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EDITOR'S RANT
Editor's Page/ Meet your Maker at Mach 5 
New generation supersonics will flatten your hair and fly you from the UK to Oz in five hours. more... PREVIOUS COLUMNS |
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REGULAR SECTIONS
Letters / readers vent their ire
Combining airline miles . the widest economy class seats . Who has the best new business class seats . Stuff stolen from baggage at Kuala Lumpur Airport . Why don't you feature Nepal? . Your Hong Kong shopping stories and tips saved our holiday from disaster . Fun in Singapore? Are you kidding? Tips on avoiding deep vein thrombosis aloft . more...
Stuff-To-Go / Hi-tech gadgets/ digital video camera reviews
Smart phone review with a look at the Apple iPhone, the HTC Touch, Sony Ericsson K850i, the 5 megapixel camera Nokia N95, the Motorola Q and the BlackBerry 8800. more...
Top Asian Hotels Collection / A stylish A4 section for quick reference
Top Asian Hotels directory. Our pick of some of the finest Asian business hotels, beach resorts, and spas. Each hotel is on its own A4 "page" with rich visuals, text, a slideshow, and occasional video. Print out the pages in excellent quality and then drool at leisure. more...
Travel news / Best travel deals in Asia
The best asia travel deals and spa holidays in Phuket, Bali, India, Maldives, Thailand, exotic spa retreats and unimaginable scrubs, Khao Lak resorts make a comeback, Thailand golf getaways, hotel deals and bargains, treks, beaches and hill climbs. more... |
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FEATURES
Asian Resort Weddings
Asian resort wedding hows from Bali to Thailand and India. Romantic beach locations, ceremonies, planning, and picking a memorable resort. more...
Best in Travel Poll 2007 / Readers vote in their best airlines, hotels, spas, destinations
Our readers vote in their 2007 airline, hotel, spa and destination favourites. Best travel brands in Asia and wordwide. more...
Child-Friendly Resorts
Need a resort for kids? A guide to child-friendly resorts in Asia where families are welcome. Kids clubs, activities, babysitters. more...
Fear Of Flying
There's hope for white-knuckle flyers. A look at airline programmes, hypnotherapy and more. more...
Medical Tourism in Asia
Asian medical tourism is big business. Here's why. A guide to the best Asian hospitals and services from Thailand, to India, Singapore and Malaysia. more...
Pod Hotels & Compact Stays
Hotel design is moving towards compact Pod hotels. Here's a few that may cramp your space but not your style or budget. more...
Rocketman
Strap on your jet packs and fly away. Fiction? Not really. Welcome the age of the rocket belt. more...
Second Life
Travel the world free. Take a virtual tour of Amsterdam, Rome and Hollywood in Second Life where your avatar does the talking - or typing. more...
Solo Travel
Single woman travel travails. Hassles galore for the single woman on the road, and ways around this. more...
Travel Health Risks in Asia
Travel medicine tips for travellers in Asia, vaccinations, and how to avoid bird flu, hepatitis, dengue, malaria, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis... more...
Tsunami / A guide to resort damage and recovery
A look at post-Tsunami resort damage and recovery in Asia. The Java tsunami aftermath. A tsunami message board and country by country resort and beach wear and tear details. Also how to donate and where. more...
Tsunami Comment / Why you should travel
Spending tourist dollars in tsunami-hit areas is the best way to ensure recovery and a meaningful holiday. more...
Tsunami Video / Three minute look at devastation and recovery
A three-minute video guide spotlighting the destruction in Khao Lak and speedy recovery, first week of January, 2005, in Phuket. We have this on three platforms - Windows Media, Quicktime and Real Player. The default page is for Windows Media. more...
Web Search Tips
Search engine tips for harried travellers. How to find travel gold by using simple key words and search phrases. more... |
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AIRLINES
Airbus vs Boeing
The A380 and B787 face off. Who's bigger, badder, best. more..
Business Class Seats Review
A review of the new business class seats and lie-flat beds. The best and worst business class aloft and widest seats. more...
Business Class Seats
Who has the flattest seat? Nothing else really matters does it? Plus a business class seat chart for comparison. more...
Economy Seats
Who has the best recline and the occasional video movie inflight? Entertainment and the best leg-stretching seats aloft. more...
First Class Seats Survey
A detailed First Class seat survey looking at bed width, recline, and facilities. Who offers the best - and most - space? more...
Frequent Flier Programs
Making sense of frequent flyer programmes, airline miles, and FFP redemptions with a detailed chart and survey of what's on offer. more...
Small Asian Airlines and Low Cost Carriers
Guide to small Asian airlines, Asian low cost airlines and budget airlines, country by country. No frills carriers, low cost start-ups and upstarts. more... |
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CRUISES
Cruises in Asia
Asian cruise dos and don'ts. Especially how to get in before the buffet scrum. Asia cruise ship schedules and routes. more... |
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DIVES
The Best Diving in Asia
A guide to the best Asian dives, top Asian dive resorts, and tips for a satisfying descent into the big blue. more...
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GOLF
The Best Golf in Asia
Our guide to the best golfing in Asia, top golf courses, clubs and golf resorts. more...
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AUSTRALIA
Cairns Holiday
Getaways for the entire family. Rainforests, beaches and quiet bed and breakfast places. more...
Melbourne Guide
A review of Melbourne business hotels and a guide to fine dining, shopping, art, wine and sightseeing. more...
Sydney Hotel Review and Fun Guide
Sydney business hotels, boutique inns, fun tours, Sydney Bridge climbs, dining, Sydney shopping and a whole bunch of wild and woolly pursuits. more...
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BHUTAN
Bhutan Hotel and Travel Adventure Guide
Bhutan treks, shopping, Paro and Thimphu hotels, Bhutan luxury resorts, awesome monasteries, dzongs, spas, information on getting your Bhutan visa, travel costs, adventure and more. more...
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CAMBODIA
Angkor
Angkor Wat temple complex explained, Siem Reap hotels, Angkor hotel guide, nightlife and dining. more...
Phnom Penh Guide
A no-holds-barred guide to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from hotels to dining and nightlife. more...
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CHINA
Beijing Business Hotels and City Guide
Beijing business hotels, leisure stops, Broadband Internet access, shopping in Beijing, bargain shopping, dining, taxis and getting around. more...
Guilin and Yangshuo Guide
From Guilin hotels to Yangshuo guest houses and river journeys. Caves, karsts, shopping and dining. more...
Sanya Resorts Guide
Guide to hotels in Sanya and Haikou. Also how to have a pretty wild night out, and live to tell the tale. more...
Shanghai Business Hotels and City Guide
Detailed Shanghi hotel guide, business hotels in Puxi and Pudong, executive room survey. more...
Shanghai Nightlife, Dining, Bars
A fun guide to Shanghai nightlife, cool Shanghai bars, dining, elegant hangouts, trendy haunts. more...
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HONGKONG
Hongkong Guide
Hong Kong guide to hikes, tailors, shops, bars, and the new Hong Kong Disneyland. more...
Hongkong Shopping
Hong Kong shopping guide from bargains to designer brands, factory outlets, Hongkong shopping sales, and Mongkok back alleys. Causeway Bay shopping, Central chic and Tsim Sha Tsui adventures. Links, rates, telephone numbers, music and video. more...
Hongkong Business Hotels Guide
Hong Kong hotel review, Hongkong business hotels, Central, Causeway Bay and Kowloon. Hong Kong hotel contact details, links, rates. more...
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INDIA
Andaman Islands
Virgin beaches for the taking. Slow, rustic lifestyle in the Andaman Sea. more...
Bangalore Business Hotels and City Guide
A review of Bangalore business hotels and some boutique and budget options. Bangalore fun, bars, dining. more...
New Delhi Business Hotels and City Guide
A detailed review of New Delhi business hotels, budget hotels, South Delhi guesthouses, Delhi shopping, and nightlife. more...
Goa Resorts and Beaches
A detailed Goa resorts review, a look at new hotels, best boutique properties and Goa spas. The best beaches, bars, and churches. more...
Gulmarg Skiing
Gulmarg ski resorts, snow slopes for skiing and snowboarding, and tips for skiing in Kashmir, India. more...
India Spas
New Age India spas from sea to sky. Ayurveda, tradition and modern remedies. A guide to Indian hotel spas, Kerala spas, Goa spa holidays and Himalayan retreats. Hotel and spa links, images and music. more...
Himachal Palace Hotels
A guide to Himachal Palace hotels and heritage properties, all with the splendid backdrop of the Himalayas. more...
Ladakh Guide
Ladakh guide to hotels, tours, treks,drives and awesome monasteries, 10,000ft up in the Himalayas. Offbeat Ladakh hotels. Hotel contact details, links, rates, images, video and slideshow. more...
Mumbai Hotel and City Guide
Bombay hotels, Mumbai business hotels, nightlife, tips, taxis and loads of fun stuff in India's financial capital. more...
Rajasthan Palace Hotels
A guide to the best Rajasthan palace hotels, havelis, and heritage homes. more...
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INDONESIA
Bali Guide
Bali guide to rafting the Ayung River, riding, off-road drives, dives, weddings, cruises and temples. more...
Bali Hotel and Resort Review
Bali Resorts, hotels and villas from Nusa Dua to Ubud, reviewed and served up in an easy-to-follow story for quick reference as a travel planner. Whether you're planning a business trip or a family vacation, we have it covered. more...
Bali Spas
Bali spa resorts review, hotel spas, and offbeat choices from Nusa Dua to Ubud and Seminyak. more...
Bali Video / A quick visual guide to the best of Bali
A three-minute video guide to Bali from Nusa Dua to Ubud, Lake Batur, Kuta sunsets and shopping, and Seminyak by night. more...
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JAPAN
Hokkaido Guide
Hokkaido skiing holidays, spas, and bars in and around Sapporo. more...
Tokyo Business Hotels and Fun Guide
Tokyo guide to unabashed fun, from bars and bizarre shops to trendy hotels, Tokyo business hotels, Tokyo shopping from Ginza to Shinjuku. more...
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KOREA
Seoul Business Hotels, Shopping, and City Guide
Seoul hotels, business hotels in Myong-dong and Kangnam, Seoul shopping, nightlife and fun. more...
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LAOS
Luang Prabang Guide
Luang Prabang, Cambodia, temples, sightseeing, tours, and Luang Prabang hotels and resorts. more...
Vientiane Hotel and City Guide
Vientiene hotels, guest houses, and Laos getaways to Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. Laos hotel tips. more...
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MACAU
Macau Casino Hotels and Guide
Macau guide to the best hotels and casinos, Macau shopping tips, sights, dining and nightlife. more...
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MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur Hotel Review
Kuala Lumpur hotel review, KL business hotels and a spot of saucy nightlife. more...
Kuala Lumpur Shopping
Kuala Lumpur shopping from bargains to brands. KL shopping guide and Kuala Lumpur megasale tips, dates and deals. more...
Langkawi Resorts Review
A detailed Langkawi hotel, resort and spa guide. Also ideas for Langkawi shopping and duty-free purchases. more...
Malaysia Spas
Malaysia spa resorts and hotels. A spa review covering major hotels and stand-alone establishments. more...
Penang Guide to Hotels and Spas
Penang hotel review, bars, and some ritzy malls for all-out Penang shopping. Penang spa resorts, sightseeing, tours, nightlife and dining. more...
Sabah Guide
From sea to sky in Malaysia's jungles. Kota Kinabalu hotels, resorts and sights. Sabah guide for beginners. more...
Tioman Guide
Tioman guide, Tioman resorts, hotels, budget stays and dives. Tioman for solo travellers, couples and families. more...
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MALDIVES
Maldives Resorts
A detailed Maldives resort guide providing a one-stop-shop for planning a holiday to these stunning islands. Resort links, images and music. more...
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MYANMAR
Yangon Guide
A detailed guide to Yangon, Yangon hotels, shopping, dining, and yes, even nightlife. Myanmar guide for beginners. Hotel contact details, rates, links, e-mail addresses and music. more...
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NEPAL
Nepal Treks
How to do the Annapurna Circuit and survive snow, Maoist guerillas and the altitude. Detailed tips for help, support and further enquiries. more...
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NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Guide
Auckland travel guide with a detailed Auckland business hotel review, leisure hotels, B&B choices, budget hotels, bars and shopping. more...
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PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Papua New Guinea Guide
Papua New Guinea survival guide, PNG resorts, dives, adventure, and dealing with crime in Port Morseby. more...
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PHILIPPINES
Boracay Resorts and Island Guide
A detailed Boracay resort and hotel guide with a look at some throbbing beach nightlife and bars. A Boracay dining guide and informating on getting to Boracay from Manila and enjoying a true-blue white sand Philippines holiday. more...
Cebu Resort Guide
A detailed Cebu resort and hotel guide plus nightlife. Mactan Island resorts, Cebu bars and nightclubs, Cebu diving, dive resorts and food. more...
Manila Business Hotels and Fun Guide
Manila hotels, business hotels, Manila shopping, bars and nightlife. How to get around and manage airports, taxis and hustlers. more...
Palawan Resorts
Palawan resorts review and the pick of The Philippines islands from El Nido to the far south. more...
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SEYCHELLES
Seychelles Resorts
A detailed Seychelles islands and resort guide. Getting around and booking in. more...
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SINGAPORE
Singapore Fun Guide
Yes, a list of 20 utterly mad things to do in Asia's capital of starch. Singapore bar dancing, duck tours, a night safari, and breakfasts with apes. more...
Singapore Business Hotels
Singapore business hotel review, leisure hotels, and options from Sentosa Island to Orchard road for every pocket. Conference hotel options too. more...
Singapore Shopping Guide
The best Singapore shopping from Orchard Road malls to Little India and Chinatown alley bargains. Designer brands and more. more...
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SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa Game Parks
South Africa bush lodges, resorts and hotels. Tips on safaris and best times for viewing wildlife at various game parks. Links, contact details. more... |
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SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka Colonial retreats
Sri Lanka hotel guide - but off the beaten track. Colonial bungalows and quirky places. Beach getaways and Sri Lanka hill station retreats. more...
Colombo Guide
After hours, bars and dance clubs in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a hotel review and dining guide. more... |
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THAILAND
Bangkok Shopping
The best of Bangkok shopping from the Chatuchak Weekend Market and alleyways to mall bargains and glitzy deals. Visit Emporium, Gaysorn, Central Chidlom, MBK and more. more...
Bangkok Business Hotels Review
Bangkok business hotels, leisure retreats on the river and a look at rooms, Club Floor privileges, Broadband and add-ons. more...
Chiang Mai Resorts and Guide
A whole lot of fun things to explore in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from shopping and food to fancy boutique resorts. more...
Koh Samui Resorts
Koh Samui resorts review and fun stuff on this Gulf of Thailand island. Ko Samui spa resorts, shopping, full moon parties, and nightlife. more...
Phuket Guide
Sand, sun and surf galore in this no-holds-barred Phuket guide for solo travellers and families. Patong shopping, bars, music and Dino Park. more...
Phuket Resorts
Phuket resorts after the tsunami, villas and hotels for all tastes and wallets. Khao Lak resort review and guide. Great hideaways, budget stays, beach hotels and spas. Bang Tao Bay, Laguna Phuket hotels, Surin Beach, Kamala, Patong hotel guide, Kata and Nai Harn. more...
Thai Spas
Thailand spas for ultimate indulgence. Wraps, steam, herbs, oils and a host of Thai spa resorts and getaways from Hua Hin spa resorts to Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai. more...
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TAIWAN
Taipei Business Hotels Review
A review of Taipei business hotels, budget options, spa hotels, and dealing with this sprawling city. more...
Taipei Spas
An hour's drive from Taipei, visit Peitou and its hot springs and spas. more... |
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Dubai Guide and Dune Runs
Dubai business hotels, luxury Jumeirah Beach resorts, dune runs, Dubai nightlife and bars, dining and Sharjah. Dubai stopovers and shopping. more... |
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VIETNAM
Hanoi Guide
Fun stuff and a detailed Hanoi business hotel guide from executive floors to family suites. Hanoi dining and shopping. Hotel, restaurant contact details, links, rates, music, video and slideshow. more...
Saigon Hotels and city guide
Saigon hotels, business hotels and budget escapes. Special hotel deals in Ho Chi Minh City and a bit of Saigon dining, shopping, nightlife. more...
Vietnam Beach Resorts
A detailed look at Vietnam beach resorts and hotels from Danang and Hoi An to Nha Trang and Phan Thiet. Vietnam resorts review with contact details, links, e-mails, rates, slideshow, video and music. more...
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EDITOR'S PAGE/ PREVIOUS COLUMNS by Vijay Verghese
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
2008
08/04 Baby it's cold outside Braving Beijing's taxis, traffic, cold - while desperately seeking Madonna. Here's why. more...
08/03 Why I'm Dying to Travel Smog and fumes could turn the Beijing Olympics into one vast Masked Ball. Breath in. more...
08/02 The Key Question How secure is that plastic hotel card key and is there too much information on it? more...
08/01 Gorillas in the mist So how tough are your travel bags and do you really want to start an elephant stampede? more...
2007
07/12 Confounding Customs All about mysterious Asian customs - and duty-free. Also a long list of banned books. more...
07/11 When Blackmail Works Travellers pen "bad reviews" to blackmail hotels into offering extra perks and freebies. more...
07/10 By Taxi Through Asia Wait a minute. Are you the driver? Taxi travels and travails through Asia. more...
07/09 Now The Pope gets an Airline Good Heavens! Budget airlines get ever more feisty - and spiritual. more...
07/08 Making a Meal of it Startling facts about airline food and a speedy upgrade to first. more...
07/07 A Tale of Two Teeth Bluetoothing and bluedating are the new buzzwords for adventurous travellers. Here's why. more...
06/07 Your Carbon Footprint How much carbon do you generate? And what does this have to do with Madonna? more...
05/07 Dial R for Ripoff Hidden hotel charges can pad your bill considerably. more...
04/07 The 100ml Question Aloft The 100ml question aloft as airports crack down on liquid and gel hand-carry items. more...
03/07 Why Boutique is Best How to deal with uncomfortable furniture, odd-angle rooms, and hallucinogenic colours. more...
02/07 One Night in Mumbai How China's Hu Jintao and I built a nation. Mumbai madness explained. more...
01/07 A Heavy Question for all Women Why women love to cart around such incredibly heavy bags. more...
2006
12/06 The Secret of Good Sleep To get to the best sleep aloft, toss a large book in air. Make sure it lands on your head ... more...
11/06 What happened to Pluto? Why space tourists need Pluto. It was everyone's favourite planet. Make it a planet again. NOW ... more...
10/06 A Fluid Situation Aloft Dealing with new airline security procedures and how to tackle toothpaste hijacking 30,000ft aloft ... more...
09/06 Why Friday's the Best Friday night in Seoul with a bevy of lovelies and a rubber duck. Here's how to do it... more...
08/06 Nothing but the Whole Truth Travel writers do get carried away at times. Can you believe everything you read? more...
07/06 Gone in 60 Seconds Airports are confiscating your stuff by the ton It's called the "surplus property" program. more...
06/06 Round the world in Eighty Ways Around the world with grizzlies, Great Danes, Bach and The Beatles, but no air ticket. more...
05/06 Free nights for all Need a free flight? Just leap off a tall building. But excess miles can be resolved. Sell them. more...
04/06 Why I want my own DVT Is it a SONY? A Panasonic? Whatever, I just wanted one. Think about it. In-flight DVT. Wow. more...
03/06 Travelling with pets, dogs, cats How to travel, and fly, in style with your pet dog, cat, ferret, gerbil... more...
02/06 Viral travellers welcome Travellers armed with knowledge, and some double-ply toilet paper, can change the world. more...
01/06 From Russia with love Travel is safe, but watch out for poodles, kebab and rusty Russian aircraft carriers. more...
2005
12/05 Passage to India - At Midnight Flying into India at the obligatory 2am is only half the fun. Then there's immigration, and loos. more...
11/05 Creating a Destination Brand Destinations are "branding" themselves as idiots by churning out naff crocodile and bird shows. more...
10/05 The Show Must Go On The tsunami anniversary stirs up a lot of emotions. How then to move forward? more...
09/05 Criminally Good Holidays Why check in to a hotel when you can just book into an exotic prison. more...
08/05 The Accidental Tourist Web translations can be dodgy. How not to have AK-47s pointed at your genitals.. more...
07/05 It's A Free Ride Hotels are giving everything away, FREE. more...
06/05 Sleep Tips For The Road Pilots are asleep in the cockpit. more...
05/05 I'll Follow The Sun The truth about sizzling inflight radiation. Are you getting nuked aloft? more...
04/05 A Good Pillow Fight Bedtime tales and flying feathers. So how much does that hotel bed really cost? more...
03/05 A Bridge Too Far How to get kidnapped in Korea, hazardous river crossings and what to make of lovelies in purple lipstick. more...
02/05 World's Safest Spots For some really cool advice, just ask the Inuits. Or head to the Ring of Fire. more...
01/05 The Need For Speed Hotel express elevator journeys into the Twilight Zone - and back. Getting the hang of elevator cards. more...
2004
12/04 Small Is Beautiful, Sometimes Useful travel facts about Dolly the cloned sheep and Pavarotti's baby. more...
11/04 Bumming Around Asia The frantic search for a good, clean toilet on the road. This may save your life. more...
10/04 Samsonite And Delilah So where do all those lost bags go? And where the heck is your wife? more...
09/04 Just One Good Book The truth about books, beaches, bunnies and bikinis. more...
08/04 Space, The Final Frontier Holidays in space, or in a screaming Mach 2 Russian MIG. more...
07/04 Extreme Travel For Real Men On the road there's only way to pump iron. more...
06/04 Just Grin And Bare It How to stay abreast of airline security and what to do with soiled baby nappies. more...
05/04 Unfazed By Phrase Pardon my French, but I'd like a dozen bananas. And I CAN lift this vehicle... more...
04/04 Honey, I Shrunk My Brain Why frequent travellers are playing mind games aloft. more...
03/04 Miss World to the Rescue With a little help from air marshals, bikinis and non-stick pans. more...
02/04 When Things Go Bump Say “Yes”, cart your family off the flight and laugh all the way to the bank more...
01/04 To Catch A Croc, In Hongkong And why all travellers should teach their dogs French more...
2003
12/03 A Thrilla In Manila There's no better time to visit the Philippines, but wear clean underwear more...
11/03 The Steamy Truth About Spas Searching for a spa holiday? Open Google and type S-T-A-R-V-E. more...
10/03 Are Travel Agents Dinosaurs? One of these days I want to pick up the phone and speak to a real HUMAN. more...
09/03 The Hub Of The Matter The shortest route between two points is a straight line? No. Welcome to the world of airline alliances. more...
08/03 Win A Second Wife – Free Incredible, but true. more...
07/03 Forget Inflight TV, Try DVT How to wrestle with golden light and windmilling arms 30,000ft aloft. more...
06/03 Adventures Of The Green Man Adentures of the green man in a world of SARS and intrigue. more...
05/03 Hongkong's Masked Ball SARS II/ The one thing that can save the city is decent toothpaste more...
04/03 Travels in War and Peace Bombs and bugs have made a pig's breakfast of travel but the deals have never been better. more...
02/03 Advice On Travel Advisories Is it safe to travel to the toilet? And the truth about Gulf tours. more...
01/03 A Pound Of Flesh The argle-bargle over inflight weight. Not cabin baggage, or check-in, but passenger weight. more...
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