A little context

My WHY…

Because women deserve to believe that life can get bigger, not smaller, as they get older.

I’m interested in what happens when we get curious, try something new, look after ourselves, admit we’re struggling, change our minds and realise we’re not finished yet.

This is my story of strength, weakness, reality and utopia, four sides of a life still being written.

Why I exercise and what I really want from a fitness instructor

Featured story

Why I exercise (and what I really want from a fitness instructor)

A personal take on fitness, confidence, ageing and why I keep showing up at the gym, even when my body has other ideas.

Family adventures & travel

Places we’ve been, things we’ve tried

Family escapes, hotels, adventures and the places that give us something to talk about when we get home.

Crete, Greece


Celebrating 50 in Crete

Nine days at the Mitsis Royal Mare, with family beach days, moussaka, cats and a little midlife indulgence.


Read the story →

Strathyre, Scotland


A family escape to the woods

A log cabin, Loch Lubnaig, canoeing, cycling, Persian barbecue and an unreasonable number of wasps.


Read the story →

Rhodes, Greece


Atrium Prestige, Rhodes

A family stay in Rhodes, looking beyond the glossy photographs to see what a hotel actually feels like with a child.


Read the review →

Yorkshire


A gourmet getaway

Can a boutique hotel deliver grown-up luxury when you have a small child in tow? The Burgoyne makes a convincing case.


Read the review →

For travel PRs & tourism teams

Planning your next travel campaign?

I’m interested in thoughtful family travel, hotels, destinations and experiences that give readers something worth talking about.


More from Saffron & Cyrus


A few more things I’ve been writing about lately.

Persian Khoresht-e aloo recipe: a winter stew for women’s …

A winter dish that feels like home Pregnancy sharpens the senses. The smells, textures, and memories stirred by food is like nothing else. For me, it was during my pregnancy…

How to make the perfect Lubia Pollow: A Persian rice …

There’s something about Lubia Pollow… Lubia Pollow isn’t the dish you serve to impress at a formal dinner, yet somehow it has wormed its way into my heart as a…

Persian kotlet recipe: how to make crispy, comforting meat patties …

Persian Kotlet: a dish that holds family together Some meals linger long after the last bite, not because they are complicated, but because they carry the weight of memory. Persian…

Sabzi Khordan: how these Persian herbs eased my pregnancy morning …

Battling with morning sickness On the dizzying, often queasy journey of early pregnancy, my stay in Persia offered an unexpected blessing, thanks to one of H’s many khallehs. Battling relentless…

Sholeh zard recipe: Persian saffron rice pudding and pregnancy cravings …

Pregnancy cravings, prayers and rice pudding Pregnancy is rarely predictable, but when you are over 40, each moment carries more anxiety and hope. I discovered this firsthand after my six-week…

Khoresht-e Fesenjan recipe: how to make Persian pomegranate and walnut …

Khoresht-e Fesenjan is a Persian pomegranate and walnut stew that combines rich, earthy flavours with a subtle tang. For anyone exploring Persian cuisine, it is a masterclass in taste and…

Why I chose to plant a birth tree instead of …

Science, sentiment and queasiness At antenatal classes today, mums-to-be learn far more than breathing and relaxation techniques. The modern syllabus covers everything from hypnobirthing playlists to placenta decisions.You can eat…