LEISURE & UNWIND

Escape the heat and plan a winter holiday in Tasmania. Unwind as you sip on local malts. If you’re planning a trip in August, don’t miss the week-long festival in Hobart, where you can leave your worries behind and explore the many varieties with food pairing; some are international award winners. Drift into a state of oblivion as you admire the Southern Lights; Mount Wellington and Mount Nelson in Hobart are said to be among the best spots for this. While Aurora Australis isn’t as vibrant as its northern counterpart, it’s definitely a sight to behold. Book a stay at Rock Hills Retreat in Huon, about a 30-minute drive from Hobart, and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life. Admire the glorious sunrise from the morning deck, soak into a Huon Pine bath tub out on the evening deck or spend your day at the art studio drawing, painting, sculpting, knitting and reading.

It’s springtime in Cappadocia, which means pleasant weather. The region is home to stunning volcanic rock formations, ‘fairy chimneys’, that seem to change colour at sunset – surreal! These were carved into underground cities centuries ago to home Christian refugees and have since been restored by hoteliers. Book a cave hotel such as Artemis Cave Suites, which has uniquely designed rooms and offers stunning views of the Göreme valleys. You’ll often spot colourful hot air balloons gliding across blue skies, which can be meditative in a way. You can even book your own hot air balloon experience, which will be taken care of by the hotel. Escape for an hour or so as you float, taking in the mesmerising bird’s-eye view of the valleys. On some days, just stay in and treat yourself to a gratifying Turkish bath.

SUMBAWA, INDONESIA PROVENCE, FRANCE

Dubbed the ‘new Bali’, Sumbawa, an Indonesian island, is warm and toasty this time of the year. It’s home to many beaches where you can bake in the sun or dip into blue waters to cool off. Make a day trip to Kenawa Island. Take your mind off things with some easygoing snorkelling and see the rich marine treasures, from starfish and seahorses to other colourful life forms. If you’re lucky, you might spot turtles and small manta rays. There are many organised tours that arrange overnight camping, which offers an escape. Ai Manis Beach, with its white sand, is another camping destination and the sunsets here are said to be mesmerising. You could also spend a day at Benete Beach, which is popular for seafood – tuck into delicious fare and sip on summery drinks as you enjoy the view.

Make a trip to Valensole, a Provençale town. Perched atop a hill, it overlooks a lush lavender valley, which blooms at this time of the year. Stroll through the never-ending purple fields and feel your stress ebb away; the flower is said to help fight stress and anxiety so, if this doesn’t relax you, we don’t know what will! Fontainede-Vaucluse is known for the Vaucluse spring, the largest in France. It feeds the Sorgue river, which flows adjacent to many cafés and restaurants. Enjoy a coffee or, perhaps, lunch paired with some chilled Provençale grape at a riverside eatery and soak in the beauty of this Mediaeval village. Gorges du Verdon or Verdon Gorge, dubbed the French Grand Canyon, is a must-visit. The lower gorges have bathing spots where you can take a dip in turquoise waters.

FACT supports sustainable and socially responsible tourism. Together, let’s reduce waste, conserve water and energy, support local businesses, respect local cultures and customs and minimise environmental impact. We also advise avoiding all ‘experiences’ which involve interactions with ‘wild’ animals other than viewing from a safe distance.