A freelance travel writer since 1998, Christian has written or co-written some twenty guidebooks, two travel apps and a host of related articles for magazines, travel websites and UK newspapers. Clients have included Rough Guides, Dorling Kindersley, AOL, Tripadvisor, Ink Media and UK newspapers The Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. In North America he's covered much of Canada (particularly the Rockies) and Colorado; in Europe he has focused mainly on Germany (particularly Berlin), Austria, Scotland and Tenerife. Even when not working he likes explore, usually on one of his ten bicycles.
Northern Canada is a wilderness apart that spans the breadth of the continent. Accessibility, or rather lack of it, has kept population numbers down and left it a place lightly peopled by First Nations tribes, the odd mining operation and the occasional hardy adventurer. Yet for those willing to make the effort, pristine lands are waiting to be discovered. We...
Driving tours linking scenic viewpoints are one of the great highlights of the Rockies, but to get the most out of the region and appreciate the forces of nature here, you should really do some of the many possible outdoor activities. Hiking is the most obvious, accessible and inexpensive activity and has it’s own guide on this site. The mountain...
Cross-country skiing and its burlier cousin, backcountry skiing (or ski-touring) are the main activities of choice for many long-time Canadian Rockies residents, and for good reason. Not only are they great exercise, they also put some fantastic terrain at your feet – and give you beautiful places to explore without any summer crowds. If you’ve never tried it, don’t be...
With all that great terrain, you’d think the Canadian Rockies would come close to being mountain bike nirvana. As it turns out, national park restrictions tend to limit things quite a bit, but the amazing options just outside more than make up for this. National Parks Far and away the best of any of the National Parks is Jasper which...
The Canadian Rockies offer some of the finest backcountry skiing and boarding anywhere. Here, a pristine mountain landscape of open bowls and challenging tree runs is smothered in untracked and often very light-weight powder snow. Several heli-ski operators offer single and multi-day trips for around CDN$1000 a day. It’s certainly not cheap, yet few regret spending the money. A more...
For the ultimate Canadian Rocky Mountain road trip, try this ambitious 2 week itinerary. It would be easy to stretch our 7-day itinerary into a great two week adventure by simply adding a free day between each scheduled day to explore some of the other local trails, sights and activities, or to simply relax in the great outdoors. But this...
Brimming with majestic mountain views, crisp air and reliable powder, the Canadian Rockies offer some of North America’s most impressive ski resorts. With day passes around the CDN$80 mark, none are cheap. In return you get uncrowded slopes that are decidedly empty outside weekends and holidays for most of the season (mid-December to late-May). March is a prime time to visit...
The hiking in the Canadian Rockies is so good that any trip there should involve hitting the trail at least a couple of times. The options can be overwhelming, so there’s a rundown of some of the key options below. If you’re not on a dedicated hiking trip, you’ll probably find these pointers enough; for more extensive information, particularly on...
This long weekend in and around Banff National Park checks off most of the classic attractions, but also gives you the chance to leave the busier areas behind for a flavor of a wilder Canadian Rocky Mountain experience. The itinerary requires your own vehicle and would be best organized using Calgary as the gateway, then booking one night in Lake...
This classic one week Canadian Rocky Mountains itinerary takes in most of the high-profile sights in four national parks, provides the chance to do quite a few short hikes, and includes a day for another outdoor activity like rafting or mountain biking. The itinerary’s best done from Calgary to reduce travel time, but can be adapted to work from Edmonton....
The Isle of Skye is a microcosm of the Highlands. Most of its many peninsulas have their own distinct feel, there’s a multitude of different lochs and even a mountain range – the Cuillins. These can keep serious climbers occupied for days. For others three good days out are particularly recommended. But remember to make allowances for poor weather –...
This road-trip starts by visiting sights outside the city of Inverness before heading south along a broad valley aptly known as the Great Glen. If you’re going to spot Nessie the Loch Ness monster, then this is where it will happen! Morning Visit the mystical Clava Cairns and the eerie battlefield at Culloden; if you take your time both can...
The Scottish Highlands evoke all sorts of Scots stereotypes: tartans; castles; lone pipers; bleak but beautiful heathery landscapes; a sense of tradition; and a stoic pride. Much of this is there to experience and doable in 3 or 4 days, though more time will make it more rewarding. You could easily expand the itinerary below to week, particularly by adding...
Explore the best of Quebec City in 2 days. After spending your first day following our Quebec City 1 Day itinerary around the heart of Vieux-Quebec (Old Quebec), the best bet for a second day is to explore the rest of the Haute-Ville (Upper Town). That includes the remaining portion of the old walled center and the greatest buildings and...
Québec City’s historic highlights are mostly in Vieux-Québec (Old Québec) which was founded in 1608, and close to the St Lawrence River. You’ll find 17th-century structures that impress at every turn. Hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants, artisans and souvenir sellers take full advantage of the lure of the quaint and old. It’s a compact area. The loop detailed below is only...
Francophone Quebec City predictably knows how to eat well so it’s a great destination for foodies. If it weren’t for relatively low prices and relaxed, friendly service and occasional elk on the menu, you would easily think yourself in Paris. Find a good selection of restaurants on key streets: Petit Champlain in the Basse-Ville; Rue-Saint-Jean in both the old part of...
The best way to begin exploring Montreal is to start where the city did. Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal) is where the largest city in Quebec first took root and is still a mix of cobbled streets, small shops, cozy bistros and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. This Olde Worlde feel is somehow enhanced by the contrast involved in the journey here,...
With 2 days to explore Quebec’s biggest city, follow our Walk Old Montreal in a Day itinerary around Old Montreal, then pick up here for Day Two. This begins at the hip Plateau neighborhood then moves to exploring Mount Royal park and enjoying views of the Downtown skyline before you descend to wander the city’s liveliest streets. Morning: The Plateau &...
Montreal is one family-friendly vacation destination. Here’s where to have fun when the entire family is in town. The Olympic Park & Around The Montreal Biodome offers birds, bats, flora, and fauna: four re-created ecosystems in all — a tropical forest, a Laurentian Forest, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and a polar world. It’s located in the Olympic Park. An adjacent...
Montreal deserves its reputation as a place to let your hair down after dark with lots of good nightlife and entertainment. It’s Canada’s most happening city and it’s packed summer festival calendar almost always ensures that something major is going on. The city typically turns out in force to celebrate – be it the World’s Largest Comedy Festival or a...
In travel the greatest surprises and excitement generally lie in the unknown, so places that I knew little about or had the lowest expectations of were often the most remarkable.
A week long stay in a Tanzanian village stands out: the accommodation ended up being a solo stay in an old missionary house looked after by a maid who cooked amazing dishes over an open fire and seemed determined to seduce me. Better still, two locals who took me under their wings to show me around: a monkey colony; various waterfalls; the country’s oldest man (124!); a cow being slaughtered by hand; and the questionable delights of banana beer. They also helped stop me falling through a wooden bridge at night, which was every bit as unexpected as the rest!
Many underrated places are less than a day trip away. Often finding a new activity in them is enough for a fresh perspective and experience. In terms of countries, Germany’s the most underrated: travel is easy and there’s a little of everything there.
Bicycles travel at the right speed to fully appreciate everything: every breeze, hill and sight. You can to stop for photos at a moment’s notice; easily get off the beaten track; enjoy justifiably pouring over maps and earn a sense of achievement. And by the end of the day you’ll deserve a big meal and probably have a good night’s sleep waiting too.
It’s me that’s foreign.