Magic Moments and the Joy of Travel Magic moments… That’s not only the name of a famous Perry Como song, it also represents a kind of ambition. At least for some of us. The kind of people who would like to enjoy at least one magic moment every time they leave their front door. Magic moments are partly what these articles are about and they are certainly a thing most of us want to experience while we are travelling or on holiday. Exploring Northern Sri Lanka Which is why I was

Learning to Cook Cornish Fish with Annie Seabourne of My Fish Kitchen This week we were in Cornwall for a few days so that I could attend some fish cookery classes led by my new pal, Annie Seabourne, of My Fish Kitchen . In short, she is a walking encyclopaedia of anything and everything to do with British seafood . The excellent instruction focused on basic seafood preparation techniques and I will be writing all about the experience in my Hesp Out West feature in the West

It is as tasty as it is healthy, as exotic as it is diverse." Join Martin Hesp as he explores the vibrant flavours of Sri Lanka—from the coconut-infused curries of the south to the sun-dried wild prawns of the northern lagoons.

The secret is to know the moment." From a life-changing encounter with a Buddhist guru in a remote jungle cave to a 2,000km journey across "the road less travelled," discover the spiritual and wild heart of Sri Lanka in part one of this extraordinary adventure.

Rediscovering Batik in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's embrace of batik, a craft with a rich and colourful history, is undergoing something of a reawakening. From the coastal towns to the island's verdant interior, the sight of wax and dye, once a fading echo, is now to be seen just here and there. Having recently witnessed this resurgence firsthand during a British Guild of Travel Writers tour, an extensive and interesting journey into the heart of Sri Lankan creativity, the depth of

Exploring Sri Lanka by Road: 1,000 Miles of Magic With diesel at 30 pence a litre you can afford to go a long way. And that is exactly what I’ve been doing since we last spoke. I have travelled well over 2000 kilometres on the roads of hot, humid, mad, bad, beautiful and totally magical Sri Lanka. Wildlife, Landscapes and the Wonders of Sri Lanka There have been hills and mountains, forests and jungles, flat-lands and seascapes. There have been elephants, monkeys, tuktuks, bu

The Enchanting Landscape of West Dorset Certain corners of the landscape somehow hold or retain a greater air of mystery and intrigue than others. There’s no real reason for this - maybe something to do with the curvature of hills or a sense of intimacy promoted by the lay of the land. But somehow, when the contours combine and the geology and the flora and fauna all come together in one glorious orchestration, you can find yourself in a place that is not only different from

What Makes a Classic English Tea-Garden So Special? If you were playing host to a foreign guest who had never been to the UK before, which unique British delight would you be tempted to show them at this sunny time of year? A country pub with a garden, perhaps? Well, you can never go wrong with a country pub, but other countries have bars or restaurants that are similar to pubs in many ways. The classic English tea-garden, however, represents a little corner of earthly paradi

Indulging in Indulgence Catering : A Culinary Gem in West Cornwall Private Chef Experiences in Cornwall That Feel Like Home In another article ( https://www.martinhespfoodandtravel.com/hespfoodandtravelhome/the-fallen-angel-a-luxury-hideaway-above-mousehole-cornwall) we describe a stay at the Fallen Angel, an amazing architect-designed holiday villa in Mousehole, West Cornwall - and in it we mention that while there we enjoyed a fabulous dinner delivered and cooked on the sp

The Fallen Angel : A Luxury Hideaway Above Mousehole, Cornwall A Cornish Holiday Invitation That’s Hard to Refuse Here’s an invitation few could resist: “Why don’t you and your wife try out a beautiful little hideaway property for two, perched above a famous Cornish fishing village? When you’re there we’ll cook you a meal so memorable, you’ll be talking about it for months!” Okay, I’m in. Who wouldn’t be? Controversy Versus Reality: Is the Fallen Angel an Eyesore? Oh… until y

Authentic Italian Cuisine at Masseria Il Frontoio, Puglia Slow Food, Farm-to-Table Dining, and True Puglian Hospitality I’m in the mood to talk about proper Italian food. Partly thanks to an old Rick Stein programme I’ve ust watched. Not just any Italian food, but the kind that makes you want to pack your bags and head straight for the heel of Italy's boot. I'm referring to Masseria Il Frontoio , a place that's not just a restaurant—it is something of a shrine to the Slow Foo

Exploring Malmö, Sweden: A Scandinavian Gem Just Minutes from Copenhagen Malmö is in Sweden—but it is what you could call a cross-border destination. That’s because the region encompassing both Malmö and Copenhagen sometimes markets itself as a single, seamless travel experience. At least, that was what happened a few years ago when I was planning a press trip to Copenhagen and I was put up in Malmo. And why not? With one of the most efficient train services in the world conn

Cornwall is famed for its beaches, but inland lies a mysterious, lush ravine steeped in history. From the breathtaking 89-foot granite arches of the Treffry Viaduct to the quiet ancient woodlands of Prideaux, the Luxulyan Valley is one of the county's best-kept walking secrets.

Have you watched the new Netflix mini-series La Palma? It’s a show that is highly likely to put thousands of people off visiting this most beautiful of islands. . Yes, there is a volcano threat, and that could cause a giant landslide into the ocean resulting in the biggest tsunami ever seen, but why let that put you off? It is one of the most dramatically scenic islands I have ever visited… Here’s a travel piece I wrote after staying there 20 long years ago… The massive backb

We were in St Ives recently, staying at the impressive Treloyhan Manor , which is part of the Carbis Bay Estate - and I was remembering the first time I wrote about the town just over a quarter of a century ago. I have put the article up here because, in some ways, it now acts almost as a historic document. St Ives has changed quite a bit since I went there for my Hesp’s Harbours series, which appeared in the Western Morning News for a whole year. The Magic of St Ives , Cor

Cornwall Road Trip Delights: Award-Winning Beers, Butchers, and Harbour-Side Sourdough Pizzas We are creatures of habit, and one example we discussed recently in these pages is the regular port of call people make when they are travelling to certain places. I mentioned calling into Appledore on a drive back from Cornwall. If I’m going the other way I’ll often make a point of leaving the A30 at Launceston so that I can visit the truly excellent Philip Warren butchers’ emporium

A quick trip around Le Marche in Central Italy

Warm Weather Awakens the UK’s Only Venomous Snake As spring sunshine begins to warm the West Country, adders—the UK’s only native venomous snake—are stirring from their winter slumber. Sightings have already been reported across local hills and heathlands. But despite these appearances, experts are concerned about the species’ long-term future. A few years ago I wrote the following two articles all about adders in the English hills. Adder Decline: A Growing National Concern C

Discover the Real Lanzarote: A Walking Holiday Beyond the Resorts The name Lanzarote used to be a byword for lobster-red sunburns, cold beer, and all-inclusive package holidays. And while those sun-drenched escapes still exist, anyone who visits this extraordinary Canary Island and ignores its wild natural beauty is missing out on something truly special. Lanzarote is like nowhere else on Earth. In parts, it resembles the Moon—stark, surreal, and utterly compelling. For more

A Food Lover’s Paradise in the Atlantic Imagine an archipelago of sun-kissed islands surrounded by clear, warm waters teeming with marine life. A place where the climate is so mild and fertile that nearly anything can grow. This is the Isles of Scilly , a destination that’s not just a natural paradise but increasingly, a gourmet one. For years, this potential wasn’t fully realised — but all that is changing. Food and drink on Scilly is undergoing a remarkable renaissance, pla