Laos closed its borders in March 2020, and the country’s tourism industry has been struggling. In holiday hotspot Luang Prabang, streets and hotels are empty, but some businesses have found salvation in the domestic market.

The traveller in your family may be stuck at home, but they are looking forward to 2021. These gifts will get them ready for their next trip, or make them feel better while they wait for flights to start up.

Mountain biking is a great outdoor pastime and Hong Kong offers trails for everyone, from beginner to advanced. Follow this handy guide and, with the right preparation, you’ll soon be rolling.

Don’t let a bad weather forecast spoil your next trip. These five free apps will help you plan the perfect journey or activity and make sure it doesn’t rain on your parade.

From how to ask politely before you shoot to choosing the right time of day and capturing the essence of the Covid-19 era, here are some tips on how to improve the pictures you take of people while on your travels.

Cycling fans will be glued to their screens from August 29 as the Tour de France gets underway, but for others the race serves as a grand visual tour of the country. Here’s what you need to know, including how to watch and who could win.

The Strade Bianchi shows that mask rules are relaxed, and crowds are returning but teams are still going to extreme measures to avoid infection.

If you are stuck at home planning your next holiday destination, use one of these language learning apps to get a lot more from your trip.

It might seem crazy to think about starting a travel blog now but there could be opportunities as the industry slowly reopens. These tips will set you on the path to becoming a travel blogger, from goals and platforms to monetisation.

If you want to launch a travel channel, forget about competing with the millions of travel vloggers on YouTube, and start yours on Instagram and IGTV.

If you’re planning your post-pandemic travels, consider having a retro holiday by ditching your GPS and travel apps for paper maps and guidebooks.

Starting a travel podcast is easier and cheaper than you think. With free podcast apps and platforms you’ll be picking up followers in no time, as long as you have something fresh to say and your enthusiasm for the topic shines through.

One of the toughest road bike tours in Asia, mountain biking in Nepal, a ride through China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge – we’ve got you covered on bike trips after the coronavirus, from what to pack to the gear you need.

The coronavirus pandemic and accompanying lockdowns prevent cycling trips for many, but you can still ride famous routes with your friends and pro racers virtually using a static indoor bike. The gradients will feel the same!

The coronavirus pandemic has cut short most travel plans. If you are a camera enthusiast, now is a good time to update and streamline your equipment. Instead of lugging round heavy DSLRs and lenses, try some of these lightweight options.

Few of Thailand’s millions of tourists venture down to its southeast districts, so Khanom and Sichon districts are perfect for a coastal bike ride. Enjoy the amazing views as you cycle along the roller coaster roads.

Today’s smartphones are powerful enough to produce professional-looking video content. These three filmmaking apps allow you to take control of your editing and turn your travel clips into cinematic art.

From Snapseed – unbeatable for processing mobile-phone images – to TouchRetouch, perfect for getting rid of unwanted objects in your photos, these five apps will improve your shots beyond measure.

Singapore might be known as one of Asia’s most vibrant financial hubs but it has some great mountain bike tracks too. Here is a trio of top options from the Lion City’s thriving cycling scene.

Cycling through Laos’ far northern region of Luang Namtha makes for an amazing biking adventure, says Steve Thomas, with tribal villages and stunning sights providing a great backdrop to what can be a tough ride.

Iranian cyclist Faranak Partoazar fears what will happen next in her country as the price of a bike soars to four times the average annual salary.

360 cameras have improved to the extent that models from Insta360, GoPro and others are appealing alternatives to regular cameras when travelling. Here are tips on how to capture the best stills and video using one.

In winter, the mountains of Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand experience one of the most spectacular sunrises in Southeast Asia. Your chilly predawn climb to a mountain summit will be richly rewarded.

Hills of northern Thailand, home to colourfully dresses Akha tribespeople and settled by defeated Chinese nationalist soldiers, welcome visitors after decades out of bounds. Rustic ways persist, and it’s easy to find tranquillity after a day on twisty roads.

What stocking fillers or bigger presents should you buy to please your biking-loving friend?

Former world champion Hans Rey is making a film about Hong Kong biking called ‘TransHongKong’ and is very impressed by the local scene.

With just a few simple tricks, you can make your iPhone or Android pictures look like a professional’s.

For serious cyclists, having your own bike when you travel can make for a much better trip, but taking a bike on a plane can be expensive and stressful. These tips will help make the experience as smooth as possible.

Northern Thailand’s ‘rose city’ of Chiang Mai has the reputation of being Southeast Asia’s mountain biking capital. Steve Thomas explores some adventurous trails with the help of two guides, and has a day out to remember.