Istanbul! Great capital of commerce and culture, city of the Romans, Constantine and the Ottomans, the gateway to Asia, the pearl in Europe's crown! Like Sydney and San Francisco it's built around a great natural harbour, and like them it's blessed with a sunny and welcoming...

I stood on the balcony of my room looking out over the waters of Lake Lusiai suddenly hit by the journey that was ahead of me. A month before I had been studying for my finals when my phone rang and my friend Shona was on the other end. Shona is one of the life optimistic folk, always positive...

Gary Emich is an accomplished and well-travelled open water swimmer and is a regular guide for SwimTrek. What makes Gary truly unique, is his obsession with Alcatraz. Not only does Gary already hold the record for the greatest number of Alcatraz Island swims. He is also about to embark on his...