Sleepless is Easy in Seattle

Twenty-four hours in the Emerald City keeps Ros Freeman wide awake.

It’s easy to be sleepless in Seattle. There’s so much to do in this fair city, stunningly situated between mountains, forests and water. The city is only a short flight from Alaska, which is why I’m here . . . but only for 24 hours.

Marnong Estate: Killing time

If you ever find yourself with a few hours to kill before flying out of from Melbourne Airport, then Marnong Estate is a name that should be on your radar, writes Winsor Dobbin.

Just a short drive from Tullamarine, Marnong is a popular destination for Melbourne wine and food lovers. 

It is also a delightful destination for anyone who might enjoy a day or two away in the vineyards.

Northwest Passage: Ice Would be Nice

A changing climate has turned the treacherous Northwest Passage into a pushover, discovers Roderick Eime

We’re all crowded on the bridge, at least 20 of us, peering out to the horizon with powerful binoculars and telephoto lenses. Surely we’ll see something soon.

Under the Shade in Belize

On the cayes and lagoons of Belize, Ros Freeman finds a Caribbean country rich in wildlife, colour and easy charm, where the greatest travel dilemma is whether to explore or simply do nothing at all.

I’m running late! Two weeks late, to be precise. Legend has it that if you swim on Good Friday in Belize, you could turn into a mermaid. Imagine that? Passports wouldn’t be a travel requirement, though sharks could pose a bigger problem.

Finniss River Lodge: Is this where Crocodile Dundee goes on vacation? [video]

Australia’s Northern Territory really is an untamed land. And with these massive carnivores lurking in the shadows, no one is going to try.  

“Be careful not to get too close,” warns Chase, “they can be a bit unpredictable.”

Steel and Stone: Yorkshire’s Great Railway Journey

John Newton returned to his roots in northern England to board the Settle to Carlisle railway, a journey that traverses a spectacular viaduct and takes in the unforgettable landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and neighbouring Cumbria.

From the soaring arches of Ribblehead to the windswept heights of Dent, the Settle–Carlisle line remains one of Britain’s most compelling rail journeys—saved from closure and now firmly back on track.

Grand Hotel and Casino in Port Vila: A Warm Island Welcome

A landmark return to Port Vila’s waterfront, the Grand Hotel and Casino reopens after extensive restoration, pairing sweeping Pacific views with refreshed interiors, renewed dining and a steady sense of local continuity. Sandip Hor investigates.

“Wow” is exactly the word that sprinted out of my mouth the moment I entered my room at the recently reopened Grand Hotel and Casino in Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu. The 270-degree scenic views of the Pacific Ocean through the floor-to-ceiling high glass windows surrounding the round-shaped floor space, simply mesmerised me.

Libya Uncovered: Ruins, Realities and a Return to the Map

After decades of isolation, Libya is cautiously reopening to travellers and revealing extraordinary Roman ruins, layered history and a complex modern identity. World traveller, Ros Freeman, fulfils a promise to herself.

There can be no better place in Libya than sitting atop a Roman amphitheatre, gazing out over the clear blue Mediterranean. In the distance, ancient galleons once traversed these waters, sails billowing. In the foreground, orchestras played as masked mime artists danced across the stage before enthralled audiences.