Fancy swimming in the shadow of Kings Cross, hiking in the skies of New York or surfing in the middle of Munich? It’s all possible in these awesome urban-meets-rural architectural features.
Urban outdoor adventures
February 18, 2015 § 1 Reply
Category Archives: travel
Horse riding across Dartmoor
February 10, 2015 § Leave a reply
Giddyingup on a ride across Dartmoor on a gorgeous quarter horse called Fred. I met a proper cowboy and everything. Then I wrote about it for Countryfile.com.
Interview: BBC Frozen Planet director Elizabeth White
Film maker Elizabeth White, who basically has the best job in the entire world, on dodging polar bears in the Arctic and meeting sea gypsies in Sulawesi.
Places to stay: A little escape to Lyme Regis
Messing about on the Dorset coast with the lovely Lucy. Lyme Regis is a bit of a beauty, all pastel beach huts, glorious fossil-filled beaches and the epic Cobb snaking out to sea. And I successfully ate an oyster for the first time ever *proud*.
How to: pack for a ski season
November 20, 2014 § Leave a reply
Off on a ski season this winter? You don’t need warm pants, extra scarves or photos of your dog. Trust me, I’ve seen enough emergency care packages get delivered to Cadbury’s-starved seasonnaires to know that if you’re off to work a winter you require:
Places to stay: Bluestone, Pembrokeshire
October 31, 2014 § 1 Reply
A weekend at the eco-friendly Bluestone National Park Resort, a luxurious base from which to explore Pembrokeshire.
Competition: Win tickets to the Adventure Travel Show 2015
October 28, 2014 § 8 Replies
In January the world’s most daring explorers, talented travel photographers and coolest tour companies (plus hundreds of fans of the road less travelled) are converging on The Adventure Travel Show 2015 in London. Fancy a day of inspiring talks (including Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Swoon.), workshops and seminars? I’ve got five pairs of tickets to give away.
How to cycle around Amsterdam
October 27, 2014 § Leave a reply
Hire a rusty fixie bike and explore the cobblestones, cafes and canals of Amsterdam. Pedal power is all you need to discover the city’s gems (well, that and this handy guide to cycling like a local).
Top eight extreme adventures in the world
October 25, 2014 § 2 Replies
Push your adrenaline levels to an all-time high with eight of the craziest extreme adventure experiences on the planet (I’ve ticked off three so far). There’s volcano bungee jumping, hair-raising cycling, antarctic running and cheese. Because all good lists include cheese.
#BestSummerEver part 6: hanging out in New York City
October 13, 2014 § 1 Reply
For my final Malibu #BestSummerEver adventure I learnt the death-defying art of flying trapeze in Manhattan. You know, just casually.
Wild swimming at the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
October 10, 2014 § 2 Replies
Take a dip somewhere a little bit magic – the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye. Crystal clear icy water flows from the foot of the Cuillin mountains, forming lagoons and waterfalls that’ll both enchant you and give you serious brain freeze.
7 great British surfing beaches
October 9, 2014 § Leave a reply
Frosty green waves, ominous grey skies and wearing a jumper underneath your wetsuit – it’s British surfing season again. Here are seven of the best beaches to hit now that the crowds have gone and the waves are picking up. Gnarly.
#BestSummerEver part 5: escaping to the Catskills
October 6, 2014 § 2 Replies
For my fifth Malibu #BestSummerEver adventure my friend Bobby and I went roadtripping into the beautiful, bear-filled Catskill mountains in New York State.
Interview: Wildlife wonder woman Sally Snow
September 29, 2014 § Leave a reply
A chat with Sally Snow, zoologist, documentary maker and self-proclaimed ‘environment bum’, on saving whale sharks in the Philippines and wanting to be Eliza Thornberry when she grows up.
The best water sports to try in Spain
September 22, 2014 § Leave a reply
Blessed by beautiful coastlines, miles of shiny beaches and just the right kind of wind, Spain is heaven for lovers of the life aquatic. Here are my four favourite water sports to try on its sunny shores.
#BestSummerEver part 4: Surf adventures in Alice the campervan
September 10, 2014 § 1 Reply
For the fourth of my Malibu #BestSummerEver posts Pete and I hit the road in a campervan named Alice for a weekend of surfing, bacon sandwiches and making friends with small ponies.
Guest Post: Summer surfing in Peniche, Portugal
September 8, 2014 § Leave a reply
The awesome Karina Kold is still living the dream – here she hits the waves in Portugal and shares a day in the life at Peniche Surf Lodge.
#BestSummerEver part 2: Canoeing on the River Wye
August 27, 2014 § 2 Replies
In the second of my Malibu #BestSummerEver posts I headed down the River Wye in a canoe, pretending to be in Swallows and Amazons.
The great #BestSummerEver bucket list!
August 14, 2014 § 10 Replies
Oh I do like making lists. So when Malibu got in touch and asked me to create a bucket list of all the adventures that would make up my dream summer, I gave them a big squishy hug and got right on it. And here it is! Now I have actually do all this stuff, on the quest for the perfect summer! Check back over the next few weeks for canoe fun, VW vans and an escape to New York City…
My favourite travel accessories
August 11, 2014 § Leave a reply
Where are you off gallivanting this summer? Whether you’re getting bug-bitten in the Peruvian jungle or city slicking on a Roman Holiday, make sure you pack a few of my favourite bits of travel kit in your rucksack.
Review: Skye Wilderness Safari
July 27, 2014 § 4 Replies
Hiking the Trotternish ridge, eating like kings, sleeping under the stars and getting very wet socks with Skye Wilderness Safaris.
Places to stay: Big Blue Diving, Koh Tao, Thailand
June 19, 2014 § 2 Replies
Heading to Thailand this summer? Avoid party islands Koh Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan and head instead to Koh Tao, their chilled out white-sand-and-jungle little brother. This tiny weeny (21 sq km) but bountiful island is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf, a diving haven stuffed with bright coral and undulating manta rays. Try some gentle snorkelling or get serious and scuba dive with Big Blue Diving.
Climbing on the Dorset coast
June 18, 2014 § Leave a reply
Getting a serious adrenaline rush climbing the beautiful cliffs and quarries of the Dorset coast. My hands are ruined and I can now tie a nifty figure of eight knot – I must be a proper climber.
A visit to the Farne Islands, Northumberland
June 16, 2014 § Leave a reply
A boat ride to the magical Farne Islands, where clownlike puffins potter about by your feet, grey seals loll lazily on the rocks and arctic terns try their best to beat you up.
Places to stay: The Art House, Isle of Skye
June 5, 2014 § Leave a reply
This is the Art House, a cosy slice of Scandinavian chic nestled on Skye’s rugged coastline that is filled with good things. Like epic views, a warm welcome and a dog named Watson.
How to: plan a long distance cycle – the best UK routes
May 21, 2014 § Leave a reply
Part two of my collab with Sustrans to send you on your merry cycling way. Once you’re prepped and ready, these are some of the prettiest UK routes you can get your biking teeth into.
Places to stay: Borgo Pignano, Tuscany
May 14, 2014 § Leave a reply
World, meet somewhere I should probably keep secret – the wonderful Borgo Pignano, a medieval estate turned eco farm nestled in the Tuscan hills.
Three Eurostar adventures by bike
May 8, 2014 § Leave a reply
If you’ve got a case of itchy feet this weekend, hop on the Eurostar and go see a beautiful new place by bike. It’s quick and easy, and before you know it you’ll be getting lost in Amsterdam, following the Pilgrim’s trail to Provence or pootling around Paris.
Places to stay: Surfing in Morocco
April 26, 2014 § 3 Replies
A sunshiney week on the coast at Taghazout, Morocco, staying at Mint Surf, exploring the souks of Agadir and pretending to be in Point Break (but only on the little waves).
Places to stay: Beachcombing in Beer
April 9, 2014 § Leave a reply
A wander around the little seaside town of Beer, Devon, which has fishing boats, nice shells and about a gazillion deckchairs. Oh, and maybe the best name ever.
Places to stay: Damp on Dartmoor
April 7, 2014 § 3 Replies
It was my birthday last week (oh hello middle-to-late twenties!) and a big gang of us went to stay on Dartmoor for sunshine and barbeques. And then it rained a lot, so instead we went walking in bogs, met the Hound of the Baskervilles and drink a lot of gin by the fire.
Guest post: Wine tasting by bike in Argentina
April 4, 2014 § Leave a reply
My travel-mad mate Karina Kold goes wine tasting on two wheels through the sunny vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina. I’m not jealous AT ALL.
Review: Western riding in the New Forest
April 3, 2014 § Leave a reply
A delightful Saturday afternoon riding western-style around the New Forest, spotting wild ponies and pretending to be in Brokeback Mountain. Tally ho!
Places to stay: Principe Delle Neve, Cervinia, Italy
March 28, 2014 § Leave a reply
My new series of special places to stay around the world kicks off with the decadent Principe Delle Neve Hotel in Cervinia, the poshest pitstop on the Italian slopes. Shot ski, anyone?
Competition: Win £2000 of epic adventure travel with Blacks and Explore
March 26, 2014 § Leave a reply
Exciting news, fellow wanderlusters! I’m one of the judges of an amazing new competition from Explore.co.uk and Blacks – budding photographers can win £2000 of adventure travel.
Interview: Adventurer and author Dave Cornthwaite
March 14, 2014 § Leave a reply
Dave Cornthwaite is a man on a mission – to complete 25 expeditions of 1000 miles or more, each using a different form of non-motorised transport. Eight journeys in, he tells me about paddling the Mississippi, planning micro adventures and learning to fit your life in your rucksack.
My favourite wild swimming spots
Feeling a deep desire to go splashing about in rivers and cliffjumping into lagoons? The UK is peppered with stunning locations in which to dip your toes, from epic waterfalls in Wales to a magician’s cove in Cornwall. These are a few of my favourites.
Interview: Phoebe Smith, the adventurous editor of Wanderlust magazine
Phoebe Smith, globetrotting editor of Wanderlust and author of Extreme Sleeps: Adventures of a Wild Camper, tells me all about bedding down in subzero temperatures, getting starstruck in the Himalayas and where to find true wilderness in the UK.
Places to stay: Auckinleck house adventures
A gang of us headed up to Scotland to play at being lords and ladies of the manor for a week, staying at the stunning Auchinleck House, part of the Landmark Trust collection of properties. There was a lot of beach wandering, fireside reading and cuddling of Betty the dog involved and I took some nice snaps to share with you lot.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Itching to get out into the wilderness? Some of the finest scenery in the whole of the UK is only a couple of hours away from Edinburgh’s city centre. Hire a car in Edinburgh and take an epic road trip to the outdoors paradise of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
