The NYC Caffeine Chronicles: Autumn 2024 Update

Whenever I visit New York City, specialty coffee shop hopping is always on my agenda. I've been visiting the city's coffee shops for over two decades and it's a pleasure to go both to a coffee shop I've frequented for 21 years and to a whole host of much newer specialty coffee spots on the same trip. NYC's coffee scene has continued to evolve with my own tastes and I always discover new cafes and roasters to check out. My most recent trip was no exception!

A Long Weekend in New York City: Autumn 2024

For me, there's always been something special about New York City. Since my first visit in 1995, I've always loved the sights, sounds, scents — and shopping! I even celebrated my milestone birthday there last November with my family. I start to miss the city before I've even made it back to the airport. And I've been looking forward to this one — my 34th trip to NYC — since I booked in the summer. Read on to find out what I got up to!

How To Spend Two Weeks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country I'd wanted to visit for sometime and I'm so glad I finally made it happen in 2024. I spent an incredible two weeks there in September, filled with many unforgettable memories, from sunrise hill climbs and elephant gatherings, to beautiful beaches, captivating cultural experiences and fantastic food. In this guide, I'm sharing my overall itinerary and how it worked out, what I did, where I stayed, how I got around and my other advice and practical tips.

Ten Specialty Coffee Spots To Visit in Sri Lanka

To say that Sri Lanka is a tea country is something of an understatement. The small island nation is the fourth largest tea producer in the world and tea plays a huge role in the economy, culture and people's daily lives. And  as a tea-ambivalent coffee lover, I was excited to discover a small but burgeoning specialty coffee scene in Sri Lanka. Keep on reading to find out about the coffee shops, cafés and roasteries I enjoyed checking out on my recent trip.

24 Hours in Colombo: Spice Markets and Sunsets in Sri Lanka's Capital

The final stop on my two-week tour of Sri Lanka was Colombo. Located on the west coat, the bustling and sprawling capital makes an excellent place to start or end your time in Sri Lanka — especially if you've been craving city life and culture. Like many other visitors, my itinerary only allowed for a 24-hour stay in Colombo but there is plenty to see and do, as well as many great places to eat, drink and shop.

History and Beach Bliss in Galle and Sri Lanka's South Coast

After ten action-packed days exploring Sri Lanka, I was ready for some beach time. I travelled from Ella to Sri Lanka's southwest coast, staying two nights at a luxury beach resort in Koggala — one of the loveliest hotels I've ever stayed in — and one night in a former cinnamon factory in the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. I visited in September and although this is technically 'inter-monsoon' season, I knew that the sea would be too rough for swimming and that I might also experience heavy rain showers. That's why I split my time between the resort — where I had a private indoor pool — and Galle, so that rain didn't stop play. 

Three Days in Ella, Sri Lanka: Where 'Hill' Meets 'Chill'

Ella was one of the Sri Lankan destinations that I was most looking forward to visiting. And the small town, perched high in the hills and surrounded by verdant tea plantations, did not disappoint. I spent three days there, following accessible and rewarding hiking trails, train spotting (yes, again!) and chasing waterfalls. The latter is particularly appropriate because the name Ella is derived from the Sinhala word for 'waterfall.' Read on to find out the best things to do and see in Ella, as well as my recommendations for places to eat, drink and stay.