Blog Posts

The posts are archived. Mainly from my site “Cool Travel Guide” where I wrote about our travels before 2010 when we started Grantourismo Travels.
Due to the age of these posts, some may be missing images…

Marum, Siem Reap. Cambodia culinary tour. Copyright 2015 Terence Carter / Lara Dunston / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

New Cambodia Culinary Tour Dates Coming Soon

ByLara DunstonAug 18, 2015

In May, my photographer husband Terence Carter and I hosted a culinary travel writing and photography tour with Backyard Travel. It was delicious fun although completely exhausting, so we’re doing things a little…

Siem Reap Old Town. Siem Reap Itineraries. Copyright 2015 Terence Carter / Lara Dunston / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

Direct Bookings for Siem Reap Itineraries and Trip Planning

ByLara DunstonAug 18, 2015

I’ve been offering bespoke itineraries and trip planning services for a while now, booked via Vayable, as well as arranged directly through me via Grantourismo. This all came about somewhat…

Copyright 2015 Terence Carter / Lara Dunston / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved. Siem Reap Social Media Workshops.

Media and Social Media Workshops in Siem Reap

ByLara DunstonAug 18, 2015

Since we moved to Siem Reap just over two years ago, I’ve received dozens of requests from business owners, hotel managers and staff working in tourism and hospitality to offer…

Rules Restaurant, London.

Cool Travel Guide to London

ByLara DunstonMar 14, 2013

Outstanding museums and art galleries, great bookstores and music shops, and brilliant eating – as long as you know where to find it – London has long been a place…

Hoi An during Tet, Vietnam.

An Update from the Road – from Australia to Asia

ByLara DunstonMar 8, 2013

Wildlife spotting in Sabah on an Orion Expedition, testing out Relais and Chateaux’s luxury lodges in New Zealand, exploring Bangkok’s off the beaten track floating markets, trundling through Northern Thailand…

Lara Dunston, 2012.

Reflections on Remembering Loved Ones From Near and Afar

ByLara DunstonMar 4, 2013

I had to hold back the tears upon hearing the news of the death of legendary Australian journalist Peter Harvey who died on the weekend. I remember first hearing his…

Guide to Marrakech, Morocco.

Cool Travel Guide to Marrakech

ByLara DunstonNov 22, 2012

Clear skies, crisp light, sunny days, cool nights. Marrakech has long been one of my favourite winter destinations, since my first visit to the terracotta city from our home in…

How to find cheap flights.

How to Find Cheap Flights

ByLara DunstonNov 21, 2012

I was recently asked by a reader for tips as to how to find cheap flights and I prefaced that advice with this post over on Grantourismo about how to decide…

SLH property, Luang Say Residence, Laos.

Find Luxury Hotels on Small Luxury Hotels of the World iPhone App

ByLara DunstonAug 30, 2012

I find that a lot of hotel and travel apps are not all that compelling and not very useful, but the Small Luxury Hotels of the World iPhone app makes a…

Orion Cruises.

An Update from the Sea

ByLara DunstonJul 23, 2012

When I blogged here more frequently I’d occasionally post an Update from the Road, a pretty poor excuse for not posting that would make apologies and feeble excuses, like, well,…

The romance of Venice, Italy.

The Romance of Venice

ByLara DunstonJul 22, 2012

Venice must be the world’s most romantic city. It’s the first place that always comes to mind when I’m asked to recommend destinations for couples keen on rekindling a romance…

Contemplating Cruise Ship Travel

Contemplating Cruise Ship Travel

ByLara DunstonJun 30, 2012

For the first time in my life I’m considering cruise ship travel. The other day I was wondering if I’m too old for hostels, now I’m thinking: am I too…