Leptis Magna

Do you know the film 'Legends of the Fall'? It is a wonderful film shot here in Libya in the 1950s starring John Wayne and Sophia Loren. It is wonderful because it ends here, in Leptis Magna.

Libya and Egypt

Leptis Magna, Sabratha, and Cyrene are some of the most evocative and tantalising names in the history of antiquity. Combine them with Siwa and Alexandria in Egypt and you have the makings of a fascinating journey.

Namibia

Flying over the highest red dunes from Sossusvlei towards the coast in a little Cessna 210 when there is nothing else you can see for 360 degrees but sand dunes (for 45 minutes) was truly humbling. It left me unable to speak.

Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos

Our days were divided between shore excursions, snorkelling and panga (dinghy) rides. From swimming with Galapagos penguins, sea lions and turtles to sharing rugged volcanic lava fields with giant tortoises and iguanas.

Tajikistan

Whilst Dushanbe itself has wide, paved tree-lined roads and solid Soviet era buildings for the arts, higher education and the government, the same cannot be said for most of the rest of the country.

Tunisia

Holidays to Tunisia - Signs that speak of "Fixed Prices" in five different languages are a warning to any self-respecting tourist to stay away. So too, anywhere trying to sell itself on the back of Star Wars.

Yemen

I could not sleep. I wandered dream-like through a fairy-tale land. I was surrounded by giant cakes, stories high, a delicate white icing highlighting the windows and tracing fragile patterns on the walls and crenellations.