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…]
The Hamptons. New York’s exclusive seaside getaway, where the rich and famous retreat to lap up the sun on picturesque, golden beaches. Apparently. I wouldn’t actually know. When I had the chance to play out my high-society fantasies in the Hamptons in late June, the weather was, quite frankly, miserable. The only beaches I glimpsed … [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…]
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…]
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…]