I was getting a crick in my neck but I couldn’t stop gazing up at the enormous golden Buddha, silhoutted against a vibrant blue sky. He gazed out across the town, oblivious to the people below. The searing afternoon heat shrouded me in a humid embrace and the scent of...

‘Stand still and this policeman will arrange the sash.’ Possibly one of strangest instructions I have ever been given, but somehow in keeping with the surreal experience of taking part in Bun Pha Wet Fair. It’s one of Thailand’s lesser-known and very colourful festivals and happens every year in Roi Et...

The Toy Train to Shimla As we clattered along the narrow track, the mountains gradually emerged like shy ballerinas peeking out from behind a curtain of lush green foliage. Glimpsed intermittently at first, the foothills of the mightiest mountain range on earth rose amidst tiny hamlets and towering pine trees....

Porters at Delhi Station “Here, ma’am, over here. Take your bag? Porter for you. I help you onto train …” A cacophony of voices ricocheted around Delhi Railway Station as we trotted down the stairs onto the busy platform. It was early morning and we were on our way to...

Phoenix Hall Byodo-in Buddhist Temple Kyoto – photo Martin Falbisoner In the next in our World Travel Blogger series, tourism expert Scott Carruthers shares some of his favourite places to visit in Japan. Japan’s most notable tourist destinations Kyoto Japan is a beautiful country with so much to see. The...

This month’s World Travel Blogger is Keith Kellett, a free-lance writer and photographer, originally from Cumbria, but now living in Southern England, a short distance from the ancient stones of Stonehenge.  His travels have taken him to most of Europe, Cyprus, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Kenya, the Gambia and Australia. Here’s his account...

Discover the fascinating history of Raffles Hotel. Named after the Scotsman who founded Singapore, this famous hotel was an innovator of change, created a classic cocktail, survived wartime occupation and today is an iconic haven of elegance, grandeur and luxury.