I fell in love with Samoa in the unlikeliest of places, 4 hours after leaving New Zealand.

The road gripped the jeep in a fierce hold and threw it in all directions in a violent tantrum.

With the help of Booking.com, we've put together a year of thrifty travel, with the cheapest times to visit a variety of locations around the globe.

Venice Beach is distinctively Californian and a must see area of Los Angeles, Chris Lynch says.

WATCH: This is the jaw-dropping moment a passenger jet flew just feet above holidaymakers' heads on its approach to one of the "scariest" runways in the world.

Scuba, eat, tan and repeat. That pretty much sums up my time on luxury vessel Spirit of Freedom.

Don't drive in Saudi Arabia if you're a woman, ensure you wash your car in Russia and let the animals cross the road in South Africa.

It's an exhilarating feeling to launch a sea kayak from the beach and set out to explore a cluster of islands shimmering like a mirage under the tropical sun.

Food Loose Tours offer an insider's guide to Perth's culinary scene, discovers Sue Baxalle.

Everyone capable of doing so should ship aboard a Heritage Expeditions voyage to Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands, writes Paul Charman.

Roger Hall climbs aboard a golf buggy to see some isolated, but beautiful, scenery.

An adventurous fluffy gray cat has travelled around the United States, amassing a huge Instagram following.

Volunteering with Ethiopia's Hamar tribe gives Guy Needham an experience that satisfies his soul.

Hotels writer Shandelle Battersby looks at what the industry is doing to keep things fresh.

Travel's online expert Eli Orzessek answers your questions.

While one part of California dries out, Shandelle Battersby gets soaked in another.

At the Johnson Space Center, Winston Aldworth meets men from the brave past and bold future of space travel.

Ewan McDonald sails (not cruises) on a yacht (not a ship) across the Mediterranean from Rome to points east and south.

A growing number of New Zealanders are travelling to destinations off the beaten track.

Fergus Blakiston finds time between lattes for snowboarding on a trip to Queenstown.

From wildlife to heritage to chocolate, Peter Feeney finds plenty of reasons to extend your visit to Dunedin.

Chris Leadbeater makes the most of a short visit to the harbour city.

Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Pahi, Tinopai, Matakohe, Ruawai and Tokatoka are a hop, skip and a jump from each other, and Elisabeth Easther found plenty in these tiny towns to delight.

Justine Tyerman suspects there is a secret ingredient in Swiss chocolate which anaesthetises the conscience ...

On a tropical break, Steve Braunias muses about how it's always worth finding something horrifying to read on your holiday.

In the Argentinian capital, Winston Aldworth finds that meat and mating are on the brain.

Teuila Fuatai finds herself relaxing in a Balinese paradise and considers relocating.

Budapest is one of the most elegant and charming of European capitals, and certainly one of the cheapest.

A bar atop a hill in Sicily's Taormina has plenty to seduce eyes, ears and palate, finds Kevin Pilley.

Flying around the world with two little kids proves to be an exhausting test for Nic Hamilton's sanity - and for his marriage.