Hidden Italy Weekend: Tropea (Calabria) – the Pearl of the South

Perched on cliffs overlooking the Tyrrenian Sea with views across ‘the infinite sea’ to smoking peak of Stromboli and the other Aeolian Islands visible on the horizon on a clear day, Tropea is one of the most enchanting coastal towns in southern Italy. It is an elegant and well-preserved town, with a laidback atmosphere, some excellent restaurants and caffes and a string of clean, sandy beaches running around the foot of the cliffs – a perfect place for a weekend (or more) in summer.

Island Calm: Boutique Thai Luxury at The Retreat Koh Chang

Against a backdrop of swaying palms, warm Gulf waters and Koh Chang’s rainforest-cloaked hills, The Retreat Koh Chang delivers a more refined vision of Thai island hospitality where thoughtful architecture, attentive service and understated luxury create a genuine sense of escape.

As Thailand’s islands continue to evolve under the pressure of mass tourism and rapid development, finding a property that still feels connected to its environment and culture has become increasingly rare. On Koh Samui’s quieter shores, however, boutique luxury still survives in pockets of calm sophistication, and few places capture that spirit better than The Retreat Koh Chang.

The Hari Hong Kong Embraces Slow Travel With Nature on its Doorstep

In a city known for its energy and density, The Hari Hong Kong is positioning itself as a gateway to slow travel in Hong Kong, offering guests the chance to explore both urban heritage and accessible nature.

Located in Wan Chai, the hotel provides easy access to some of the best hiking trails in Hong Kong, many reachable within a 15-minute walk. Travellers can connect to an extensive network of scenic routes, with hiking loops stretching up to 50 kilometres, combining forest landscapes, harbour views and wildlife encounters.

If Gore Vidal visited Bali and Ubud

Bali in the Balance

On an island shaped by ritual and revenue, the daily act is not preservation but negotiation. 

Bali announces itself before it fully appears. The descent into Denpasar reveals a volcanic ridge through cloud, terraces cut into the hillsides, and a coastline that suggests calm. It is an appealing first impression, but the island is not simple. It is shaped by devotion, commerce, and habit, often simultaneously. I arrived expecting beauty and found a place negotiating its identity in public.

Staying Longer in Bali? Start in Sanur

With calm seas, practical infrastructure and a settled community, Sanur suits those who intend to stay rather than pass through.

For travellers considering more than a brief stay in Bali, Sanur offers a compelling alternative to the island’s more heavily marketed districts.

Visiting Belgrade Fortress and its military display

Set high above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the Belgrade Fortress (Kalemegdan) is one of Europe’s most strategic strongholds. For centuries it marked the shifting frontier between Ottoman and Habsburg empires, and the outdoor military display reflects that long, contested history.

Song Wat: Bangkok’s Old Trading Street Reimagined

Tucked along the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, just west of Bangkok’s better-known Yaowarat Road, Song Wat is one of the capital’s most compelling heritage precincts. Stretching for just over a kilometre through the Samphanthawong district, it offers a layered glimpse into Bangkok’s commercial past alongside a contemporary revival driven by a new generation of creatives and entrepreneurs.