Nestled in the heart of Thailand’s bustling capital, SO/ Bangkok is a testament to urban sophistication and luxury. The hotel’s design masterfully blends traditional Thai elements with modern aesthetics. The sleek lobby, as captured in the photos, served as a perfect prelude to the luxurious experience that awaited. My spacious, thoughtfully appointed room featured a contemporary style with subtle cultural touches. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline, making the urban landscape an ever-present part of the room’s appeal. The amenities at SO/Bangkok were just as impressive, particularly the rooftop infinity pool. It seemingly hovered over the city, offering a refreshing escape with stunning city views, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring Bangkok.

A great place to stop in Errachidia, Morocco, for a quick lunch is Touroug Cafe on the drive from Dades to Merzouga. The service is fast, and the local tajines are great, and there is a lovely, relaxing atmosphere to break up the journey. Staff are friendly and great fun too! The toilets are well-equipped and very clean.

A charming studio in the Marais - Two nights A perfect location in Marais, you are in the heart of this beautiful Parisian neighbourhood and 3 and 4 arrondissements of Paris. Best location Airbnb - Paris This Airbnb is like an upscale oversized hotel room, ideally located off the street in a charming cobblestone courtyard up a small flight of stairs. The location is perfect for immersing yourself in Parisian daily life, and with the abundance of brassieres, you'll not need to self-cater The large bathroom features an oversized hot water boiler for a long shower after a day exploring Paris. Even during a hot Paris summer, the room was fantastic and, more importantly, far back enough from the main street to have a quiet and peaceful sleep. Remember, this is positioned more as an oversized hotel room, and you'll not be disappointed. Ariele is an absolute pleasure to communicate with and will ensure your Paris stay meets all your expectations.

Paris Opera style splendour - Ten Nights This apartment is remarkable and completely exceeds your expectations; not only is it unique and fabulously decorated, but you are also in the heart of Paris, with everything only a short walk away. Best Airbnb - Paris You will not be disappointed. Marco is a fabulous host and responds promptly, and check-in was seamless. Best Airbnb - Paris I would recommend the property. Best Airbnb - Paris Best Airbnb - Paris

Laperouse - One Visit Perfect 40th Birthday Celebration. I was looking for the perfect restaurant with a private room and a view of Paris to celebrate my 40th Birthday, and Lapérouse did not disappoint. Organising the event from Australia by email was seamless, and all my requests were easily catered to. The dining table for 16 guests was beautifully decorated, and the food and wine were of the highest standard! Laperouse - Paris The lunch started with champagne and canapés in the private dining room, where we could all mingle. Then, we took our places at the table. Laperouse - Paris Everyone was pleased with the food choices, which were chosen from a set menu before the event. We were not rushed and enjoyed the afternoon celebrating. A huge thank you to Audrey, who helped organise the day, and Edson and the team, who made sure all the food and wine were plentiful and the service was terrific. I highly recommend it for a special occasion, and it was memorable from all accounts. Lapérouse is a 17th-century building that was unique and had plenty of character.

Jules Verne - One Visit I recently had the chance to dine at Le Jules Verne, and let me tell you, it's an experience every Paris lover should aim for. Nestled on the Eiffel Tower, this restaurant offers a unique combination of fantastic food and breathtaking views. Just a heads-up: you’ll want to book your table about three months in advance, but don’t let that deter you—it’s truly worth the wait. I highly recommend the lunch service if you’re considering when to go. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the restaurant without the hefty dinner price tag. Plus, the natural light during the day brings the panoramic views of Paris to life, adding a special touch to your meal. Le Jules Verne The food? Outstanding. Each dish is beautifully crafted and full of flavour. Coupled with the top-notch service from an attentive and welcoming team, you’ll feel right at home—and a little bit pampered. The real show-stopper, though, is the view. Dining above Paris with such iconic sights all around you is something you won’t easily forget. It’s the kind of place where the setting truly complements the meal, making for a memorable outing from start to finish. Le Jules Verne Lunch at Le Jules Verne is the perfect option if you’re looking for an incredible dining experience without an evening commitment. Book ahead, relax, and enjoy the delightful mix of excellent food and stunning scenery.

Flamingoes, sand dunes, desert, and moonscapes—welcome to Namibia, country no. 89 on our journey! Arriving in Walvis Bay, or Whale Bay, if translated to Afrikaans, felt like stepping into a new hemisphere; the contrast between our previous West African destinations and here was stark and breathtaking. Today, we embarked on a half-day tour called "Treasures of the Namib Desert" on the Splendor with Regent Seven Seas . Our lovely guide, Arthur, greeted us with his off-road vehicle, ready to lead us through the beautiful, desolate Namib Desert. Our first unexpected surprise was witnessing a flamboyance of beautiful greater and lesser flamingoes. A sea of pink, these majestic birds were feeding just after we left the port. It is home to the largest seal population on Africa's west coast, with 250,000 seals culled annually due to the dense numbers, as there are no natural predators to manage the overpopulation. A large seal can consume up to 25 kg of fish daily, impacting the food chain and posing challenges to the fishing industry. To manage the breeding, they try to identify the frisky older males on the beaches. The culled seals are utilised in various ways: their Omega-rich oils and leather are used for products like belts and bags, while the meat is processed into a smoky sausage. Soon after our Flamingo viewing, we exited Walvis Bay and drove past the impressive dunes toward Namib Naukluft Park. We stopped at a viewpoint to marvel at the 350-million-year-old Moonscape. The vastness and nothingness left us all in awe. After capturing the impressive natural views, we continued past Goanikontes, where Arthur narrated fascinating insights about the lichen plants. Next, we found ourselves bumping and bouncing down the riverbed. This river has only had the pleasure of free-flowing water three times in recorded history: in 1927, 2010, and, more recently, in 2020. Our journey took us over the Dolerite ridge, where we laid eyes on the well-protected 350-year-old Welwitschia plant, which grows just 1 cm every 10 years. Returning to Goanikontes, we enjoyed a refreshing stop at a local campground called Goanikontes Oasis, where live scorpions were on display. Revitalised with drinks and snacks, we set out on a mission to collect a Namibian flag as a souvenir for our fellow passengers. Thanks to Arthur's connections, we managed a quick tour through the beautiful town of Swakopmund. Formerly a German colonial town, Swakopmund's streets boast impressive old colonial buildings. We were all gifted a flag as a perfect memento. Our final experience was a drive along the Skeleton Coast on the dune belt road. The road's name comes from the whale and seal bones littering the beaches and shipwrecks. To our left, the desert stood with its stunning golden sand dunes, while the deep blue Atlantic Ocean stretched to our right. We journeyed along a packed salt road that wove a narrow path between these contrasting landscapes. This 500 km coastal road is often referred to as "the end of the earth!" Afrikaans language tips: Baie dankie – The pronunciation is similar to saying "buy a donkey", which translates to "thank you very much". Lekker – Pronounced "lacquer" but has nothing to do with furniture polish. It actually means "good" and is a common phrase used to express enjoyment or approval. Fun Facts: Walvis Bay means "Whale Bay" in Afrikaans. Sailors found Walvis Bay a good place to catch whales in the 1700s. The Namib River has only flowed freely thrice in recorded history (1927, 2010, and 2020). Namibia's population: 4.2 million (excluding illegals). 2nd largest port is Walvis Bay on Africa's west coast. 2nd highest road deaths in Africa No.1 crime is corruption If you are caught poaching wildlife, you are sent straight to prison Other notable facts include Bushman's salt and pepper, significant oil discoveries in Lüderitz, marble and granite, green hydrogen, and it even snows in southern Namibia. This half-day tour was an unforgettable adventure through some of Namibia's most captivating landscapes and natural wonders!

Welcome to Ilulissat in Greenland, but l et's first celebrate our 55th country. Greenland is an island of the kingdom of Denmark, which is our 55th country. We were fortunate to visit it on our North-to-South Pole cruise. Ilulissat is the Kalaallisut word for "Icebergs". Ilulissat is home to almost as many sled dogs as people. It has a population of 4700 and is Greenland's third-largest city and most popular tourist destination. Greenland is an island country in North America that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is the world's largest island. It lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The village of Ilulissat is wrapped in an icefjord; we jumped on the first tender boat to make our way to the fjord (a short 30-minute walk from town). Upon arrival, we were treated to dog sled practice as we walked through the fields where the dogs were housed. Thank you, Arctic Living Ilulissat , for this enlightening experience on sled dogs. We were fortunate to see the dog sled practice and the level of excitement with all the beautiful dogs. We love how you put the dogs first, your high level of nourishment and care, your preservation of the Greenlandic dog sled culture, and your passion and love for this tradition. The fjords then rendered us speechless as we reached the top of the hill. We hiked through the breathtaking and colourful natural flora to the actual fjord to experience this magical moment for the first time. It was very picturesque, and we took many pictures to capture this incredible landscape and moment. Ilulissat Icefjord is 66 km wide and 555 km long and is a UNESCO natural world heritage site. The fjord is a collection of icebergs that have calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, the fastest and most active glacier in the world, one by one, with a speed of 40 metres per day. We followed this with a visit to the Icefjord Centre . It was incredible architecture with minimal impact and nicely blended with its surroundings, using only steel and wood to construct over two years. It only opened 11 months ago. It was imposing and a great way to learn about the life stages of ice, from a drop of rain to snowflakes, calving, drifting and melting! In the Ilulissat Icefjord, global warming is evident. The Greenlanders are thankful for the growing interest in an issue they live with and adapt to constantly. The area is a site of extensive research undertaken for centuries and, as a result, is said to facilitate insight into climate change. We enjoyed listening to and hearing about the village and how tourism is doubling and becoming stronger each year from around the globe; it was a beautiful, charming community with excellent infrastructure, nestled among a seascape of ice. We finished the day exploring the beautiful town, its bright-coloured homes, and its scenic views. The ship was joyous this evening as the crew and passengers digested the sensory overload we were all grateful to experience, thanks to Hurtigruten. Fun fact: Greenland is 80% covered in ice, and It got its name from Erik The Red, an Icelandic murderer exiled to the island. He called it "Greenland", hoping the name would attract settlers. But according to scientists, Greenland was Let'sgreen more than 2.5 million years ago.

Icefjord Centre - One visit Upon arriving in Ilulissat on the west coast of Greenland on our Pole to Pole cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions to visit the magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, we followed this with a visit to the Icefjord Centre. We were impressed with the incredible architecture, which had minimal impact and nicely blended with its surroundings, using only steel and wood to construct over two years. The Icefjord Centre only opened 11 months ago. It was imposing and a great way to learn about the life stages of ice, from a drop of rain to snowflakes, calving, drifting and melting! A friendly chap who worked there joined us for coffee (the cafe onsite makes exceptional coffee) and shared his stories about Ilulissat and the dramatic changes they are experiencing due to climate change. Recently, the permafrost has been reducing, and the houses are beginning to shift and become damaged, among the changes in the ice. Thirty years ago, it was much closer to go and touch; now, the drive has become much longer. In the Ilulissat Icefjord, global warming is evident. The Greenlanders are thankful for the growing interest in an issue they live with and adapt to constantly. The area is a site of extensive research undertaken for centuries and, as a result, is said to facilitate insight into climate change. We enjoyed listening to and hearing about the village and how tourism is doubling and becoming stronger each year from around the globe; it was a beautiful, charming community with excellent infrastructure, nestled among a seascape of ice. The structure's roof has a viewing platform that provides a sensory overload of the Icefjord. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in this magical part of the world, be sure to visit.

Binh Dinh General Hospital - One Visit Binh Dinh General Hospital is only one year old, so it is spotless and modern; I recommend this hospital if you need medical attention. We attempted to get treated at other hospitals in Qui Nhon but were terrified of all the rusted equipment and quality of staff; no English and the level of care was not high on their agenda. Binh Dinh had lovely nurses and doctors, very caring and provided correct treatment advice. We only needed a wound redressed and cleaned, so unable to give feedback on other procedures.