Category: Reflections On Travel

Years after a disastrous first attempt at speaking Spanish in Seville, I returned with more confidence, more practice and a willingness to keep talking even when I didn’t understand every word. From ordering tapas to chatting with a local artist, I finally realised I wasn’t translating, rehearsing or hiding behind memorised phrases anymore. I was…

I’ve travelled to more than 150 countries over the last twenty-five years, yet for most of that time I genuinely believed I was terrible at languages. It wasn’t because I couldn’t learn vocabulary or understand grammar. It was because every time I tried to speak, I became someone I barely recognised: hesitant, self-conscious and afraid…

I first visited Granada years ago and left knowing I’d barely scratched the surface. Returning with no itinerary beyond exploring the streets of Realejo and Centro Sagrario at walking pace, I discovered a different side of the city altogether. Colourful street art, hidden cafés, long afternoons beneath the trees in Campo del Príncipe and conversations…

Self-learning apps can help travellers start a language, but real conversation needs human practice, correction and confidence when someone actually answers back.

I have always been bad at languages, which is more than a little embarrassing for someone who has spent his life travelling the world. Now, while travelling through Spain, I am trying a different approach to learning a new language as an adult: real conversation, human feedback and personalised lessons with Preply.

After a serious illness and a hard recovery, I am finding my way back to travel, not as work, not as content, but as something real again.

Spain’s la buena vida is about far more than late dinners, long lunches and afternoon siestas. It is a different rhythm of life, one that makes time for good food, strong coffee, family, friends and actually enjoying the day, and once the initial culture shock wears off, there is a lot travellers can learn from…

Spain has far more to offer than sunshine, beaches and package resorts. From the Alhambra and Sagrada Família to the mountains of the Picos de Europa, the Camino de Santiago, Andalucía’s flamenco culture and the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, discover our pick of the very best things to see, do and experience across…

Seville is a city that deserves far more than a rushed weekend of sightseeing. From the magnificent Real Alcázar, Cathedral and Plaza de España to the streets of Triana, traditional tapas bars, flamenco and lesser-known palaces, museums and neighbourhoods, these are the best things to see and do in Seville and the experiences that make…

Jerusalem is one of the world’s most extraordinary cities, where more than three thousand years of history, faith and culture converge within a remarkably small area. Sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, its ancient streets have witnessed empires rise and fall, while beyond the Old City’s walls a vibrant, modern city offers outstanding food, bustling…