International Holidays and Travel Guide

Steve Madgwick

Travel Journalist

Local woman sits in the grasslands of Gjoa Haven / Uqsuqtuuq

The 3 remote Canadian Arctic hamlets you’ve probably never heard of

The lure of seeing polar bears, narwals and otherworldly icebergs most often draw people to a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the famous/infamous Northwest Passage but until you meet the locals, the Inuit, face-to-face in their tiny communities, can you really say you’ve been to the Arctic?

Arctic and Antarctica

This cruise through the Northwest passage is only possible a few weeks a year

The world once saw the Northwest Passage as something to be conquered, but cruising through this ‘Arctic labyrinth’ with local knowledge opens up an entirely different storybook.

The ms fridtjof nansen hx expeditions ship

Arctic and Antarctica

HX Expeditions: What it’s really like to cruise the remote Northwest Passage

Greenland, Arctic Canada and Alaska on one expedition? HX Expeditions MS Fridtjof Nansen calmly cruises where polar bears tread and where only small towns of Inuit dare to live.

Snorkelling vessel just off Beloi, Atauro Island.

Asia

9 things you must know before you travel to Timor-Leste

Before Timor-Leste finally won independence from Indonesia in 2002, few Australians would have even considered travelling the short distance across the Timor Sea for a holiday or adventure. More than two decades later, the world’s fourth youngest nation is indeed open for tourism.

the view of Nekresi Monastery, Kakheti Georgia

Europe

Exploring Kakheti, Georgia: the birthplace of wine

We head to Georgia’s Kakheti region, said to be the birthplace of wine, to sample the fruits of its age-old traditions.

Middle East

Journey to Iran: an ode to Persian hospitality

For Steve Madgwick, it’s not memories of the ancient mosques or spectacular landscapes, but of the open-hearted welcome he received throughout his travels in Iran that will stay with him the longest.

Manitoba

What to do in Winnipeg, Canada

Manitoba’s underrated capital flies under the radar with the Rocky Mountaineer-riding visitors who flock to Canada.

South Africa

How to spend 48 Hours in Cape Town

The South African city’s dining scene serves up everything from artisan coffee to buzzing bazaars, hipster eat streets and fine diners. Embarks on a food safari.

Yukon