Melbourne is my second home. After marrying an Aussie who grew up in the suburbs of this special city, we've spent under a year living in the CBD and have had countless visits since. The city of sport, cafes and coffee culture thrives in the southeastern portion of Australia. Home to the Australian Open and...

A stop in Hoi An should be at the top of everyone's list when traveling through Vietnam. It's halfway between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, two major destinations in Vietnam, but has a quieter more laid back feel. Hoi An is famous for their tailors, food, and silk lanterns. Many come here to have...

This week I spent time at a Philadelphia festival for tall ships. Walking above and below decks filled me with awe as I visited a variety of tall ships. Some of these tall ships were over a century old while others are brand new. The festival starts with all the ships sailing into Philadelphia’s waterfront...

A popular backpackers stop off, Gili Trawangan (Gili T) is part of a very small chain of islands just off of Lombok and near Bali. Many people come here to learn to dive because it's prices are competetive and the island has a reputation for parties. It's also unique in that there are no motor...

In northern Vietnam lies this gem of a city where French food and fashion meet Vietnamese culture and vermicelli. Sometimes overlooked as it's not as big of a hub as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi offers a taste of authentic street food and genuinely good prices. Cost per day: Hanoi has a huge range of...

Rome with ancient ruins, delicious pastas, and red wine never fails to disappoint. The eternal city, once the center of the world, still captivates and amazes people from all over the globe. From the gorgeous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the cobblestone alleyways in the old city, travelers can not get enough of Rome...

This tightly compacted city holds some of Cambodia's best food and most tragic history. Without knowing its past of civil war and genocide, you would think Cambodians and Phnom Penhers in particular were just really friendly people. Once you learn their history and realize that everyone you see was affected by the notorious Khmer Rouge...

Cost/day: As far as European cities, Paris isn't the cheapest, but there are some simple tricks and strategies that can keep your Paris budget to around $60 a day within the city. For instance, I stay in hostel dorms, walk whenever I can, and alternate between eating out and cooking my meals. What’s the strangest...

Many people head to southern Thailand for beaches, islands, and the relaxed vibe of coastal life. Ao Nang is a bit more relaxed than larger cities like Phuket but still has a vibrant tourist draw and is an easy jumping-off point for many activities like rock climbing, island tours, beach lounging, hiking, and diving. Cost...

Cost per day? We camped at the Big 4 campsite which was a fantastic campsite, but you can pay through the nose in peak season. We paid $40 a night but were reasonably central. There are various other sites but if you want to enjoy a drink or just a short stroll into town then...

Of the many things Europe does well, it’s the continent’s magnificent Christmas festivities that can charm this cynical traveler every time. From Scotland to Switzerland an extraordinary spirit of festivity, connecting this generations to others long since passed, can be felt in the wintertime air. The traditions of the season are still strong in this...

Cost/day: $0 What’s the best thing that’s happened lately? The most memorable and life-altering experiences of travel don't usually happen on tour groups or fancy hotels. They take place in the quiet, humble homes of the people, or in the simple, candid interactions between human beings, especially if they have differing culture and language, yet...

Cost per day? For us it could have been cheap, very cheap but we decided to splash out. We hadn’t found a campsite to park on but decided to park on the sea front. Granted this wasn’t a designated spot but in such a small town no-one battered an eye lid at us. If you...

Cost/day: $2 for adults, $1 for children What’s the most exciting thing that's happened lately? We recently had our sixth child, at home, here in Costa Rica. Today was our first outing since she's been born. We went with grandma and grandpa to the Children's Museum (Museo de los Ninos) in San Jose. Describe a...

Cost/day There are 2 significant expenses with Magnetic Island. The first is the ferry that takes you to the island which is $32 for an adult. The second is just as much a necessity as it is a luxury and that is the Mokes. For around $80 you can hire one of these miniature petrol...

Cost/day: $28 per day per person What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately? There are many interesting and strange things to see on Bali, but if I had to pick just one it would be the statues you come across in seemingly random places. Describe a typical day: Our morning routine stays the same wherever...

Cost/day: We chose to do the blue mountains as a holiday getaway, so we invested a little more in accommodation and opting to eat out each night. We found an affordable accommodation about 6 kilometres from central katoomba, The Skyrider Motel. It cost $100 a night a little over our usual expenditure but worth it...

Catnip to adventure travellers in search of an authentic Hawaiian escape, Molokai is often referred to as ‘The most Hawaiian island’. With little other than true Aloha on offer, those who board a tiny turboprop plane in Honolulu should expect to step back in time when they land in Ho'olehua. Unlike its neighbours Molokai does...

Cost/day: $1500 What’s the most exciting thing that's happened lately? I'm finally having a baby!! (Our sixth .) Describe a typical day: We're staying in the mountains of the Central Valley, with a gorgeous view of the ocean waaaay off in the distance. Grandma and grandpa have come to visit, in anticipation of the birth...

Cost/day: $25 per person What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately? It was strange watching fisherman on the river covered from head to toe, including a sort of ski mask, in scorching heat. Describe a typical day: Work and homeschool in the early morning, as always. Breakfast would be at our guesthouse. We spent a...