Glasshouse Mountains, Queensland, Australia

One of the loveliest panoramas of the Glasshouse Mountains is from the Mary Cairncross Park, a delightful picnic ground set off the road near Monteville, high in the ranges behind Nambour. Good close-up views of the formations are best from the back road of Caboolture and the little village of Glasshouse Mountains. These unique geological formations are plugs of ancient volcanoes, and their strange shapes standing out on the horizon reminded Captain Cook, in 1770, of the glass furnaces in Yorkshire.

Grape Varieties in Italy.

The grape variety used will affect the flavour of a wine as mush as the variation in taste between a Granny Smith and a Golden Delicious apple, say. The northwest is blessed with a large number of grape varieties, both red and white and most wines are made from single varieties, without blending, so the character of the grape clearly determines the character of the wine. The features of each are described as they are encountered along the wine routes. Producers are, in general, strongly convinced of the high quality of their grape varieties and proud of their characteristics. That, however, does not stop them experimenting and the international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and so on crop in a number of wines, sometimes in intriguing blends with the native grapes.

Savona, Italy

Savona is quietly elegant, in an old-fashioned sort of way. In some ways, it is like a miniature. Genoa, with the contrast between the graceful newer part and the old town, behind the port, with its maze of narrow alleyways. In other ways, it more resembles a miniature Turin, with colonnaded streets and grid-like road system. But it lacks the spaciousness and verve of both Genoa and Turin, feeling more closed-in and less airily bright, and seems firmly set in older, more stately times. There aer some very ornately decorated buildings, one or two over-exaggeratedly so and some quietly refined piazzas but there's a strong sense that the true Savona does not reveal itself easily and that more than a casual glance is needed to get under the skin of this oddly intriguing, small city.

Reason why I love Austin!

Austin, Texas is a wonderful place. That's why, I just love spending time traveling around.

The antiques, vintage dud and curiosities attract all manner of shopper (including me). Among the attention getters are silver longhorn tie clips and 1920s cowboy boots adorned with the Texas star.

Furthermore, nobody has it as good as a pooch in Austin: with all of its grassy preserves, the city is an off-leash paradise. Dogs have the run of 13-acre Red Bud Isle between Lake Austin and Lady Bird, but there's plenty for recreation including fishing, swimming and walking the wooded trails.

The secret to the world-famous' cue at the Salt Lick restaurant is the vinegar-based recipe that owner Thurman Roberts's family has passed down for generations. The pork ribs, sausage and brisket are also smoked for 20 hours before they land on a giant platter at the picnic table.

Built in thelate 1800s, the 48-room Mansion at Judges' Hill, with its wraparound porch, four-poster beds, and granite-topped desks, is one of the city's most elegant hotels. But snooty it isn't. The snickerdoodles at the front desk are there to be devoured.

At the lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, cofounded by the former first lady to preserve North America's native flora, some 650 indigenous Texas species are spread across more than 20 gardens and meadows. In fact, anyone can visit in spring when the bluebonnets are at their peak.

Walking into Yard Dog, one of Texas's premier fold and outsider art galleries, is like entering a Eudora Welty story: The room is crowded with curious painting, furniture and constructions that celebrate Southern life.

Austin is really beautiful, from food to places, it's all package-in-one. Thatis why, I love Austin!

Roero, Italy

One of Alba's pride is Roero. Roero covers a small area in Alba, bounded to the south and east by the River Tanaro, to the north by the provincial boundary and to the west (roughly inside a line from Bra to Cellarengo) by the disappearance of suitable slopes. The old Turin-Alba Statale cuts through the middle: a slim valley with hills reaching 300-350 metres. rising up on either side. The prettier slopes are to the east, the western side is wilder and more rugged. This tour, progressing generally from north to south, loops across both side to give a broadly comprehensive view of the zone. Two hours should be sufficient to do it all justice.

Red Roero is made form Alba's leading grape, Nebbiolo. It is lighter and fruitier in style than the Nebbiolo reds of the Langhe further south, mainly because the Roero hills are less high and the soil's sandier, but also party because a tiny percentage of white Arneis is meant to be used alongside the Nebbiolo, generally weightier than Reoro and gentler than Barolo. Those Roero producers who make both wines tend to make their Reoro fro early drinking and the Nebbiolo d' Alba for ageing a little longer.

While Arneis is also produced on its own, in Roero Arneis. This variety became quite fashionable in Piedmont as growers gloried in a native grape thaty, with coaxing \, produced a refinded, lightly perfumed, dry white wine with ageing potential. Encouraging results have also been achieved with Arnies in the Langhe but most remain convinced that it does best north of the Tanaro. The other white grape of note is Favorita. It provokes mixed reactions, however. Some really enjoy its light, perfumed, easy-drinking, floral style; others regard it as slight and forgettable.

Reoro also lies within the area of Barbera d' Alba and a small outcrop of the Asti DOCG area surrounds the village of Santa Vittoria d' Alba, in the south of the zone.

Maine

Some people claim that the world's finest lobster comes from Maine. From the rustic charm of its quaint fishing villages and rocky coves, to the sophisticated allure of its museums and art galleries, Maine is blessed with unforgettable and a character all its own.

Along the sparkling dark blue and granite coast, summer is filled with sunny days and mild temperatures that make Maine a refreshing escape. Lined with postcard-perfect villages, pebbly shores and proud architecture, Maine's beaches and lakes are not crowded and capture secluded waterways, and forests are populated by historic logging villages, covered bridges and generations-old family farms. It's a place where simple summer pastimes turn into fond memories.

Locals are known fro the laid-back attitude and friendly way of life, which was of making everything feel a bit more homey and comfortable - especially when it comes to food. Maine has an abundance of delicious seafood, award-winning restaurants, and fresh-off-farm cuisine. All roadside stands and farmers markets, you can sample blueberry pies and muffins that are long-cherished recipes. When it comes to hotels, you'll find everything from flowery bed-and-breakfast to reasonably priced historic inns and resorts.

The state's independent New England streak also comes through a variety of one-of-a-kind activities, such as moose safaris, lighthouse tours, outdoors poos concerts and whale-watching. You can also day trip to Maine's picturesque islands, go sailing and white-water rafting, and play 18-hole golf courses. In the state's town and cities, you also find plenty of New England charm in artisan markets, galleries, small gourmet shops and boutiques. Indeed, Maine's natural beauty has served as a muse to many American artists and today, nationally acclaimed art museums showcase their work alongside international masters.

Turin, Italy

Turin is probably Italy's best kept secret. My friend, Michelle told me. She has been living her life in this place ever since she got married last January 28, 2000. She added that Turin is spacious, well-planned and easy to navigate. The streets are wide and airy, not overly noisy and are fringed by well cared for buildings, rarely more than a few storeys high.

She further added that by night central Turin's appearance changes dramatically, becoming bright and glitsy. Above the porticoes are numerous, vertical neon signs; cheerful without becoming brash, bringing splashes of colour, while streets are well lit and many of the important buildings and statues are floodlit.

Furthermore, Michelle said that the city is fringed to the north and east by rivers. To the north passes the torrente Stura di Lanzo, although roughly parallel to it and firmly within town is the River Dora Ripatia. In the east, it is the Po, which flows in a northerly directly.

Immediately beyond the Po is a rapid incline, a bank of hills that provides a natural barrier to the city's expansion. The elevation houses some rather smart accommodation but Turin's smartest residences, villas in spacious grounds, home to the seriously wealthy are on the back of the hills, some with fabulous views over Piedmont and the Alps. East of the station is a cheerfully scruffy area, home to artisans and the odd ageing hippy. So those who do visit Turin can enjoy freedom from tourist tat and can relish being treated as a guest in town rather than just another foreigner.

No wonder my friend, Michelle always brag about Turin. She is having a good living in the place. Obviously, she did!