Opinion
Michael Gebicki is Traveller’s knowledgeable Tripologist. Every week he tackles the thorny problems in shuttle in addition to answering your questions. Were given a query for the Tripologist? E-mail tripologist@traveller.com.au
October 10, 2025 — 5:00am
In 1988, as a tender backpacker, I holidayed in a primitive grass hut at the fringe of the Purple Sea. It was once idyllic, however sadly lengthy long gone. Is there anyplace on the planet that provides easy grass hut lodging with simple seashore get entry to, no malaria, just right meals and is secure for homosexual travellers?
A. Marchant, Queenscliff, NSW
It’s arduous to imagine, however Phuket was once as soon as like that. Alternatively, close by islands together with Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga Bay is a promising location, with puts like Koh Yao Seaside Entrance turning in a profitable mixture of thatch, beachfront place and inexpensive costs. Within reach Thiwson Seaside Lodge is minimize from the similar fabric, and Sabai Nook Bungalows is but some other contender.
That is Thailand so you’ll be able to take nice meals with no consideration, and the rustic is referred to as one of the LGBTQ-friendly nations in Asia. Off the coast of Cambodia, Koh Rong Sanloem is understood for its fundamental and affordable beachfront lodging. In Mexico, Isla Holbox or Tulum at the Yucatan Peninsula are different probabilities. None of those puts have somewhat the similar tranquillity you may have skilled at the Purple Sea. The sector marches to another drum beat nowadays.
We’re making plans a day trip to Vietnam this Christmas. We arrive in Ho Chi Minh Town however don’t need to be within the town. Are you able to counsel someplace a couple of hours’ pressure – most likely a the town with quite a few eating places and wonderful surroundings – the place shall we spend Christmas?
J. Stokes, Woollahra, NSW
Dalat, within the somewhat cool, wet highlands, suits the invoice. It’s significantly quieter and extra refreshing than busy Ho Chi Minh Town, plus it has some nice inns that evoke its time as a French colonial-era hill the town. It’s additionally a marriage and honeymoon hotspot – love is within the air! Due to its altitude Dalat, is a significant agricultural zone generating cool-climate end result, greens, flora, silk, dairy, rice and occasional. It’s additionally very best for walks and motorcycle rides. Few travellers would to find any explanation why to spend greater than 3 nights in Dalat but it surely’s a primary selection for Christmas. A automotive day trip from Ho Chi Minh Town will take about six hours, however you’ll be able to fly there with Vietnam Airways in not up to an hour.
I’m making plans a 3 to four-week day trip to Greece and Italy in June-July 2026 with my youngsters who’re elderly 14 and 16. We arrive in Catania and spend about 10 nights visiting Mount Etna, Taormina, the Aeolian Islands and end in Cefalu. From there, we’d head to Milo in Greece plus one different island. We’re much less involved in historic monuments, museums and cathedrals, and extra prepared to revel in village existence, boating, swimming, native meals jumbled together with a couple of adventures.
E. Vaughan, Gerringong, NSW
This appears like an excellent day trip. Fly into Catania, and I’d usually counsel travellers base themselves in Ortigia, a ravishing island full of baroque structure related via a bridge to Syracuse. Alternatively one of the vital primary causes for being here’s its proximity to Noto, Ragusa and Modica, 3 sensational Sicilian cities, however that doesn’t sound like what you’re after, so Taormina could be a greater base.
From there you’ll be able to take a mountaineering day trip up Mount Etna, discover the lava caves, take a ship day trip to Isola Bella and cross snorkelling and spend evenings because the locals do, wandering Taormina’s piazzas sampling gelato. It’s worthwhile to additionally take the Ferrovia Circumetnea, a narrow-gauge, 110-kilometre railway that runs in a loop round Mount Etna. From there, switch to Milazzo and take a ferry throughout to the Aeolian Islands – right here, Lipari, which gives simple boat journeys and swimming coves, could be my selection for a base. From Lipari you’ll be able to seek advice from the island of Panarea and mighty Stromboli. I’d skip Cefalu – it most effective is smart in case you have been making plans to incorporate Palermo for your itinerary.
Head again to Catania and fly to Milos by way of Athens. That is some other very good selection to your relatives, with dramatic surroundings such because the moonscape waterfront at Sarakiniko, boat journeys, tranquil villages and simple hikes plus numerous seashores to discover via boat or land. Ferries from Piraeus to Milos are widespread in prime season and Milos has just right day-trip choices to close by Kimolos. On your different Greek island, Sifnos is one possibility, particularly if you need nice meals, hikes and villages with a calming vibe. It additionally feels authentically Greek.
Some other chance is Folegandros, which has dramatic clifftop surroundings, fewer crowds and nice coves for swimming. If you need someplace extra full of life, Naxos charges prime for water sports activities and family-friendly seashores with windsurfing, kayaking and horse driving. Naxos will probably be extra well liked by vacationers, however it will paintings higher for the teenagers. June-July will probably be tremendous busy so you wish to have to e-book lodging and ferries neatly prematurely.
My spouse and I are making plans a stopover in Santiago, Chile, subsequent month. We fly in at about 3pm on day one, then fly out in the dead of night the following day. What would you counsel we do and spot to realize perception into this town? We have been pondering of going to Valparaiso the day we fly out. A. Rossimel, Eltham, Vic
In conjunction with its heritage of Spanish colonial church buildings and neo-Renaissance banks, Santiago brings an artsy vibrancy to the traveller’s desk. Bellavista is hipster Santiago, a vibrant collage of boutiques, cool cafes, sassy bars and galleries, whilst Barrio Lastarria is an rising cool zone, house to one of the vital town’s grandest public artwork galleries, with a sprinkling of boutique inns.
An afternoon day trip to Valparaiso is very best. Sprawled throughout an amphitheatre of jumping hills, frisked via a sea breeze, Valparaiso is Chile’s cultural cauldron, a hub of inventive power and itchy spirits out to bend the principles. It seems like a Latino Berlin (with added sunshine). Highlights come with the spiralling streets of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion, furnished with a mad tangle of Frenchified manor homes, Swiss-style cottages, turreted mansions and creaking iron shanties with Juliet balconies.
Quirky cafes, bars and artwork studios are abundant, and the funicular takes the edge out of the hills. It’s moderately tough across the edges, so take care across the waterfront. The pressure from Santiago takes about 90 mins.
Trip recommendation is common; readers must believe their non-public instances
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Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based shuttle creator, highest recognized for his Tripologist column revealed for greater than 15 years in Traveller. With 4 many years of revel in, his area of expertise is sensible recommendation, vacation spot insights and problem-solving for travellers. He additionally designs and leads gradual, immersive excursions to a few of his favorite puts. Attach by way of Instagram @michael_gebickiAttach by way of e mail.