Sometimes work, money or other conundrums mean escaping the winter chill for warmer climes just ain’t possible. But like many travel junkies, I get pretty itchy if my options for random sojourns are blocked by life’s obligations. Add to that Melbourne’s early winter (think: bitter sheet winds, grey skies and two pairs of socks just [...]

I fall into the ‘snow sloth’ category. My natural habitat is under a snowy white doona or sipping schnapps on the rocks. I tried skiing once. My skis fell off on a downhill run, I went snowblind and all the skin peeled off my face. To snow, I say no (unless I am watching it [...]

Name: Julie Tyers Age: 42 Occupation: Journalist, mother and domestic goddess Favourite travel destination? Why?: Close call between Koh Samui and NYC – but I reckon Thailand wins as it never fails to relax and nourish me on many levels. Worst travel experience?: Last June we flew to the UK with our two kids. On [...]

There are some upsides to winging it in the accommodation game. One of those upsides is Pine Rose Inn. The freshly minted First Husband and I went on a US road trip for the first part of our honeymoon. We landed in LA, drove up the Big Sur to Hearst Castle and then backtracked through [...]

Bear wrestlers, beware! In Alabama, bear wrestling matches are prohibited. It is considered an offence to open an umbrella on a street, for fear of spooking horses. It is illegal to sell peanuts in Lee County after sundown on Wednesday. It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church. Boogers may [...]

I am obsessed with three things at the moment: 1) Words with Friends, 2) Twitter, 3) the Cook Islands. The First Husband and I are planning a trip to the Cook Islands because Air New Zealand are launching direct flights from Sydney to Rarotonga in July, meaning that it only takes 6 hours to get there [...]

Name: Lisa Perkovic Occupation: My email signature says journalism and photography but on top of that I’m Deputy Editor of Digital Photography Magazine and have a travel blog attached to my website. I’ve contributed to Australian Traveller, Luxury Travel, Get Up and Go, Photoshop Australia and the SMH and Sun Herald travel sections. Favourite travel [...]

I am becoming increasingly aware of my energy levels; especially what makes me feel zingy and what makes me feel crap. In the morning, I find it very hard to sit still so it’s a great time for coffee meetings and phone calls where I can prance around the office playing, ‘Grown-Ups Talking About Important [...]

I have some terrible news. You missed the 2011 Watercress Festival. It was held last Sunday in Alresford, Hampshire, UK.

Dear Employee [insert your name for credibility]. You have been working very hard and you need a day off. It’s at least three months before I will let you go on holidays. Your weekends are spent doing housework and going to weddings/christenings/birthdays parties. I know that you want a day that is all yours; where [...]