Carrie’s Top 10 Destinations

1. Holland, Amsterdam

 Vondel park– lounge around on the grass and listen to local artists on their guitars, buskers or rollerblade along the small river running through it.

 Leidesplien district– great bars, cafes, markets, parks and relaxed atmosphere.

 Bourbon Street– local blues and jazz bar, fantasticly friendly staff (give free drinks for a kiss- on the cheek!). You will be certain to meet an array of people.

 Rijksmuseum- Rembrandts ‘The Night watch’, great collection of paintings, sculptues, prints, antiquities. The worlds largest collection of Dutch Masters.

 Flying Pig Palace– a must on every intrepid travellers list of hostels, park yourself in the lounge area, relax and unwind. The night I stayed a dozen or so of us, were chatting and munching while in a line giving each other massages.

2. Veenendaal, Holland

 Veluwezoom National Park– ‘zoom’ in dutch means edge, translating to spectucular and very true. You have panoramas of slopping hills where wild icelandic horses and deer are munching away at the spiny grass. The scenery changes so dramatically from open plains with a dessert feel to lush pine forests.

 Lake De Beldert– the clearest lake in Holland, you can scuba dive in here or just relax on the waters edge. Near the town Tiel.

3. Paris, France

 Basille district– full of Greek cafes and restaraunts serving authentic Greek food thats not over priced, vibrant area full of colouful lights, markets, unique gift stores and men dancing to the zorba infront of their shops while smashing plates onto the sidewalks.

 Notre Dame church– a long climb will get you to the top of the gothic tower, with spectucular 360 degree views of the city below from the point of view of the ferocious Gargoyles.

 Monte Marte– yummy yet filling nutela crepes, mazes of cobbled streets and small parks, but watch out for pick pockets in this area – a girl tried it on me but I think I scared the living daylights out of her instead.

 Shopping!!!! Need I say more.

 Shakespeare and Co Book Store (situated across the river from the Notre Dame, 12 rue de L’Odeon – filled with crazy characters, classic and new books for sale and to borrow. Opened in 1921 by an American, it was once a point of contact for english speakers in Paris, while there I listened to the quirky voice of a bored old english man ranting to the hippy girl behind the desk of the good old days in the 60’s “ wheres the spirit man....” he continued to say in a half sleepy, half drug induced voice.

4. Lake Bled, Slovenia as seen in the photograph

 The Lake– the Church of the Assumption sits on a tiny island in the centre of the lake, where you can ring the wishing bell. Bled Castle looms over the lake on top of a cliff face and the Julian Alps lay in the backdrop, this area is known as a fairytale village and rightfully so. Take a day to wander the boardwalk that takes you all around the Lake, under bridges, through parks and other quaint villages.

 The Vintgar Gorge– 1.6km long walk carves it’s way along the rock face of the surrounding hills while below you roars the Radovna waterfalls and rapids.

 Pension Bledec– the nicest toilets in a hostel you will ever see! It’s true!

 Restaraunt Gostilna Pri Planincu, address: Grajska Cesta 8– Traditional Slovenian restaraunt, owned by friendly Slovenians and decoarated with beer bottles and license plates from around the world. Serves fresh home made soup with warm bread and other great vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. They also give most travellers that pop by a free glass of their home-made Blueberry snaps, mmmmmm...

5. Dubrovnik, Croatia

 Old City– Built in the first half of the 7th century, these walls protect a great jewel of the Dubrovnik riviera. Take the stairs up at the main entrance to the city and you will easily spend all day wandering the 1940 meter long wall encircling the beautiful city below. With 5 main fortresses at each point, you get great sweeping views over the Adriatic sea and below onto the relaxed city life and the sweet orange roof tiled houses.

 Placa Stradun– the main street of the Old City is filled with cafes, unique gift stores and cheap boutiques. Sit at one of the cafes in the afternoon, as the sun sets and the towns people meet up on their way home from work, children play in the town square and friends catch up.

 Fort of Saint Laurence– just outside the city walls, stands a grand fort. Although it was closed when I visited it might be open for the summer. If not it’s a nice walk up to the hill and a good view of the surrounding mountainside, Adriatic sea and islands.

 Europes first pharmacy was opened here in 1317 and still operates today. Although modernised, is a place of interest.

 Best Restaraunt– Grab a pizza at one of the many pizza places, a bottle of wine from a supermarket, head down to the old wharf and sit by the waters edge. Most late nights the fishermen are bringing in their catch of the day and the place is swarming with hungry cats. Dubrovnik will be a dazzling image before your eyes.

6. Bath, England

 Bath is set in the valley of the Cotswold Hills, a city designed by the Romans in AD 43 as a place of recreation. It is now named by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.

 Roman Baths– Developed on ancient thermal springs, only recently re-opened in 2002. Although they are not usable the guided tour and museum are worth while.

 Pultney Bridge– Built in 1771 in the centre of Bath, similar to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence with market stalls and shops lining it and cafes on either side. Beatuiful views down on the River Avon and surrounding park areas.

 Flea Markets– these massive open aired markets have been running for over 25 years in the centre of Bath. You can find fantastic bargains, antiques, trinkets, knik-knacks. I bought an old grammer phone tin case with the pins inside for 2 pounds, which in Australia you can sell for 30 to 50 Aussie dollars.

 Pubs and Cafes– You wont have any troubles finding a good ale or traditional tea shop, there is one on every corner. Try The Old Green Tree on Green street for quality ales and a great atmosphere.

7. Tarifa, Spain

 This village lays on the southern most tip of Spain and Europe, known worldly for it’s wind, wind and more wind. It’s thin, maze like streets filled with white washed buildings give it a tranquil tone that is backed up by it’s characteristic towns people. If you are after relaxation this is surely the place to unwind for a few days.

 Activities– If your the active type this is a great place not only for windsurfing, but also mountain biking, horse riding and hang gliding. Just visit the local Info centre and they will set you up with a great tour guide company.

 Rosa Negra– infront of the post office serves delicious Andalusian food and tapas for great prices.

 Playa de los Lances beach– the longest beach in Tarifa, it heads west from the city and takes about 2 1/2 hours to walk the entire length. Dont go on an overly windy day, as you will eat sand.

 The African coast is only 14km across the Strait of Gibraltor and can be seen on clear days, you can take a number of ferries across for a day trip to Morocco.

 Castle of Guzman El Bueno– where historic Tarifa meets the shore line, the worn castle and city walls built in AD 960 have been many times restored and added to by each conquering culture. Scenic views and a pleasant walk out of the centre of town to the locals area.

8. Magnetic Island, Australia

 The Island– Magnetic is apart of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Mt Cook lays at the centre of the island which then spreads down into 12 different bay areas, a rich paradise of coconut trees, gold sands, ship wrecks, clear waters and beaches all to yourself.

 Centre of town- Can be a little touristic at times, but this is where you can find all info needed on the island and also hire a rickshaw, which is the best way to discover the island.

 Horse riding– You must stop at the riding school while here, it is an experience you will treasure forever. Galloping along the sandy beach of Horse-shoe bay without a trace of civilisation, then stripping down to your swimmers and riding your horse bare back into the crystal blue waters.

 Snorkeling/Suba Diving– Take one of the many day trips out to Kelso Reef, apart of the Great Barrier Reef, where you will be taken snorkeling by a qualified marine biologist to discover this underwater paradise. An array of sea-life, luminous parrot fish, green turtles, sea slugs, groups of cuttle fish and colourful coral are just a few of the things you will experience.

 Hinchinbrook Island– Just next door to Magnetic, worth a day trip by boat. It is Australia’s largest island National Park, blanketed in lush rainforest and outlined with white beaches that stretch for miles without a soul insight.

 For up to date news on Magnetic Island (plus loads of links and photos), the Island’s local newspaper Magnetic Times is a must to check out. www.magnetictimes.com

9. Cinque Terra, Italy

 The Italian oasis– 5 terraces drape this coastline, clinging to the cliff faces along the Mediterranean sea. A National Park conservation area that may only be entered by train or foot for the more energetic and adventurous.

 ‘Terrazza’– the ‘terraces’ that slope the hillside are where the well known Cinque terra ‘vino’ is harvested and can be sampled at most bars, cafes and restaraunts.

 Pesto– for all you pesto addicts, this is pesto land. Visit any local supermarket and buy a tub of fresh pesto and warm bread, your taste buds will be in ecstasy.

 Via Dell’Amore– The street of love, hugs the coast line from the first terrace Riomaggiore to Manarola. A sweet path hidden under passageways filled with love grafiti, benches dotted along the way so you can sit and soak in the view, also a cafe half way where you can pick up gelati to ease your hunger. Make sure you purchase a Cinque Terra Card, this gives you access to these National Park areas as well as unlimited train travel.

 Vernazza– Castle Belfonte clings to this towns rock wharf, a unique bar sits on it’s edge where you can soak in sea, nature and all things pure (especially a good ‘vino’).

10. Snowy Mountains, Australia

 The Snowy region is the area of old colonnial Australia, you may have seen the film ‘ The Man from Snowy River’ , well this is the high country. A nature haven where you will find twisted snow gums, fields of bright wildflowers, wild brumbies, and other Aussie flora and fauna.

 Snowy, Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers – These 3 rivers all flow thorugh this region. Perfect for camping along and never overcrowded. Flyfishing is great in the area, if you have the equipment and patience it pays off, huge trout live in these rivers. Also numerous walking tracks into the real outback.

 Jindabyne– A resort style town, but quite and pleasant in the summer months. The National Parks and Wildlife centre is a must, full of very informative and interesting information on these surrounding areas.

 Mt Kosciuszko National Park– Mt Kosciuszko is Australia’s highest mountain standing at 2228 meters. There is a well marked walking track that takes you to the mountains peak, easily accomplished in a day and worth the spectacular views.