Holiday Goddess

Tamara Pitelen goes to her friend Rachel’s cocktail party in downtown Doha, in the Islamic Gulf state of Qatar.
“Crazy signal, Madame, you must come to crazy signal then make u-turn!” insisted the disembodied voice of the Kebab King employee for what seemed like the thirtieth time in as many seconds.
My friend Rachel smacked both hands [...]

By Holiday Goddess Editors
Categories Exotic Destinations

Alana Hunt finds herself caught up in a street protest in Mexico City on the way to Cuba – and discovers Frida Kahlo’s house.

By Alana Hunt
Categories South America

Julie Moline happily submits to volcanic muck – and a massage by a sturdy grandma in sensible shoes.

When the wake-up call came it was still dark out, and I was so startled that my hand shook as I picked up the receiver. The voice on the other end was ebullient. “Buongiorno, signora!” he cried. “Fango! [...]

By Holiday Goddess Editors
Categories Italy

Sue Ostler finds a cure for her hangover – and more – in the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik.
The 3.30am wake-up call in London before our flight to Iceland was grim. Have you ever found yourself booked on one of those 6.00am Easyjet flights? And wondered why the hell you’ve put yourself through it? You [...]

By Sue Ostler
Categories Iceland, Reykjavík

Because it’s so compact, Helsinki is a great stop-off to dip into – and also a detour destination to consider if you taking advantage of a more budget airline like Finnair (with all its lounge musicy splendour) between the UK and the States. By Jenny Valentish.
They’re very fond of fantasy, the Finns – not the [...]

By Jenny Valentish
Categories Finland, Helsinki

Two women can cover a lot of ground in Primrose Hill, even in high heels. Here’s a quick guide to local pubs and bars within walking/staggering distance from Chalk Farm tube station. By Faith Bleasdale and Jessica Adams

The Lansdowne, 90 Gloucester Avenue
This is child-friendly in the day time, and good for (noisy) people-watching at night. [...]

By Faith Bleasdale
Categories England, London

Head down Eton High Street and discover quintessentially English teddy bears – or find out where the local schoolmasters have their breakfast. By Smita Talati.

Start your day on Eton High Street, which is renowned for its eclectic art and antique shops and has a great selection of pubs and restaurants. Cross over the bridge at [...]

By Holiday Goddess Editors
Categories England

Vokda and matryoshkas! Your first visit to Russia explained by Tamara Sheward.
So you’ve booked the Bolshoi, dipped into the Dostoevsky and have started drinking Moscow Mules as a nod to your upcoming trip. But do you know your devushkas from your babushkas? Your salo from your smetana? And why are those drunk people screaming? Take [...]

By Tamara Sheward
Categories Europe, Russia

J.J. Aagaard discovers a supermarket called Irma, a clothes store called Rude and a cafe that looks like your grandmother’s living room.

A clear blue sky and orange leaves are the trademarks of a true Danish autumn. This lovely little capital of around one million laid back Danes is  easy to fall in love with. [...]

By Holiday Goddess Editors
Categories Denmark

Kris McIntyre investigates Elgin Street, SoHo and discovers cocktails, massages and tapas.
There seems to be a universal truth that wherever there is a ‘Soho’ you’ll find the cool part of any city. In Hong Kong, SoHo (meaning ‘South of Hollywood Road’) is full of antique shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes and bars. Located in Central, it [...]

By Kris McIntyre
Categories China, Hong Kong