-
The 48 nations in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to an end tomorrow, 19 July 2026, with the final between Argentina and Spain set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This marks the 23rd edition of the world’s premier football tournament (or soccer, as it is known in North America). The tournament began on 11 June 2026 and made history as the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada. It was also the first World Cup since 2002 to be staged across multiple nations. For Canada, this was its first time hosting or co-hosting the tournament, while the United States previously hosted in 1994.…
-
Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR
The title of this post might be a little misleading. I’m not writing about a journey I’ve taken – at least not yet. Despite my love of travel and long-standing fascination with the former Soviet Union, I have yet to visit Russia or any of the other 14 countries that emerged after the collapse of the USSR. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) comprised 15 constituent republics, all of which became independent states following its dissolution on 26 December 1991. My inspiration for this post – and indeed its title – comes from a book I recently read: Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR, by journalist and…
-
9 things to do in Vienna
When I think of Vienna, three things immediately come to mind: classical music, psychotherapy, and coffee. Every New Year’s Day, I enjoy watching the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert, broadcast live from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. This year, the concert was conducted by the Canadian maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, marking his debut at the helm of this world-famous event. The programme featured an eclectic mix of traditional Strauss family waltzes alongside lesser-known works by composers such as Franz von Suppè, Josef Lanner, and Florence Price. A few months later, in May 2026, I visited Vienna for another major musical event: the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2025, Eurovision had taken…
-
Beyond Bali: Lombok and the Gili Islands
Indonesia is made up of more than 17,000 islands, of which around 6,000 are inhabited. It has the fifth-highest number of islands in the world, after Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Canada, while also being the world’s largest archipelagic state. The country’s main islands are Sumatra, Java, Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Sulawesi, and New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), whereas Bali remains the most visited. Nearby, Nusa Penida is famous for its dramatic cliffs and Instagram-famous beaches, while Nusa Lembongan offers white-sand beaches along with diving and surfing opportunities. Lombok is popular for trekking, surfing, and beaches, whereas the Gili Islands are known for their relaxed atmosphere, snorkelling…
-
#EatSurfCoffeeRepeat in Siargao
Siargao is world-renowned as the surfing capital of the Philippines, thanks in large part to the legendary Cloud 9 wave. When I recently travelled to the Philippines, I spent more than a week on the island. That said, I did not surf at Cloud 9 itself, but at Paradise and Talisay instead. Finding a surf school is easy. I personally surfed with Marama Surf Club. A two-hour lesson costs 1,400 pesos (£17), though you can get a small discount if you buy a five- or ten-lesson pass. Beyond surfing, Siargao is equally loved for its laid-back island atmosphere, with trendy cafés and restaurants lining the main road in General Luna,…
-
Island-hopping in the Philippines
The Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands; of these, only around 2,000 are inhabited. Interestingly, it has the seventh-highest number of islands in the world, after Sweden, Finland, Norway, Canada, Indonesia, and Australia. The country has an area of approximately 300,000 square kilometres and a population of around 117.7 million people. It ranks as the 14th most populous country globally. Before my three-week trip to the Philippines earlier this year, I had no idea about these facts, and I couldn’t name a single island. In this post, I’m not going to share the exact itinerary that I followed; instead, I’m going to describe the one I would have followed…
-
36 Hours in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco and one of Mexico’s largest cities. Despite its size, it feels far more manageable and relaxed than Mexico City. Located in western Mexico, Guadalajara is famous as the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila, and is known for its elegant colonial architecture, lively plazas, and vibrant cultural scene. When I last visited Mexico, I spent three nights in Guadalajara (roughly two and a half days). In hindsight, I think a day and a half to two days is enough to experience the highlights while still enjoying the city’s laid-back atmosphere. Day 1 — Evening For dinner, I highly recommend Alcalde, one of Guadalajara’s…
-
Where to eat and drink in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is widely regarded as Mexico’s culinary capital. Its markets are filled with the scent of toasted chillies and fresh masa, and its cuisine is famous for complex mole sauces—particularly mole negro—alongside tlayudas, memelas, and rich hot chocolate frothed with cinnamon. Chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) appear as a salty snack or taco filling, while smoky mezcal from the surrounding valleys is often enjoyed during long, relaxed evenings. In this post, I share my favourite places in Oaxaca for food and drinks. Cafés in Oaxaca: Café Brújula Alcalá Café Brújula Alcalá is my favourite café in Oaxaca. Despite its central location (very close to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption…
-
5 (+1) things to do in Bologna
Bologna is a lively university city in northern Italy, known for its deep red architecture, miles of covered porticoes, and a food culture that has shaped Italian cuisine well beyond its borders. Home to the oldest university in the Western world, it balances academic life with a distinctly local rhythm, from busy markets to late-night piazzas. The city’s medieval towers, including the leaning Asinelli and Garisenda, rise above a historic center that feels both well preserved and thoroughly lived in, while dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini in brodo anchor Bologna’s reputation as Italy’s culinary capital. I visited Bologna a few months ago. If you’re also planning to…
-
9 (+1) things to do in Venice
Venice is a historic city in northeastern Italy, built on more than 100 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. It is connected by a network of canals and over 400 bridges, with the Grand Canal serving as its main thoroughfare. Founded in the 5th century, Venice grew into a powerful maritime republic and a major centre of trade, art, and architecture. Today it is known for landmarks such as St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge, as well as for its ongoing challenges, including flooding, mass tourism, and the preservation of its fragile built environment. I visited Venice last September and today I…