Driving into Bryon Bay, you’re greeted with the instruction to “Cheer up, slow down, chill out”. The iconic wooden sign welcoming the throngs of visitors descending on Byron says it all. This is not a place to rush, or be rushed. And that’s just fine by me. Byron Bay is a small coastal town in … [Read more…]
I first discovered Seville one summer years ago, while I was backpacking across Europe (let’s not talk about how many years). I vaguely recall some old buildings and getting infuriatingly lost in a labyrinth of laneways (ok, so it was before Google Maps). But mostly I remember being so hot that air conditioning and a … [Read more…]
Since moving to the Northern Hemisphere, I’ve developed a fond spot for a good Christmas market. Many of my English colleagues find it a little peculiar that a grown man could get so excited over a market, but really, what better excuse to drink copious amounts of Glühwein?! The popularity of Christmas markets has spread … [Read more…]
There was a time when I couldn’t wait to get out of Hobart. The capital of Tasmania (an island state in Australia’s south) wasn’t the most exciting place when I was growing up. Shops closed for the weekend at noon on Saturday; ‘doing a blockie’ (a.k.a. driving around the block) was a popular pastime; and the … [Read more…]
Spain may have Ibiza; France, St Tropez. But the Greek’s response is Mykonos, a small island that combines both into one hedonistic extravaganza. There are a few reasons I probably shouldn’t like Mykonos. It’s barren landscape. The persistent wind. The ludicrously expensive everything. But despite its misgivings (and my latest credit card bill), Mykonos may … [Read more…]
You may recall that after my recent trip to Provence, I said that once you’ve seen one oak barrel, you’ve seen them all. Well, I take that back. After my trip to Rioja (in the northeast of Spain), I can say it’s one wine region that stands out from the crowd. Of course, there’s the … [Read more…]
Summer is finally peaking its head around the corner, which means one thing… rosé season is here! And if, like me, you’re a fan of the pink drop, then there’s no better place to find it than in its natural habitat – Provence, France. I visited Provence earlier this month on a quest to see … [Read more…]
It’s easy to think of Germany as the land of meat and carbs. Certainly, when I think about German food, bratwurst, schnitzel and pretzel all spring to mind. But Berlin is a different Germany, and it shines a whole new light on what German cuisine can offer. Berlin is the multicultural heart of the country, … [Read more…]
Over the course of my travels, I’ve lost count of the number of times people have asked me to describe Australian food. My response tends to be “Um…..lamingtons?” (Not really. My real response is Pavlova, but I’ll get into trouble from the New Zealanders for that one.) Truth be told, it’s not an easy question … [Read more…]
When visiting Melbourne in Australia, many tourists head to the Yarra Valley, Victoria’s flagship wine region. But while Yarra Valley is well worth a visit, I personally prefer Red Hill, a comparatively small wine region about an hour from Melbourne on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. So much so that I make a point of doing … [Read more…]