Activities
Cruising
You've just gotta zip
Modern cruise ships now offer far more exciting activities than shuffleboard. Leanne West test-drives the newest ones.
Canada
The foam game
Craig Platt Niagara is primarily known for its falls but that does a disservice to the wider area, writes Craig Platt.
The Cruise Director
Bottoms up on board for the New Year
Sally Macmillan Happy New Year. For you lucky cruisers who are already on board a ship or about to jump on one, we thought we'd get into the celebratory spirit and check out drinks packages.
Photos
Icy start to New Year as polar bear clubs dive in
![People participate in the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club dip, in the Brooklyn borough of New York January 1, 2014. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the U.S. and every New Year's Day holds the winter plunge which attracts thousands of participants. REUTERS/Allison Joyce (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT)](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/01/03/5049912/trv-th-Polar-Swim-Coney-Island-20140103105745734670-90x60.jpg)
Throughout the northern hemisphere, revellers have welcomed in the new year by taking a dip in icy waters.
Shopping
'Can you bring me back a ... ?' How to deal with travel gifts
![Stumped for a gift to bring back for friends or relatives? You can never go wrong with a scarf.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/30/5042457/th-Tourists-Buying-Scarves-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist 'Since you're heading for Thailand/Venice/the wilds of Turkmenistan, can you pick me up a silk cushion cover/a Murano vase/a yak wool carpet in a traditional design?'
USA
Vegies with a higher purpose
The Big Apple's hotels are sprouting gardens, writes Indira Naidoo.
Australia
Wicker ways: top picnic spots
![Jervis Bay.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/27/5037701/trv-th-Jervis-Bay-20131227115736664066-90x60.jpg)
The Tripologist Shake out the picnic rug and raid the fridge - because when the sun is shining, nothing beats a picnic.
Photos
Knee-wobbling glass lookout opens in French Alps
!['Step into the Void' installation at the Aiguille du Midi mountain peak above Chamonix, in the French Alps.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/20/5024687/th-French-Alps-Lookout-Void--20--90x60.jpg)
The 'Step into the Void' installation at the Aiguille du Midi mountain peak above Chamonix, in the French Alps opens on Saturday.
Air travel
Fly buys: the world's best airport shops
![Harrods at Heathrow ... the legendary London department store has an outlet in each of the airport's five terminals.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/17/5016693/th-Heathrow-Airport-Harrods-2-90x60.jpg)
Julietta Jameson Got time for a little shopping action pre-holiday flight? Think outside the perfume box and discover some airport specialty stores that perfectly encapsulate the nation outside the arrivals hall.
The Backpacker
Meet the travel nutters
![Female scuba diver.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/17/5015848/th-Scuba-Diver-Woman-90x60.jpg)
The Backpacker You meet nutters of all descriptions when you travel - they have an obsessive look about them.
Q&A;
Famous Flyer: Matt Moran
![Matt Moran](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/13/5008254/Dan-20131213103548184052-90x60.jpg)
Trust Matt Moran to know exactly where to find the best breakfast in all of Paris.
Cruising
Toilet trouble: 'accidents' happen in cruise ship pools
![carnival spirit](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/13/5008256/Dan-20131213141007556005-90x60.jpg)
Sally Macmillan There are rules about ships' pool use, and parents of kids of all ages need to heed them.
Photos
Traveller Christmas gift guide 2013
![earth as gift](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/13/5008257/Dan-20131213104434134227-90x60.jpg)
Even if you can't afford a round-the-world air ticket this Christmas ($2476, escapetravel.com.au), a classic Louis Vuitton suitcase ($8750 for the Alzer, louisvuitton.com.
New Zealand
Hey, good looking
![Wonderfully retro ... Hotel DeBrett in Auckland.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/10/4996522/trv-th-Hotel-deBrett-20131210152428307643-90x60.jpg)
Auckland is easy on the eye and is becoming a culinary star, writes Andrew Taylor.
Japan
Play it cool with hot pursuits
![Spoilt for choice: snowboarding at Madarao.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/09/4993943/trv-th-Madarao-20131209155720227024-90x60.jpg)
Rachael Oakes-Ash Can't decide between epic snow, golf or a beach break? Combine them on one adventure holiday.
The box set
![Fast food: Tetsuya Wakuda enjoys bento boxes on-board Japanese bullet trains.](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/09/4993945/trv-th-Tetsuya-Wakuda-20-20131209154639256214-90x60.jpg)
Anthony Dennis Not even top chefs can resist buying great takeaway, writes Anthony Dennis.
Shore excursions: volcanic encounters
![Volcano National Park](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/06/4987203/Dan-20131206151848878503-90x60.jpg)
Jane E. Fraser Getting up close to a volcano in Hawaii was a highlight of the Kings' 200th cruise.
Europe
Lessons for life on board
![Mosel River](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/06/4987200/Dan-20131206130849213080-90x60.jpg)
Moving views and feasts to remember are part of the river cruising experience, writes Kerry van der Jagt.
The Cruise Director
The Cruise Director: food glorious food
![Bremen](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/12/06/4987202/Dan-20131206145822969025-90x60.jpg)
Sally Macmillan Food, glorious food . . . cruisers are being offered a smorgasbord of upmarket dining choices.
India
Shore excursions: moving riverside scenes
![ganges](http://web.archive.org./web/20140106122317im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/11/29/4966820/Dan-20131129143145918743-90x60.jpg)
Jane E. Fraser Bruce Gates of Port Douglas is moved by scenes of life and death on the Ganges.