It’s close, it’s tropical, it’s very different from anywhere in Australia, yet hardly any of us go there. Having just been there for a memorable break, I’d encourage you to check out New Caledonia for a real change. First off, while there was political unrest among the indigenous Kanak population in 2024, we saw no signs of trouble. Second, it can be expensive, with food and drinks costing... read more>

HOW CAN I PAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE FOR AIRFARES? 1. Tune into regular airline sales & subscribe to their newsletter alerts: The advantage of booking direct with an airline is that there’s no booking fee and if something goes wrong - say you miss a flight or you need to make a change - it can be much more difficult dealing with a third party site than dealing direct with the airline. ... read more>

Given the current cost-of-living fears, some retirees are looking at taking advantage of new visa options in Asia to up sticks and move north to a more luxurious lifestyle. But while Thailand and Indonesia are undoubtedly cheaper and now offer 10-year visas to retirees with enough in the bank, are those good enough reasons to move? And what are the most popular destinations for Aussies retir... read more>

"Travel insurance is as important as a passport”. Do you agree? The government advice is unambiguous about overseas travel insurance, and for once, I agree with every jot: if you can't afford insurance, you can't afford to travel. "Travel insurance is as important as a passport. Without it, you or your family could suffer financially if things go wrong. No matter who you are, where you'... read more>

It should be the most redundant advice to 'take and enjoy your holidays', but some of us don't use up our leave entitlements. In Ireland, this piece in The Conversation says 1 in 5 people don't use up their holidays, and in the UK, it says 2 in 5 have taken fewer breaks due to COVID. I hope that's not the case here. The reasons may vary, and I'd love to hear yours because if I've been gui... read more>