The island of Capri has been drawing visitors across the Bay of Naples since the 19th century and before. But, the tiny Italian island's stylish image was really boosted in he 20th century when it became a Mecca for the famous stars from the silver screen.The result is a rather odd, but utterly charming, mix of rustic island life and sheer Italian chic. It is certainly a tourism success story.We travelled

The suggestions from British Airways chairman Martin Broughton, that some security check requirements at airports should be eased, is appealing. Appealing, that is, as long as we can be sure that safety and security is not compromised.There is no question that the current requirements are a disincentive (albeit minor for most people) to flying. But, recently, I spoke to one woman who has to go on her

On previous trips to California we have seen whales from a distance. One time we watched them out at sea, with the occasional spout, sometimes a fin and occasionally a tail fluke. Later, from Point Lobos, we had a closer view of a whale in Monterey Bay, including the elusive tail fluke.It will give you an idea of how far away it was that – despite using a long lens – the resulting photograph

If, like me, you still have an old-style UK driving licence without a photo, you may want to pay the Chancellor the necessary to upgrade to a photo licence if you are planning a trip to the USA.Whereas, here, we verify our credit cards with a PIN, in the USA you will find that most places where you use a credit card will demand a ‘photo ID’. If you don’t have a ‘photo ID’

In recent years Amsterdam has really been simply our preferred European airport for international connections. So we found ourselves, for the first time in nine years, planning a trip to Amsterdam as a destination.For our accommodation we chose to stay at the NH Barbizon Palace, right in the heart of Amsterdam. We had stayed here once before on a one night stop-over when returning from the United

In the UK one of the standard topics of conversation among travellers is how much money they saved holidaying in the USA. Well, judging by our recent trip, these days are over.I well remember my first trips in recent years to America and marvelling at how you far the money would go. Accommodation, dining and even the stuff in the shops was so cheap compared with Europe. America was the land of bargain

Visitors to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) would do well to make sure they are in peak fitness before they get there. Arriving there on a flight from San Francisco, we retrieved our bags from the carousel reasonably rapidly and set off to get a luggage cart. No problem, we thought, there was one just a couple of hundred feet away. Coming in to land at LAX. Prepare to heft your baggage!But LAX charges $4

I am currently in the USA and having to remember my US etiquette. There are a number of things that are different on this side of the atlantic that can surprise a British diner.You have to remember to hang on to your knife and fork in all but the poshest restaurants. You get one knife and fork and it has to last you for your starter and main course. If you ask for side salad, don’t be surprised

I was reminded recently of an interesting dilemma from a few years back. I was sitting with a colleague in Pisa airport after a press launch waiting for our flight to the UK to be called. It was mid afternoon and I was really tired. The thought of returning home to a good night’s sleep was extremely appealing. Unexpectedly I am presented with the dilemma. We could board the plane and head home

It is hard to get your brain round the fact that the wall decoration that you are looking is almost 2,000 years old. In one of the rooms it is almost Art Deco in style. This is the town that was preserved under ash and pumice for almost 1,700-years after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The eruption is said to have lasted two days, burying Pompeii under 60 feet. It was discovered by accident

There is something really enchanting about the Isle of Harris, in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. This really is a place to get away from it all. Let’s be quite clear. This is not a destination for someone who enjoys basking by the poolside, or smoozing around sophisticated hotels, restaurants and bars. Shopaholics will find only traditional grocery stores, plus the occasional arts and crafts

It was a wierd sensation to have left on Sunday night, to have journeyed overnight and to arrive at Sydney on Tuesday morning.We felt cheated. After all we only had a couple of weeks in Australia to explore a little bit of this huge country and, even before we got there, someone had stolen one of our days! It was our own fault in some ways. We had found out that the cost of flying to Australia and