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Caribbean Travel: Islands, Beaches, Food and Adventures
My Caribbean travel stories from Bequia, Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados, Nevis, Martinique, St Martin and Petit St Vincent — covering beaches, food, rainforest, islands, hotels and adventures.
Martin Hesp
Aug 269 min read


Switzerland Travel Guide: Unspunnen, Alpine Culture, Historic Rails & Mountain Flavours
Switzerland is far more than high-priced ski resorts and glossy brochures. From the 12-yearly Unspunnen festival and 40-cow alpine dairies to historic mountain railways and lakeside Christmas markets, discover the authentic heart and living traditions of the Swiss cantons with travel writer Martin Hesp.
Martin Hesp
Aug 244 min read


Great Places to Stay in North Cornwall with Walks
I've stayed and walked in some of the finest corners of North Cornwall. Here are four places I recommend for combining a comfortable stay with spectacular coastal walks.
Martin Hesp
Aug 198 min read


Watergate Bay: a great place to stay for walks on the North Cornwall coast
I've stayed at Watergate Bay Hotel several times, and it makes an excellent base for exploring this spectacular stretch of North Cornwall. Here are two of my favourite walks around Bedruthan Steps, Porth Mear and Porthcothan.
Martin Hesp
Aug 199 min read


Newquay beyond the surf: beaches, harbour, The Gannel and a stay at The Headland
Newquay is far more than surf, sand and summer nightlife. Explore its harbour, The Gannel, Holywell Bay and Kelsey Head – and discover why The Headland Hotel makes such a good base for exploring this remarkable stretch of Cornwall.
Martin Hesp
Aug 1910 min read


The Alverton, Truro: a central place to stay for wild Cornish coastal walks
The Alverton Hotel in Truro is a comfortable and characterful base for exploring Cornwall, with coastal walks on both the north and south coasts within easy reach. This is the story of one memorable walk from Porthtowan to Chapel Porth – a walk that happened only because Rick Stein cancelled on me.
Martin Hesp
Aug 198 min read


St Enodoc Hotel Rock: A Walk to Sir John Betjeman's Grave
Stay at St Enodoc Hotel in Rock and follow a memorable five-mile walk to St Enodoc Church, Sir John Betjeman's grave, Polzeath and Daymer Bay.
Martin Hesp
Aug 188 min read


St Moritz Hotel Cornwall: Walking from Rock to Daymer Bay and St Enedoc
The St Moritz Hotel near Rock and Polzeath is a wonderful base for exploring North Cornwall, with the South West Coast Path, Daymer Bay, St Enedoc and the Camel Estuary all close by. Having stayed here more than once, I look at the hotel, its spa and facilities — and one of my favourite walks from the door.
Martin Hesp
Aug 189 min read


Polurrian on the Lizard Review: Staying at One of Cornwall's Finest Cliff-Top Hotels
Perched high above the Atlantic near Mullion, the Polurrian is one of Cornwall's finest cliff-top hotels. Join me as I discover its history, wonderful sea views, excellent food and why it's the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Lizard Peninsula.
Martin Hesp
Aug 179 min read


Great Places to Stay on the Lizard Peninsula and in South Cornwall
From dramatic clifftop hotels and historic fishing inns to country-house retreats and foodie stays, these are some of my favourite places to stay on the Lizard Peninsula and around South Cornwall.
Martin Hesp
Aug 179 min read


Plan Your Company Retreat at Hotel Alpenrock
Planning a company retreat that balances focus with inspiration? From flexible meeting spaces to year-round Rocky Mountain outdoor adventures, discover why Hotel Alpenrock in Breckenridge provides the perfect backdrop for corporate gatherings.
Martin Hesp
Aug 93 min read


6 Great Places to Stay in West Cornwall: Tested & Reviewed
Discover 6 tested and reviewed places to stay in West Cornwall, from luxury beachside lodges in Carbis Bay and boutique townhouses in Penzance to cosy pubs-with-rooms in St Ives and romantic hideaways in Mousehole.
Martin Hesp
Aug 74 min read


4 Dramatic Coastal Walks in West Cornwall
West Penwith is a landscape of extraordinary opposites—where granite cliffs drop into turquoise waters, and ancient tin-mining heritage sits alongside Atlantic gales and sea-borne fogs. From the rugged cliffs of St Just and the hidden sands of Pedn Vounder to the ancient stones above Lamorna, discover four dramatic coastal walking routes complete with local pub stops, route navigation, and parking details.
Martin Hesp
Aug 65 min read


Why Portugal’s Southwest Coast is the Algarve’s Best Kept Secret
Think the Algarve is all overcrowded resorts and concrete development? Think again. Travel journalist Martin Hesp uncovers the wild, unspoilt southwest corner of Portugal—where empty winter beaches, harbour-side seafood feasts, and the tranquil boutique haven of Quinta Bonita await.
Martin Hesp
Aug 47 min read


Stay Central in the "Art" of Liverpool: A Creative Living Canvas
Eclectic Liverpool was a centre of creativity long before European Capital of Culture status was awarded almost two decades ago. From the Vivienne Westwood exhibition at the Walker Gallery to the family-friendly Mildred's Albert Dock Art Trail, here is how a central stay puts you in the beating heart of Liverpool’s artistic living canvas.

Chris Page
Jul 233 min read


Little Switzerland: The Dramatic Highs and Lows of Lynton and Lynmouth
For pure landscape drama, few locations in England can match the vertiginous cliffs and romantic history of Lynton and Lynmouth. Discover the deep river gorges, the legendary Valley of Rocks, and a beautifully restored historic inn right in the heart of Exmoor's "Little Switzerland."
Martin Hesp
Jul 138 min read


Forest of Dean: A First Visit to England's Hidden Forest
The Forest of Dean had somehow escaped me for nearly 70 years. A few days exploring its ancient woodland, panoramic viewpoints, superb cycling trails and outstanding food at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel proved just how wrong I'd been.
Martin Hesp
Jun 288 min read


Authentic Halloumi: Exploring Authentic Food, Wine and Village Life in Cyprus
What makes halloumi different from every other cheese? A chance encounter in rural Cyprus reveals the secret behind its famous squeak and resistance to melting, leading into an unforgettable journey through mountain villages, wineries, artisan food producers and authentic Cypriot culture.
Martin Hesp
May 277 min read


La Chapelle Saint Martin and the Haute-Vienne
Parkland, Porcelain History, and a Vanished World For those arriving by air, La Chapelle Saint Martin serves as a sublime pastoral gateway to southwest France. Located just minutes from Limoges airport, this elegant 19th-century manor house was originally built as the country retreat for a wealthy porcelain manufacturer. Today, it offers a completely different flavour of rural charm, trade-marking the expansive, rolling parklands of the Haute-Vienne. The house sits within a f
Martin Hesp
May 222 min read


The Magic of Château de la Treyne
Here is a short, high-impact extract that captures the peak of the story's atmosphere and that classic, grounded reaction:
There is a moment on the approach to Château de la Treyne that stays with you forever. As you drive across a narrow suspension bridge spanning the Dordogne River, you look up to see a dramatic 14th-century fortress perched high on a limestone cliff. Its beautifully proportioned towers cast perfect reflections on the water below.
Martin Hesp
May 222 min read
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