Church Senhor da Pedra beach porto

Battle of the cities: Porto vs Lisbon

Guides & Tips

When you’re deciding between two cities in the same country, travel choices can be tough. And, when it comes to Porto vs Lisbon you could be in for quite the dilemma. Both are beautiful Portuguese spots on the map with plenty of pull to lure in eager nomads keen to clock up the sights. Happily, we’ve broken the Porto or Lisbon decision down to help you pick between the two. No spoilers here, but you’ll be pleased to know, whichever city you choose, you’ll never be too far away from a pastel de nata…

surfers walking on Matosinhos Beach

The secrets of Porto’s beaches and bays

See & Do

One essential accessory for making the most of the beaches near Porto? A hire car. Yes, you can have a sunny day on the sands on a town beach, but the best Porto beaches are a small drive away. Public transport’s an option – but it’s also one that’ll unfortunately see you treble your journey time – at least. No ideal when you’ve an inflatable under one arm and a sizeable picnic under the other. With road trips starting at a trifling 15 minutes, there’s really no excuse no to show up on these stellar sands…

turtle riviera maya

Riviera Maya

Destination

Look, we’re not saying Riviera Maya is a paradise, but when you’ve got sizzling heat, azure seas and skies, and access to near-enough every creature comfort you could wish for, then we’re not entirely sure we can claim this little slice of Eden is anything less than that. Renamed in 1999 to attract more tourism to the region from big brother Cancun up North, it’s likely that move wasn’t necessary, although the name has stuck: all the locals really needed to sell this place was to let us in, and then, it speaks for itself.
Although primarily seen as an ‘all-inclusive’ destination, there’s still tonnes to do if you can’t stand the thought of lounging around like a beach bum: exploring ancient ruins, spotting whale sharks, and diving into cenotes are just some of the exciting activities on offer in this astoundingly beautiful corner of Mexico. However, if you are looking for a more pampered experience, then there isn’t anywhere better to head, with a whole host of luxury resorts with wonderful amenities at your fingertips when you come to Riviera Maya.

Cancun Underwater Museum

Dive in for snorkelling in Riviera Maya 

See & Do

Frolicking around in the shimmering seas of the Caribbean with rainbow-coloured marine life sounds like the sort of thing that only happens in dreams, but if you’re thinking of heading to Riviera Maya it could very well be your reality. The only decision you really need to make is whether you’re going to slap on the wetsuit and tank and dive down into the depths of the sea, or if you prefer to splash in the shallows with a snorkel and see kaleidoscopes of reeds and fluorescent fish.

Man jumping into river in Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya vs Cancun

Guides & Tips

If you’re eager for a holiday on the Mexican Caribbean coast but feel like you’re stuck choosing between these two excellent spots, then read ahead: we’ve got Riviera Maya and Cancun battling head-to-head on some of the most important categories any good holidaymaker would look for in a vacation destination. 

Xcaret Park river views in riviera maya

Things to do in Riviera Maya

See & Do

While it can be hard to peel yourself from cocktails and cloudless days on the beach, there’s actually plenty to do in Riviera Maya that doesn’t involve being pampered or fed gluttonous amounts. While the area is primarily a resort destination, the surrounding land is full of all kinds of sightseeing opportunities, attractions, and activities, from spotting jaguars in the jungle to barrelling down a slide at one of the most popular water parks in Mexico. If you’re the sort of person who needs to explore, then you’re in luck – Riviera Maya has plenty of excursions to get excited about, and these are the best of them. 

beach in Krabi

Krabi

Destination

When even a town’s traffic lights look exotic, you know you’re in for a travel treat. Krabi town’s road furniture may be the least of your concern, but the majestic monkeys, eagles, otters and elephants atop the lights really do add a certain something to the urban environment. Not least because it’ll pique your interest as to what else is in store. Stay urban and you’ll find yourself immersed in the lively stalls of a night market, booking a long-tail to a far off island or wandering to the town beach to swim, sleep or explore in the sun. Krabi’s mangrove forests are wildlife and flora-packed adventure playgrounds, and the jungle happens to hold water features of almost every kind. Rivers, waterfalls and hot springs might be already on your radar – but impossibly blue mineral springs will raise an eyebrow on even the most travelled faces.

Go coastal, and Krabi’s rugged beauty really starts to impress. Climbers cling to limestone cliffs to take on their nooks and ledges, while backpackers find laidback bars nestled in the palms to share travel adventures with like-minded souls. When the Poi dancers light the night sky with rhythmic fire, you realise Krabi’s magic. Everyone finds their spot here. And it’s magical.

Kayaking in Krabi

Krabi vs Phuket: Which is best?

Guides & Tips

If you’re 20 Chrome tabs deep into your Krabi or Phuket holiday research, you could be struggling with a bit of tropical paradise FOMO. And, to be fair, it’s a close call at times. Immersing yourself in the palm-draped beach bars and laidback vibes of Krabi could see you missing the frenetic party nights Phuket is famed for. Krabi’s island hopping vs Phuket’s eclectic shopping… You get the picture. And, with a three and half hour ferry ride separating the two, flitting between each one isn’t an option for most. We’ve laid out the best of each region to help you sort the Krabi wonders from the Phuket facilities…