Back in the day they attracted dark and ominous warnings for tourists, but now Naples and Sicily are safe, vibrant travel hot spots,...

BRUCE McDOUGALL travels west and dives into a world of giant fish, big birds, mini marsupials, ancient culture and momentous history....

BRUCE McDOUGALL reveals how an old newspaper hack survived one of the world's biggest parties. “YOU look like Joe Biden.” I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or taken aback as the head-to-foot black clad immigration officer perused my passport photo, and then my physical appearance as she peered over the top of her desk. “I’m not as old as Joe --- yet,” I replied, trying not to sound unfriendly. Then she waved me through and into Qatar, kicking off a quirky couple of weeks in the...