Author Profile: Ian Mackenzie

I’d been aware of the turbulent history of Amritsar and read about the incredibly welcoming nature of its majority Sikh population. But it wasn’t until we spent three unbelievably hot days there that we really got a sense of how special the place really...   view more

It’s impossible to stroll across Budapest’s Margaret Bridge at night without stopping to gaze along the River Danube towards the illuminated glories of Parliament Building, Chain Bridge, Gellert Hill and Buda Castle. It’s one of those iconic views that needs to be...   view more

Bagan was different. The people we met, the wonderful staff at our guest house and, of course, the incredibly evocative temples and stupas of this historic ancient city, dazzled us from the moment we...   view more

Leh is the capital of Ladakh, a mountainous region within the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The region is predominantly populated by ethnic Tibetans, practising...   view more

So, by the time we’d reached the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan’s “Pink City”, we were already feeling jaded by what was feeling like a relentless attempt by a long line of people to make money out of us in some...   view more

More than ten years on, Banda Aceh has been pretty much rebuilt from scratch, while permanent memorials to the disaster remain. Together with its beautifully tropical surroundings, it would seem like an obvious place for at least a steady trickle of tourists to seek out and...   view more

Cartagena’s position on Colombia’s Caribbean coast has long attracted visitors ever since the Spanish established it as the main northern gateway to South America back in the 16th...   view more

Despite its troubled past, Medellín is quickly reinventing itself as one of Colombia’s must-visit destinations. This despite it not being blessed with obvious attractions such as Cartagena’s photogenic, historic...   view more

Panama City isn’t exactly considered a budget destination for many. And it’s true that you could easily spend a small fortune if you decide to include all the “must-do” sights on organised tours and eat out at the many international...   view more

San Francisco is very much a walking city. But once you’ve dragged yourself up a few of its notorious hills and lookout points you might feel you’re entitled to give those weary legs a...   view more

Le Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s top tourist attractions. And it’s not hard to see why when you consider its history and spectacular location. So, with a forecast of warm, sunny weather on this particular mid-March day, we took a day trip there to find out what all the fuss was...   view more

It’s a city of paradoxes, where graffiti (or street art) is technically illegal, but where artists are actively encouraged to transform decaying buildings and facades with their ubiquitous spray...   view more

When it comes to food culture, there isn’t anywhere else on the continent to compare. And, to be honest, it was pretty much our whole reason for spending three days in...   view more

If you’re asked to name a Peruvian city that’s renowned for its exquisite colonial-era architecture and close proximity to world-class outdoor adventures then you might plump for Cusco. But while that city certainly has its attractions, we’d say that Arequipa is a more attractive...   view more

Blessed with a winning combination of extravagantly coloured buildings set amongst a breathtaking landscape of lush hills and a labyrinthine lake, Guatape is traveller’s...   view more

And if you’re travelling in Colombia, we think you’d be mad to miss Jardin. Not because there’s necessarily a wealth of things to do. But you just might leave the place with the widest, most satisfying grin you’ve had in ages. So here’s how we reckon you should spend your time...   view more

Mompox, also known as Santa Cruz de Mompox, or even Mompós, is a town in Colombia 125 miles south of Cartagena with a history as rich and enticing as its larger northern neighbour. And, like Cartagena, it boasts gloriously preserved buildings from its early Spanish colonial...   view more

The northeast coastline of Brazil is justly famed for its lavish beaches and eclectic food, attracting large numbers of visitors from home and across the world. But there are some historic colonial-era towns worth seeking out, too. Notably the cities of Salvador (in the state of Bahia) and Olinda (in...   view more

Think of a city tour of Rio de Janeiro and you’ll no doubt conjure up images of blissful sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and streets laden with samba-consumed revellers dressed in outlandish costumes. And yes, they’re an important part of the Rio experience. Perhaps less appreciated are the sights and sounds of the historic centre. Including its dark past when, just two centuries ago, it was the docking point for over two million slaves shipped from...   view more

Alright, Niteroi might not boast iconic landmarks, such as Copacabana Beach, Sugar Loaf Mountain or the Christ the Redeemer statue. Nor can it quite match the atmosphere that Rio can generate. Not many cities can. But, what it lacks in instantly recognisable Instagram backdrops, it more than compensates with great beaches, wonderful food – and yes, fabulous views of its brash sister across the...   view more

As an introduction to the colonial towns of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is quite possibly a perfect choice. Beautiful colonial architecture; clean, cobblestoned streets; festivals, fireworks and parades galore; and a central square dominated by a sumptuous fairy tale...   view more

There are so many things to do in Guadalajara Mexico, that it’s difficult to know where to start. Perhaps the most iconic would be watching a mariachi band play whilst sipping a local tequila. After all, the city is generally considered the birthplace of mariachi and the surrounding countryside is filled with the raw ingredients for producing Mexico’s national tipple. Although fans of mezcal would probably...   view more

Deciding on what to do in Merida, Yucatan State’s bustling capital city can be a challenge for the first-time visitor. But the truth is that most of its essential sights are concentrated around the historic centre and the tree-lined boulevard of Paseo de...   view more

Often referred to as nothing more than “Bath-in-miniature”, Bradford on Avon is a medieval town that’s a worthwhile day trip on its own merit. Although it sits just eight miles away from its more illustrious neighbour, it actually belongs to a different county – Wiltshire rather than Somerset. You won’t find any Roman-era baths to explore here. Nor will you find the need to fight your way through gangs of tour...   view more

This post is one of a series of articles featuring some of the places I was familiar with whilst growing up in Cheshire, England. Indeed, the recent lockdown and subsequent international travel restrictions have given me the perfect opportunity to revisit some old haunts – and discover some new ones along the way. And, hopefully, if you’re visiting this corner of northwest England, you might be inclined to try them out,...   view more

While most international visitors to Portugal head for the sun-drenched beaches of the Algarve and the cosmopolitan cities of Lisbon and Porto, the rural interior of the Alentejo region is often overlooked. It’s a land filled with rolling hills, cork trees, olive groves and vines. With a liberal sprinkling of gorgeous fortified towns thrown in for good measure. Especially near the Spanish border where they remain a testament to the resistance of pesky Spanish...   view more