Planning

Oct 30, 2012 • 3 min read

The cry of 'Are we there yet?' often really means 'When can we eat?' There's something about the joys of a road trip – hopping in and out of the car for…

Jul 16, 2012 • 3 min read

Sydney is one of the most gay friendly cities in the world and has something on every day of the week to keep any guy or girl entertained. So if you had…

Jun 20, 2012 • 4 min read

When it comes to train travel in Europe, the big question is always the same: is it better to purchase a railpass or point-to-point tickets? Railpass…

Jun 12, 2012 • 2 min read

Heading to sunny Spain any time soon? ¡Qué suerte! (Lucky you!) This diverse country is a traveller's dream, with all the fine food and wine, architecture…

Jun 5, 2012 • 3 min read

London has a reputation for being expensive, and while it’s true that you can spend a fortune here on hotels and wining and dining, it’s equally true that…

May 25, 2012 • 4 min read

Hey, big spender - think a weekend in Vegas means blowing your life savings at the blackjack table? The glittering Strip may conjure up images of slick…

May 9, 2012 • 3 min read

No, there's no need to remortgage the house to visit Tahiti & French Polynesia. Despite a reputation for opulence and exclusivity, it's perfectly possible…

May 9, 2012 • 4 min read

Luxury travel gets a bad rap. The mere mention of it to my more intrepid colleagues garners polite disdain, as if I'm suggesting a form of travel somehow…

May 9, 2012 • 3 min read

Have you and a platonic friend ever tried to convince a hostel owner to let you share a single bed? Have you ever walked more than 20 minutes out of your…

Apr 27, 2012 • 3 min read

It may seem like the resort-studded tropical coastline of Mexico's Riviera Maya might be out of reach for the budget traveler. Think again. Though it…

Apr 12, 2012 • 3 min read

Unlike Rome and its never-ending history lesson, Milan is the birthplace of the now and the next, from cutting-edge international design and the latest…

Apr 12, 2012 • 3 min read

I think my partner and I had both given up on getting married by the time we met. Our siblings and friends had all done it and were well on their way to…

Dec 21, 2011 • 6 min read

With a seemingly endless array of hotels and new ones springing up all the time, it can be hard work searching for a decent room in Shanghai. Below is a…

Jul 28, 2011 • 4 min read

Vancouver Island's biggest city – Victoria, British Columbia – gets a positive knee-jerk reaction for those who've been, usually talking about its coastal…

Jul 26, 2011 • 4 min read

There’s a saying that goes, ‘The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco’. It’s credited to Mark Twain, but that’s a lie; nobody really…

Jun 10, 2011 • 4 min read

From a flophouse opposite the bus station to seriously high-end jaw-droppers, hotels come in all shapes and sizes. But the desire for a good deal, smart…

Jun 2, 2011 • 4 min read

Like most budget travellers, the word that makes my eyebrows leap the highest is 'free'. While the you-get-what-you-pay-for statute makes it uncool to…

May 15, 2011 • 3 min read

Electronics – are they really cheaper in Asia? Yes…to a point. Hong Kong is undoubtedly the cheapest place to snag a bargain – just look at prices on eBay…

May 15, 2011 • 7 min read

Worried that the economy might put a crimp in your travel plans next year? Never fear: travel doesn't have to break the bank. Your currency may be…

May 12, 2011 • 4 min read

Packing light used to be a handy skill. These days, it's a necessity.

Apr 27, 2011 • 2 min read

Stockholm is stylish, cultured and beautiful. Once you’ve sampled the delights of the city, hop on a ferry to the islands in the archipelago for the best…

Apr 11, 2011 • 3 min read

Garish, gregarious Barcelona doesn’t guard its secrets jealously, but the Catalan capital does seem to get a kick from hiding the best of them in plain…