The noise of traffic – barring occasional pushbikes, often with entire families balanced on top – simply disappears. There’s something ironic about the fact that the Tokyo neighbourhood of Yanaka is just a few kilometres from Akihabara,…

Why Jakarta should be on your travel radar

South East Asia has long been one of the world’s most popular regions for travellers, with Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City topping wish lists. Until now. In recent years, a number of other Asian cities have emerged as unlikely hot-spots. This includes Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, where a riverfront redevelopment project has transformed the city. But…

Kawaii Monsters and more: Tokyo’s weird and wonderful themed cafés

When it comes to weird and wonderful places to eat and drink, nothing beats Japan’s colourful capital. Here are some of the strangest cafes and restaurants in Tokyo to chow down in – perfect for your Instagram Stories! Kawaii Monster Café, Shibuya If you’re done with the whole unicorn thing, you’ll probably want to avoid the Kawaii Monster…

Where to stay in Mexico City

Home to more than 25 million people, Mexico City is one of the world’s true megacities. First-time visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the city, occupying a shallow mountain bowl at over 2,400m above sea level. Life here is equal parts laid back, edgy and cosmopolitan. The city’s sheer size can be overwhelming – so deciding to…

8 Reasons to visit Kigali, Rwanda

25 years after the genocide which devastated the hilly, wildlife-filled paradise of Rwanda, the country’s capital is emerging as one of Africa’s hippest destinations. Here’s why the capital of Rwanda should be on your radar in 2019 and some of the top things to do in Kigali. Rwanda was recently voted the world’s ninth-safest country and…

Zambia safari: why you should visit Kafue National Park

Zambia is emerging as one of Africa‘s top safari destinations, and it’s not hard to see why. The country has fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, expert guides and (crowd-free) wide open spaces. Kafue National Park in the west of the country is Tamara Hinson’s top pick for a Zambia safari experience; read on to find out why.…

9 Reasons to visit Sri Lanka’s east coast

Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the world’s coolest destinations, with growing numbers flocking to hotspots like the southern port town of Galle, and the tea plantation-covered hills of Kandy. Our advice? Avoid the crowds and head for Sri Lanka’s east coast – before the rest of the world does the same. (…continued below) 1.…