Gypsy Pointe

Another timeless day dawns at Pambula, a name derived from the Yuin Aboriginal word meaning “Two Waters”. The pretty coastal village of Pambula (pop 1,150) is big on history, with the discovery of gold in local rivers in the mid 1800’s. Some of Pambula’s lovely historic buildings date back to this industrious time, with bull-nose verandahs, a town clock and lovingly tended street gardens. It’s a bustling little place, and with over one hundred businesses it’s surprising and refreshing not to see any chain stores or traffic lights. Just over five hours drive from Sydney, three hours from Canberra and six hours from Melbourne, the Sapphire Coast is an easy long weekend destination. What I love about Pambula is its vintage streetscape and authentic shopping, the iconic Pambula Rivermouth and the stunning beaches. Below are my recommendations of things to see and do in Pambula! WHERE TO GET COFFEE Toast  is a unique social dining venue for the locals as well ...

If you’re visiting London, you might want to consider scheduling in a day trip to visit a few other destinations just outside of the city. The transportation system within the UK allows you to easily travel within the country at a pretty affordable rate. Some day trip destinations outside of London could be York, Oxford, Brighton, Bath, or– my personal favourite –The Cotswolds. Imagine, rolling green hills, quaint little villages and a huge amount of history. There are so many places in the Cotswold that you’ll almost be spoilt for choice. And you know what, that’s what I love most – there’s a surprise around each and every winding road. Now, whether it’s your first, fifth or fiftieth time exploring the pretty spots in England, I’d always recommend a little gallivant to the Cotswolds. It really is a stunning place. That being said, it can be tricky to narrow down the little villages and places in the Cotswolds to visit, especially on a shorter trip. That’s why ...

Museums, quirky hotels and plenty of fun activities… it’s time for the ultimate weekend in Amsterdam . I really enjoyed Amsterdam. It’s one of the shortest flights you can take from London or alternatively you can take the overnight bus to save a few pounds. For me, it’s a city that oozes fun. It’s a wonderland of treasure-packed museums, Golden Age canals, Dutch brick buildings and narrow lanes. I’m sure once you’ve visited you’ll feel like ONE weekend in Amsterdam is simply not enough, but hey, it’s a good start! To truly make the most of your 48 hours in Amsterdam, consider ordering an  I Amsterdam City Card . It’ll give you free or discounted entry to tonnes of museums and attractions in the city. 48 hours in Amsterdam will have you sipping on espresso at a café by the Singel canal, partying until the sun comes up, enjoying a dose of culture at one of the city’s top museums, and  getting lost in the endless boutiques of De Piip . One thing I should mentio...

A day of remembrance, ANZAC Day commemorates the lives of all the Australians and New Zealanders that died during World War I. Marked by ceremonies and services across both nations, visitors can also attend a dawn ceremony at ANZAC Cove, the site where ANZAC troops landed in Gallipoli. This was something I always wanted to do …and now have. Firstly I must warn everyone that this is not an easy thing to do. We were there to pay our respects, and in a way this is the Australian and New Zealand version of a pilgrimage. Something all Aussies and Kiwis must do at least once in their lives. THE JOURNEY We set out from Istanbul (one of my favourite cities on the planet with its culture, great seafood and Europe-meets-Middle-East feel about it) early in the morning on the 24th of April. It takes about 4.5 hours to get to the Cove so it is wise to set out early. After arriving and having to deal with security, who seemed mostly confused by the whole affair, we made it dow...

Find out how to spend the best weekend in Cardiff with your girlfriends? Cardiff  is the capital city of  Wales , and is renowned as an exciting, vibrant, and fun-loving city. Just a couple of hours from London by train, there’s plenty to see and do to fill an action packed weekend in Cardiff. WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEKEND IN CARDIFF Cardiff’s centre is small enough to make it easily manageable on foot yet it’s filled with a huge assortment of shopping, dining, culture and more to keep you busy. Whilst you might only plan on a weekend in Cardiff there’s easily enough to keep you here longer. CARDIFF CASTLE Right at the heart of Cardiff’s centre is the magnificent sight of  Cardiff Castle.  There has been a castle on this site ever since the Romans established a fort here over 2,000 years ago. Today, Cardiff Castle is made up of an amalgamation of buildings built over several hundred years.  The elevated Norman Keep inside the g...

Being a land of diverse cultures and traditions, Europe is home to several festivals that one should definitely visit in their lifetime. Venice Carnival  is one of Italy’s most spectacular annual events—a riot of colour, elaborate historical costumes, glamorous masquerade balls, and a week of live concerts, street parties, and entertainment. Here’s everything you need to know before you go. WHEN TO GO….   Traditionally held around Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, at the start of Lent (40 days before Easter), Venice Carnival celebrations can last up to two weeks. There’s a busy schedule of both free and ticketed events during the main week, but the biggest events, including the official parades and masked balls, are held over the final weekend. HOW TO GO…. I was a solo traveller therefor I booked a 3-day Venice carnival trip with  Topdeck Travel . There are many companies available offering deals to this festival or you can simply grab a ...