Heading to Italy? This village is my idea of heaven

June 19, 2026 — 5:00am

We would like to visit the Dolomites in the first week of September, staying in one or two towns as a base for exploring and walking. We’d like to avoid the larger, more glamorous resort towns in favour of smaller, quieter places. We’ll have a car. Any advice?
L. Bouten, Dromana, Vic

The village of Santa Magdalena comes pretty close to my idea of heaven. It sits to the north-east of Bolzano in the trough of the Val de Funes, a 20-kilometre valley lined with cow pastures set with double-storey timber farmhouses with dark pine balconies with geraniums spilling from their window boxes. You’re on the northern edge of the Odle/Puez-Geisler group which puts you in easy reach of some of the loveliest walking trails in the Dolomites.

At neighbouring Ranul is the Church of St John, set in a green bowl against the steel teeth of the mountains, one of the prettiest churches you’ll ever see. If the weather turns bad, you can easily head for Bolzano and there’s plenty to do there including the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum which tells the remarkable story of Otzi the Iceman. If you want something larger, another great choice would be San Vigilio, gateway to the South Tyrolean nature parks Fanes-Sennes-Braies and Puez-Odle. This is also part of the Ladin region, home of the original inhabitant of the Dolomites. The essential guide to walks in the region is the Cicerone series.

We would like to celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary next year with a Kimberley cruise. We are fit and active and would like a vessel with maybe 100-200 passengers with lots of expeditions and interesting lectures. We would also like a stateroom with a balcony.
S. and A. Hoptroff, Templestowe, Vic

Ponant’s vessel Le Jacques Cartier is making several 10-night voyages between Broome and Darwin and vice versa in 2027 and this is probably going to be the best choice to celebrate your special anniversary. Cruises from Darwin to Broome visit remote Ashmore Reef, those between Broome and Darwin spend more time on the Kimberley coast.

Le Jacques Cartier is the latest addition to Ponant’s Explorers fleet, offering such refinements as high-end gastronomy, 24-hour room service, a spa and unlimited internet access, as well as a team of naturalist guides and Zodiac trips to some of the more inaccessible parts of the region, and even an optional heli flight to Mitchell Falls. In the vessel’s mid-range cabins, the upper deck’s balcony stateroom is a 19-square-metre cabin with a private balcony. The ship carries a maximum of 184 passengers and bookings for the 2027 season are already heavy.

After four weeks in Egypt in October this year, my husband and I plan to spend about a week in Tunisia. With the limited time available, what highlights would you recommend, and is it both easy and safe to rent a car.
M. Carpenter, Exeter, NSW

In a week you can dip into Tunis and its surroundings for a taste of this incredible North African country, which offers Roman ruins that rival anything in Europe, time-warped medinas, Mediterranean scenery and a likeable blend of Arab, Berber, Ottoman and French influences. In Tunis, the Bardo National Museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics while the city’s medina is a tangled maze of souks, mosques and historic buildings. Spend a late afternoon and evening exploring the cobbled streets and blue-and-white streetscapes of nearby Sidi Bou Said, the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace is well worth a look and the cafes are the perfect spot to take in the action.

Drive south to Kairouan for a taste of Tunisia’s desert. As far back as the ninth century this was a powerful trading centre and a hub for Islamic scholarship, The Great Mosque, which dates from this period, is still a major pilgrimage site. On your return journey to Tunis, head north-west to Dougga, it’s a spectacular archaeological site covering 75 hectares, rated the best-preserved Roman town in North Africa. The surrounding countryside and villages provide a glimpse of rural Tunisia. Renting a car is no problem. Roads are mostly good, fuel is inexpensive and major tourist areas are well signposted. Keep your passport, licence and rental documents handy for the occasional police checkpoints.

After our first cruise around Japan next March we wish to spend two nights somewhere not too far from Tokyo to witness natural beauty, culture, landscapes and hot baths, in a location not overly crowded and known for good food.
J. Riddiford, Abbotsford, Vic

Just south of Tokyo, at the heart of the Izu Peninsula, Shuzenji Onsen is a peaceful temple town famous for its hot springs. Set on the banks of the Katsuragawa River and enclosed by mountains, its ancient temples, bamboo groves and soothing thermal waters, as well as its tranquil atmosphere have made it a favourite with writers, artists and intellectuals.

Several public baths and foot baths are scattered throughout the town, but for a refined and luxurious experience, book into a traditional ryokan with private onsen baths with scenic views. Izu Shuzenji Hot Springs Arai Ryokan has traditional rooms and a Japanese menu.

Another local highlight is Shuzen-ji Temple, founded over 1200 years ago by a famous monk. From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line to Mishima Station and change to the Izu-Hakone Sunzu Line to Shuzenji Station. The whole trip takes less than two hours.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances