James Ihaka enjoys fine vodka in optimum conditions.

Rod Pascoe discovers the best way to skirt the NZ coast and cross the Tasman is to be one of the 3000 fortunate passengers on board a luxury liner.

There are some great skifields in the States that won't cost you a fortune, writes Jennifer Ennion.

Grant Bradley flies QF146 from New Zealand to Australia.

Get your art, science, culture or history fix at one of these monumental museums.

Bronwyn Sell takes the family on a wild Sydney safari.

In parts of eastern Europe, the memory of communist rule is still fresh, writes Sisi Tang.

The best concerts leave memories, mosh scars and minor hearing loss, says Chris Schulz.

Paul Abercrombie gets to grips with Venice's watery warrens during a once-in-a-lifetime rowing lesson.

Sophisticated cuisine and quaint forest accommodation enthral Paul Davies on Tamborine Mountain.

Being forced to pay a gratuity to serving staff seems unnatural for New Zealand travellers, writes Rod Pascoe.

Circles in the sky have become a hip way to view a city, so prepare your cabin for 'flight', says Peter Hamling.

If you want a dinkum Aussie drinking experience, you can't do better than Port Douglas, says Kurt Bayer, even if locals are scarce.

Scott Kara finds Mana Island's sand, sun and snorkelling irresistibly relaxing.

Winston Aldworth flies EK412 from the United Arab Emirates to New Zealand.

Paul Davies takes a look at the Gold Coast's international dining options.

Megan Singleton finds turbulence soothing in a rocking-the-pram kind of way, but for those who feel differently, here are her tips on getting through a bumpy flight.

Head to one of these coastal, desert or mountain spots and watch the sun sink over the horizon.

Justine Tyerman takes a 'virtual' hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.

On a three-day Dubai stopover, James Hacon looks past the city's shiny veneer to discover some local secrets.

Sheriden Rhodes checks out some of the best spa-cations across Asia and Australia.

Communist Laos is still close to its agricultural roots, writes Yvonne van Dongen.

Jane Luscombe reacquaints herself with some old haunts.

Britt Basel makes good on a long-held promise to visit Sturgis' annual motorcycle rally with her father.

Helen van Berkel senses the suffering of the prisoners of war who died to build the Death Railway.

Follow these tips to arrive at your destination feeling fresh as a daisy.

Stop for a bite at one of these celebrity-owned venues next time you're Stateside.

Head over heels for NSW waves, Duncan Gillies feels the fear but does it anyway.

The US' Pacific Northwest lights up in ardour for medicinal weed, writes Sam Wetherell.

Herald editorial cartoonist Rod Emmerson travels the Greek Isles and Turkish coast on a seven-night cruise aboard the luxurious Azamara Journey.