Normally no stranger to luxury, Alison once camped in Paris in a leaking kids' play tent ("don't ask"), and has often slept out under the stars in a swag across the Australian Outback ("now that's luxury money can't buy") on her globetrotting way. As a journalist/editor/managing editor and author, Alison's career has included newspapers, mass circulation weekly magazines, glamorous glossies, books, guides and all kinds of travel writing – destinations, food, wine, wellbeing, spas, art, drive/road trips and off the beaten track. Nearly (but not quite) all the important things in life!
Around England – start exploring here: Brighton, Kent and Sussex … White cliffs, green countryside and fascinating historical heritage Cotswolds … England’s playground of pretty villages, perfect pubs, and outdoor pursuits aplenty Stratford, the West Midlands & Birmingham … Shakespeare country, Warwickshire and its beautiful neighbouring counties, reaching to the Welsh border Devon and Cornwall … Bays to take your...
Beyond Stratford-upon-Avon, the beautiful counties of the West Midlands across the heart of England are perfect for great days, driving trips and longer stays. Explore towns and villages, visit some of the vast network of imposing castles, stately homes and gardens. Shop in historic high streets, stop at farm shops or linger in cafes or quaint pubs. For major stores, shopping precincts,...
You know what you like and there’s plenty to please in the Hunter with organic food and wine, cafe culture and activities like bike riding. Leave the city after work on Friday and access the Hunter Valley via the Hunter Expressway and Lovedale to Pokolbin or via the Route 33 Tourist Drive to Laguna and Wollombi. Your accommodation will determine...
You’ll love the vitality of Birmingham, England’s dynamic, multicultural second city (after London) and a shopping, entertainment, arts, dining and nightlife capital. Buoyed by the image-conscious IT and arty set who live and work in and around the city centre, Birmingham has a fresh, switched-on feel. Find contemporary galleries, retail and entertainment complexes, the ‘wedding cake’ library building, grand Victorian...
Discover Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare country, many people’s idea of England, with ‘black and white’ timbered Tudor houses, castles, grand manor houses and gorgeous gardens. Drive through beautiful villages, ancient woodlands, hills and patchwork fields. Tick the photo-opportunities’ box as you travel across the heart of England to the Malvern Hills and the Welsh border country beyond. Just a stone’s throw from...
Good news! There are heaps of interesting and fun family-friendly activities in town and around. Check out these top choices around Stratford-upon-Avon, the West Midlands and Birmingham. Introducing Shakespeare Making Shakespeare relevant to kids is a focus at the key properties of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Properties entertain kids with craft activities, puzzling trails, dressing up, acting, storytelling and activity...
For great insights into the life and times of the great bard, this itinerary helps you immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. from his birthplace to his schoolroom, from the site of his house and his garden at New Place to his grave. Eat and drink in a pub that was standing before he was born, visit his grandparents’ place, his...
See the best of Sichuan and Guanxi in 7 days. With its main hub at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines flies to LA, San Francisco and New York in the US and now connects Australia and New Zealand with Europe. This opens a gateway to China for many new visitors and onward connections then deliver you to...
With a dashing history of battles and barbarians, Monaco is synonymous with fast cars, glittering nightlife and luxurious living. Home to a high proportion of millionaires, it really is a playground for the rich and famous. Three nights here, on the French Riviera, will enable you to make the most of the glamour that Monte Carlo and Monaco are known...
Vineyards and kids go hand in hand in the Hunter with family-friendly vineyards, cafes and attractions. There are several large resort style hotels with apartment or villa style accommodation, pools and playgrounds. So check out the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley, next door to the Hunter Valley Gardens and the shopping village. Based around the Greg Norman-designed golf course, The Vintage...
There’s everything you could wish for on a Hunter Valley Wine and Food Indulgence weekend or short break, from cellar door tastings to long lunches and delicious dinners. Wednesday to Sunday are main opening days for many restaurants and bookings are recommended/essential for signature dining experiences. Hunter Valley: Day One Arriving in the afternoon/early evening, plan to eat where you...
Book a harbour-view room at the contemporary Portside Hotel in Gisborne to awake to the romance of a working port and explore the city in 2 days. Coastal traders, fishing boats, visiting cruise ships are all part of your introduction to a little of what makes this special part of New Zealand tick. Gisborne: Day 1 Morning Breakfast at the...
The 630 mile path (1013km) takes in the entire length of the Devon and Cornish coasts, stretching from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset including walks for all ages and levels of ability, including easy access. Many Brits choose to walk different sections at a time, returning year after year; seasoned hikers can do it in 30 days but a...
Gisborne is a fishing port and hub for the local farming community on the East Coast of New Zealand‘s North Island. It’s high on the radar for wine and vineyards and a beautiful coastline with excellent beaches and surfing. Maori culture is strong and this is the first city in the world to see the sun rise/dawn which is a great claim to...
The Hunter Valley, north of Sydney in NSW is a wine region with 150+ vineyards and cellar doors. Historic and dynamic, The Hunter Valley offers wine and food experiences to the max, whatever your taste. Sydney-siders and locals are lucky in that they can keep coming back for more – and they do! The traditional grapes are Semillon and Shiraz,...
Defined by their extensive coastlines and seafaring traditions, attractive countryside and gorgeous gardens due to the warmer southern climate, the two glorious neighbouring counties of Devon and Cornwall couldn’t be more different in character. Cornwall’s 300 or more beaches and seaside hotspots are major drawcards, especially in the summer school holidays. The Atlantic-facing north coast is the surfing and beach mecca...
England blends cutting edge culture, history, tradition and romance against its backdrop of thatched cottages, pubs, centuries-old towns, intricate coastline and magical countryside. Now add the English creativity responsible for some of the world’s best music, film, design, fashion, art, literature, chefs, sporting heroes and architecture and you have a destination that delivers, big-time. England’s powerful history is well-preserved in...
Tours to Sichuan and Guangxi provinces reflect a different face of China. Regional Sichuan includes the spectacular scenery and wildlife of the Jiuzhai Valley National Park, home to nine Tibetan villages, blue and green lakes and wildlife such as giant pandas, Sichuan golden monkeys, takins and plants including orchids and rhododendrons. The national park is located in the Min Shan...
The vast Asia and the Middle East umbrella covers colourful and vibrant countries as diverse as India, China, Thailand, Japan, Oman, Israel and all the wonderful places in-between. Expect adventures and incredible journeys, experience traditional cultures and spirituality. Connect with thriving cities where old meets new. Exploring Asia and the Middle East This could take a lifetime, but it’s never been easier to...
Maybe it’s your own back yard? Or a big city that’s an airport hub you’d planned to leave as soon as possible but really has much to offer – Birmingham near Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK, for instance!
Check that you have your up-to-date passport (and visa!). Then check again. Has your passport expired or is it due to expire? No-one believes it could happen to them, until it does.
My husband, NZ-born photographer/videographer Ken Martin. We have always travelled together on road and other trips for work and pleasure. He’s very practical and calm in a crisis as prof. photographers need to be able handle almost any situation. We enjoy the same kind of food and – well, it’s a lot of fun.
Cars. I love driving and my dream car is a navy blue Maserati. Helicopters, planes, ferries, trains, ships, 4×4, on foot – I love travelling so whatever it takes, really.