cycle alone paris

The best bike tours in Paris

See & Do

Do you dream of wheeling through chic streets, treating everyone you see to a jolly ‘bonjour’? Perhaps there’s a fresh baguette or two in your panniers and a historic monument swinging into view? Gallic bliss. And, well, Paris is THE city to make any two-wheeled dreams come true. Bike rental in Paris is a viable option, with Vélibs (more on those later) and bike hire companies strewn across the capital. But if you’re not au fait with the city’s best bits and where to find them, a Paris bike tour is your best bet. Yes, you’ll burn off a few calories, but coffee, cheese and croissant stops will keep your holiday indulgence meter nicely topped up. And, if peddling your way from Parisian sight to sight still sounds a little too strenuous, there’s always a Segway tour of Paris to take the strain off your weary legs.

marche-daligre

A market lover’s guide to Paris

See & Do

Anywhere in the world, a stroll around some suitably stellar stalls is a feast for the senses. In Paris markets, you’re almost in danger of sensory overload. Vibrant fruits, ripe cheeses, baked goods and wafts of succulent rotisserie chicken all battle for your attention. The company’s not bad either. Jovial sellers, artisan producers, Parisians stocking the fridge and, depending on the locale – an upmarket crowd looking for unusual eats. Join them at some of the street markets we’ve picked out for you. With over 80 markets in Paris, it’s always handy to have a few pointers…

Gluten free Venice

Food & Drink

No doubt about it, Venice is a photographer’s dream. Striking architecture, gorgeous canal vistas and street scenes featuring sealegged locals – the city has postcard-worthy views at almost every turn. But where are the real gems? The places you can capture the most incredible images without fighting thirty other tourists for the same spot? You’ve done the Bridge of Sighs and the multicoloured buildings of Burano – now it’s time for some insider knowledge, and we’re here to help. Whether you’re a pro or snapping your masterpieces from your phone, here’s where to find the very best photography spots in Venice.

Nightlife

Dusk til Dawn: Koh Samui nightlife guide

Guides & Tips

Consider yourself a total night owl? Or maybe you’re more about sunset cocktails and early nights?
Whatever your poison is, we get that having a few places to let your hair down is almost always a
priority when you’re exploring somewhere new. Thailand is no stranger to amazing nightlife, with
options that’ll let you be as wild or as relaxed as you like.

Budapest

Destination

Bohemian to its core and a mecca for both beer lovers and architecture geeks, Prague is steeped in history, yet remains an incredibly modern city. There’s everything from ancient castles to chic bars within the city limits, as well as all the amenities you’d expect from a thriving metropolitan centre. Getting from A to B in the city is a breeze, as it has one of the expansive and reliable public transport networks in Europe, even with the historic centre of the city being a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Koh Samui beach views

Koh Samui

Destination

Bangkok is a city of extremes: come in from the airport via the MRT and you’ll see the politest and most reserved of Thai culture, as everybody stands in neatly formed queues to wait for the workers to clean the carriages. Being spat out into the bustling heat of the Phra Nakhon district is the opposite: a kind of chaotic freedom as locals and tourists eat, drink, and banter away. Although it may all seem disordered at first, you eventually begin to see the rules by which this city operates, and soon you’ll be crossing roads as scooters beep and drive around you without a second thought.

thermal-bath

Wrap up for winter in Budapest

Guides & Tips

Desperate for a getaway, but not so desperate that you’re willing to sit on a plane for 12 hours for a little winter sun? We’re well aware of this conundrum. Luckily for you, though, it’s perfectly possible to have a complete change of scene a little closer to home.
When it comes to destinations which are particularly dreamy in chillier climes, Budapest scores very high on our list. Hungary’s beautiful and bohemian capital is impressive no matter the season, however there’s something extra special about seeing its iconic heritage sites, pretty parks and immense riverside on a crisp, clear winter’s day.