Your questions: What's the best way to travel around Sicily?
Hangzhou is also the gateway to the Longjing Tea Plantations, source of dragon well tea, celebrated across China for its fragrance, flavour and elegance. Hangzhou has been a centre for the silk trade for thousands of years and the city maintains its historic connection with it via its lively silk market and the China National Silk Museum. The fastest trains from Hangzhou to Beijing take four and a half hours.
My husband and I finish a European river cruise in Budapest in the early European summer. We would like to see a little more of Hungary and then tour Romania. We are happy to join a small-group tour. Are there any companies you can recommend and must-see destinations?
J. Mulders, Menai, NSW
Apart from Budapest, the main sites to include in a tour of Hungary are Pecs for its early Christian Necropolis, its cathedral and its vibrant arts scene; the Tokaj Wine Region; Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe; Szentendre which is famous for its Baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses and narrow, cobbled streets, and Eger, which has a handsome medieval castle, thermal baths, Baroque buildings and the most northerly Ottoman minaret.
Most tour operators tend to lump Hungary together with Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland or all three. One of the few operators that offers tours of Hungary is JayWay Travel, which has a 12-day independent tour, with accommodation, transport and guides provided. In Romania the main drawcard is the Transylvania region, home to Saxon towns with fortified churches, Peles Palace, a neo-Renaissance castle built on the late 1800s by King Carol I and Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's novel. Here you can also see bears in the wild, and Romania has Europe's largest population of brown bears.
A longer journey would take you north into the rolling hills of Maramures, a rich rural tapestry of villages dominated by timber church spires and high pastures where enormous dogs guard flocks of sheep from wolves. To the east are the painted monasteries of the Bukovina region. To organise a tour of Romania, contact Diana Condrea of Uncover Romania.
I have been on an African safari and would love to take my adult children, their partners and one grandchild to Kenya and Tanzania for about two weeks. That's five adults plus one child. We are happy to stay in tented camps and a lodge or two. Is it possible to do it for about $40,000 excluding airfares?
J. Stewart, Turner, ACT
That sounds like a reasonable budget for your group. Sydney-based Bench Africa are the experts, they've been taking Australian travellers on African wildlife safaris for decades, and they can tailor a tour to fit your needs. Tent-based camping safaris are an excellent concept for family groups, offering immersion in the 'real' Africa, as well as a high level of comfort at a reasonable cost.
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West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
A grand tour to remember in France with Albatross, from Paris to Nice
Whether it's hotel chains, cruise companies or tour operators, it can be reassuring to travel with brands you've been with before, but I also enjoy experiencing — and testing out — new ones. It's handy to know and see what else is out there. With this in mind, I was doubly looking forward to my La Grande France tour with Albatross, an award-winning company that has specialised in small-group, European-based tours for more than 30 years but had eluded me until now. Of all their many enticing itineraries, this 16-day Gallic tour particularly piqued my wanderlust, promising a compelling mix of classic sights and comparatively hidden gems. Beginning in Paris, the tour would snake south via the historic Loire, Dordogne, Limousin, Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence regions before finishing in Nice on the French Riviera. Marshalled by our multilingual, Italian-born tour manager Massimo, and whisked around expertly by French driver Laurent (affectionately nicknamed 'Lolo'), there are 18 of us on this early June tour. That's four fewer than the average group size with Albatross, which caps its tours at 28 guests, but still uses full-size coaches, ensuring passengers have more than enough room. On the longer days on the road, there are comfort stops at motorway service stations where you can use restrooms and grab a coffee. Our coach has wi-fi and USB ports, so we can keep camera and phone batteries charged and stay connected with loved ones back home (and send them regular holiday snaps — and believe me, there are so many to take on this trip). The intimate group size means you'll get to know your fellow travellers fairly well. You'll likely remember everyone's name and maybe even those of their children, grandchildren, pets, favourite travel destinations, and Aussie rules (or rugby) teams. There are retired teachers and lawyers, still-working tradesmen and technicians. Most are in their 60s or 70s. Most are couples. There's a handful of solo travellers. Everyone rubs along well. Nearly all are spending a month or two in Europe. Some are also touring the UK, Italy, Germany, or cruising the Norwegian fjords. About half are new to Albatross, and others are returning customers. They tell me they like the Albatross itineraries and the fact you usually stay several nights in one place, so don't have to pack and unpack as regularly as with some other tour companies. Complementing the good vibes in our group are the sights and places on our schedule. There are two or three per day, and too many highlights to mention. But here's a sprinkling: visiting the splendid old royal chateaux and gorgeous gardens of the Loire Valley, boating past soaring limestone cliffs on the idyllic Dordogne River, and roaming the picturesque old streets of Sarlat-la-Caneda with guide Bruno — one of the charismatic local storytellers we meet along the way. I also won't forget the mighty medieval citadel of Carcassonne, the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Nimes, and the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard aqueduct. Some of the window scenery on our route is postcard-perfect — from the bucolic to the rugged — but we also find magic in the numerous caves and chambers that pockmark so much of France. We marvel at Monet's works projected on to the walls of a former quarry, peruse bizarre stalagmites and stalactites on a surreal underground boat ride, and sample varieties of Roquefort on a cheese-tasting outing. Fromage — many different types — is a staple of our daily breakfasts, along with cured meats, croissants, pains au chocolat and other goodies you'd expect at French petit dejeuners (fruits, cereals, yoghurts) and others you might not (scrambled eggs and bacon). Three-course group dinners are included on almost half the evenings (some at the hotels, others at local restaurants). Dietary requirements are catered for, otherwise it's generally a case of you get what you're given. A few dishes are nothing to write home about, but most range from satisfactory to good. You may have crab tartine or duck confit, mushroom risotto or veal with ratatouille followed by delectable patisserie-style cakes or chocolate mousse or apple crumble. There's a complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink with each dinner. Some hosts are more generous than others, notably when we dine alfresco at a countryside winery in the sun-drenched south of France, where staff keep refilling our glasses with white, red, rosé — whatever we fancy. You'll have ample opportunities to dine alone (or as a couple) on this trip. Most lunches, we're free to munch where we like — whether it's a baguette in the park or a sit-down feast on a tree-shaded town square (most have countless eateries offering three courses for around $40-$50 per person and reasonably-priced a la carte options too). While there are occasional grumbles within our group — 'we wish we had a bit more time here', 'this afternoon feels a bit rushed' — the tour is mostly well paced considering how ambitious the itinerary is. There's a lot packed in and a few steps to climb here and there, but also a decent amount of free time to slowly amble by yourself, catch up on some laundry, or relax at the hotel (all the ones we stay at have swimming pools). Massimo ensures we're punctual. We often have appointments with tour guides and pre-booked slots at visitor attractions. It's not all cracking the whip, though. In certain places, when the schedule allows, we're asked if we wish to stay longer, and Massimo also sweetens us with intriguing history, anecdotes and delicacies as we venture through the regions. I especially enjoy the gateau a la broche — a cone-shaped cake he buys in the Aveyron, a largely rural area north of Montpellier, a vibrant but laid-back university city where we spend five enjoyable nights at Le Metropole, a hotel from a bygone era with lovely restored features — including a vintage 19th-century lift — plus contemporary rooms and mod-cons. Montpellier is on the remaining two La Grande France itineraries for 2025 (starting in Paris on August 17 and August 31). But things are being tweaked next year, when the tour will become even grander. Saying 'au revoir' to Montpellier, but keeping the same day trips to the likes of Pont du Gard and Nimes, the tour will instead stay in Pezenas (two nights) and Villeneuve-les-Avignon (three), while La Rochelle and Bordeaux will join the itinerary. Guests will stay in the latter for three nights, sufficient time to savour Bordeaux's historic core and enjoy tastings and a wine-fuelled lunch in the feted vineyards of nearby Saint-Emilion. Now, here's the truth. It would be possible to plot an itinerary fairly similar to La Grande France (either the 2025 or 2026 version) and do it independently. You'd have more freedom, and no one to please but yourself. You could do it on a smaller budget. But believe me, it would be a mission, before and during. You'd have to arrange pretty much everything yourself: car hire, hotels, porterage, routes, meals, activities, entry tickets. You'd have to drive the best part of 2000km (on the 'wrong' side of the road), pay all the road tolls, find parking spaces, stick to one glass of wine — or less — for lunch. Rely on your basic/rusty French more times than you'd like (not everyone you'll encounter speaks decent English). It would be exhausting. Doing an escorted tour strips away so many of the logistical headaches and offers countless luxuries, from having an affable chap like 'Lolo' drive you everywhere, to visiting stunning places you'd perhaps otherwise miss, and meeting good (and interesting) people you'd otherwise never know. Bref — a word the French use to mean 'to cut a long story short' — this was a tour I'll cherish for years to come. + The 2025 La Grande France tour: Paris to Nice costs $10,987 per person (based on two sharing) or $14,087 (solo). For the 2026 itinerary, which has three extra nights, and has departures from Paris on May 17, June 7, August 23, and September 13, it's $15,887 per person (twin) and $20,887 (solo). The prices include all tips for tour manager, driver and local guides. See + To help plan a trip to France, see
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
The holy grail of theme parks? These attractions answer your prayers
The idea of a theme park is usually that it's a bit of an escape - perhaps to a magical world or a celebration of your favourite fictional stories. It's a ride through a Harry Potter castle, a meeting with a goofy dog, or just a jolt of adrenaline as you speed down a rollercoaster. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Religious theme parks have popped up all over the world. Pictures by Michael Turtle It's not normally supposed to be anything too serious... which is why I found myself bemused the first time I went to a theme park based on religion. It was a Christian amusement park based around stories from the Bible. Although it was aimed at the whole family, I couldn't see the appeal - at least, compared to Six Flags or Disneyland. In the years after, though, I found myself at more theme parks around the world that were all about religion, including Buddhism and Islam, and I realised there was a trend here I'd never known about. These parks weren't necessarily flashy or thrilling, but nor were they pious or sanctimonious. They were just a nice day out - which maybe you'll also find at one of these religious theme parks. An 18-metre-high statue of Jesus at Tierra Santa in Buenos Aires. Picture by Michael Turtle There are no rollercoasters or fairy floss at the Christian-themed Tierra Santa in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires... although there is a carousel with manger animals for the little kids. But the main attractions here are all about the life of Jesus, with the entire park designed like a village from the time of the New Testament. Staff are dressed as Roman soldiers or peasant women, with dioramas in houses and statues on the street of scenes like Lazarus rising from his tomb. Across Tierra Santa, there are regular sound and light shows of stories like the Nativity and the Last Supper. The centrepiece is the hourly resurrection of Jesus, with an 18-metre-high statue rising from a mountain while Hallelujah booms from the speakers. The day I visit, a mechanical failure delays the resurrection. I guess not everything's a miracle. Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Picture Shutterstock The USA has had more than its fair share of Christian theme parks over the years, from the sprawling Heritage USA run by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, with a water park, castle, and Main Street, to the Holy Land Experience in Florida, which aimed to recreate ancient Jerusalem. Both are now closed, but there are still quite a few operating across the country. Possibly the most dramatic is Ark Encounter in Kentucky, founded by an Australian creationist called Ken Ham. The park features an enormous imagining of Noah's Ark built to the dimensions in the Bible - 150 metres long and 16 metres high - with exhibitions inside the wooden boat about the story of Noah, the flood, and the animals (including dinosaurs... because... I dunno). Outside, there are some kids' rides, a zoo, and animal encounters. Entry to the ark costs $100... but don't worry, you don't have to buy two tickets. Suoi Tien Park on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Picture by Michael Turtle At Suoi Tien Park, you're faced with fun, humour, terror, and angst... all at once. On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the park's theme is Buddhism, and there are certainly plenty of temples and statues of Buddha and other symbols like dragons. But it's not all peaceful, including the dark descent into hell where the path leads you past displays of people being ripped apart or eaten by animals, accompanied by a soundtrack of screams. Or the House of Horrors where an actual hand comes out of the wall and grabs my ankle. That time, I was the one screaming! There is a section for carnival-style rides and a go-kart track, with a very sad zoo at the back. There are also large pools holding hundreds of crocodiles... and a gift shop in the middle selling scaly handbags. A mini replica of the Taj Mahal at Taman Tamadun Islam in Malaysia. Picture by Michael Turtle It's a small world after all, especially when you shrink some of the planet's greatest landmarks into miniature models to create a theme park. In Malaysia, that's what Taman Tamadun Islam has done, with icons of the Muslim world like mosques and madrasas. There are tiny models of Mecca (without the crowds), of the Taj Mahal (also without the crowds), as well as the Great Mosque of Samarra from Iraq and the Great Mosque of Xian from China. The only exhibit large enough for me to enter is a replica of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock, complete with copies of the original interior decorations. Right next to Taman Tamadun Islam, you'll find the glittering Crystal Mosque, which is also worth visiting. Built from steel, mirrors, and glass, the exterior playfully catches the light while the interior lets it flood in. It's one of the most important sights here in the city of Kuala Terengganu. Lord Shiva statue at Surendrapuri. Picture Shutterstock Calling itself India's first mythological theme park, Surendrapuri is full of colourful constructions reflecting Hinduism and other elements of the country's diverse religious heritage. Rather than rides or attractions, there are more than 3000 statues spread over a three-kilometre path. This includes replicas of Indian temples - many of them important destinations for pilgrims (although I don't think seeing them all here at once counts as a pilgrimage, sorry). Surendrapuri is about an hour's drive from Hyderabad and was conceived by a local man who grew up in a modest farming family. He wanted to honour the culture of India, which is why there are also depictions of important scenes from epic stories like the Ramayana. You can see more on Michael's Time Travel Turtle website. Words by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is an Australian journalist who left his job in televisionto travel the world forever. He'll show you how to find the lesser-knownplaces, get involved in the culture, learn the history, and meet locals along the way.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The 24 common scams and traps travellers fall for (and how to avoid them)
The solution Don't forget to remove items with lithium batteries from your luggage, though AirTags and similar tracking devices are OK. Several airlines have started banning the use of power banks during flights. Read more on that here. The airport duty-free booze bust The lowdown If you buy duty-free alcohol at an airport in Europe or anywhere else with an intermediate stop before your final flight to Australia, you're going to part company with your booze before you re-board your aircraft. Australian government regulations require that all passengers on inbound flights submit to a final gate inspection before boarding the aircraft and any liquids, aerosols or gels in containers over 100 millilitres will be confiscated. Even if they're sealed in a tamper-evident plastic bag with purchase documentation attached, they're not flying. The solution Buy your duty-free alcohol at the last stop before your final destination, on board the aircraft on the last leg or at the duty-free shop at your destination. Falling for airport duty-free 'bargains' The lowdown In most cases, buying duty-free electronics, bags or clothing at airports saves the Value Added Tax, or the GST in the case of Australia. Caution is required. Airport retail space is expensive, and those glittering objects might not be such a bargain. The solution Before you shell out for that Apple product or the Prada sunglasses, make sure it really is cheaper than back home. The duty-free concession for goods imported to Australia is limited to $900, though if the goods have been used while you're away, an extra allowance might apply. The overweight carry-on impost The lowdown Most airlines restrict carry-ons to a maximum weight of seven to nine kilograms, and some enforce it rigorously. Turn up for a Jetstar flight with a bag weighing more than seven kilograms and you could be looking at a $75 fee. Beware of flying with carry-ons on European low-cost carriers, where the size limit for bags is often smaller than aboard other airlines. The solution Nearly all carriers let you bring one extra small item aboard, if it fits under the seat in front, and this doesn't usually have a weight limit. A soft, squishable bag that can adapt to tight quarters is perfect. Embarking on a long layover without checking lounge options The lowdown If your layover stretches beyond a couple of hours, find a lounge. For those not flying at the pointy end of the aircraft, pay-per-use lounges are a blessing, an oasis of calm amid the hustle of airport life. Most major airports offer a decent selection, and while you can often walk in and pay, scout the options ahead of time. A decent lounge will offer showers (non-negotiable after a long-haul flight), plus a spread of snacks, drinks, decent coffee and quiet corners to rest or work. Not realising you have an invalid expiry date on your passport The lowdown Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure, but there are exceptions. New Zealand requires only three months, as do France, Austria, Switzerland and French Polynesia, but airline check-in staff don't always get the memo. If they think your passport isn't valid because it expires in less than six months, you're not getting on board. The solution If you're travelling with a passport with fewer than six months' validity and the country you're visiting allows that, go to the official immigration website of your destination, download the entry requirements and bring a printout to the check-in desk. Not arriving early enough for that simply-can't-miss-it event The lowdown In a world where flight cancellations and delays are part of the travel landscape, flying in just hours before a big event is asking for trouble. This applies especially to weddings, cruise departures, group tours or anything else you absolutely can't miss. The solution Arriving a day or two early gives you time to shake off the jet lag, find your feet and explore a little. If your bag is delayed you've time in hand to reunite. Falling for the email scam The lowdown You've booked your hotel through and a couple of days before check-in, an email lands in your inbox asking you to confirm your credit card details. Fail to confirm, and your reservation will be cancelled. It looks official – logo, reservation details, the lot. You don't want to lose the room, so you click through and do as you're told, but you've just fallen for a phishing scam, a slick attempt to separate you from your money by handing over your card details. The solution Never click on links in unsolicited emails asking you to verify a transaction. If in doubt, go straight to the source. Log into your account directly or call the hotel. Read more about this scam here. The petrol station surcharge The lowdown Fuel stations across much of Europe are often unattended. It's just you, the pump and a central terminal that asks for your card before you touch the nozzle. Along with the fuel charge, the system may slap a temporary lock on a chunk of your funds, a pre-authorisation, and it can be as much as €100 ($175). If you've paid with a debit card, that money is effectively out-of-reach, and could stay that way for a week or two. The solution Pay with cash or use a credit instead of a debit card. To prepay or not to prepay The lowdown Some hotels will give you a better rate if you prepay, but it's usually on a non-refundable basis, and that should inspire caution. Some also ask for a deposit, but make sure it's refundable. If the hotel won't accept a booking without a deposit, you might use an online travel agency such as or Expedia that allows you to book with no deposit and cancel at short notice with no penalty, but check the conditions. The solution Don't be seduced by a non-refundable rate. Failing to select your airline seat The lowdown Do you enjoy sitting in a middle seat in the aircraft, squished in between strangers? Probably not, and there's no reason to be there. Especially not for long-legged flyers. Seat selection takes a couple of minutes, you can usually do it when you book, and if you have to pay extra, don't be a cheapskate. The solution If seat booking isn't available when you book, it will usually happen 24 or 48 hours pre-flight, and you should get an email notifying you when online check-in becomes available. If you're in doubt about where to sit, take a look at SeatMaps. The lowdown Along with many other European cities, London has three major airports, and the fastest transfer between Gatwick and Heathrow by public transport takes an hour. On top of that, you have to collect your baggage and check in for your connecting flight. Getting caught is one of the pitfalls for the DIY traveller. The solution If your trip is complicated, if it's somewhere you're not familiar with, let a travel agent handle your bookings. FIVE MORE TRAPS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM You really want me to eat that? Fermented soybeans in Japan, chicken feet in China, snails in France. Eating what the locals eat is one of the great joys of travel. If you want to understand a culture, there is no better place to start than the dinner table. Stick to KFC and McDonald's if it makes you feel safe, but it's not going to open the doors of experience. That's the third time we've driven past our hotel Want to sap every ounce of pleasure from your travels? Try driving in any large continental European city. Not only will you be driving on the right, chances are you will be caught up in traffic snarls and medieval laneways. Leave your car at your hotel or park on the edge of the city and use local transport. My flight arrives early morning but my hotel check-in time is 3pm Many flights from Australia to Europe arrive around dawn. You'll probably be in need of a shower and a lie down, but if your hotel room is booked for that night, check-in most likely won't be until mid-afternoon. Instead, book the room for the night before (an extra expense but worth it), or plan a stopover and take a connecting flight that arrives later in the day. The not-so-fine fine print Fall over on wet cobblestones and break a bone after a big night out in Bad Kissingen and your insurance claim might be denied on the grounds you were intoxicated. The product disclosure statement that comes with your travel insurance policy is dull as a wet Sunday afternoon, but it's an essential read. Pay special attention to the exclusions. It's not even 5pm and it's pitch black That's because you're in London and it's winter. On the shortest days around Christmas, twilight starts before 4pm. It's also cold and rains a lot. Therefore, you're going to be spending most of your time in museums, theatres and galleries, and is this the holiday you had in mind? Plan your itinerary with an eye on the weather or choose a warmer time.
