Lara Dunston 
Off the beaten track European summer destinations are still possible to find. You need to look just beyond Europe’s obvious summer hotspots – the Cinque Terre and Côte d’Azur, and so on – as sometimes Europe’s secret beaches, sleepy cities, tranquil towns, and cool retreats are close by. Even busy cities have quiet periods. A … Read more
Where to stay in Sapa in Northern Vietnam depends on what kind of trip you want. If it’s your first time in Sapa and you’re mixing things up – doing a hike, a Bac Ha market day trip, textile shopping, and savouring local fare – stay in Sapa town in a hotel or bed and … Read more
Things to do in Sapa in Northern Vietnam include cooking and crafting with the Ethnic Minority women, trekking through Sapa’s jaw-dropping mountains and countryside, shopping, eating and drinking in Sapa’s markets, and simply absorbing the breathtaking setting of Sapa. Located near one of northern Vietnam’s highest points and surrounded by valleys and rice terraces, it’s … Read more
These Vietnamese spring roll recipes have been a long time coming. We fell in love with Vietnamese food over thirty years ago when we became addicted to fresh Vietnamese spring rolls. We thought it time we shared some of our favourite spring roll recipes – fresh and fried, old and new, from north to south … Read more
How to choose a Halong Bay cruise – surely it can’t be that hard? I didn’t think so until I heard travellers complain of being put on boats they didn’t book and forced to share ‘single’ rooms with strangers. So you don’t make the same mistake, follow our tips based on our experience testing out … Read more