Author Profile: Jane Dempster-smith

A great day trip if you are visiting Santiago is to catch a bus to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Ride the Ascensore Artillera, dine at the beach front in Vina de Mar or just enjoy a walk around the Flower...   view more

Guadalajara, a colonial town in Mexico, is full of interesting things to do and see. If you are there on a Sunday enjoy Car Free Sunday where cars are banned and people have right away on one of the major shopping...   view more

When in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico pick up your free Walking Guide for many of the boutique shops and galleries. There are several walks with clear instructions and details, we can highly recommend this...   view more

When you visit Mexico next if you can include Morelia on your visit we can highly recommend it. We were knocked over by the quality of the food and the...   view more

Enjoy one of Mexico's most colourful colonial cities Guanajuato, you will want to return time and time again. Great food, atmosphere, markets and many sights to...   view more

There are many sights to see in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, here we list only 5 of them. We love this colonial city in the heart of Mexico and we recommend everyone to put it on their bucket...   view more

There is so much to see and do in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. You should plan to spend at least 3 days here. Enjoy the food, the culture and wander the streets getting lost in the...   view more

Milan a city that conjures up luxury shopping, cathedrals, great food but did you know that Milan has canals. Check the canals out the in the evening for great food at great...   view more

Vientiane in Laos is the colonial city that represents the Old Asia. A city of temples, stupas, markets, promenade by the river and great restaurants. We recommend spending at least 3 days...   view more

A must to visit is Pompei, a day trip from Naples. We spent an eerily afternoon there as the heavens opened, it felt like the world was coming to an end...   view more

We love Santorini Greece! We fell in love with Oia on the Island of Santorini the very first day we arrived. It probably had a lot to do with where we stayed and the ‘to die for’ views of the Caldera from our...   view more

When we had a chance to travel to Istanbul, high on our bucket list was a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Unfortunately, we couldn’t buy anything, we had sold our home and our possessions and downsized to a few storage containers of tax files and...   view more

The Topkapi Palace is one of the top attractions in Sultanahmet, Istanbul. It is worth getting there early in the day, as the queues start well before the opening time of 9...   view more

Granada Nicaragua has a lot to offer the traveller. Colonial buildings, Calle La Calzada a street of great bars and restaurants with loads of character, churches and cathedrals, parks and markets are all on offer in this colonial...   view more

Zihuatanejo was a place we had never heard of, but we are so glad we visited and we even extended our time there by 3 weeks. Great location in a sheltered harbour, fresh seafood supplied by restaurants on the beach and just a cool place to hang...   view more

What better way to spend a day visiting the Temples of Bagan by horse and cart. There are so many temples to see ensure that you include the sunset view from one of the main temples - it is an amazing...   view more

What better way to experience a city like Santiago but a Free Walking Tour where you can enjoy the sights, coffee and history with like minded...   view more

It was Good Friday in Buenos Aires and we had arrived the day before on an overnight bus from the Iguazu Falls. The sun was shining and we couldn’t wait to explore this city that we had heard so much about from other...   view more

“Already breathless” and we had just landed in Cusco, Peru. We had arrived two weeks early to acclimatise for our four day Machu Picchu...   view more

A bustling vibrant city where the traffic is a nightmare, the heat intense, the noise deafening, but you can experience amazing temples, boat rides on the river, great food, friendly people and it is unique like no other place on...   view more

We love free walking tours especially the Casco Historico tour we did in Seville, Spain.The tour started in Plaza Nueva near the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) at...   view more

Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, full of history, ancient stories and mystery, is located on the small island of the same name in...   view more

Oh Toulouse! We did not give ourselves enough time to enjoy your highlights. We will return one day, we promise. With only 4 hours in total to spend what can you do and see in such a short...   view more

On our way to visit the Wineries of the Peljesac Peninsular with Insider Holidays we stopped off to visit the medieval town of Ston, 59 km from...   view more

Up until 1992 Bilbao was a polluted industrial city in decline and today it has been heralded as one of Europe’s best-known success stories – a vibrant colourful city that you want to spend time in discovering its...   view more

Sandra was very passionate about her home town of Dubrovnik and we spent the next hour enjoying her company and her sense of humor whilst learning about “The Pearl of the Adriatic” –...   view more

A few shorts hours in Lisbon Portugal gave us a taste of this City which is rich in culture and history. We were travelling on a Reposition Cruise from Bilbao in Spain to Colon in Panama with Lisbon being the first port of...   view more

A Valencia Emblematic Free Walking Tour should be on everyone’s ‘to do’ list when visiting Valencia in Spain. This tour will take you to areas that are less known and off the usual tourist...   view more

What an interesting past Granada has had! It reads like a political thriller with invasions from the Muslims in 711, becoming one of the richest cities in Europe, to the Christians invasion in 1492 and the expulsion of Jews in the 17th...   view more

Who loves Mexican Food? How about enjoying traditional Mayan food whilst on vacation in the Yucatan? We were keen to find out more about Mexican Cuisine whilst we were travelling around the...   view more

We had heard so much about Izamal “The Yellow City” and had seen some stunning photos of this unique colonial town in the Yucatan Mexico, we just had to go and see for ourselves what all the hype was...   view more

There is no better way to get to the heart of a city or its people than by taking a walking food tour and that is just what we did with Taste Porto Food...   view more

Who would have thought there were so many things to do in Madeira Portugal. Two weeks spent on Madeira island and we still did not cover all that we wanted to. Madeira surprised...   view more

Our guide on what to do in Madeira will help you plan your time in Madeira effectively even if you have only a few days. Ideally, if you can spend a week, this is the perfect 7-day Madeira itinerary that will cover all the attractions, where to eat and...   view more

We are passionate about walking tours in each place that we visit, especially the walking tour of Funchal Madeira that we took with Beata from History...   view more

What to do in Barbados? Where do we start? After spending 3 months on the island house sitting and living like a local we have put together an extensive guide that will assist you in planning what to do in...   view more

One day in Dubrovnik is all that you may have time for. Whether you are arriving in Dubrovnik by cruise ship or combining holidays to Croatia with another destination, most of your time will be taken up inside the Dubrovnik city...   view more

A walking tour of Triana in Seville, Spain is one of the best things to do in Seville. We love free walking tours, we learn so much from passionate locals who want to ‘show off’ their cities to...   view more

Neum’s claim to fame is that it is the only seaside resort in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Nestled in the 9km long corridor its second claim to fame is that it has the highest number of sunny days in the...   view more

Brisbane, 38 years since we last visited, and in one week we found 100 things to do in Brisbane and more. We were impressed with the changes and from what we gather chatting to the locals it came about due to World Expo in...   view more

The state of Kerala has been described as a ‘palm-fringed paradise’. A small Indian state full of silvery white beaches, breathtaking views, lush green valleys and mountains, stunning tea plantations and calming backwaters to relax on in rustic old rice...   view more

Cuba is changing rapidly and if you want to experience the real Cuba now is the time to travel there. Your trips to Cuba will be unlike any other country you have...   view more

Hot tips on Brisbane attractions on where to go, what to eat and what to do from a local are invaluable for getting the most out of your visit to Brisbane. There are plenty of free things to do in Brisbane here is our list of what we think are the...   view more

We were surprised to find out that Buffalo is the 2nd largest city in New York State, the first being New York itself. We were fortunate to spend 48 hours in the company of Visit Buffalo Niagara where we received first-hand knowledge of the city from those who know it...   view more

One of the best things to do in Chiang Mai is A Chef’s Tour – Chiang Mai Food tour, especially if you are like us, and you are a fan of the freshness and flavours of Thai...   view more

Our Hanoi Itinerary will help you plan your weekend stay in Hanoi Vietnam. Our guide will also assist you in planning a trip mid-week but you will miss out on the vibrant Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Street that starts at 7 pm on Friday night and concludes at midnight on Sunday...   view more

Kotor’s City Walls – only 1350 steps to the fort that overlooks the Bay of Kotor. Sounded easy! On arrival into Kotor Montenegro by bus a few days prior, the imposing wall, church and fort towered over the city and the Bay of...   view more

Ho Chi Minh City is located in the Southeastern region of Vietnam. It is also known as Saigon by locals and tourists alike.Ho Chi Minh City was once known as Prey Nokor. At this time it was a Khmer Trading Port. It is still called Prey Nokor by the...   view more

Hue (pronounced hway) has a lot to offer the visitor from the best of local cuisine, war history, French colonial architecture, pagodas, Emperor’s tombs, the Imperial City that rivals China’s Imperial City and...   view more

We spent 3 nights staying in beautiful accommodation, enjoying the flavours of Mudgee and its gastronomic delights, sampling some of the best NSW Wines and Gin we have tasted, as well as a morning spent visiting Gulgong, a historic town close...   view more

Discover the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia that are free and if you are on a budget we have you covered as well. We share with you what you can see for free, activities that will cost, how to get around easily, where to stay and...   view more

Siem Reap and it’s #1 tourist drawcard Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most popular destination. If you are a fan of Asian history, incredible Angkor Wat definitely ticks the boxes, there is nothing else like...   view more

There are many things to do in Phnom Penh and as such we recommend that you plan to spend at least 4 nights or even longer if time...   view more

We were fans of Belgian beer, Belgian chocolate and of course their famous Belgian waffles and our Bruges weekend break needed to include all...   view more

Oaxaca (pronounced wa-Ha-ca) is a vibrant, culinary rich, authentic Mexican colonial city that you should plan to include on your next visit to Mexico, if you haven’t...   view more

Puebla, a popular day trip from Mexico City, is worth more than a day trip. Mexico’s 5th largest city offers the visitor unique colonial architecture, amazing museums, the best of local cuisine including Mole poblano, colourful streets and one of the best Cinco de Mayo parades on the 5th...   view more

Are you planning to visit Sydney? Are you wondering how much you can see in 4 days in Sydney? Ideally, 7 days are perfect to see Sydney without rushing it, but, with our 4-day Sydney itinerary, you will be able to see the major highlights of our stunning harbour city. We are so passionate about our home town and we know you will be as...   view more

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia. Adelaide is known for its festivals, food and wine and its beautiful parks and gardens. It is also known as the city of churches. This title does not relate to the number of churches but to the number of denominations represented in the city. If you’re visiting for the first time, here’s a suggested 3-day Adelaide itinerary to help you make the most of your stay. If you are a return visitor we may have some new experiences for you to...   view more

Are you planning a journey to Wollongong? You have chosen a beautiful part of the South Coast in NSW. I was born in Wollongong and it holds a special place in my heart. Wollongong has grown over the years since I left and has matured into a destination that holds its...   view more

Planning a visit to Orange in NSW? A great country destination in NSW to spend at least 3 nights, you will not be disappointed. If you are a wine lover their vineyards and cellar doors are some of the best in NSW. If it is local produce you are searching for you will have so much choice. If you are looking for top restaurants and cafes you have found the right...   view more

Welcome to the tropical paradise of Broome Western Australia. Known for its stunning white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich cultural heritage, Broome offers all travellers an array of unforgettable...   view more

Abu Simbel, a small village in southern Egypt, is home to one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the country – the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. With its stunning architecture and rich history, Abu Simbel is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling through Egypt. In this article, we share with you how to spend 2 days in Abu Simbel, from exploring the temple in the evening and again at...   view more

Aswan, a picturesque city located along the Nile River in southern Egypt, is a destination that offers a perfect blend of ancient history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. With only two days to explore this enchanting city, it is essential to make the most of your time. From exploring ancient temples and cruising the Nile to shopping at local markets and indulging in delicious Egyptian cuisine, our 2 days in Aswan itinerary will guide you through the best experiences. So pack your bags...   view more

Are you planning a trip to Luxor and wondering how to make the most of your time in this ancient city? Look no further! In this article, top things to do in Luxor in 4 days, we will guide you through an exciting itinerary that will allow you to explore the rich history and culture of Luxor. From visiting iconic landmarks such as the Karnak Temple Complex and Valley of the Kings, to experiencing traditional Egyptian cuisine and taking a hot air balloon ride over the Nile River – there is...   view more

If you are planning a trip to Egypt and want to explore more than just Cairo, Alexandria is a must-visit destination. Known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” this historic city offers a fascinating blend of ancient wonders, a stunning coastline, and vibrant culture. With only two days to spare, it’s essential to have a well-planned itinerary and efficient transport options at your disposal. In this article, we will guide you through the best way to visit Alexandria Egypt in 2 days,...   view more

If you’re planning a trip to Cairo and have limited time, don’t worry – three days is enough to explore the highlights of this vibrant city. From iconic ancient wonders to bustling markets and delicious cuisine, Cairo offers a rich cultural experience that will leave you awestruck. In this article, we have crafted the perfect Cairo in 3-day itinerary for you, ensuring that you make the most of your time in Egypt’s bustling capital. Get ready to immerse yourself in history, soak up the...   view more

Welcome to Palm Cove, Queensland, a tropical paradise nestled along the stunning coastline of Australia. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood dishes or exotic international cuisine, Palm Cove offers an array of top-notch dining options that will tantalize your taste buds. From beachfront bistros to elegant fine-dining establishments, join us as we explore the top places to eat in Palm Cove and discover culinary delights that are sure to leave you satisfied and longing for...   view more

Melbourne may be known for its thriving food scene and world-class events, but you don’t need to spend a dollar to experience its creative energy. From vibrant laneways splashed with street art to peaceful gardens, historic markets, free museums, and waterfront strolls, the city is overflowing with no-cost experiences. This guide uncovers Melbourne’s best free attractions and hidden gems—perfect for travellers who want to soak up culture, nature, and urban magic without stretching their...   view more