Australia

Home to surfing communities, rugged mountain ranges and one very famous opera house, New South Wales (NSW) encapsulates all that's great about life Down Under. And this time of year is when it really shines, with a rich calendar of events to enjoy. the main focus is a culinary one, with no fewer than six dedicated food and drink festivals taking place, including the city-wide Sydney Good Food Month throughout October. Meanwhile, 777 miles to the north, the ten-day Byron Bay Film Festival - now in its tenth year - will kick off in October. 

Home to surfing communities, rugged mountain ranges and one very famous opera house, New South Wales (NSW) encapsulates all that's great about life Down Under. And this time of year is when it really shines, with a rich calendar of events to enjoy. the main focus is a culinary one, with no fewer than six dedicated food and drink festivals taking place, including the city-wide Sydney Good Food Month throughout October (www.goodfoodmonth.com/sydney).

From enthralling wildlife and breathtaking natural landscapes, to great culture and cuisine, western Australia has it all.  To explore all that this region has to offer, begin in Perth - the gateway to Western Australia.

Tired of the Taj? If queuing under the hot sun for hours to be rushed past an architectural icon is your idea of fun, you'll love the Taj Mahal. If you prefer to linger, soak up the atmosphere and not be hounded by aggressive touts, however, head to Humayun's Tomb in Nizamuddin, Delhi.

Glamping (glamour camping) just got better thanks to a surge in inflatable, transparent ‘bubble’ tents, which are popping up all over the globe.  If you are like me who doesn’t fancy the idea of sleeping in a tent then these are for you.

Dreaming of meeting kangaroos, koalas and platypuses? There are a ton of reasons why a road trip through the temperate state of Victoria is the best way to achieve your Aussie wildlife goals. Here are two of them. First, you get to start from the very  cool state capital of Melbourne. It's an arty, photogenic city famous for its food scene, cultural credibility and laneways of pint-sized bars, boutiques and galleries.

With a world dominated by social media, busy trains and crammed coffee shops, the idea of ‘getting away from it all’ seems so unlikely sometimes. But while the planet seems ever closer and more connected, there’s one last real wilderness out there to escape to.  With 8,000 miles of coastline, Western Australia accounts for almost half the continent. If it were a nation in itself, it would be the world’s tenth largest country. So, if you want some space to breathe, you’ve just found the ultimate getaway.

SEE WHALES BREACH ON THE GARDEN ROUTE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Strictly speaking the Garden Route is just a four-hour coastal drive along the southern edge of Africa, one end an afternoon’s drive from Cape Town, the other two hours from Port Elizabeth. But no other highway is this appealing. It boasts the world’s second mildest climate, losing out only to Hawaii. The year-round rain means that its ten national parks are bursting with flora and fauna: more than 300 species of birds, coral reefs, elephants, dolphins and several types of whale.

Its home to a mid-boggling array of sea life and Australia’s most prestigious regatta but the largest collection of reefs on the planet remains under threat. This beautiful natural phenomena is worth a visit. You can plan your visit to coincide with a particular event or you can go just to observe the wonder of nature.

At stop in Sydney to climb the Harbour Bridge's inner arch for some spectacular views of the harbour; otherwise, you could cruise past the iconic, gleaming white sails of the Sydney Opera House, one of the most distinctive and recognisable buildings in the world, is probably the perfect way to start a tour of Australia before heading for some people-watching as you stroll along the sun-kissed golden sands of Bondi Beach and perhaps a dip in the surf.