Al Forsan Cable Water Skiing

Al Forsan Water Skiing

A day in Abu Dhabi sees us at the purpose built Al Forsan. This sports and entertainment venue is based around a Marriott Hotel with equestrian, go karting and two cable waterski lakes.

This is action packed adventure!… Read the rest

Canberra For Beginners

Canberra by balloon

Most people don’t see Canberra as a tourist destination, but when I was recently asked by a friend for some recommendations for a few days in the the Nation’s Capital, I couldn’t decide where to start. So here are my top picks and advice for discovering Canberra for the first time.… Read the rest

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

I didn’t really intend to be mountain biking. I am here by chance, a series of unforeseen events and I thought ‘why not?’, Now I am thinking ‘why?’, it’s written all over my face.

After driving from Canberra to Thredbo, Jason patiently sorting out logistics, we are in Thredbo at the top of the Thredbo Valley Track.… Read the rest

Thredbo

Thredbo by night

I have never been mountain biking in my life. Yet here I am in Thredbo, embarking on one of the best tracks in the country. The drawcard, however, turns out to be twofold. The mountain biking is excellent, but Thredbo is a destination of its own.… Read the rest

Traditional Cretan Farm Delights

Cheese making

Some people are born for the land. It seems so for Michalis who is now farming alongside his father, Giannis, on the farm he grew up on this traditional Cretan farm just outside of Rethymno in Crete. Michalis’ father has been producing sheep and goat milk here for 50 years.… Read the rest

Walking Heraklion

Walking Heraklion

Walking Heraklion (also Irakleio), you’ll discover a pleasant old town with plenty of history mixed with gelato shops and fountains. The old town proper, delineated from the newer parts of the city by the old Venetian Walls, is very walkable with many streets having been pedestrianised and cars limited within the old town walls.… Read the rest

The Fortezza, Rethymno

The Fortezza, Rethymno

Rethymno’s Fortezza tops Paleokastro (‘old castle’), the steep hill that presides over the city and the site of Rethymno’s ancient acropolis. The fortress and the city are immersed in Venetian and Ottoman history which is still evident today despite German occupation during WWII.… Read the rest

Kolymvari

Kolymvari

Kolymvari

This small fishing village on the island of Crete, Kolymvari (also Kolymbari) is located about 25km (30mins) drive from the Venetian port town of Chania.

Out and about on The Little Fun Train for the afternoon, we visit this tiny fishing village which promises a lovely spot to linger for a day.… Read the rest

Polemarhi

Polemarhi

This small homemade operation is run out of Polemarhi in the foothills of Crete’s Maleme region. Out on the Little Fun Train for the afternoon, we have already discovered the villages of Kolymvari, Marathokefala and Vouves. Each with their own version of charm and slice of history, from monasteries and saints to millennia old olive trees, the traditions here are rich and varied.… Read the rest

Vouves

Another tiny village in the hills behind Maleme, Vouves boasts the world’s oldest olive tree.

The Olympic Olive Tree

The Olive Tree of Vouves

This millennia old olive tree with its twisting, gnarled trunk still bears fruit. It is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old.… Read the rest