The best part of the day is the early morning. I don’t know how people can miss it.

The best part of the day is the early morning. I don’t know how people can miss it.

I couldn’t help but think of Marie Antoinette as I stood, plate in hand, perusing the lunch buffet at one of Venice’s grandest hotels.

I couldn’t help but think of Marie Antoinette as I stood, plate in hand, perusing the lunch buffet at one of Venice’s grandest hotels.

There’s a good reason many people, like me, get more emotionally involved in their entertainment while on board planes.

It’s a relief to find a hotel that thinks so carefully about its women guests, as well as women in the broader community.

It’s a relief to find a hotel that thinks so carefully about its women guests, as well as women in the broader community.

My advice is not to wear pyjamas on the plane unless you’re five years old or in business class.

My advice is not to wear pyjamas on the plane unless you’re five years old or in business class.

I looked up a few seconds before the first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. I saw it go in, cookie-cutter style, and red flames leap around its shape at the impact.

I used to photograph things and file them away with tens of thousands of other images in my phone, never to be looked at again. Not any more.

I used to photograph things and file them away with tens of thousands of other images in my phone, never to be looked at again. Not any more.

Travellers intent on not forgetting their passport, gate number or youngest child can often forget their manners instead.

Travellers intent on not forgetting their passport, gate number or youngest child can often forget their manners instead.

We like to complain a lot when things go wrong during a hotel stay. But you know what’s worse? Being at home.

We like to complain a lot when things go wrong during a hotel stay. But you know what’s worse? Being at home.

It feels like the most romantic drink in the world when you’re sitting on a Venice rooftop watching the sky turn apricot and pink.

It feels like the most romantic drink in the world when you’re sitting on a Venice rooftop watching the sky turn apricot and pink.

It seemed like we were travelling to the ends of the Earth. I haven’t visited for many years, but if memory is a place, it’s where I was happiest.

Apart from the astounding aesthetic beauty, there are many other things I love about staying in a riad – such as the price.