Best U.S. cities to visit in winter

Published on Staysure on19th October 2021

It’s hard to beat the USA when it comes to a city break in winter. It’s one of a handful of countries in the world where you can pick between a bracing ski trip or a balmy beach holiday in the same month, not to mention the sheer number of cities you can choose from.

From Thanksgiving (25 November) onwards, almost everywhere will be gearing up for Christmas so it’s a great excuse to shop for presents, or just to soak up the cosy, festive atmosphere indoors. And after the new year, you can taste the new season’s maple syrup or join in Mardi Gras celebrations.

So whether you’re looking for something cool and festive or warm and sunny, we’ve rounded up a selection of US cities that are perfect for this winter.

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SCUBA OOO! Learn how to scuba dive among the unspoilt Red Sea reefs around Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh

Published in The Sun on 16th October 2021

Also published on The Sun digital

DRIFTING through a curtain of bubbles, I spot the Yolanda Reef for the very first time.

The majestic coral cliff is a scene of vibrant orange creatures, green plants and fluorescent yellow bannerfish, which loop around the rocks oblivious to my presence.

I’d only tried diving for the first time just a few days earlier and I’m now inside what feels like the world’s largest tropical aquarium, Ras Mohammed National Park, just outside the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

Read more at The Sun digital

Honorable Mention at 2020-2021 SATWF Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards

I’m delighted to announce that I received Honorable Mention at the 2020-2021 Society of American Travel Writers Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards.

The Honorable Mention was in the category of Travel News/Investigative Reporting, for an article I wrote for National Geographic Travel on pandemic era travel when you’re Asian.

You can read the full article here.

Congratulations too, to all the other winners.

Words – September 2021

Best Fuerteventura resorts for every type of traveller

Published on Staysure on 6th September 2021

Fuerteventura is blessed with miles and miles of golden beaches covered in pillowy-soft sand, and a pleasantly warm climate year-round. But as first time and frequent visitors know, this popular Canary Island also has a reputation for being windy.

Its location off the west coast of Africa is on the cusp of where the Trade Winds start, so for much of the year, there’s a constant breeze hitting the island from a north or north-easterly direction. For visitors, this could change where they stay in Fuerteventura and when.

If you just want to relax on a quiet beach with a good book, you should head to the south or west of the island – areas that face away from the wind and offer a more secluded coastline. Or for more choice, visit Fuerteventura in the winter months when the breeze has died down but the sun is still shining.

Read more at Staysure