Lucie Grace

Cosy in a reclining seat, watching the white-washed, black roofed houses of hillside villages whizz by at 180 miles per hour, I smile broadly. Bullet trains, shinkansen, never fail to amaze me, even after a decade of visiting Japan. I’m on the Nozomi service, which starts in Tokyo and speeds south-west through Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and all the way down to Fukuoka on Kyushu island.

My destination is Yamaguchi prefecture, in the south-west of the main island, Honshu. Its capital is dubbed th...

Going all out for a seriously oppulent stay in ‘The Land of Smiles’ is more affordable than you might expect – destination expert Lucie Grace gives the lowdown on how to go premium for the fewest pennies

Remarkable shores await – and they’re not too hard on the bank balance (Minor Hotels)
Once synonymous with backpackers earning their traveller stripes on the Khao San Road and families bundling in slightly tatty resorts on a very large island that we won’t name, the past...

While Bangkok’s exciting buzz and modern metropolis is undoubtedly a must-vist, sometimes a little adventure is in order – Lucie Grace explores Thailand’s best cultural, luxurious and tropical lesser-known gems all in reach by a train ride.

For a minute, I think I’ve lost my group. I’m regaining focus after being distracted by racks of shawls and jackets. The sound of my tour party comrades gasping in awe, coupled with an enticing smell, leads me straight to them.

I weave between the frenetic, rolling trolleys and carts that are piled high with obi non, a round Uzbek bread, and meander into the bakehouse, which gets incrementally warmer with every step.
There are two huge stoves blazing. Each is manned ...

With Thailand’s new year celebration now on Unesco’s ‘Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage’, Lucie Grace was keen to experience the street parties in her adopted home – but she discovers there’s more to the festival than just water

Split is truly unlike anywhere else in the world thanks to the vast Roman palace that encloses the old town center. Built in 305 CE, Diocletian’s Palace is a dazzling bric-a-brac of marble that’s been added to over the millennia and is now made up of over 200 buildings that are home to 3000 people who live within the vast walls. It’s one of the largest Roman remains in existence yet is labyrinthine in layout, full of thin alleys that could just as likely lead you to a hidden courtyard as a co...

You may have heard of forest bathing, the wellbeing practice that’s gaining ground in the UK, but the Western name comes from the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku. Health resorts and wildlife organizations across the world have started offering the soothing pastime in recent years, a therapeutic activity that’s rooted in Japan, but with surprising origins.

All the symptoms of burning out were there and Lucie Grace had tried taking a break but nothing seemed to calm her racing mind. So, an invitation to try a mix of Eastern and Western practices to combat stress was one that she couldn’t turn down...

Test the water: relaxation and rejuvenation can go a long way to helping chronic stress (Lucie Grace)
Staring at my phone, WhatsApp open, cursor flickering, I realised I couldn’t form a sentence to reply to my friend. I needed ...

The gorgeous Andaman Islands are nearly 1370km (850 miles) from mainland India and one of the remotest corners of this vast nation. They are also well worth the journey! Astounding crystal-clear waters lap the coast of these tropical, forested islands, loved for their shimmering, pristine beaches, exceptional diving sites and glorious sunsets.
The island of North Andaman is known for its rugged landscapes, remote charm and attractions such as Diglipur township, sandbar-linked Ross Island and ...

Koh Tao might be best known for it mesmerising scuba diving spots, but what’s just as impressive is the steps it takes in marine conservation – Lucie Grace finds out how committed it is to being clean and green

If you’re planning a Mediterranean getaway, you’re spoiled for choice. Not that such a choice is ever an easy one.

And if you’re picking between a trip to timeless Italy or dazzling Croatia, the decision is all but excruciating. Which is why we’ve asked two of our most informed and ardent correspondents to lay out the case for why their pick holds the edge.

Thailand’s capital of culture mixes heritage with modernism, such a vibrant city also offers a wide array of hotels that will suit every traveller
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The Four Seasons in Chiang Mai feels like a remote Thai village (Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai)
Often referred to as Thailand’s “second city”, loved by locals for its creative spirit and serene ambience, Chiang Mai is a place where ancient meets modern. On first impression it doesn’t seem particularly large, as its buildings ...

Cacao farmers and chocolate makers in Thailand’s “capital in the north,” Chiang Mai, are giving European chocolatiers a run for their money.

By Lucie Grace
Sipping on the most flavorsome drinking chocolate I’ve ever imbibed in my cocoa-loving life, I try to pinpoint just what makes this mug of silky goodness so delicious. Is it the full-bodied flavor? The fruity hints roasted into a perfect balance of chocolaty sweetness? Or just that I’m not in Switzerland or Belgium, but at Khom Chocolatier...

As vibrant and eclectic as Melbourne may be, is it time to swap the bustling southern metropolis for a different city break this autumn? Lucie Grace explores the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and finds a tight-knit community, Indigenous artistry and a sunset worthy of applause.

Beautiful though it may be, is it time to swap crowded Phuket for a different island this season?

Lucie Grace delves into Thailand’s other islands, finding beaches, wellness retreats and nature-filled adventures
Try Koh Samui for a more relaxing, calmer Thai escape (Gett/iStock)