Fly Xiamen Air via China for a cheap ticket. But be prepared.

Attracted by the relatively low fares, I decided to test run an economy Xiaman Air (MF) flight from Bangkok to Sydney via Xiamen in mainland China.

In order to circumvent potential complications I have found with Asian airline sites, I chose to book via Booking.com which did make the process a lot simpler with its familiar steps.

The matter that unfortunately left a gaping hole in the customer satisfaction score was the messy and inefficient transfer process at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN).

Two nights at the new Dorsett Hotel in Melbourne

Have to say I quite enjoyed my two-night stay at the new Dorsett Hotel in Little Lonsdale Street, central Melbourne. Review by Ian McIntosh.

Prancing horses and preening: Ferrari Factory Museum

By Jim Mathers in Maranello

It was a fitting start. A bus pulled up and a bunch of young Italian men, most of them sporting a Mattia Binotto hairstyle, jumped out, casually flicked their hair back and posed for a group photo under the Ferrari sign. They then scampered towards us to join the short queue to enter the Maranello Ferrari Museum. A block away, a Ferrari engine roared to life as a visitor jumped into the passenger seat for a paid ‘test drive’.

Cooperative Swiss: Shopping and saving in the Alps

There’s a Coop not far from the statue of the late, great Freddie Mercury at Montreux
… an extra bonus is the free loo near the entrance!

In Switzerland, the Coop is your friend. Jim Mathers loves the way Swiss shop.

While Switzerland is amongst the most scenically beautiful destinations in the world, it is also amongst the most expensive to visit. Coop is a chain of generally very well-stocked supermarkets (Migros is another, but we found Coop to be a bit better). You’ll find these outlets everywhere and you’ll almost always find one near a train station. One of the great things about Coops is their range of pre-prepared foods. You can pick up a ham and cheese sandwich, salad roll, a vege wrap, dozens of types of cheese, a sausage roll, a full salad plate, some fresh pastries and all manner of drinks, including beer and wine. This is handy if you’re jumping on a long-distance train and don’t want to spend big bucks on an onboard meal. 

Flash Lithgow, Wallerawang and Portland

An easy day drive or ride from Sydney and a historical centrepiece of the NSW Central Tablelands, Lithgow is easily overlooked as riders head west out to Bathurst and beyond

So I stopped in for an extended stay and exploration of the former industrial town and its neighbouring villages of Wallerwang and Portland. 

Ten facts and myths about Cuba

Cuba has long been a favourite destination among travellers. World traveller, Robert Fletcher, shares some observations from this energetic, welcoming and endearing destination.

Perito Moreno Glacier: No such thing as too much ice

El Calafate pre or post-Antarctica is the perfect fit. This is all totally different to the Antarctic experience. This area of Patagonia is covered in forests, lakes and mountains which make the landscape entirely different.

Holland America brings you the world

“Oh oh, here they come again,” says Ty, our skipper and fishing guide, “you’ll need to get your fish in nice and quick.”

This advice is not unusual for me. If we were fishing anywhere in the Kimberley or Top End back home, we’d be talking about ravenous reef sharks that would pounce on your hooked fish if you didn’t get it in the boat in 30 seconds.