Penitentiary at the heart of the City of the Sacred - Three nights We've always wanted to experience a riverboat cruise, and this Airbnb in Reims, France, fulfilled the riverboat part without the constant moving. A significant part of the city of Reims was destroyed in the war, so only the centre of Reims has character and beauty, and we found the outer parts of the city industrial.  For those expecting a stay overlooking vines or nature, it's rare, expensive, and not central to the township. This magical Airbnb gives you that experience surrounded by nature and water but tucked away in the city's heart. We wanted loads of greenery and a beautiful crystal clear river whilst still only a five-minute walk to the Notre Dame cathedral. Thank you, Regine, for sharing your magical oasis with the world. The owner Regine is an absolute delight; she is kind, easy to communicate with, and exudes positive, warm energy. She has lovingly restored this riverboat to be a floating home, in the true sense. The sheer size of this boat is impressive; we could have easily stayed for one or two weeks to experience local life in Reims. The riverboat is perfect for a short weekend away or an extended stay to Champagne your way around Champagne. Great facility to self-cater with a fully equipped kitchen; while being so close to the city, your can easily walk and enjoy some mouth-watering French fare. So let's get into the details, the front of the boat is where the main bedroom is located, and it's so large with windows (portholes that open), allowing you to watch all the activities on the river and enjoy the fresh air. Please don't worry; all the portholes on the river bank facing side are frosted, so your privacy is protected. The river-facing side allows you to enjoy the river, occasional rowers, and even present-day river boats still transporting goods. The living area is perfect for catching those afternoon naps after a hard day of Champagne tasting with ample cosy couches. The dining area and kitchen are perfect for self-catering (including stove, oven and dishwasher), which we did on multiple nights. The well-stocked pantry ensured you did not need to worry about all those small but essential items that most Airbnbs never include. The bathroom is fantastic, with a large two-person shower, plenty of hot water and storage for your amenities. We took advantage of the large deck to enjoy a bottle of Champagne with some fine French cheese while soaking up the warm afternoon sun, and for those hotter days, a large canopy/umbrella delivers shade while the breeze of the river keeps you cool. You are also spoilt with fabulous sunsets. Be sure to feed the local redfin fish and the ducks, who are always happy to have some leftover bread. The river is full of activity; the fish will keep you entertained all day. As we write this review, our heart aches to be back on this boat for an extended two-week stay. It is truly magical and will exceed your expectations. Wished we could give this Airbnb more than five stars!

Downtown Condo with 180-degree Mountain Views - Ten nights Canmore is a town full of beauty and surrounded by magnificent mountains everywhere you look! The vibe is chilled and less intense than in Banff, only 20 km away. We were thrilled to have found this spectacular Airbnb with the most incredible mountain views, including the iconic Three Sisters from the balcony. The Airbnb is a spacious, cosy setup to settle and relax, take advantage of the views and enjoy home-cooked meals, especially the awesome BBQ on the balcony overlooking the mountains. You are only a short walk from the city centre and all the markets if you need to stock up on food and drinks; everything is available without requiring a vehicle. Five stars for cleanliness, and the apartment is fully equipped. No stone is left unturned, from the cookware and utensils to cleaning supplies. Jess and Ryan, your hosts, are warm and welcoming and will make sure your stay is comfortable and very responsive if you need them, but unlikely you will, as they have thought of absolutely everything. We stayed for ten nights, were very comfortable, and had a heavenly sleep in this beautiful property. We were not ready to leave. Recommend this property; you will not be disappointed. Memorable moments, celebrating Wayne's 60th Birthday (where he cooked up a storm on the BBQ) and a visit from our Samui besties to celebrate his Birthday.

Trendy Kensington Condo Steps to Everything - Five nights What a great location, perfect walking distance to downtown and all the major attractions. The area is alive with small bars, restaurants, and relaxed cafes to hang out and enjoy all that Calgary offers. This Airbnb has everything from an outside mains gas BBQ with stunning views and sunsets to a fully equipped kitchen, with everything included. The main living room has full windows that give you a sense of space and plenty of light. This is a perfect short or long-stay apartment in a very secure building with great views while being very quiet. There is also a shared rooftop, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the city views and sunsets. Kensington is the ideal location to chill out or explore. You're also very close to public transport; however, we walked everywhere in Calgary. There is secure underground parking for those that have a car. We loved all the little touches, like the incense burners and all the laundry cleaning items. Ron and Amy were a pleasure to communicate with and had a seamless check-in and out process. We spent the most beautiful time with our friends Lins and Trev, exploring their hometown with fun night-outs.

Hide & Seek Retreat Luxury Waterfront Accommodation - Two Nights Hide & Seek was the perfect weekend getaway for the whole family to spend quality time together. It was fun for all the children and adults too! We found the property relaxing, perfect layout for the 15 of us; the photos didn’t do it justice; it completely exceeded our expectations! Ideal in the winter and summer, both would have their advantages. The hosts were also fabulous, and nothing was too much to ask. Highly recommend it for a getaway for friends and family; it would also be perfect for a team offsite. A very short drive from Melbourne and a quick trip into nearby towns for any essentials you might have missed! Huge thank you to Nedra & Tony (and, of course, Zara)!

Celebrity Solstice - Two Weeks Cabin Celebrity Suite

ms Oosterdam - Two Weeks Cabin Pinnacle Suite Auckland, New Zealand • Scenic Cruising White Island • Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand • Napier, New Zealand • Wellington, New Zealand • Akaroa (Christchurch), New Zealand • Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand • Cruising Fiordland National Park • Hobart, Australia • Melbourne, Australia • Sydney, Australia

Taupo Bungy I'm scared of heights, and of course, while at Xerocon 2011 in New Zealand, the CEO of Xero, Rod Drury, made a bet with me to do a Bungy jump. This is possibly the world's slowest Bungy (bungee) jump. It took nearly ten minutes from when I was attached to the Bungy to the actual jump. 🤦 Let's spare you the tedium of watching Taupo Bungy's fantastic team get me to jump.

Dr. Frogs Bar & Grill - Multiple Visits Not to be missed when visiting Samui. The sensational view over Chaweng, relaxing atmosphere and service are next to none. The menu is extensive, and dishes are local and international, providing an option for everyone. We have dined at Dr Frogs numerous times over the past five years and have always had a fantastic experience, and the food was still divine.

Value for money - Expensive Security - Great People - Friendly Travel - Medium Length - One month When - July Transfers - Ubers and private cars ( Tranigo ) Accommodation - Airbnb and Hotel Tipping - 18% upwards, it's not cheap. Follow our travel experiences, tips on accommodation, dining and experiences exploring Canada; click here .

Adalar, Princes' Islands - One night It all started with 'Let's get lost in Istanbul'. It was Friday noon on the 22nd of October. This weekend reminded us why we travel. Found the first ferry, and two hours later, we were in Adalar, one of the nine Princes' Islands of Istanbul. We thought it was about a half-hour cruise... Our ferry ride with Beşıktaş Iskelesi Ferry Very comfortable and spacious ferry to Adalar, one of the Princes' Islands, in just under 2 hours you arrive. You first board in Besiktas and do a few stops along the Bosphorus, which you can enjoy the beautiful views of Istanbul before heading to the island. You also have a catering service, where you are offered juice, coffee, tea and a snack, beware these are chargeable, quite expensive at 50 TRY for a juice and a basic toasted panini. The ferry ticket was only 15 TRY (AUD 1.60), so it was a very cheap way to arrive at the island. You can spend a day easily strolling around and enjoying the dining on Adalar. Although our story was a little different... The island was a nice calm escape from the intensity of Istanbul, only electric transport, think Hamilton Island, QLD, Australia. Time for lunch. After a quick google, we were in a secret garden restaurant called ' Secret Garden Restaurant Büyükada ', enjoying excellent Turkish food. After lunch, we found Palya Cafe, a cosy bar to enjoy a Shisha and soak up the view before our ferry home. We started chatting away with our delightful waiter, Hedayat . He recently came across from Afghanistan and listened intently to his stories and talked about the power of positivity. After meeting a few couples/families from Iran (along with our new furry friend) and taking some happy snaps, chatting via Google translate, we decided to book a hotel, Ascot Hotel Buyukada, which we did instantly via hotels.com. Checked in and time to try Liman Restaurant, where we passed earlier, live music and being a Turkish grill we were not disappointed. The next day we were up and about (in the same clothes) to explore the beautiful architecture and views of the island. Found a lovely boutique to purchase new clothes as starting to get chilly, so time to stock up on winter clothes. Another delicious lunch back at Liman Restaurant, the same restaurant from the night before, to the ferry home (connecting with more lovely Iranians) during the sunset over the Bosphorus A perfect getaway to Adalar, one of the nine Princes' Islands in Istanbul.