Travel

Agree or disagree with today's cabbie protest against Uber, but even its drivers would concede that a black cab journey costs a fair chunk of cash. Anyone stung by a foolhardy moment of extravagance will regret it when the metre notches up your spend quicker than a petrol station pump. It transpires that this cash - or fun tokens, if you will - could be better spent flying hundreds of miles to somewhere exotic and/or cheaper than Balham. So when...

Ireland’s decision to allow same-sex marriage by popular referendum is a wider message about the acceptance of the gay community within its walls. For decades, it was viewed as a no-go area for gay tourists. But rapidly changing views meant that the convivial country became a European hotspot – and now with this societal thumbs up, its unique gay scene is there to enjoy as much as its other offerings. While most hotpsots are confined to the cities, there is...

There's more to the French town than the film festival. All year round, its sunny climes and array of luxury amenities attract the world's great and good, the movers and shakers. The high standards mean the bar is raised when it comes to its dining experiences, making it a mecca for visiting gourmands as much as the film industry. When the two combine? A veritable feast of creativity. Here are our top 10 restaurant picks for this year's Cannes Film...

By Jack Peat, TLE Editor  If you have 15 minutes to spare, France is a real treat for a spot of lunch. A quick hop over the channel in a Luxury turboprop King Air B200 and you can grab a bite to eat in the playground of rich Parisians. The golden beaches, stunning architecture and gastronomic eateries offer ample excuse to take the short leap onto the continent. And thanks to a new hospitality package from Lyddair, fine wine, delectable restaurants and local markets are...

By Harry Bedford Connotations of Thailand tend to revolve around beautiful sun-drenched beaches, crystal-clear water and small bays surrounded by protective rocks and palm trees, but head to the mountains of Northern Thailand, near the Burmese border, and you’ll discover the quirky town of Pai. Ninety miles north of Thailand’s second city, Chiang Mai, along a road with over 700 bends, Pai is a sleepy town in a valley surrounded by a serene mountain backdrop that is fast becoming a...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent Queenstown Airport has been voted the best runway view in the world according to a new poll which includes three UK entrants. A study conducted by the private jet booking service PrivateFly asked  a panel of international travel experts and travel fans for their most scenic airport landings in its annual survey, with the most votes this year going to the New Zealand airport. Voters commented that "the thrill and beauty stuns you as you come in...

Given its incredible culture, stunning scenery and natural phenomenon - not just the northern lights but the 24-hour days/nights, geysers and hot springs for starters - we assume any travel fiend worth their air miles would have visited Iceland already. It's made all the more easy for visitors thanks to its routed Golden Circle tour, which takes in the original geyser, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. But for those who've been there and done that, we unveil the Purple...

If the Inca Trail is too passé and yoga retreats in Goa are old news, there are more novel holidays for the active holidaymaker to consider. Experimential travel start-up trip4real gives us seven ideas to try out this year, with some of their newest novel experiences. 1. Scrambling in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park Climb the impressive granite rock formations of La Pedriza or the Penalara ridge, tailored to your skill and strength levels. A great, heart-pumping outdoor adventure just one...