Auschwitz began as a prison within a disused army barracks in 1940. It grew into the largest centre to exterminate Jews in Europe. Close by were Birkenau and Monowitz. Out of the 1-1.5 million people murdered within the walls of…
Archives for November 2018
The story of my 10-year battle with recurrent interstitial cystitis
I was 21 years old when my bladder decided to go into battle with the rest of my body. It’s no coincidence that this was when I had my first live-in boyfriend so sexual encounters were frequent for the first…
Can Ayurvedic massage solve emotional problems?
I have many emotional problems, many of which have existed since I can remember. I’m not generally swayed by so-called alternative medicine but I do think there is merit in taking a holistic approach to your health. While in India,…
7 things you need to know about the Pushkar camel fair
If you’re planning on visiting the Pushkar camel fair then this is everything you need to know about it. 1. The camel fair is actually an offshoot of the main event and not the main event itself The camel fair…
Going on a jeep safari in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park
Taking a jeep safari in Chitwan National Park was the treat we promised ourselves after successfully trekking to Everest Base Camp. Chitwan is not only a world heritage site but it was also the first national park to be established…
Five chilled out places to escape the crowds of Alcúdia in Mallorca
Are the tourist crowds of Alcúdia driving you up the all or do you just fancy a short trip away from your resort? If you’re looking for a fun escape then this list is for you! These are the top…
Why I think Istanbul in Turkey is one of Europe’s greatest cities
Istanbul is incredible. There are loads of beautiful cultural places to visit, mint tea, cool districts to eat in and loads of cats! Everything I ever wish for in a trip… 10 million people visited in 2013 and as soon…
Is Raj Mandir in Jaipur the world’s most beautiful cinema?
I haven’t been to every cinema in the world, but I can tell you that the Raj Mandir is a strong contender. I’m a big fan of Europa cinemas and I’ve been lucky enough to watch films in some of…
7 reasons why Bundi should be on your Rajasthan itinerary for India
I was in two minds about whether I wanted to visit Bundi. We’d been in the big cities of Delhi and Agra, as well as the national parks of Keoladeo and Ranthambore. The cities were extremely busy and the gateway…
The boiler wire set on fire at the worst hostel I ever stayed at in India
I’m an experienced traveller and I’m happy to put up with a lot for cheap accommodation but I wanted to talk about this hostel we stayed at in Jaipur for two reasons. One is that I think it’s important that…
Wildlife spotting in the Camargue in the South of France
The Parc Naturel régional de Camargue was established in 1970. Its saline ponds are home to 400 bird species including the white stork, herons, bitterns, glossy ibis, and the black-winged stilt. It was the greater flamingo that we were most…
Chernobyl Tour: The abandoned Kopachi Kindergarten
When you visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on a tour, the second place on many itineraries after the village of Zalissya, is Kopachi Kindergarten. The kindergarten was only 7km from the reactor and all the buildings were buried afterwards, except…