Here are five Mediterranean destinations to consider, each offering something special for different types of travellers.
Soak in Sophistication on the French Riviera
For travellers after a chic, sun-drenched break with a little glamour thrown in, the French Riviera ticks all the boxes. From coastal walks to hilltop villages and Mediterranean gardens, there’s a timelessness here that appeals to honeymooners, solo travellers, and groups alike.
You can base yourself in one of the coastal towns, like Antibes or Villefranche-sur-Mer, for beach access and people-watching, or head slightly inland to enjoy peace, space, and panoramic views. The region is also ideal for day trips: visit the perfumeries of Grasse, the artists’ haunts of Saint-Paul de Vence, or hike the Cap Ferrat peninsula for incredible views and seaside paths.
For those interested in local flavours, wine lovers will find a mix of casual tasting rooms and more refined wine tasting tours throughout Provence, just a short drive inland.
If your idea of the perfect trip means leaving behind the crowds and diving into nature, whether that’s in the form of dense rainforests, wide open savannahs or far-flung islands, there are destinations around the world where wilderness takes centre stage. These are the kinds of places that make you feel far from it all, offering rare wildlife encounters, peaceful surroundings, and the natural beauty that you just can’t replicate.
Here are five destinations that deliver when it comes to remote escapes, unforgettable landscapes and immersive wildlife experiences.
Experience the Vastness of Patagonia, Argentina
Patagonia is where you go when you want to feel small, in the best possible way. This enormous region in southern Argentina (and Chile) is a dreamscape of mountains, ice fields and windswept plains, and it’s a haven for hikers, wildlife lovers and anyone who enjoys space to breathe.
You might spend your days spotting guanacos and condors on the steppe, trekking beside glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park, or sailing through fjords surrounded by towering peaks. In more remote areas like the Valdés Peninsula, you can also spot marine wildlife, including whales, penguins and elephant seals, depending on the season.
While Patagonia has become more accessible in recent years, it still feels wonderfully off the grid. Lodges and estancias tend to be far apart, and road trips between them are as much a part of the experience as the destinations themselves.
I was at Black Devon Wetlands yesterday, finding my absolute happy place in nature, totally lost in Tim Winton's incredible novel, "Juice." Seriously, there's nothing quite like reading surrounded by lush, beautiful nature and the gentle sounds of water. I even wore my black dress, and it felt so peaceful just soaking it all in. How I love reading in nature – it just makes everything feel more profound.
And speaking of profound, let's talk about "Juice" by Tim Winton. Published in 2024, this book is a powerful, almost prophetic, piece of climate fiction from the brilliant Australian author. It's not a light read, but wow, does it make you think.
The story drops you into a dystopian future Australia, a world ravaged by extreme heat and the devastating consequences of past capitalist exploitation. Imagine summers so brutal you have to live underground just to survive! The narrative kicks off with our unnamed protagonist, a man, and a silent, traumatized young girl, on the run. They stumble upon an abandoned mine site, only to be captured by a mysterious "bowman." The entire sprawling story unfolds as the narrator, in a desperate bid to save himself and the girl, recounts his entire life story to this captor.
He tells of growing up in a harsh but frugal agrarian commune with his stern mother, learning to survive in this new, unforgiving landscape. But as the world continues to deteriorate, he finds himself drawn into a shadowy organization known as "The Service." Their mission? To "acquit" – which is a chilling euphemism for assassinating – the remaining billionaires and corporate figures who were responsible for the climate collapse, the architects of what Winton calls "fossil capitalism."
Winton doesn't shy away from the harsh truths of this future, but what really got to me was the raw, desperate hope for survival that ran through every page, even in the worst times. It's about how strong the human spirit is and how it can be both very harsh and very loving when pushed to the very edge. The title "Juice" is so smart since it means more than simply energy (like fossil fuels). It also means the will and vital force you need to keep going.
So, after soaking up all that history at Newark Castle, he headed to Bothwell Castle. After we explored the bothwell castle we sat outside the castle to enjoy the big, open field right in front of the castle. However, as soon as we took a seat, two puppies came bounding straight for us. My partner, who is totally a dog person (the complete opposite of me, haha), was instantly charming. I, on the other hand, stayed perfectly still while these little fluffy bundles of energy jumped all around us, clearly eyeing our biscuits.
The best part of this entire encounter? One of the pups belonged to this lovely elderly man, 83 years old, who slowly walked over when he saw his dog had made a new friend. The other puppy's owner was a sweet little Scottish lassie who ran over, probably a bit embarrassed her dog had zoomed off. We got chatting with her and introduced ourselves, and honestly, she was such a polite and respectful little girl—her parents are definitely doing an amazing job.
The older gentleman then joined us, sitting down while we were still standing and feeding his dog some biscuits. He told us his dog loves to eat and eats a lot, and we just chatted for a bit. Turns out, this is his third dog, and all three previous dogs have been the exact same breed and color, and he's named them all the same name. He mentioned something that really stuck with me: He said "Just maybe this present dog might outlive him." Wow, right? He's from a family of blacksmiths and has an engineering background—just a genuinely lovely old man, although he did seem a bit lonely, which he kind of mentioned but he is a good-looking man. He mentioned having grandchildren, or a grandchild, if I remember correctly. After a heartwarming chat, we said our goodbyes and headed off.
Well, that wholesome dog encounter happened after we were done exploring Bothwell Castle. We rolled up and, thanks to our trusty Historic Scotland membership, we got in for free – love that. From the exterior, the castle appears enormous, leading us to believe that we would spend a significant amount of time exploring every corner. Turns out, we didn't quite spend as much time as we expected.
Some parts of Bothwell Castle aren't in the best condition, but when you think about it, the castle itself is a whopping 800 years old. That's ancient. So, it's more about taking in the sheer scale and history of the ruins from within the compound. You can't actually go into many of the rooms because parts have fallen away and for safety, which is totally understandable given its age. We even met another lovely elderly man at the entrance who was out for a walk with his neighbor, and he gave us a little impromptu history lesson about the castle. It's those little moments with locals that truly enrich a trip, don't you think?
It's a huge medieval fortress, perched dramatically on a high, steep bank right above a bend in the River Clyde in South Lanarkshire. It sits perfectly between the towns of Bothwell and Uddingston, only about 10 miles southeast of Glasgow.
Photo by Chris F
Confused About Screensavers vs. Wallpapers? You're Not Alone! Here's the Simple Difference!
Okay, confession time. Have you ever used "screensaver" and "wallpaper" as if they were the same thing? Because, hand on heart, I totally did for ages. I mean, they both live on your computer screen, right? It wasn't until "inshot it hit me last week" (you know those sudden lightbulb moments?!) that I decided to actually check. And if you're in the same boat as me, sailing on the sea of tech confusion, well, this post is for us!
It turns out, there's a pretty clear difference between a screensaver and a wallpaper, and it all comes down to their function and when they appear. Mind = blown. Let's break it down.
First Up: Your Trusty Wallpaper
Think of your wallpaper as your digital living room decor.
- What it is: A wallpaper (or as some folks call it, a desktop background) is that static image or design you see chilling on your desktop. It's just... there.
- Its Job: Purely decorative. It sets the vibe for your workspace, sitting quietly behind all your apps, files, and windows. It's like the paint on your walls – always present.
- When you see it: All the time. As long as your computer screen is awake and your desktop is visible, your wallpaper is doing its thing, looking pretty.
- Your Choice: You get to pick it. From a dreamy landscape photo, a quirky pattern, a painting, or even a picture of your pet looking adorable – it's all about personalizing your space.