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Bronte beach, only two coves to the south of the more popular (and crowded) Bondi is a hidden gem amonst Sydneys beaches. At the south end of the beach, just beneath the famous coast path, is the wonderful Bronte Beach Sea Pool. On a calm day, you can sit in the cool sea water
watching the world pass (or jog) by, and when
the swell's up, you can sit in the pool with your back to the ocean and see how long you and withstand the buffeting of the waves. To top it all off, Bronte's superb juice bars and restaurants are within about 200m, so you don't need to stay out of the water for too long.
chansen72
About a mile south of Bondi beach, via Tamarama.
Activity Bookers is a free activity booking website. They have a great selection of outdoor activities for summer and winter and all are bookable online.
This lochan (small loch) sits high above and behind the strip of cottages known as Letterfearn, on the shore of Loch Duich. It is a very steep climb up from the hamlet, but on cresting the brow of the ridge, you may be greeted with the sight of a stag, silhouetted against the skyline. Stumbling upon the lochan on a warm afternoon, nestling in the midst of the wild highland moor, its dark waters seem to simultaneously threaten and beckon. It is remote, isolated, tranquil and offers a serene wild bathing experience.
maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.249732,-5.539856&spn=0.01054,0.027637&t=h&z=15
The Portland Rose Gardens is another local landmark site - with gorgeous views of Mt. Hood and the downtown city proper.
The 'test' gardens are literally that - experimental buds abound and many award-winners at that. Row after row after row of botanically-engineered beauty, and not just for enthusiasts.
Located in the winding playland that is Washington Park - The Rose Gardens sit within one of the best walking tours Portland has to offer - stroll up to the Japanese Gardens for an authentic cultural experience (it has been called the most perfect replica of a Japanese tea garden outside of Japan), or keep strolling up the park - playgrounds aplenty for the young ones and gorgeous picnic spots - if you make it to the top you can visit the Portland Zoo, Children's Museum, the Hoyt Arboretum or Forestry Center. Watch out for stray foxes.
Washington Park is Portland's largest and most exemplary - it is quite tourist friendly with plenty of buses, but the best way to experience it is on foot. The Washington Park Zoo train is also a refreshing option, taking you up on narrow tracks through the heavily wooded hills on an old-fashioned locomotive.
Family friendly - absolutely - but romantic enough for adventurous couples. With good trainers. A walking stick wouldn't hurt, either. Spread over 400 acres - long rests are encouraged.
Off of Hwy 26, from Burnside to Vista Avenue.
Take Gladys, with gin and tonic (or a local ale) from Hythe to Dungeness and watch the scenery change from small seaside towns to the bleak windswept beaches of Dungeness. Enjoy a fantastic plate of local fish and chips and the Pilot followed by a Knickerbocker Glory if you've room. Walk off your lunch exploring the Dungeness beaches - Prospect Cottage, the former home of Derek Jarman is a wonderful place at all times of year, and the listening ears are strangely beautiful.
If you fancy making it a weekend of windswept walks then Romney Bay House is a suitably eccentric place to stay.
British beaches in the wintertime (preferably with a good breeze and a kite) beat most other romantic locations hands down.
The Museo Larreta exhibits Spanish art and historical objects. As for the museum itself, it showcases a kind of jumbled offering - a wall with medieval weaponry, a room with Jesus Christ at the front. I was a bit confused about the specific theme the curator was going for. BUT, the garden behind the museum building is absolutely charming. I walked past the somewhat arbitrary museum pieces, out the back door, and found myself facing a beautifully manicured maze of flora. Fruit trees, bushes, and the great ombu tree. A stone pavilion and a small theater set aside. It's so tranquil and pretty.
So, how to get there: Belgrano is next to Palermo. So you can hop on the Subte D line to Juramento. It's on the corner of Juramento and Obligado de Vuelta. You can check out: www.museos.buenosaires.gov.ar/larreta_entornoes.html.
This is a guided bike tour for discovering Nice.
The tour passed all Nice's main attractions. The guide explained Nice's history during the tour, and answered all questiones sufficiently which were put to him during the tour. The tour is three hours long and included a free coffee (or beer).
The guide also pointed out all the best bars and restaurants for different tastes on the tour - from cheap n cheerful to regional cuisine and top-end romantic.
A great way to orientate yourself in Nice and see it from some fantastic angles.
The ice rink at Somerset House is surely the most romantic place to go on a winter's night. Enjoy the mulled wine and the good music in a twinkling winter wonderland. Don't bother with the skating unless you've been practising. Spectating is much warmer.
The Strand, nr Waterloo Bridge nearest station Covent Garden, Charing Cross, Waterloo.
For more travel tips and holiday advice visit www.bitesandblisters.co.uk
If you’ve never attempted ice-skating before then this is a great time to try it out – on an outdoor rink. A few places in and around London, most notably the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Somerset House, have converted large areas into makeshift rinks over the festive period and it’s a great place to take the family, partners or just a bunch of mates.
I’ve been three Decembers in a row and it’s such great fun and very reasonably priced too which is always a bonus! Just make sure to pack a scarf, thick socks and some warm gloves...
Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
A great walk with everything: country lanes, steep ascents, fantastic views from the top of the Ingleborough, a pub for lunch halfway, and a spectacular finale over Twistleton Scars and down the waterfall walks.
30 miles from Skipton on A65 towards M6, park at Ingelton
Guide to walk at www.seanliquorish.co.uk/blog/?p=14
Fantastic Portuguese National Park (the largest in Portugal). Camping and climbing are great.
Fancy flying through the air at tree level? You don't have to go to Kew Gardens or Alton Towers, this can be found in one of London's oldest forests. Even better - it's free and uncommercialised. Some anonymous tree enthusiasts have erected a series of swings from the ancient trees of this hidden wood. Scramble up one slope inside the wood, jump onto the rope and swing 50ft high into the air. Go any time - you are unlikely to find a queue. Oh, and there's a lovely family-run cafe nearby in the wood.
Queens Wood Road London N10
www.fqw.org.uk/
Listed as one of Sardinia's nest beaches, Spiaggia della Pelosa is about an hour's drive from Alghero up to the north-west coast. It's a dreamy crescent of white sand and sparkling emerald water guarded by an ancient stone watchtower. It's very popular in summer though, so be prepared for traffic jams. The nearest town of Stintino is a little port that makes a nice stop for lunch.
on the SP 34 road, past Stintino
A stunning group of coral islands 60 miles off Key West, only accessible by boat or seaplane.
The name comes from “tortugas”, referring to the then abundance of nesting sea turtles on the islands, with the word “Dry” added later to indicate to sailors that there was no water here.
The main island is home to the amazing brick construction of Fort Jefferson, built to protect young America’s shipping routes from the Spanish and then the English. It was later used as a prison for civil war deserters.
The islands have been called “the Galapagos of north America” because of the diversity of wildlife. While snorkeling – in perfectly clear water - you can see sharks, rays, hundreds of types of tropical fish and spectacular coral formations. Many rare birds, including masked boobies, sooty terns and frigate birds, only nest on or visit these islands.
Turtles lay their eggs here too, and you can occasionally see them popping their heads up above the surface.
There are two boat services and a seaplane to choose from.
We went on the Yankee Freedom ferry, which costs $139 per person, and includes breakfast, lunch, cold drinks and all snorkelling gear.
You can also camp on the island.
Yankee Freedom ferries: www.yankeefreedom.com/
Dry Tortugas
www.nps.gov/drto/
The original and oldest Everglades airboat tour is one of the first stops along the Tamiami trail – the road from Miami across to Naples and the Gulf of Mexico coast.
The exhilarating ride lasts for about 40 minutes and goes out through the waterways, which are actually made up of one big grass river.
The driver slows down to point out birds, many alligators and will give you some local natural history.
US 41, 11 miles west of the Florida Turnpike
www.coopertownairboats.com/
A great three-hour trip into the 10,000 Island section of the Everglades, which is made up of islands and inlets of mangroves.
You’re transported on a larger boat right out to the edge of the park where the Everglades meet the Gulf of Mexico, then dismount into kayaks in groups of about eight.
The guide, friendly and knowledgeable Captain Charles, leads you up small creeks, through mangrove areas and stops for a while on a sandy beach on one of the island.
Spring and autumn are said to be the best times to go because of the migrating birds and water levels - which encourage more wildlife - but even in summer we saw brown pelicans, egrets and herons, rosette spoonbills, ospreys, terns and dolphins.
The tours leave from Everglades City and cost $115 per person. The boat drops you off right outside the Seafood Café, where you can get a great lunch of fresh fish and crab.
Everglades Area Tours
P.O. Box 670 ~ Everglades City, Florida 34139
Phone: 239-695-9107
Email: captwright@evergladesareatours.com
www.evergladesareatours.com/kayak_tours.htm
From Penny Black to BQ, the bars at the top end of Boat Quay are a world class place to hang out in the early evening.
Where else can you find a place as idyllic as this, just seconds from the centre of the city's financial district? Light rippling off the water, multi-coloured converted "go-downs", old river taxis still plying the river and historical buildings on the other bank?
Yes, the restaurants further down the river really are pure tourist fodder, so you'll want to go somewhere else to eat, and Harry's Bar might be more famous for Nick Leeson than anything else, but don't let the stigma of going to an "expat hangout" divert from a genuine part of Singapore's culture.
The expats have been here since the place began, after all, and you may know someone who works nearby - an ideal excuse to drink in the atmosphere.
If this doesn't appeal, stroll up to The Fullerton, cross the bridge, and head for Indochine and its Opium Bar where you can stare back at Boat Quay from the other bank - and probably get some better food.
Boat Quay, Raffles Place MRT.
Walking tours of many parts of central Vancouver, run by Simon Fraser Uuniversity Architecture Department (www.sfu.ca)
Slide shows about outdoor activities in Canada and around the world at Mountain Equipment Co-op (www.mec.ca).
Slide Shows about kayaking activities locally and around the world at Ecomarine (www.ecomarine.com) on Granville Island, monthly from January - July. Also go to their free kayak try out day at Jerico in July, and try paddling 20 different types of kayaks.
Water Parks for kids at False Creek Community Centre, Stanley Park and other Parks Board venues (www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/Parks/events/events.htm).
Go to the Stanley Park Bike Fetival in June and try out the races for kids or one of the guided trail rides (www.stanleyparkbikefest.ca).
Watch the Tour de Gastown (www.tourdegastown.com).
Watch The Kite Festival at Vanier Park in July, and make your own kite to fly (www.bcka.bc.ca/Events/PacRim.htm).
Great old pub with al fresco seating (get there quick), great gourmet pizzas and tons of different rare Aussie beers - what more do you need?
100 Cumberland St, The Rocks;
tel: 9247 2229;
www.australianheritagehotel.com
www.australianheritagehotel.com
Wanaka, an hours drive north, was too much. Stories of less backpackers, chilled cafes and a very cool cinema, ‘Cinema Paradiso’, sounded just what the doctor ordered. There’s plenty to do even if you aren’t there to ski or board. Accommodation, as with everywhere in NZ, is affordable and comfortable. I’d recommend Puzzle World, the shooting range/mini golf; the airport, where you can parachute or go on a Red Bull stunt plane, or just watch others do crazy stuff. There are stables for horse trekking, which is a brilliant way to spend a day and really see the countryside. A paraglide from Treble Cone, the highest NZ is as close to perfection as you can get. For lazy days the many walks around Lake Wanaka are a must and the cinema... with great food, cool films, couches and an old car for seats is a unique way to spend an evening.
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