Category Archives: road trip
Namibia | Index
It’s hard to imagine a landscape more dramatic than that of Namibia. Add to the scenery an amazing (and rather accessible) assortment of big game and wildlife. Then, lightly apply a sprinkling of well-maintained roads across the country to help folks get to its towns and settlements, best beauty spots, and welcoming network of bush camps and luxury lodges. If you like the idea of hitting the open road, experiencing true wilderness, seeing lots and lots of game, and still being able to take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed every night, Namibia’s the place for you. Continue reading
Namibia | Sossusvlei
Last stop on my luxury safari road trip across Namibia was Sossusvlei. Not just the ultimate destination of my itinerary but also the ultimate choice for a desert break. Continue reading
Namibia | Skeleton Coast
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp was a khaki canvas paradise of haute design fixed lightly to one of the world’s most desolate and pristine wilderness areas. Open just over a year, this fully solar powered joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the neighbouring Conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein, was the very model for cutting edge – and sustainable – luxury. Continue reading
Namibia | Doro Nawas
Although I only had one night at Doro Nawas, it was an impactful stay in one of the most serenely beautiful places I’ve ever been – something I could just as easily say of the whole of Namibia itself. Continue reading
Namibia | Etosha
Thoroughly well rested from my relaxing stay in Windhoek and more than ready for some serious safari action, I hit the road en route to the first lodge one my itinerary: Andersson’s Camp, set within Ongava Game Reserve on the border of (and with its own private gate to) Etosha National Park. Continue reading
Namibia
This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice. But now I’ve finally made it, and I can see what the fuss had been all about it. Continue reading
#BBQbound: South in the Mouth Success!
My BBQ Bound miniseries chronicling my three-week quest for the best BBQ in the American South has now come to a burnt end. Ready for the recap? Continue reading
#BBQbound: Savannah
From Charleston, I skirted my way along the South Carolina coast until I made it to my home state of Georgia for a few days more of BBQ and kindly hospitality before heading back to London. First stop in Georgia was picturesque and gracious Savannah, where a too-short but so-good lunch set a delectable tone and kept the bar raised high for an especially for delicious finale of my trip. Continue reading
#BBQbound: Charleston
Next stop on my carnivorously inclined Deep South expedition was the beautiful and historic port city of Charleston, South Carolina where a new breed of pitmaster appears to be taking over the culinary scene with an approach to making wood fired, slow cooked meats that’s as yummy and inventive as it is a mouth-watering tribute to the area’s great BBQ traditions. Continue reading
#BBQbound: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a city I know fairly well from more youthful days. But I’d not been back there for well over a decade – and I must admit I knew nothing of the BBQ there. I’m pleased to report the town is as agreeable place as even – and that the BBQ is fantastic. Continue reading
#BBQbound: Hillsborough, North Carolina
The small town of Hillsborough, North Carolina made a big impression on me, despite only being able to drop in for a short overnight stay. Completely off my radar before planning my BBQ Bound itinerary, the town is now my top choice for a repeat visit of all the stops I made during my three weeks on the road. Continue reading
#BBQbound: Memphis
It had been more than 20 years since I’d last been to Memphis, and I was glad my BBQ Bound road trip passed through it, affording me the chance to reacquaint myself with this fantastic town so prominently set on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Indeed, a tour of the best BBQ destinations in the South without a stop in Memphis would have been remiss. Continue reading
#BBQbound: Dallas
From Austin I headed north to Dallas, a city I’d never visited before and one that I really wasn’t certain whether I’d take to or not. I ended up regretting not having more time to spend there. As for the BBQ, Dallas wound up being one of the tastiest pit stops of my three week road trip. Continue reading
#BBQbound: An Epic Quest for the Best BBQ in the American South
I don’t mean to rub it in, but I’ve just returned from one of the sauciest adventures I’ve ever undertaken: a three-week road trip covering more than 2,500 miles across six states. The aim of my low ‘n slow sojourn was as straightforward as it was overindulgent – to find (and devour) the best BBQ in the American South. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!
Happy Mardi Gras! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Dixie Detours miniseries featuring the highlights from my recent trip to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida along with suggestions for planning your own sojourn to the Deep South. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Chattanooga, Choo Choo City
Chattanooga is my old teenage stomping ground. Since I’ve moved away, every year or two when I’ve managed to make it back for a visit (usually around Christmastime), the area always seemed to have gotten better than I remembered it being. Same holds true this time round. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Tabasco Tourism on Avery Island
Louisiana’s most iconic brand, McIlhenny Company’s Tabasco brand Original Red Sauce packs a wallop of distinctively spicy flavour. For all its flavoursome punch, it’s comprised of only three natural ingredients: aged red peppers, vinegar and salt from Avery Island, which is also the home of all Tabasco production. In addition to the pepper sauce factory, the island (roughly two hours from New Orleans and 40 minutes from Lafayette) is also a botanical garden, bird sanctuary and wildlife refuge. Our last day in Louisiana, Kemey and I spent a fantastic morning on Avery Island before carrying on with our Dixie Detours road trip. Here are some highlights from the fun time we had there. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: A Cajun Good Time in Lafayette
It’s a down home kind of place, Lafayette, where a koozie for your cold one is handy asset indeed. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: New Orleans School of Cooking
Wow. Our afternoon visit to the New Orleans School of Cooking on St Louis Street in the French Quarter was a lot of fun – and well worth its own write up among all the entries in my Dixie Detours miniseries. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Overnight Luxury in Mobile, Alabama
The rather underrated and often overlooked Gulf Coast town of Mobile proved to be an excellent choice and our time there an all too short and actually quite luxurious stay. Continue reading
Dixie Detours: Howdy Y’all
Hey everybody. Let me begin this post with an apology for the scant and at times fairly lame content I’ve been publishing over the past couple of weeks. I have been “away from my desk” and rambling round the Deep South of the United States on a Dixie Detours road trip. Continue reading
Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Arrivederci and Grazie Mille!
Over the past several days I’ve been sharing highlights from my recent Ham Highway adventure across northern Italy in a special 14-part miniseries. The series features entries about the following destinations – Forni di Sopra, Sauris, San Daniele, Udine, Collio Goriziano, Trento, Torino, Parma, Modena, Nonantola, and Bologna – along with tips and suggestions to help you plan your own delectable Italian itinerary. Continue reading