8 reasons to visit Germany in 2026  - Wanderlust From upside down railways to historic Pied Piper plays and new visual experiences, there’s a host of reasons to visit Germany in 2026

Missed this one from earlier in the month. Some excellent reasons for visiting Germany this year, in Wanderlust. www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/...

A treehouse in Scotland in January???? They said it was nuts. It wasn't. But the sauna definitely helped. In the Times today.

The Turin pie.

My first for 2026, in today's Sunday Times, involves a boiling lake, a cable car and an island called Sunday.

The UK’s best Boxing Day walks, all near somewhere lovely to stay Blow away the cobwebs with some festive fresh air on one of these seven wonderful romps across the country, from London to Exmoor and beyond

I have selected seven of the best Boxing Day walks for this week’s Sunday Times. www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

How I did a once-in-a-lifetime Norway journey for a fraction of the price The Hurtigruten coastal service offers a three-night full-board hop-on hop-off option along this spectacular stretch, including the Lofoten Islands, for less than £350

I've been doing the part Hurti for this week's Sunday Times. And it wasn't hurty at all www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

Your chance to hear me blathering on. Next week

Half of US Americans now have a passport. In 1990 (when Home Alone hit the cinemas) only 5 percent of the population had a passport. Americans became richer and more avid travelers in the last few decades.

Incoming. Ahead of the curve again. #Germaninthehouse

Happiness equals quality of life, minus envy. According to Jimmy Carr. That seems like a reasonable assessment of modern living.

My Thames story gets a nice mention in the Week.

Oktoberfest for a fraction of the price. My visit to Germany’s homebrew heaven is in today’s Times

Beer fans, forget Oktoberfest. This is the affordable alternative Skip Munich’s expensive festival and head to these east Bavarian villages to swerve the crowds and try homemade ‘Zoigl’ brews in locals’ homes, says Andrew Eames

It's Bavaria's homebrew heaven, and it's far older and far cheaper than Oktoberfest. By me for the Times, in print on Saturday www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

I sent a grumpy email to a PR this morning pointing out their press release highlighted their ignorance. Not done that before but I couldn’t read it and say nothing. Clearly I’ve got to that age. Beware all who come near!

That’s my last sculling course of the summer done. Now back to the day job.

I know the Thames well, and now I know its best watering holes, too. As in yesterday’s Sunday Times.

Recent bits of print. Norway in the ipaper, Germany in the Sunday Times and Sweden in the Saturday Times

23 of the best things to do in Manchester Make the most of this jewel of the northwest, with its Industrial Revolution landmarks, quirky districts, world-renowned football clubs and luscious green spaces.

I have revisited Manchester for the Times
www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

Working (is) hard today

10 of the best hotels in Cologne Germany’s Rhineside city has a remarkable cathedral and is hugely popular for its Christmas markets — here’s where to stay

I have picked out the best hotels in Cologne, for the Times www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

18 of the most beautiful places in England England’s gems range from meandering rivers and canals with motionless herons and barely moving barges to cathedral cities with ancient colleges

England’s finest, by me, for the Times www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...

Much more sensible name for it. Good job Norway.

I stayed in King Charles’s affordable holiday home in time-warp corner of Europe IT’S not the Count that counts in Transylvania. The King’s the thing. Our king.  I first heard of Transylvania, as many do, via Count Dracula. The place is so mythical that it hovers abo…

King Charles is in the hotel business - in Transylvania. I have been checking out his hospitality for the Sun. www.thesun.co.uk/travel/35448...

Two features from me in today’s @thetimes including the cover story

Missed this one: I jumped on the Norwegian coastal express with newcomer Havila back in March. For Shermans Travel. www.shermanstravel.com/advice/norwa...

How to do the Dordogne in style, by me, for Smartluxury. www.smartluxury.com/slideshow/do...

No pens. Distraught.

This weekend I have three features in the three very different newspapers: the Sun, the FT and the Times. I reckon there should be a name for this unusual kind of three card trick. Some kind of flush. I'm flushed, for sure.

We have a cat that doesn’t like being left behind

For the latest issue of Wanderlust magazine I did a 13 page cover story celebrating Germany's cultural routes