Why we travel
William Dalrymple on how living in India has changed him
William Dalrymple didn’t set out to become Britain’s leading chronicler of Indian history, but a chance trip to the subcontinent started a lifelong obsession. Thirty years on, he’s still living in Delhi — a city with a “tangible sense of history”.
Pico Iyer on his transformational trip to Tibet
The author and memoirist recounts a powerful journey through Asia that culminated on the high plateau of Lhasa among prostrating pilgrims, in the shadow of the Potala Palace — the former winter palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Christina Lamb on her career igniting journey to Afghanistan
The chief foreign correspondent at The Sunday Times was just 22 years old when, in the late 1980s, she journeyed up the Grand Trunk Road to Afghanistan — the start of a long and enduring love affair with the country’s colours, flavours and hospitality.
Levison Wood on walking with elephants in Botswana
Setting out from the Zimbabwe border, the adventurer, author and broadcaster spent a month on the front line of elephant conservation, walking alongside a herd as it followed its annual migration route towards the Okavango Delta.
Ade Adepitan on seeing Africa beyond the headlines
Reflecting on his latest BBC TV series, Africa with Ade Adepitan, the Nigerian-born British TV presenter looks back on his transcontinental journey, from Cape Verde to Somalia — a trip that, as well as showcasing a range of African stories, was in part a personal tale of homecoming.
Kate Bradbury on why Costa Rica should be a blueprint for conservation
Reflecting on a trip to Central America, the TV presenter wonders what the UK would look like if it invested in the natural world as much as Costa Rica does.
Alastair Humphreys on finding great escapes in the UK
Having toured the globe — from camping in the Arctic to cycling through Kyrgyzstan — the adventurer finds that journeys of real significance are also on offer closer to home.
Felicity Aston on the power of polar regions to teach vital conservation lessons
Wonder and science intersect on an expedition to Earth’s frozen poles, says the polar explorer. Each trip offers unique challenges that have the power to teach vital lessons — not just about the human spirit, but about our role in protecting the planet.
Robert Macfarlane on his love of the UK’s wild places
The prize-winning author remembers holidays in the UK, from Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands to the outskirts of Cambridge, and reflects on the wild landscapes that have shaped both his work and his life.
Extreme cyclist Emily Chappell on tackling Alaskan peaks in winter
On a transcontinental cycling race, the ultra-endurance athlete and author hadn’t anticipated how much the cold would weaken her. On a frozen highway in Alaska, pedalling between snow drifts, she learnt profound lessons about human endurance.
Alice Morrison on making a home in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains
Travel has the capacity to change each of us profoundly. Author Alice Morrison remains enthralled to a memory of visiting a small family compound high up in the mountains of Morocco, while training for an ultra marathon.
Chef Zoe Adjonyoh on her favourite Ghanaian cuisine
The famous chef and author of Zoe's Ghana Kitchen shares her insights on how to work with Ghanaian flavours and ingredients, from kenkey to dawadawa.
A city guide to Bergamo, Italy
With its hilltop medieval citadel encircled by Venetian walls, views of the snow-capped Alps, a top-notch fine arts museum, and some of the region’s best restaurants, Bergamo is more than just a gateway to its starry neighbour Milan.
Eight incredible rewilding projects to stay at in the UK
If you’re keen to get closer to nature, there are an increasing number of places where tourism and rewilding work hand-in-hand to offer up a truly regenerative travel experience.
How to plan a road trip along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast
Hit Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast for an offbeat pura vida vibe amid wild jungle, immaculate coastline and a colourful cast of wildlife.
The 12 biggest global food trends for 2021, from vegan innovations to letterbox cocktails
We break down the surprising culinary trends and innovations set to shape your dining in the year ahead, each pioneered by trailblazing chefs adapting to the changing tastes of diners during the pandemic.
Breaking bread: a Māori family feast in New Zealand
Hospitality and communal dining are central to Māori culture, and on New Zealand’s North Island, Nadine Toe Toe and her whānau (family) welcome guests with open arms.
The inside guide to Byron Bay, Australia's boho surf spot
With its laid-back lifestyle, fine food and host of outdoor adventures, Australia’s boho surf town dazzles on both land and water.
In conversation with Alison Sardinha, local legend and owner of Tobago’s Blue Crab Restaurant
When Aunty Alison opened the Blue Crab over 30 years ago, little did she know her restaurant would become the capital’s most beloved diner, famous for its family atmosphere and traditional flavours. Here, she talks about life on the island and shares a recipe for the local dish saltfish buljol.
A city guide to Granada, Spain
The grand, medieval Alhambra palace sets the tone in a historic city awash with traditions. But while one foot is in the past, the other is tapping out a modern beat: scratch the surface to discover hidden trails, markets and a youthful music scene.
Meet the chef: Gareth Stevenson on Welsh cuisine, sustainable sourcing and his favourite local producers
The restaurant at Palé Hall, in Bala, Gwynedd, has just been awarded the new Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practises. Here, its head chef reveals what he loves about Wales' food scene.
Ride the rails through the Rocky Mountains, from Vancouver to Banff
All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, its dapper carriages climbing leisurely from multicultural Vancouver to the peak-ringed resort of Banff. The two-day route, following historic and hard-won train tracks, reveals supersized summits, pioneering settlements and forested valleys stalked by grizzly bears.
Six European cities going green for 2021
Across the continent, from Finland to France, we shine a light on some of the European cities making gloriously green strides towards a sustainable future.
Four chic hotel stays in historic Cologne, Germany
The German city is embracing its modern side with a raft of stylish new rooms.
How I got the shot: Nico Avelardi on capturing the leatherworkers of Marrakech
On his latest assignment for National Geographic Traveller, the photographer — a long-term admirer of Morocco’s storied Red City — immersed himself in the pungent, colourful tanneries, unearthing a unique comradery and stunning visuals.
Notes from an author: Wade Davis on Colombia's Magdalena River
A journey along the Río Magdalena reveals a sacred tributary, the Río Claro — a repository of stories that paints a unique picture of the country.
The road to recovery: a year on from the bushfires on Australia's Sapphire Coast
The devastating bushfires that raged between September 2019 and February 2020 scorched vast swathes of land, killing or displacing billons of animals. In the aftermath, communities turned to each other for help rebuilding their lives.
Eight of the UK's best museum restaurants
In art galleries and museums across the country, cafes and restaurants are moving beyond salads and sandwiches with seasonal produce, ambitious cooking and fine dining finesse.
Exploring the Galápagos Islands in the age of Covid-19
A tour of the fauna-rich islands offers a rare chance to discover the archipelago at its most abundant and serene.
Photo Gallery
Photo story: hiking the Kiso Valley on Japan's ancient Nakesendo Way
One of Japan’s 17th-century highways, the Nakasendō wound through the heart of the country’s main island, Honshu, linking the spiritual centre of Kyoto with the political hub of Edo (known today as Tokyo). Today, only sections of its epic 332-mile route remain, offering up the hospitality and flavours of modern mountain life — and a tantalising glimpse into the inter-city travelling experience of centuries past.
