Adventure

Why Adaaran Select Meedhupparu Wins Gold for Care

I’ll tell you where Meedhupparu is in a minute. First, let me tell you why you should go.

There is a distinct, quiet magic in returning to the roads of your youth. Growing up in Plymouth, the landscapes of South Devon, where the rugged granite tors of Dartmoor give way to sweeping coastal horizons, were the backdrop to my early life. Returning decades later aboard a motorcycle adds an entirely new dimension to that nostalgia. The long, open miles through the West Country flow past with effortless rhythm, culminating in a stay at one of Devon’s most captivating historic estates: Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa.

A new one-of-a-kind London experience opened this weekend in the north of the city: officially the UK's highest roof walk, rising 130 metres above sea level.

‘Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure’ takes you to very top of Alexandra Palace on a fully guided climb, and rewards you with spectacular panoramic views of the capital in every direction, encompassing 28 of the 32 London boroughs, and even surrounding counties like Hertfordshire and Kent.

As I approached ‘Hotel Berlin, Berlin’ in the early evening, a neon blue strip cut across its angular façade, hinting at its mid-20th century roots while embracing the city’s constant evolution. Inside, an LED banner wrapped itself above the self-service reception, flashing contemporary art, just one example of the hotel’s blend of design, innovation and sustainability.

Gary Birtwistle is a multiple Flat Track champion. He is the 2018, 2019 and 2020 UK Hooligan series champion, the 2019 European Hooligan series champion, and in 2022 and 2023, Gary won both the Pro Class DTRA British championship, and Twin class DTRA British championship. Not a bad resume. 

Gary rides for Royal Enfield these days and is fighting as hard as ever. 

As well as being a multiple championship-winning, professional Flat Track rider, he runs Dirt Craft.

Diving with TGI: Beneath the Surface with the Best in the Business

When Yamaha invites you to southern Portugal for a weekend of Waverunner mayhem, you don’t ask questions. You say yes, you pack your loudest swimwear, and you prepare for thrills.

The Setting: Portimão

Portimão — a sun-drenched, yacht-dotted playground on the Algarve coast. The kind of place where bronzed retirees sip vintage rosé while tech millionaires rev their tenders like they're in Fast & Furious: Mediterranean Drift.

My son Ben and I are self-proclaimed water adventurers, happiest when zipping across the waves on powerful motorised watercraft – better known as WaveRunners. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of carving through water at high speed, and we’re always looking for new thrills.

From Nxamaseri Island Lodge, we took a boat, a 4x4, and then a light 8-seater plane flying southeast (with me as co-pilot), before finally hopping back into a 4x4 to reach Leroo La Tau in southern Botswana. This lodge sits on the Boteti River, which forms the natural western border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Botswana is one of the most remarkable countries in the world. This landlocked gem in Southern Africa, home to just 2.5 million people, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, thriving wildlife, and strong commitment to conservation. Botswana artfully blends natural beauty with forward-thinking progress. It's also home to over 130,000 Elephants, 11,000 Giraffes, 15,000 Hippos, 1,200 Lions and 10,000 Zebras. I have been on safaris where you were lucky to spot one or two elephants at a time. In Botswana, it's more like Elephant Piccadilly at rush hour.