Adventure

Easy-going and spectacular, Nicaragua is also ecologically rich. It boasts the; largest area of primary-growth rainforest north of the Amazon, six active volcanoes and more than 500 miles of carefree coastline, peppered with sunny surf tows and tranquil beaches. Tourist interest has grown in recent years as the country has begun to normalise after years of political unrest and some terrible natural disasters; and today, the largest country in Central America is also one of the safest.

I'm suspended horizontally, trussed up like a turkey and pointing face-first down a mile of zip wire, the longest in the northern hemisphere. And when the safety line is yanked free, there's no turning back.  Zip World opened recently in the dramatic setting of the world's oldest and largest slate mine, Penrhyn Slate Quarry, by Snowdonia National Park.

It was the legend of Dracula that first drew my attention to the forest-clad mountains and creepy castes of Transylvania, but I soon discovered that the region has much to offer beyond the sinister fairytale.  So, I head to Dracula country and more than haunted castles and vampires.

Anyone who has seen the movie Sideways will know that exploring California's wine regions will be a trip of a lifetime before you've even packed your bags. The Golden State not only has some of the most exciting pinot noirs on the planet, it is home to artisan towns, epic scenery, great wildlife, welcoming locals and, of course, fascinating wineries.

Morocco's cities are impossibly exotic. North African culture bumps up against all the quirks and traditions of the Middle East, leaving travellers caught up in haggling sessions for carpets, tripping over snake charmers' baskets, drinking scalding mint tea or getting lost in dark, maze-like souks. From the capital to the coast, there's plenty to discover in the urban hubs across the country. Here's our pick of the top spots to see.

In the film Hostel, the director Eli Roth depicted Slovakia as a dirty, dangerous war-torn country brewing with evil. Horny backpackers were particularly vulnerable, not only from the devious women who'd lure them to an early death for a few korunas, but also the young ruffians who'd kill for a mobile phone - or even a piece of chewing gum.

Gastronomy, golf, beaches, nature and history: the tourist attractions of the Costa del Sol are undoubtedly some of the most complete in the world. Malaga province may be the smallest in Andalucia in terms of size, but because of its situation and its climate, it is hard to beat.  The location is fundamental in understanding the success of the Costa del Sol as an international tourist destination. It is the European Mediterranean coast which is closest to the Atlantic, but it is also south of the great Guadalquivir valley.

Few adventures still stir the soul like the great American road trip. This near-mythical experience seems to go to the very heart of the world's third largest country - the Mustang, the Charger, the Bronco all being cars that conjure up the spirit of riding horseback across wild, unchartered land - and hitting the road is the embodiment of freedom in the land of the free.

Ask many who have travelled to Italy what cities they visited and I bet they will all give you similar answers: Rome, Florence and Venice.  Here we introduce you to three other less-visited Italian cities we think you might enjoy.

GENOA: LA SUPERBA

As the sixth largest city in Italy, Genoa can often be overlooked by tourists with only a weekend to spare.  But, nicknamed la Superba (‘the Superb one’) thanks to its stunning landmarks, the city is well worth a visit.  You can wander the maze of narrow alleyways, called vicoli, that make up the medieval heart of Genoa – the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.  Young people on bikes and scooters dart by, old women carrying bags full of groceries bargain with fishmongers and chatty students walk towards the university – the place really is the quintessential port city, bustling with life.

Every year, thousands of New Zealanders and Australians make the journey from their sun soaked home to the freezing former battlefields of Gallipoli, Turkey.  Happens each year on the 25 April, to remember the day the troops landed and the braves who fought there and perished during World War One. For many, a night spent camping in the bitter cold, is the ultimate tribute on Anzac Day.  You could be part of this huge coming-together, and there are plenty of ways to do it.  You can join a whistle-stop tour, which includes all the commemorative events held in Gallipoli, or take the time to explore the rest of Turkey on a longer trip to learn more about the history and pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives over a 100 years ago.