With its magical mosques, decadent palaces, harems, spice-filled markets and bazaars, Istanbul is a city of sensual delights where dipping your toe in the waters of a traditional Turkish bath (hamam) is a quintessential experience for any holiday goddess.

I’ve fallen for the private Balinese villa experience. A well-staffed luxury villa offers most of what you get from a 5-star hotel in Bali – lazy days filled with relaxing by the pool in beautifully appointed accommodation with great food, attentive service and on-demand pampering. And with the price of villas starting at less than the cost of a luxury hotel, it’s incredibly good bang for your buck. But for the uninitiated, searching for a villa is overwhelming because there are so many options to choose from. So, what to look out for?

The idea of travelling to Southern Africa usually conjures up romantic notions of wildlife safaris and exotic adventure. But if you are looking for a less traditional route to explore this vast and exciting continent there’s an alternative kind of safari for you – via stunning spas, Buddhist retreats and meditation wells. I discovered a ‘Big Five*’ for the body and soul … with a distinctly African twist.

Admittedly, I’m not much of a camper and have always been slightly intimidated by the notion of outdoor music festivals, but when a ticket to The Dreaming Festival came my way I took it with a surprising burst of enthusiasm. I was in the mood to escape the city, rest in the arms of Mother Nature, get a little dirty and explore cultural expression outside my safe inner-city Sydney world of theatre, Indie-rock and art galleries.

At Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Kris McIntyre discovers a unique spa treatment combined with an authentic Aboriginal eco-tourism experience.