From the heights of Everest to a humble library, we share the most extraordinary international borders from across the globe My name is unremarkable, most people would agree. It’s so common that if you Googled ‘Peter Watson’, you would find the intellectual historian, the author and the arts benefactor – all different men – ahead of me. There’s also a producer, a chemist and a podcaster among … [Read more...]

From dizzying walkways to epic ascents, these hiking trails in Málaga are a superb way to tread beyond the touristy coastal resorts For many, Málaga is simply a gateway to the crowded seaside resorts of the Costa del Sol. Relatively few will venture far from the beach. If they do, chances are they’ll head into the city which, after decades of being ignored by the masses, has undergone something … [Read more...]

If you’re drawn to dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, fresh seafood, and charming accommodation, the Rota Vicentina in southwest Portugal is for you. This 224 kilometer trail along the Atlantic coast, from Santiago do Cacém to Cabo de São Vicente, combines two well-marked routes—the Caminho Histórico and the Trilho dos Pescadores—into a 12-stage trek. It’s perfect for walkers looking to experience … [Read more...]

Kia recently asked her mother if she has any regrets about her life. In this personal piece, she reflects on the answer There’s a tree I sometimes notice on my way to my boxing gym. It stands on an unsightly corner near the junction of Barking Road – which has the dubious honour of the eighth unhealthiest street in London – and one of the grubby arteries that feed into it. The tree sits … [Read more...]

From kayaking alongside colossal glaciers to a bizarre Cold War-era town, these are the best day trips from Anchorage The word ‘epic’ does not do Alaska justice. The state is home to North America’s largest mammals, national parks the size of countries and glaciers bigger than some US states. It is the least densely populated state in the US and is home to 17 of North America’s highest … [Read more...]

Would you like to hike in a Swiss Alpine Wonderland? Trick question. The answer is obviously a resounding “Yes!” Great. We’re here to help.  Nestled in southern Switzerland’s French-speaking Valais region (to the west of Zermatt), the small village of Arolla lies in the Val d’Hérens, while Zinal village is nestled high up in the Val d’Anniviers. The valleys are surrounded by some of the … [Read more...]

From lush megadiversity to the unexpected entry at number 10, we review the countries that can save Earth’s most-threatened species As a child, I lived with cockroaches in my family home. Our entire street had an infestation and it was months before the council got rid of them. I have seven siblings and not all of us fit on the sofa, so some of us would watch TV from the floor and I remember … [Read more...]

From playing music out loud to leaving your pet unattended, here’s our expert guide on how to behave at a campsite Some of my most unforgettable moments have taken place under canvas. From unzipping the porch to reveal the needlepoint summit of Laila Peak on the K2 base camp trek to listening to the snap, crackle and pop of Greenland’s Russell Glacier under a midnight sun, these were … [Read more...]

Kia and Peter rank their top 100 travel experiences, hand-picked from over 100 countries, seven continents and thousands of places of interest This week, it will be exactly 10 years since we packed up everything we owned, put it in storage and went off on a year-long journey around the world. It started on 11th August 2014 with a 36-hour journey from London, through Singapore and Brisbane, to … [Read more...]

Our detailed and easy-to-follow guide on how to build a campfire will ensure you can enjoy a satisfying and safe campfire when camping Many a man claims to be an expert firestarter – in the same way, many a man claims he does not need to ask for directions… Regardless, nothing should get between a camper and a glorious night spent around a campfire beneath the stars. This … [Read more...]

Apple’s latest update allows its products to work off-grid. But can a smartphone replace a purpose-built satellite messenger? In 2019, I was seven days into the eight-day Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland when the trail ahead began to fill with smoke. I had unwittingly walked into the middle of a wildfire during an unprecedented summer in the Arctic.  As I got closer I met another … [Read more...]

From dubious first ascents to tense clashes at high altitudes, we explore 13 dramatic climbing controversies – some resolved and others less so There was a time when climbing controversies were sportingly confined to the slopes. The petty trivialities, the robust exchanges and the heated clashes were just part of the cut and thrust of the mountaineering world.  As the field grew … [Read more...]

From a faked summit photo to an ascent in less than half a day, these are the most interesting facts about Denali I was planning and preparing for my climb of Denali for over 18 months. Between training sessions, I spent swathes of time pouring over maps of the route and reading reports on previous expeditions, all in an attempt to absorb as much information about the mountain as I … [Read more...]

Our Q&A-style tips on how to climb Denali, gathered from the many questions asked by our readers Whenever I get back from a big climb, I invariably receive an array of questions about the expedition via email and social media. As usual, I’ve collated them all below in a detailed Q&A that includes all my tips on how to climb Denali. If I’ve missed anything, please do get in … [Read more...]

How high is Denali? Mention remeasuring. Did you climb Aconcagua with a guide? Yes, I joined Acomara Aconcagua Expeditions on a guided climb via the ‘Normal Route’. Acomara has over 15 years of experience guiding on and climbing Aconcagua across more than 500 expeditions. Can you climb Aconcagua unguided? You can climb Aconcagua without a guide, but the … [Read more...]

My complete Denali gear list includes everything you’ll need to summit the highest mountain in North America Denali in Alaska, USA, at 6,190m (20,310ft), is North America’s highest mountain and one of the seven summits (the seven peaks that make up the highest point on every continent).  I recently returned from climbing Denali with American Alpine … [Read more...]

My sleeping system for Denali worked a treat and ensured I always enjoyed a good night’s sleep on North America’s highest peak The coldest I have ever been in my life was while climbing Denali – hardly surprising considering it’s one of the coldest and windiest places in the USA. During the expedition, there were several times when I felt the cold intensely, so much so that I even suffered some … [Read more...]

Although it was the natural next step in my bid for the seven summits, climbing Denali proved to be an altogether different beast At around 6.30pm local time on Tuesday 28 May 2024, six grown men stood on the summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America, crying their eyes out. Among us was a triathlon athlete, a veteran of the Marathon des Sables and an Everest summiteer returning to … [Read more...]

From Pacific passages to a global circumnavigation via Cape Horn, here are our favourite adventure sailing holidays Adventure sailing holidays have the ability to carry passengers to the far reaches of the world, accessing some of the most remote and magnificent scenery the world has to offer. Having recently returned from my first tall ship sailing adventure off the west coast of … [Read more...]

A couple of weeks ago, in a moment of caffeinated inspiration/despair, I sat down and wrote a long Facebook post as to why we were ditching Google and switching to DuckDuckGo. Today I want to dive even deeper into this topic, and give you a first-hand account of how Google is killing hundreds of thousands of blogs and small publishers.  And maybe give you some insight as to why they are doing … [Read more...]