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If you've always wanted to experience Carnival but can't make it to Rio di Janeiro in February, Lisbon hosts a great European alternative every year, with floats, traditional parades, costumes and parties all night. Rent near the Parque das Nações for the buzzing Carnival at your doorstep.
Lisbon is one of the cheapest capital cities in Europe and one of the prettiest. Carnival is a glamorous time to visit the city.
My partner and I chose this hotel because of its location in Santa Teresa, the bohemian neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. It's a lovely property with clean and well sized rooms, beautiful public spaces inside and out and a breathtaking view from our room and from the pool. The owners were happy to suggest places to eat and enjoy the Brazilian night life and gave us all the advice we needed for exploring the city. Highly recommended!!
Spacious and affordable ensuite rooms on the quieter north side of Palolem Beach in South Goa. Only 50 yards from the sea!
An historic village in the North East of Corfu - the classy corner of the island - has been converted into a beautiful private estate of villas with pools. The houses have been beautifully renovated and it's ideal for families. You need to hire a car. Better still, rent a boat.
Best beach in the world, with main and the pass nearby.
Byron Bay
Google map: tinyurl.com/meuebs
Want to surf, or laze, or walk the sands? The beach at Merimbula is the go! You have two to choose from, surf beach or protected in the lagoon.
Families flock to Merimbula during the holidays. It is a popular spot with city families with Melbournites and Sydneyites holidaying there. Merimbula is a great spot!
South coast
NSW Australia
www.sapphirecoast.com.au/merimbula.htm
Google map: tinyurl.com/mnp4b2
Stunningly beautiful beach with sand as soft as dust and as golden as any postcard you've seen or any dream you've ever had.
The surfing's great, the beach is safe for kids, there's an island you can walk to at low tide with its own private beach and marine eco-system. It is paradise on Earth.
On the south-east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island.
It is a fabulous place on the west coast only about 1 hour from Auckland. It is a place to kick-back, walk on the beach, ride the surf and generally do very little
West of Auckland
Beautiful beaches, it's where a Bond film was made. Just hope the weather holds.
During a trip to Australia in 1997, I was lucky enough to have been invited to have dinner at Doyle's on the beach in Sydney.
One of the enduring images and impressions I have of that very warm February evening, was to see the sun set over the harbour looking towards the city far away in the background.
The sun was sinking fast behind the skyscrapers - it was an amazing sight, and at that moment I had the urge to call home. I took the mobile out of my pocket, and rang to speak to my mum and brother. It was early in the morning in the UK (11 hours behind Sydney at that time of year) and I said to them, "Has the sun come up over there yet?". They replied: "Yes, just about. Why?"
My response was: "I just realised this is about the only time of the day we can see the sun at the same time from opposite sides of the world."
www.doyles.com.au/
11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay
Google map: tinyurl.com/lmym9c
Ideal place to watch the sunset and take photos of your sweetie holding the sun in their hands.
The north Goan beaches are often overlooked by the idyllic beaches of south Goa but we stayed at the most gorgeous beach there. We went up to north Goa for a few days and stayed on Asvem beach which is a couple of miles away from Arambol. Asvem was gorgeously peaceful with hardly anyone on it apart from a few beach huts. It was like a secret that few had discovered. After staying in Anjuna this was a complete retreat. This was a few years ago and hopefully it is still the same. Arambol had a very chilled out vibe and not full of hedonist party goers but a lovely atmosphere. There is also a fresh water lake there.
A fish'n'chip joint par excellence! Situated on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), you sit at tables overlooking the ocean eating superb freshly-cooked fish and seafood from an extensive menu. Line up at the cooking shack, choose your food, and it is cooked to order. Those in the know bring their own plates and cutlery, wine etc. Watch the sun set over the Pacific, it's magical - or go anytime for a cheap delicious meal.
PCH (Highway 1), Malibu.
Relax on the beach in style by day – rent a sun lounger, get a massage and have food and drinks brought out to you – then party by night. Great place to watch the sunset from the beach bar, which then has DJs and dancing til late. Also has restaurants if you want a fix of western food (Indian, Italian etc).
72 Tran Phu, Nha Trang;
tel (84-58) 826 528;
www.sailingclubvietnam.com
I follow a group of Aussies up a rocky, uneven path between shops. Here’s the beach. It must be over 20 Celsius. Like a massacre, bodies litter the first section of sand. To my right the sand becomes rocks in a few hundred feet. To my left a meandering golden path finally curves on the horizon. Sea takes over.
It’s a walk of hidden corners and curves. I unpeel my sweaty trainers and sweatier shirt and sink with each hot step. Halfway to the horizon I lose most sunbathers. The warm air is odourless. The sea brushes the sand to my right, which gleams under the sun. I stop.
There’s nobody around, just the idyllic sea. Walking in the constant heat of the Noosa sun placates me. A browse of the website showed the maximum temperature all year is between 20 and 30 Celsius - an average of 19 in winter. Each corner provides a treat to the intrepid walker. A hidden cove for a young brother and sister to fish from; a tiny crescent of shaded sand for an old man to read in; a collection of dangerously slanted rocks for intrepid walkers to slip off.
www.tourismnoosa.com.au
Google map: tinyurl.com/mmreke
Takes place in March (so yes, a summer festival on this side of the planet!) in Adelaide's botanical gardens. Such a fantastic setting for a festival - chill under the giant fig trees listening to the best of Womad. A great atmosphere - one of the highlights of the year in Adelaide (ok that's not hard.. but believe me womadelaide is fantastic). Bring a sun hat and a rain coat and dance the day and night away.
We stayed in the Cumbuco beach hotel which is 2km down the beach from the village centre, the rooms are amazing and the service was great.
On a warm sunny day, enjoy one of the best beaches in South Africa. The sea is warmer than Cape Town, and often less choppy than the east cost resorts of Durban, Balito etc.
Beware of the blue jelly fish that sometimes get washed up on the beach, they give a nasty sting that can be painful for a couple of hours
Phi Phi is an island that has everything and it can be covered in a day, but to appreciate its treasures you will need longer. It offers great fishing and secluded beaches, and accommodation ranges from beach huts to air conditioned rooms. Traditional thai massage, snorkelling and diving all have to be tried. The island is bliss and I wish I was there. Be sure to seek out tourist info before you leave. You can even arrange for a guide to wait for you upon arrival. Thailand has so much to offer.
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