September 3rd: Where I'd rather be

Riverfire at the Brisbane Festival. Picture / Tourism and Events Queensland

SHORT HAUL

Hopping over to Queensland for the Brisbane Festival, an annual celebration of theatre, music, dance, circus and opera, with big public events like the closing night fireworks display Sunsuper Riverfire. September 9-30. Eating: At Customs House restaurant, close to the river and the Arts Precinct, for the perfect view of the festival's comings and goings. Drinking: A cocktail at Sazerac, on the 30th floor rooftop bar of the Four Points by Sheraton. Staying: At The Johnson, a luxury design hotel in a former office tower, dedicated to the work of artist Michael Johnson.

MID HAUL

Attending the 25th annual

San Francisco Fringe Festival

, and catching as many of the 38 different shows as I can.

San Francisco. Photo / 123RF

Eating:

At

China Live

, a 30,000 square foot food and drink emporium in Chinatown, with an oolong cafe, restaurant, bar and retail store.

Drinking:

Behind a secret bookcase or hidden room at

Bourbon & Branch

, a low-key Prohibition-themed bar where you need a password to get in and photos and mobile phones are strictly banned.

Staying:

At

The Scarlet Huntington

, last year voted the number one hotel in San Francisco by readers of

Conde Nast Traveler

.

LONG HAUL

In the picturesque resort village of Portmeirion in north Wales (where TV series

The Prisoner

was filmed) for

Festival No. 6

, dubbed "the UK's most unique" event. This year's line-up includes headliners Mogwai, Bloc Party, The Flaming Lips and many more.

Eating:

Sunday lunch at

Castell Deudraeth brasserie

, a historic building overlooking the surrounding countryside.

The Hotel Portmeirion at Portmeirion on the river Dwyryd, Wales. Photo / 123RF

Drinking:

A pint at the

Portmeirion Hotel

, with views out to the estuary.

Staying:

In the delightfully-named

The Snuggery

, a boutique camping option onsite for the festival.