Travel Guides

The Best Rooftop Bars, Pools & Views in Dubai
United Arab Emirates, Dubai, City Breaks, Middle East, Luxury, Foodies Sophie Alexander-Osman United Arab Emirates, Dubai, City Breaks, Middle East, Luxury, Foodies Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Best Rooftop Bars, Pools & Views in Dubai

Whenever I arrive in a new destination, my first instinct is to find the highest vantage point possible. Whether it’s trekking up a rugged mountain trail or taking a high-speed lift to the top of a skyscraper, gaining that initial elevation is essential for gathering my bearings and truly understanding the scale of a city. In a place as architectural and sprawling as Dubai, this perspective is transformative; it allows you to see how the intricate veins of the motorways connect the futuristic skyline to the vast, golden desert beyond.

Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Battersea, London
United Kingdom, London, England, City Breaks, Foodies, Europe Sophie Alexander-Osman United Kingdom, London, England, City Breaks, Foodies, Europe Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Ultimate Guide to Battersea, London

Battersea has changed dramatically over the past decade. Once an industrial corner of south west London, it has become the focus of one of the city's most ambitious regeneration projects. For years, Battersea was best known for its power station. Today, it's one of London's most exciting neighbourhoods, where historic landmarks sit alongside new hotels, riverside restaurants and green spaces.

Read More
A Guide to Visiting Hatta, Dubai
Dubai, Hatta, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Adventure, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman Dubai, Hatta, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, Adventure, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman

A Guide to Visiting Hatta, Dubai

Around 90 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Hatta offers a completely different side to the emirate. Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains near the Oman border, this mountain town is known for its rugged landscapes, outdoor adventures and cooler climate. Once a quiet farming community, it has become one of Dubai's most popular destinations for hiking, kayaking and weekend escapes.

Read More
The Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds
United Kingdom, England, The Cotswolds, Europe, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman United Kingdom, England, The Cotswolds, Europe, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds has recently undergone a radical transformation from a quiet rural retreat into a global digital phenomenon. This surge is primarily driven by the TikTok effect, where the region's honey-coloured Jurassic limestone and lopsided medieval hamlets have become the face of a viral English aesthetic. Once known only to local walkers and historians, these villages now face a massive influx of international tourists who view the 17th-century streets as the ultimate high-contrast backdrop for travel content. This newfound status as a social media honeypot has turned ancient wool towns into essential bucket-list destinations for a new generation of travellers.

Read More
The Complete Guide to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Asia, Budget, Adventure, Solo Travel, Wonders Of The World Sophie Alexander-Osman Sri Lanka, Asia, Budget, Adventure, Solo Travel, Wonders Of The World Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Complete Guide to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is a massive granite peak that rises two hundred metres above the flat plains of central Sri Lanka. This UNESCO site, known as Lion Rock, is more than just a natural landmark. It was a 5th-century capital city built by King Kasyapa, surrounded by a complex system of water gardens, moats and defensive walls.

The climb to the top takes you through different stages of history. Halfway up the rock, two giant stone lion paws mark the entrance to the old palace. On the western side, you will find the mirror wall, which was once polished so the King could see himself. Nearby, ancient frescoes of women are still visible in the rock, preserved for centuries.

Read More
The Ultimate Lincolnshire Guide: Coast, Country & Charm
United Kingdom, England, Lincolnshire, Adventure, Budget, City Breaks, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman United Kingdom, England, Lincolnshire, Adventure, Budget, City Breaks, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Ultimate Lincolnshire Guide: Coast, Country & Charm

Lincolnshire sits on England’s east coast, where long stretches of open countryside meet an uninterrupted coastline along the North Sea. It is a county defined by space rather than spectacle, where farmland, wetlands and small historic towns sit far apart, connected by quiet roads and wide horizons. Unlike more heavily visited parts of the UK, it moves at a slower rhythm, shaped by agriculture, seasonal tourism and coastal wildlife. This sense of scale is what makes it particularly appealing in summer, when daylight stretches late into the evening and the landscape feels even more open and accessible.

Read More
The Best Beaches to Visit in Cornwall
United Kingdom, England, Cornwall, Budget, Adventure, Solo Travel, Europe, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman United Kingdom, England, Cornwall, Budget, Adventure, Solo Travel, Europe, Road Trips Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Best Beaches to Visit in Cornwall

When it comes to dramatic coastlines and world-class shorelines, Cornwall completely stands apart. Shrugged by the wild Atlantic ocean, this southwest peninsula is home to some of the finest sand in Europe, where towering granite cliffs give way to expansive tidal flats and hidden, turquoise-water coves. Threaded together by the spectacular South West Coast Path, these landscapes offer incredible clifftop walking trails that lead directly down to the water's edge.

Read More
Review: The Find Hotel, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Ahangama, Hotel Reviews, Asia, Luxury Sophie Alexander-Osman Sri Lanka, Ahangama, Hotel Reviews, Asia, Luxury Sophie Alexander-Osman

Review: The Find Hotel, Sri Lanka

There are some hotels that feel instantly recognisable, and The Find is one of them. Sitting at the far end of Kabalana Beach in Ahangama on Sri Lanka’s south coast, the boutique hotel has become known for its distinctive pink facade and interiors, something that now feels completely synonymous with the property itself. Yet after speaking to owner Myles, I discovered the hotel was never actually meant to turn out quite so pink. Inspired by the colour of traditional Sri Lankan pottery, the shade developed into something far bolder and more memorable than originally planned. The result is effortlessly iconic.

Read More
Review: Ella Trail Luxury Villa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Ella, Hotel Reviews, Adventure, Asia Sophie Alexander-Osman Sri Lanka, Ella, Hotel Reviews, Adventure, Asia Sophie Alexander-Osman

Review: Ella Trail Luxury Villa, Sri Lanka

The building is sharp and modern, all glass and concrete, designed so the view dominates every space inside, with terraces and openings that break the structure into levels. From the outside it feels stark against the landscape, but inside it is warm and cosy, opening fully to the view, with one side left completely open so air moves straight through from morning to night. Below, the railway line runs directly beneath the villa, part of the Kandy to Ella route. The blue train passes several times a day, slow enough to follow as it moves across the hillside.

Read More
The Ultimate Hiriketiya Guide, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Asia, Adventure, Hiriketiya, Solo Travel, Backpacking, Budget Sophie Alexander-Osman Sri Lanka, Asia, Adventure, Hiriketiya, Solo Travel, Backpacking, Budget Sophie Alexander-Osman

The Ultimate Hiriketiya Guide, Sri Lanka

There is a specific kind of magic found in Hiriketiya that is becoming increasingly rare along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. Often referred to simply as "Hiri," this perfectly formed horseshoe bay feels like a secret the jungle is trying its best to keep. While other coastal towns have expanded into bustling hubs, Hiriketiya remains a place where the roads are still mostly dirt, the palms lean impossibly low over the water, and the rhythm of the day is dictated entirely by the swell.

Read More
Review: Orient Express La Minerva Hotel, Rome
Italy, Rome, Hotel Reviews, Luxury, City Breaks Sophie Alexander-Osman Italy, Rome, Hotel Reviews, Luxury, City Breaks Sophie Alexander-Osman

Review: Orient Express La Minerva Hotel, Rome

Set just moments from the Pantheon in the heart of Rome’s historic centre, Orient Express La Minerva marks the return of one of the city’s most storied hotels. Originally opened in the 17th century before becoming Hotel de La Minerva in the early 1800s, the property has welcomed writers, aristocrats and travellers for generations, occupying a privileged position overlooking Piazza della Minerva.

Read More
The Mina Seyahi Collection: One Address, Three Marriott Icons

The Mina Seyahi Collection: One Address, Three Marriott Icons

Located on a prime 700-metre stretch of private shoreline, the Mina Seyahi collection serves as a prestigious gateway between the Dubai Marina and the Arabian Gulf. This sprawling estate integrates three distinct Marriott properties—the neoclassical luxury of The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, the mid-century chic Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, and the ultra-modern, adult-focused W Dubai - Mina Seyahi.

Read More
12 Bucket List Adventures to Take in 2026

12 Bucket List Adventures to Take in 2026

As we move through 2026, the world has never felt more accessible or full of specialised wonders. From the long-awaited unveiling of massive cultural archives in Egypt to the rare astronomical peak of the Northern Lights, this year offers a unique alignment of events for the intentional traveller. Whether you are looking for the raw geological power of an active volcano in Japan or the silent, mirrored modernism of the Saudi desert, these twelve destinations represent the absolute pinnacle of global adventure for the current calendar year.

Read More
Review: PALM Hotel, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Ahangama, Asia, Luxury, Hotel Reviews Sophie Alexander-Osman Sri Lanka, Ahangama, Asia, Luxury, Hotel Reviews Sophie Alexander-Osman

Review: PALM Hotel, Sri Lanka

PALM Hotel opened in 2019 on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, by Londoners Miriam and Laurie. It sits on four acres of a former coconut plantation, surrounded by rice paddies and tropical greenery. The property is roughly ten minutes from Ahangama’s surf beaches and around two to two and a half hours from Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport. The hotel’s layout spreads its accommodations across the site to give privacy while keeping a central hub for socialising, creating a modern take on coastal living in Sri Lanka.

Read More
Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi – Ultimate Visitor Guide
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, City Breaks, Museums Sophie Alexander-Osman Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Middle East, City Breaks, Museums Sophie Alexander-Osman

Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi – Ultimate Visitor Guide

Zayed National Museum is the national museum of the United Arab Emirates and one of the most significant cultural institutions in Abu Dhabi. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum is dedicated to the life, values and legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE. It also tells the wider story of the country’s history, culture, environment and people, from the earliest human settlements to the modern nation.

Read More