What constitutes the holiday of a lifetime? I’m not sure I can come up with a definition, but I am certain that exploring the remote islands of Raja Ampat, aboard a luxury expedition ship, is a top contender. The islands lie at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, just off the tip of West Papua. At the heart of the Coral Triangle. In terms of snorkelling and scuba diving, this is as good as it gets. With unmatched marine diversity, vibrant coral reefs, uninhabited limestone islands and exotic birds, Raja Ampat is a paradise for nature lovers. Add to that: sundowners on remote white sandy beaches, gourmet meals, Spice Trade history, fantastic guides, super-friendly staff, a bunch of adventurous fellow travellers, and you’ve got an unforgettable holiday.
Author Archives: Julie Fison
How to spend a week in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a small island country with so much to explore – tropical wetlands teeming with birdlife, richly-decorated ancient cave temples, well-preserved colonial towns, tranquil gardens, chaotic streets and ever-popular elephant reserves. It is impossible to see everything in a short time, but with only a week to spare, I caught up with two old friends, organised a great guide and hit the road – travelling from Sigiriya to Galle – for the ultimate girls’ week away.
Hiking the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way is a 540km trail that runs along Turkey’s south coast between Fethiye and Antalya. The pathway follows Roman roads, mule tracks and mountain trails – passing the ruins of ancient cities, rock tombs and local villages, through pine forests and thistle-strewn hillsides, along ridges that overlook the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. We spentContinue reading “Hiking the Lycian Way”
How to spend a long weekend in Kakadu
Kakadu National Park covers a massive 20,000 square kilometres of the Northern Territory – taking in wetlands, towering waterfalls and outstanding rock art. It’s a lot to see in just one weekend But here are a few places not to miss if you are tight on time, but keen for adventure! Day 1 – DarwinContinue reading “How to spend a long weekend in Kakadu”
New look for How to Get to Rio and Call of the Wild
How to Get to Rio and Call of the Wild – part of the Choose Your Own Ever After series – now have bright and beautiful new covers. Available now!
Hiking South Australia’s Wild South Coast Way
Stretching 1200km from the Flinders Ranges to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Heysen Trail is the longest hiking trail in Australia. The track passes through some of South Australia’s most spectacular scenery – traversing rugged mountains, native bushland, and winding its way along the clifftops of the stunning coastline.
Paris to Vienna Road Trip
This 2300km road trip takes us from the hilltop villages of central France, to the rocky coves of the Riviera, on to the Italian lakes and the mountains of Austria. We pack it into two weeks, but I could have spent months enjoying the scenery and the spectacular hiking.
Spring skiing in Zermatt
It is hard to imagine a more spectacular place for a snow holiday than high in the Swiss Alps at Zermatt. With the Matterhorn towering over 360km of pistes, fantastic slope-side restaurants, trains, gondolas and chairlifts that run with Swiss efficiency, and a postcard perfect village, I can see why celebs love this place. TerrainContinue reading “Spring skiing in Zermatt”
Exploring Venice
The first time I visited Venice, I arrived Bond-style on a sleek water taxi. I stayed in a hotel on the Grand Canal, queued for a peek inside San Marco Basilica, squeezed in between tourists for a photograph on the Rialto bridge, and took a ferry to the colourful island of Burano. I visited allContinue reading “Exploring Venice”
A taste of England’s South West Coast Path
If you love hiking, you need to put England’s South West Coast Path on your bucket list right this second. The trail is the longest marked path in the country, and runs 630 miles (1014km) from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset – clinging to Heritage Coasts, passing through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and meandering past Bronze-age burial sites, castles, churches and farmland.
Julie Fison 