That a tale of an ultra-orthodox Jewish family living in a closed Jerusalem community should attain a position in the affections of television viewers around the world says much about the enduring power of great storytelling. Maybe, coming as it did, as a global pandemic (and global isolation) unfolded did something to accentuate the power
I first met Derek Sharman a few years back at the Superpro Samui gym in Thailand. It was the late afternoon Muay Thai class – two-hours in blistering heat. Hands were being wrapped, Tiger Balm was being applied to tightened limbs, and the trainers were busy rallying students. This towering Adonis of a man approached
The hobbies and interests many of us have nurtured during our collective confinement have been much-needed silver linings to the heavy Covid cloud. But now award-winning Selective Asia is keen to inspire travellers to keep that momentum going, especially when we do eventually get to embark on those long-awaited holidays. Nepal Trek – Take the
With the positive news from Bhutan in recent days comes another indication there are reasons to be hopeful about the possibilities for long-haul travel in the medium to longer-term. The tiny mountain kingdom has vaccinated more than half its population in a week, out-performing much richer nations in its roll-out. The news comes as Sri
I’ve been lucky. My professional and personal lives bring me into contact with a vast array of people. I work in the boardroom advising chairmen and chief executives. While, at the totally opposite end of the spectrum, I walk into a boxing gym twice a week - you try doing that with any pretentious side,
Fewer hotels; less frequent changes of guides and vehicles. Using carefully selected ‘Low Touch Hubs’ as key strategic exploration points. Utilising fully tailor-made approach to travel to reduce levels of risk. Reducing the number of places a traveller stays in a country while carefully retaining the overall experience of that destination is at the
Once again, we have the extremes of opinion muddying the waters and, in the process, probably doing more harm than good. I’m actually rather tired now of constantly hearing from some quarters that because I’m white I neither care nor have a conscience. I know how to treat my fellow human beings regardless of race,
The final issue of Lonely Planet Travel Magazine is out - and what a sad day it is for any of who care about the finest in print journalism. For many years, it's been one of the world's very best travel publications with terrific long-form features, the most captivating writing, absolutely stunning, transportive photography, and
I had a call from an 85-year-old acquaintance last night. She had an amazing career and, in her ninth decade, remains one of the most socially and politically aware people I know, exceptionally well-read, always beyond party politics and looking to the wider, most balanced and inclusive argument to any debate. She is also someone
If lockdown has taught me one thing it’s that elements of social media can be every bit as toxic as I’d previously feared. And, heaven knows, we’ve seen the very worst (alongside the very best) of human nature since we all went to ground in late March. I’m talking mostly about Twitter. Facebook can, at
