Laura Tucker

Scotland’s cultural capital comes carved through with cobbled streets overlooked by hilltop medieval castles all within a rugged yet pristine woodland landscape. Edinburgh is her name, nicknamed Athens of the North thanks to her beautifully preserved medieval old town sat beside the elegant, neoclassical builds of the Georgian New Town. Clamber up Calton Hill to Arthur’s seat for sweeping views of the city and a playful, down-to-earth vibe that carries down to street level...

A Malaysian Borneo adventure may seem like a daunting option, packed as it is with dense rainforests, strange critters and ex-head-hunting tribespeople (they don't do that anymore, I promise). If you're prepared to forego the usual poolside Pina Coladas however, in favour of a more rural getaway, you await something truly special. Find biodiversity beyond anything you've ever experienced, lush untouched beaches in coves only accessible by trek, as well as a cultural history defined by tribal life, pirates and British colonialism...

Known as the cradle of Thai civilisation and first capital of Siam, Sukhothai is said to have been the birthplace of Thai art, language and architecture. Literally translated as 'The Dawn of Happiness', Sukhothai briefly enjoyed prosperity in the 13th century before being annexed by the Ayyuthaya Kingdom. Owing to extensive renovations, visitors to Sukhothai are able to step into the past and experience the re-erected grandiosity of the original kingdom.

The heady collision point of continents and cultures, Istanbul is where Europe meets the Middle East, bringing diverse people, religions and philosophies together in a frenetic fusion of mysticism and modernity. Istanbul’s skyline melds minarets with sleek high-rises, Byzantine mosaic-laden churches with imposing Ottoman-era mosques, all sewn together with raucous, rakı-toasting Turkish taverns.

Rather more laid-back than Tokyo’s samurai citizens and boasting a cosmopolitan vibe not found in Kyoto is the criminally underrated merchant city of Osaka. Awaiting under an endless skyline pulsing with neon and blown through with cherry blossom, you’ll discover ancient temples, towering futuristic constructs and more street food than you can shake a Yakitori skewer at. The warm, quirky personalities in Osaka will have you spellbound, particularly behind the Kabuki Theatre in Namba and within the niche nightlife offerings of Doyama...

Taiwan, with its lush forest-covered mountains and steam-room level humidity starting somewhere around mid-May, a visit to a hidden cooling waterfall is the ultimate – and cheap – summer day trip! While staying in AC-filled shopping malls is the easy way out, a short sweaty trek followed by a dunk in an azure freshwater pool is guaranteed to make you feel alive!

A teeny weeny nation of down-to-earth people, dominated by lush mountains and a year-round humidity that soaks into your soul and dizzies your perspective, Taiwan is one of Asia’s most endearing and underrated travel destinations. The cosmopolitan capital of Taipei is the best jumping off point; a chaotic yet slow-moving city, modern yet deeply authentic with proximity to awesome hiking trails, natural hot springs and off-track waterfalls. The orderly roads of Taipei stream with scooters, upon which you’ll see whole families, pets and various health and safety hazards hitching a ride...

The economic, social and cultural centre of Switzerland led by a rock star lesbian mayor, Zürich has a lot going for it, including unparalleled natural surroundings and the highest quality of life found anywhere in the world. A city championing gay rights since the 40s, Zürich has a well-established LGBTQ+ nightlife, from laid back, mixed-queer shindigs to sweaty all-night danceathons.

A tranquil nation constantly on the brink of disaster, Japan is a country that breathes duality and its spiralling capital is no different. Both chaotic and calm; dizzying and grounding, in Tokyo there is space for quiet reflection and wild antics in equal share. Carefully balanced in nature and in asphalt, you’re never far from either a branch of Muji or of cherry blossom. Lush forests surrounding the city’s shrines run parallel to fashion-forward shopping streets and, behind futuristic skyscrapers packed with weary workers, Mount Fuji glimmers on the horizon.

Known for its original vibrant night-market scene and bubble tea inventions, Taipei is a veritable treasure trove of edible delights. But if you remain unimpressed by night time temperatures of 30 degrees and having to chew your tea, then maybe I need to sweeten the deal.

A sprawling hub of contrasts, Seoul is where sleek skyscrapers and 5G WIFI rise high over serene palace compounds flanked by ramshackle hanok villages. Where a riverside bike path can either lead you to a fish market or a K-pop concert, and where cosmetic surgery adverts plaster the sides of lean-tos selling boiled eggs and kimbap. While Korea is ultra-quick to pick up on trends, the country remains behind neighbouring nations when it comes to LGBTQ rights, as conservative Confucian roots die hard and politicians pander to Christian fundamentalists. Despite this, increasing international ...

A colonial city with a history of British White Rajahs befriending Sultans to fight pirates, Kuching has a bunch of epic stories to tell and a number of very friendly locals to tell them. Located as it is on the North West Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, at the bottom reaches of the South China Sea, the region has a long history of homing immigrants from an array of Asian countries. This means that native Malays from diverse tribes mingle with Chinese and Indian immigrants...

A YA novel about Kate, a 17-year-old college drop-out with anger issues and a severe lack of self control.
Forced into a one-month stretch at a mental health clinic for adolescents, surrounded by nothing but teen nutcases and her own thoughts, Kate tries to distract herself from feelings of emptiness with the warm bodies of James and Aiden, two people with problems as complex as her own.

It's 2017, the age of social responsibility, mindfulness and environmental awareness. Supposedly, we treat animals better than we've ever done before. At this point, over half of all households in the USA own a pet and the pet industry now nets over US$60 billion annually.

When we think about the devastating effects of climate change, current and future, it’s easy to feel so helpless as to want to forget. Am I to blame? Was that packet of Chili Heatwave Doritos I ate responsible for the fiery deaths of tens of baby orang-utans? Is my carbon footprint the only lasting impact I’ll have on this planet?