Three Enchanting Islands to visit in the Mediterranean

Travel with Laura Coffey through Greek Myth with Enchanted Islands, a magical story of love, loss and the real-life islands that inspired the oldest travel story of all time… 

A lyrical odyssey about love, loss and Greek myth, Enchanted Islands is a new book that weaves together Laura’s experience navigating heartbreak and grief with her quest to map the real-life islands that inspired the wanderings of Homer’s epic hero, Odysseus.  Stephen Fry called it “magical and captivating – hugely recommended” It’s not remotely academic, and you don’t need to know anything about Greek myth to enjoy it.

“If you love memoir and Greek mythology this is a delight. Coffey escapes a grim and lonely pandemic for volcanos and orange-blossom brioche, kingfishers and tales of Circe. But life lies ready to sting, like the Medusa jellyfish she encounters on her evening swims. A spellbinding book about growing up, grieving and the Gods” ― Clare Pollard, author of Delphi

Stanfords fans will love this book because it blends together travel and maps, two of our favourite things.  And interestingly none of the islands Laura visited were in modern-day Greece. You’ll need to read the book to find out where she went… 

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5 Wild Beauties of Cornwall

The tip of South West England is a paradise for walking and swimming, with over 300 miles of coastline and hundreds of beaches.  And yet the terrain of Cornwall is not just about the coast, but about deserted moors, sweeping estuaries and wooded dells.  Matt Newbury and Sophie Pierce, authors of new guidebook, Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall, share some of their favourite swim spots. 

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Lucy Richards: Where to Go When: Stanfords Travel Writing Festival 2020

Dreaming of your next adventure? Whether you’re looking for festivals and culture, an unforgettable journey, natural wonders, rest and relaxation, or active adventures, Lucy Richards talks to Paul Blezard about the most amazing places in the world and the best time of year to visit them. Discover when to explore Costa Rica’s rainforests, journey into the clouds in Nepal, sail between Croatia’s cypress-clad islands, or gaze at the saw-toothed crags of Canada’s Rocky Mountains.

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Japan 2020: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020

Kicking off the 2020 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, we welcome our team of experts on Japan. Find out just why you should be visiting there in 2020.

From history, art and cultural quirks, to how to plan your trip, Robin Moul (Be More Japan), Matt Spiller and Kylie Clark tell all to Paul Blezard.

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5 types of advice to ignore when you travel solo by Amy Baker

If you’ve ever set off of on a solo adventure you’ll be no stranger to the hoards of advice, warnings and cautionary tales that get thrown at you. In Amy Baker’s debut book Miss Adventures: A Tale of Ignoring Life Advice While Backpacking Around South America she shares her often hilarious experiences of solo travel and sifts through what advice is actually worth listening to. We managed to pin her down long enough to tell us what advice you should ignore to ensure you get the most from your trip. Continue reading 5 types of advice to ignore when you travel solo by Amy Baker