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Luxury train journeys around the world
If the journey should be every bit as enjoyable as the destination, then what could be more appealing than a luxury rail journey. Reflecting a bygone era, nothing brings back the romance of travel lik…
Quick guide to Wellington, New Zealand
When Lonely Planet dubs you the ‘coolest little capital in the world’ it’s a lot to live up to. Wellington, New Zealand, is an energetic city (not yet a metropolis) and as I soon discover, it really d…
Exploring France’s Mont Saint Michel
Just a few meters from the island’s small port, a one-roomed chapel rests next to the water. Crusted by barnacles and battered by decades of weather, a small statue of a bishop stands proudly on the r…
Inside a Bali surf school
It turns out that being a surf instructor is a whole lot of fun, but also a whole lot of hard work. Leaning on a bar in the sweltering noon heat of Bali, Dean Gough has the casual clothes and straggly…
What’s all the fuss about Antarctica?
The great frozen continent divides travellers and even the greatest explorers. Repeat offender, Roderick Eime, buys into the debate. We all remember the two most famous of Antarctic names: Scott and A…
It’s a Snap – Tips for travel photography
Whether you are going to Madrid, Manila, Marrakesh or Mali, travel offers never-ending photo opportunities. Here are some ways to help you achieve those stunning images to take back home. PLANNING &am…
British film and TV buffs rejoice
If you’re a movie buff or a fan of British TV classics, Back-Roads Touring has some special small group tours that will take you right to the heart of famous and very familiar places. From the cult cl…
Planet Golf – 10 of the world’s best golf courses
Buy your airline ticket and pack your golf clubs. Here are ten of the most spectacular golf courses from around the globe to enjoy your next golf holiday… NEW ZEALAND – Cape Kidnappers “To me th…
Hawaii in all seasons
Hawaii is a perfect holiday destination year-round. But some months are even more perfect in particular parts of the islands. Here’s how to spend the entire year in spectacular weather. January: Honol…
6 reasons you’ll love Back-Roads Touring
It’s what Back-Roads Touring doesn’t include in the tours that separate them from the competition. Don’t expect oversized buses brimming with dozens of passengers, nor endless days o…
Dunedin – city of beaks and bagpipes
There’s a busy and elegant southern hemisphere city where half an hour out of town, the world’s biggest albatross chicks perch plumply on untidy nests, waiting for mum to come home; and where a …
Journey through Germany
Germany isn’t all polka bands, beer gardens and wiener-schnitzel – although those things certainly give this central European country a great deal of character and flair. There never seems to be a bad…
Cunard sets sail in Japan
The revered cruise line is now offering round-trip voyages from Asia’s most fascinating destination. Sailing on a Cunard ship is much more than a luxury cruise, it is a life experience. While th…
Scenic Eclipse submarine
Discover the mysteries of the underwater world as you dive deep into the blue onboard the exclusive Scenic Eclipse submarine. The World’s First Discovery Yacht by Scenic is redefining the standard of …
Where to picnic in paradise on Norfolk Island
The only thing that will drag your eyes away from the views on a picnic in paradise will be the taste of the home-grown Norfolk Island food. Norfolk Island is full of wonderful picnic spots where you …
The Plane annoying truth of travel revealed
Travelling in economy can be a challenge at best of times. On a recent survey, Australian travellers were asked a simple question – what annoys you most when flying? And the answers may, or may …
Hit the road in Australia – 4 classic road journeys
With the cruise control activated and a feel-good beat on your vehicle’s music system, hit the open road and experience the freedom and space of Australia. Here are four classic road journeys to…
Kangaroo Island – Bound for greatness
I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to Kangaroo Island. My first visit, nearly 20 years earlier, had been one of the highlights of my honeymoon. Engraved in my memory was an island of endless eucalyptus…
Stay at one of these UK castle or manors
Admired for their stately appearance and grand country style, the castles and manors of the UK bring a fairytale-like quality to any holiday in Britain. But why just view these tower embellished fortr…
Canada’s fairy-tale like castle hotels
Scenic is known around the world for its authentic journeys, where luxury and culture come together in one great package. That’s especially true in Canada, where Scenic has teamed up with Fairmont Hot…
Discover luxury train travel in Africa
Africa is one of the great frontiers for travellers – add the romance of rail and you have bucket list material. This fascinating, diverse and ever-changing continent happens to offer three of the wor…
Visit famous movie locations in Thailand
Thailand has provided the luscious backdrop for some of Hollywood’s biggest films. Here we take a look at the locations of five blockbusters that made the most of the iconic scenery on offer in this i…
Waiheke Island, New Zealand
It used to be a haven for hippies and the unemployed but now New Zealand’s Waiheke Island has become one of the country’s hottest destinations. Waiheke Island is the most populated, and second-largest…
French decadence in the Loire Valley
It is a living museum showcasing the decadence of the Renaissance. Incredible chateaux replete with artworks by the Masters, intricate tapestries and ornate furniture, gold, silver and lace; these pre…
The Scenic way to French cooking
Eating in France is a celebration, not just of the food, but of the culture. Here, cooking is a refined art form with even the most humble ingredients combining to create sumptuous dishes. And there i…
30 must-see gardens in ‘America’s Garden Capital’
Quaker farmer John Bartram laid roots in Philadelphia’s first botanical garden in 1728 on the banks of the Schuylkill River. Known as ‘botanist to the king’, Bartram himself could not have predicted t…
7 things you didn’t know about flying
For many of us, flying has become about as commonplace as a road trip to the supermarket – at least it seems that way. With an abundance of airlines to choose from and fares at their lowest levels in …
Chateau and wine touring in Bordeaux
There are few places in the world that connect you with history more profoundly than regional France. The lavish chateaux, unchanged medieval villages, renowned artworks, artisan foods and epic landma…
Aspen’s glacial valley – Maroon Bells
It was 4:30 in the morning when the alarm clock began screeching. Piercing the still darkness, the noise jolted me from my sleep. Could it be that time already I groaned to myself? Usually one to hit …
The Butchart Gardens – worth travelling for
It began as a labour of love over 100 years ago – an abandoned mine and the eye-sore it left behind was too much to bear for one woman. Determined to transform the desolate landscape, she starte…
