As the title states you should visit Lucca, Italy. Why? Great question. We’re so glad you asked.  Have you been dying to explore Florence and Tuscany? Have you done some research and found that the prices in Florence are a bit too expensive for your budget? Or have you been put off by all the recent articles decrying overtourism in Florence? Well, we have some good news for you. You CAN … [Read more...]

We profile some usual suspects plus one or two surprises in the top 12 most visited countries in the world Have you dreamed of a romantic kiss atop the Eiffel Tower? Perhaps you’ve thrown a wish into the Trevi Fountain or stopped and stared at the Sistine Chapel. If so, you’re certainly not alone. According to the last available figures, an estimated 1.1 billion international tourist … [Read more...]

Soaring mountains, plunging canyons, giant pandas and just a single time zone – we share the most interesting facts about China I visited China nearly 20 years ago and found a country on the march. China may be one of the world’s most ancient civilisations with a continuous culture stretching back thousands of years, but today’s relatively modern nation – the People’s Republic of China – was … [Read more...]

We take a look at the latest controversy surrounding Denali’s name and why it has inspired so much debate over the years The high point of my year was (literally) my summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America. It was my fourth mountain of the seven summits – arguably my fifth if you count Kosciuszko – leaving me Vinson in Antarctica and Everest in Asia. I said at the time that whether … [Read more...]

We share the best eSIM for China, tried and tested by us from Beijing to Shanghai  I almost changed my mind about going to China. It had been on my bucket list for a long time, but nothing was easy in the lead-up to my trip. As a Brit, I have one of the most powerful passports in the world and can visit a whopping 190 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival. Alas, China is not one of … [Read more...]

Kia’s solo trip to China fulfilled a long-held dream but also had a deeper significance In the week before Christmas, I hosted a family gathering at my house. At some point in the afternoon, my 31-year-old nephew arrived with his baby daughter. To everyone’s shock, he had brought her alone without the supervision of his wife.  My sisters and I were impressed that he had ventured out … [Read more...]

From Jaipur’s magical pink palace to the summit of North America, we share our top Instagram posts of 2024 It’s been another busy year at Atlas & Boots. In May, I reached the summit of Denali, one of the coldest and harshest peaks on the planet, bringing me a step closer to my dream of climbing the seven summits.  Kia spent most of the year busy with her next book, What … [Read more...]

We share our top 10 posts of the year, from the chilly peak of Denali to the frantic streets of the famed Pink City This year, we celebrated 10 years of Atlas & Boots. When we first started the blog in 2014, it was mainly a way to stay employable so that when we returned to London after our big trip, it wouldn’t be impossible to find new jobs.  We didn’t know then that our … [Read more...]

The reality is I’ve probably already hit my mountaineering ceiling but climbing Everest will always be the apex of my ambition It has been a strange year. Usually, press trips, treks and working holidays mean it’s not uncommon for me to spend up to three months away from home. This year, however, I’ve been away just twice. This year, it was all about one thing: Denali. I had joked with … [Read more...]

An expert selection of Christmas gifts for campers, handpicked to suit all budgets It’s no secret that Peter and I have a difference in opinion when it comes to camping. On our trip around the world, he carried around a 4kg tent for an entire year in the hopes that he would convince me of its charms. We camped for a total of 10 days. I will camp under duress. Sometimes, it’s even been … [Read more...]

‘Tis the season for serious savings on outdoor apparel and gear. Here, we hand-pick 10 great deals from the REI winter sale I’m not the sort of person who hankers after luxury items. I’m more likely to shop at Asos than I am at Harrods and I’m just as happy at Nando’s as I am at a Michelin restaurant. One arena in which I do fork out, however, is outdoor apparel and gear. The difference between … [Read more...]

Say hello to Playa del Carmen, Cancun’s trendy European step-sister. No longer a secret, this once tiny fishing town has exploded in popularity in recent years. Playa is so trendy, in fact, that it has become the fastest growing city in Latin America. And with good reason. There are plenty of things to do in Playa del Carmen and since it’s located near Cozumel, Cancun, Coba, Isla de Mujeres … [Read more...]

From minor mishaps to serious crises, the failure of outdoor gear can ruin your entire trip. Here, we explain how to never break a zipper again Technical outdoor gear is not cheap. I dread to think what I’ve spent on it over the years. Backpacks, sleeping bags, Gore-Tex jackets, fleeces, waterproof trousers, tents… it all adds up. What do these items all have in common? The humble fastener, AKA … [Read more...]

Explore New Zealand in style by staying in one of the best boutique hotels in Queenstown. With it’s ragged and arresting natural beauty, adrenaline fueled tourism industry and exciting nightlife scene, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most strikingly beautiful and entertaining cities to visit. Whether you’re into pampering and relaxation, or you’re a complete adventure junkie – Queenstown is the … [Read more...]

Have you been researching your visit to Czechia, and have started to think about booking some Prague tours? Overwhelmed by the hundreds of options out there? Well, we’re here to help you pick from among the very best and most essential tours in Prague! Whether you’re visiting Prague for a weekend or if you’re in town for a month, there are nearly an endless array of things to see and do in the … [Read more...]

A mountaineering calendar of the world’s greatest mountains and the optimal time of year at which to climb them, listed month by month Since I first started climbing, I must have spent hours typing “when is the best time to climb…” into search engines and then crawling through websites to find the key piece of information I needed. Only when I have a date in mind can I start to think about the … [Read more...]

From safely washing a sleeping bag to measuring partially used gas canisters, here’s how to look after your hiking gear Last spring, I spent the best part of three weeks climbing Denali, the highest peak in North America. There were few opportunities to stay clean on the mountain so by the time I got off the slopes, I – along with all my gear – was in a pretty nasty state.  As … [Read more...]

From desolate moorlands to windswept Atlantic islands, we take a look at Britain’s last remaining wild places In Britain, wilderness has largely been abolished. The abolition began millennia ago. Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, around 75% of the UK was covered in forest. Then large-scale forest clearance started around 3100 BC when Neolithic agriculture was introduced. Now, the UK has around … [Read more...]

Where you stay can make or break your holiday. Here are the red flags and pitfalls to look for when booking a hotel A few years ago, a friend of mine asked for advice on where to go on her honeymoon. I duly gave her a list of my favourite hotels from across the world: Baros in the Maldives, Likuliku Lagoon in Fiji, Vahine Island in French Polynesia, Montpelier in St Kitts & Nevis among a … [Read more...]

The High Scardus Trail in Albania is a wild alternative to the well-trodden Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Here’s all you need to know “Welcome to Hotel Radomirë Korab,” Agron greets me with an enormous smile as I arrive at my lodgings. It’s the end of my second day on the High Scardus Trail and I am in dire need of a drink. “Can I get you a beer?” he adds, clearly reading my mind. Over the … [Read more...]