Cocooned Wanderer

26/11/2021

A popular ski destination among East Coasters, Stowe is within driving distance of several major northeastern cities. The ski season here is slated to start on Nov. 19, so this is an ideal place to go if you're looking for a white Christmas (and plenty of outdoor activities). Stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak for beautiful mountain views and the only ski-in/ski-out access in town. You can find updated information about COVID-19 measures on the Stowe website.

25/11/2021

While wading through the long weeks of lockdown in the waters around Kota Kinabalu, we anchored off the idyllic island of Sepanggar. As usual, the buildings were deserted, there were tourist boats marooned in the sheltered bay and solitary men in beaten up fishing canoes quietly retrieved their small nets.

25/11/2021

f you’ve ever had any connection with boats, you’ll know that one of the biggest issues with living on one is the constant equipment failure. It’s the inevitable consequence of living in the corrosive marine environment.

Add termites, tropical heat and humidity into the mix, and you’ll begin to understand why sailors go on about maintenance all the time!

25/11/2021

One of the biggest estuaries is where the Tuaran River hits the South China Sea around 15nm from Kota Kinabalu. We were on the lookout as usual, but we’d never seen the sea this colour before. The line between the sea and the river run off was so sharp it could have been drawn with a pencil.

25/11/2021

The sails are out and we are sailing and cruising west coast Sabah again!

Sailing days have been few and far between since you-know-what happened… and we are having a great time playing around in the blue, blue water.

24/11/2021

"After an enforced hiatus, it's time to take those long-postponed travel plans off the shelf and make them a reality," Tom Hall, Lonely Planet's VP of Experience, said in a statement. "The lists celebrate the world in all its wonderful enticing variety."

24/11/2021

The rolling, vineyard-covered hills on the Italian border, the elegant and eco-friendly capital city of Ljubljana, the perfect tranquility of Lake Bled, the snowy valleys in Triglav National Park and the warm waters along the Adriatic coastline — the nation definitely punches way above its weight.

24/11/2021

Despite ranking as the smallest continent in terms of size, Europe is arguably the most adventurous and historic continent on earth. Besides the history, the continent is also blessed with lots of beautiful places which feature scenic views, rich culture, and mesmerizing sky colors. These cities, in particular, are so beautiful, they make us want to pack our bags and get on the next flight.

24/11/2021

In many ways, the location and the sublime views from Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, near Stavanger in south-west Norway are irrelevant, because what is important is the journey to get there. It is a hike up an expertly engineered and well-maintained stone staircase that is as much of a marvel as the finale itself.

24/11/2021

Paris, Rome, Barcelona... Europe's cities are bucket list destinations, and rightly so. But the continent's small towns are a dream, too, with all the beautiful architecture and much of the culture you'll find in the big hitters, only with fewer crowds to share them with.
Here are some of the prettiest small towns across Europe, from humble fishing towns to hilltop medieval power bases.

19/11/2021

ABSORB THE ARCHITECTURE OF JERÓNIMO’S CHURCH & MONASTERY
Some of the wealth generated from Portugal’s Age of Discovery was spent erecting magnificent monuments. Few are more impressive than Jerónimos Monastery, built to commemorate the return of Vasco de Gama from India, who is also buried here.

The church also contains the tomb of Luís de Camões, a Portuguese poet. His tomb is facing that of his wife so they can be together when they are resurrected. Stained-glass windows illuminate the tombs in an eerie ethereal manner, beside beautifully sculpted, towering columns.

19/11/2021

CLIMB UP TO THE DOME OF THE PANTEÃO NACIONAL
The striking baroque National Palace was originally built as a church but now houses monuments to the great and the good, linked to the golden era of Portuguese history. Like many landmarks in Lisbon, it pays particular homage to Vasco da Gama, the sea-faring hero who returned fabulous wealth to Portugal.

Climbing the stairs to reach the internal perimeter of the domed roof provides the best view of what 16th-century money can buy.

19/11/2021

HUNT FOR WEIRD TREASURES AT FEIRA DA LADRA (THIEVES’ MARKET)
At the square beside the National Pantheon, a flea market takes place twice a week (Tue & Sat) which has a reputation for being known as the thief’s market. Despite the appealing stories of the market being stocked to the brim with stolen goods, the name actually comes from ladro referring to a bug found in antiques.

Nonetheless, it’s one of the quirkiest things to do in Lisbon. The market sells everything you will never need: old rotary phones, broken mannequins and pre-loved vinyl.

19/11/2021

WANDER THE CLOISTERS OF SÃO VICENTE DE FORA
The Church of São Vicente de Fora has had a chequered history, including being devastated in the 1755 earthquake. Thoroughly renovated throughout the 17th century, it remains today an exquisite hidden gem, that houses the tombs of many Portuguese Kings. It’s a wonderful thing to do in Lisbon.

The church itself is decent, but the cloisters next door are thoroughly impressive. Lisbon’s story-telling azulejos cover the walls under the protection of white vaulted ceilings. The sacristy walls are covered with intensively elaborate marble designs and intricately painted ceilings.

19/11/2021

TAKE IN THE VIEWS FROM SÃO JORGE CASTLE
São Jorge Castle was once a Moorish castle, but subsequent occupiers have altered the building so much that little of its original construction remains. However, as it operated as the Royal Palace from the 13th to the 16th century, it’s lost little of its grandeur.

The most compelling aspect of the castle, however, is the stunning view over the beautiful city. Lisbon’s patchwork of terracotta tiles interrupted only by narrow rambling lanes is a sight to behold.

19/11/2021