Latest fromInternational Travel

Editorial: Passport fee increase unjustified
The Government plans to increase the application fee when it extends the passport validity, even though there seems no grounds for doing so.

Five top Washington DC bars
Megan Singleton finds the best places to grab a drink in Washington DC.

Fiji: Precious string of secrets
Paul Rush discovers the enigmatic beauty and brilliance of black pearls in the waters of Fiji.pacific

Canada: A grizzly tale
In the Canadian wilderness, Winston Aldworth sees how sometimes in life you're the bear and sometimes you're the salmon.

Coasting through Italy
Bev Wood experiences the Italian capacity for both wild frenzy and languid indolence.

Tonga: In gentle giants' domain
Whale watching in Tonga goes extreme when Jane Jeffries hops in with the cetaceans.

Top things to do in The Whitsundays
Each week, expat Kiwis tell us what they most love about living by Queensland's beaches. Today we hear from writer Lee Mylne.

South Africa: A weekend in Cape Town
Chris Leadbeater makes the most of a short visit to the harbour city.

Five travel scams to avoid
Megan Singleton on the favourite tricks con artists play on unwary travellers.

Slow train across the Highveld
John Coomber finds inconveniences don't bother him a bit on a cross-country rail trek.

Niue: Ballet in the blue
Paul Rush meets creatures both noble and dangerous in waters of astonishing clarity.

Sex and death in Buenos Aires
In the Argentinian capital, Winston Aldworth finds that meat and mating are on the brain.

A tase of old Orient in new Myanmar
Avoid being overwhelmed on your first visit to this changing but traditional country — check out these temple tips and insider insights from Gill Charlton.

Indonesia: Indulgence is Bliss
Teuila Fuatai finds herself relaxing in a Balinese paradise and considers relocating.

Hungary: A guest of Buda and Pest
Budapest is one of the most elegant and charming of European capitals, and certainly one of the cheapest.

Winston Aldworth: Looking good in the air
Once upon a time, airline passengers got dressed to the nines when flying internationally.

Rarotonga: Return to a cool, blue world
Kim Palsenbarg revisits a past hobby and is entranced to find the world beneath the waves as welcoming as ever.

Spotlight on Coolangatta
Each week a New Zealand expat based in Queensland gives the inside word on their region. This week we hear from service station owner Paula Nash.

Zimbabwe: A timeless majesty
As wonders of the world go, the Victoria Falls are astonishingly uncrowded, says Sandra McGregor.

Ten of the best places to travel solo
Travelling with friends or family is grand, but sometimes it's nice to do a spot of intrepid exploring on your own ...

Room check: Sofitel Hotel, Buenos Aires
Winston Aldworth checks in to a traditional hotel in the Argentine capital.

Beat city cabin fever
Queensland has bonza outdoor adventures and family excursions everyone can enjoy. Lee Mylne suggests five of the best.

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

A different viewpoint
Two entrepreneurial Austrian friends have started up a walking tour with a twist.

Argentina: Top five things to do in Buenos Aires
Fancy taking a punt at polo or tackling the tango? Get to BA, says Megan Singleton.

Cook Islands: Recharged in Rarotonga
Laura Hutchins cherishes the easy-going pace of Cook Island life because she knows when she's home it'll be what she misses the most.

Gems of the Mediterranean
Dreaming of a sojourn on a Mediterranean island? You could join the rush to big and bustling Sicily, Sardinia, Crete or Capri. Or consider Pam Neville's six little sparklers.