Author Profile: Natasha Von Geldern

Toledo’s most famous resident is a fictional one. Just 70 kilometres or half an hour by immaculate fast train from Atocha Station, Toledo is the capital of the Castile-La Mancha region. The train passes through brown fields of stubble and low...   view more

Here are a few more things ready to be discovered in NYC that aren’t your typical tourist destinations but which are amazing in their own right and reveal so much about this great...   view more

Budapest is a wonderful family city break where the kids can have fun and the grownups can still feel they’ve had a good taste of a sophisticated European city at the same...   view more

In April 2001 I bought a £20 flight to Venice, with the intention of exploring northern Italy before making my way down to the south of France and then back to London over a six-week...   view more

Trogir must have been one of the easiest day trips I have ever done on the fly. Literally, because we managed to fit in a day in Trogir en route between Split and the airport. The buses were very easy to coordinate and it is a lovely little old town to...   view more

The Malaysian capital is a city of fascinating contrasts, rich culture and wonderful street food. Discover Kuala Lumpur’s many facets while sightseeing, from the historic colonial architecture to the stunning Petronas...   view more

Within half an hour of arriving in Istanbul Wandering Kiwi Jr was being called princess and offered the hand of the waiter’s brother’s son in marriage. Indeed she was the key to getting to the heart of this ancient city, one of the many benefits of travel with...   view more

Salzburg is famous for many reasons, not least because it is a picture postcard, Unesco-listed, Baroque-era city with a winding river, hilltop fortress and surrounding alpine...   view more

I have been to Naples three times now and each time found different things to do in this most marvellous and misunderstood of Mediterranean...   view more

However, there are many unique places in Paris that often go ‘under the radar’ of those seeking to explore the city. These places can provide an authentic and romantic Paris experience, with an added dose of...   view more

I only had a day in Belfast on my recent trip to Northern Ireland so I decided to one of those open top bus city tours. So that is a bit of a flavour of the Belfast open top bus...   view more

The grungy laneways; the multi-cultural residents; the vibrant cultural scene; the bold mix of heritage and modern architecture; the independent fashion; the ever-changing street art. The Australian city of Melbourne has heart and...   view more

The thing about Melbourne is that cool things tend to be hidden. And that is particularly true of the best bars in...   view more

Welcome to my Brisbane city guide, which will tell you all you need to know to plan a perfect weekend city break or a more extended stay in Brisbane,...   view more

Yangon is an amazing city undergoing exciting change and the food scene is burgeoning, to say the least. I had so many great eating (and drinking) experiences I had to share my top 10 places to eat in...   view more

Welcome to my Melbourne city guide, bringing you all you need to know to plan a fantastic trip to the capital of Australia’s southern state of...   view more

Welcome to my Perth city guide, with all the information you need to plan your visit to this very attractive state capital on the far west coast of...   view more

Los Angeles is one of the world’s most famous cities, full of enough interesting attractions to keep a visitor happy for...   view more

Hobart is a popular city break in Australia and this Hobart city guide will give you all the information you need to plan a great trip to the Tasmanian...   view more

Sydney and its stunning harbour are where you will find some of Australia’s most iconic sights, such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. In my Sydney City Guide I’ll reveal how to make the most of your visit to this beautiful Australian...   view more

As of October 2017, Qatar has become the easiest place in the Middle East for a stopover, offering visa-free access to 80...   view more

Obviously I am not actually recommending that you only spend one day in Venice but what if your travel itinerary allows you only one day to see La Serenissima? It is still worth...   view more

This summer Wandering Kiwi Jr and I fulfilled a dream. We are both huge Sound of Music fans – me from childhood and, well, she is a child – so we decided to indulge our inner von Trapp and experience the ultimate Sound of Music trip to...   view more

In recent years the Northern Territory capital has seen exciting shiny new building development, especially along the waterfront. It is a city of peaceful suburbs shaded by tropical palms and...   view more

Connections with great literature are rife in Oxford, and make for a wonderful theme to base your exploration of this beautiful city with its golden stone facades and historic ‘dreaming...   view more

Is Verona the most romantic city in the world? The romantic appeal of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has always seemed a bit dubious. Young lovers and doomed love; destroyed by fate or unlucky chance. Why would you want to model a relationship on...   view more

Get ready to eat, shop, and sight-see your way to a standstill from the moment your flight lands. Read my 48-hour Hong Kong city guide to find out how to make the most of two nights and two days exploring this crowded scrap of land off the edge of China on a short break or...   view more

Johannesburg is the starting point for many travellers arriving in South Africa and I expect not many stay more than a few hours due to the city’s unsavoury reputation. But if you do happen to stay for a few days here are a few ideas for things to do in Johannesburg and...   view more

Even a short city break in Rome can be a pricey affair but here are some tips for enjoying the fun, food and culture of Rome on a...   view more

The charm of each district in Philadelphia’s supremely walkable Centre City is unique and the combination of old and new world architecture very attractive. But it’s the people who make this house a home. Philadelphians tell it like it is and offer only the warmest...   view more

A walking tour of Lyon Vieux is a glimpse of a medieval town that was not given the 19th-century makeover the French capital received (essentially to enhance authorities’ ability to control crowds and impose anti-revolutionary...   view more

Prague, locally known as Praha, boasts some of the most picturesque architectural landmarks in Europe. The Czech capital is also famous for its abundance of tasty beers, pubs, cosy cafés, great restaurants, and shady...   view more

When I visited the Havana I was fascinated to find a city that lives up to its nostalgic reputation but demands to be engaged with in the...   view more

Penang is a place of fascinating contrasts, where the skyscrapers of George Town rub shoulders with British colonial architecture, traditional Chinese clan halls, and wooden stilt house...   view more