Author: Zara Sekhavati

Going on holiday after Covid-19: seeing home away from home

“Do you know much about Yorkshire?” my French-Italian manager asked me on my first week at my new job at Rough Guides.  Yes,” I beamed. “I’m actually from north Yorkshire.” “Great, the new edition of the Rough Guide Yorkshire is in good hands then!” she replied. Born and (mostly) bred in God’s Own Country, I edited…

The Art of Persia: seeing half the world at Naqsh-e Jahan Square

“The Persians called this square, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, half the world, meaning to see it was to see half the world,” Samira Ahmed explains. The joy of seeing the grand square laid out in front of her speaks stories on her face, a broad grin gradually emerging. She is in Esfahan to tell the fascinating…

Let’s hear it from the Rough Guides readers

It’s no secret that national lockdowns and travel restrictions have got us dreaming. And while many people are still staying clear of international trips, we’ve all been thinking about our favourite destinations and adding to our bucket-list line-ups. Here at Rough Guides, we took to Twitter to find out where our readers are dreaming of,…

Why you should visit Kyushu

Look beyond the bustling streets of Tokyo and the beautiful temples in Kyoto and you will find what is arguably the most picturesque region in all of Japan – Kyūshū. The most southwestern of Japan’s main island Kyūshū provides visitors with a wealth of impressive sites and nourishing cuisine to satisfy the most curious of travellers. Here’s why…

A first-time skiing experience in Bansko, Bulgaria

I’m dangling high in the air on a ski lift and I’m scared of heights. My eyes are clamped shut until it comes to a rickety halt. The backdrop to my first skiing venture looks like a perfectly decorated Christmas cake. Coated in glistening white snow, my eyes follow the smooth curving slopes and examine…