Given the current cost-of-living fears, some retirees are looking at taking advantage of new visa options in Asia to up sticks and move north to a more luxurious lifestyle. But while Thailand and Indonesia are undoubtedly cheaper and now offer 10-year visas to retirees with enough in the bank, are those good enough reasons to move? And what are the most popular destinations for Aussies retir... read more>

If you haven't booked your flights for Christmas yet, get ready to raid the piggy bank, choose another mode of transport, or stay home. We know airfares have rocketed post-COVID as the carriers take advantage of surging demand, fewer airlines are serving Australia and there’s a need to make up for earlier pandemic losses. For example, a Yuletide visit to Auckland from Sydney return could ... read more>

Whenever I go anywhere, the first thing I try to get hold of is a map. Not some poor definition tiny-screened digital version but the full fold-out paper version. And it’s getting harder and harder to find one. Agencies are keen that you download the directions and don’t you dare bother them with anything they have to print. Sadly, the excellent Cartoscope series of tourist maps (see pic)... read more>

Whenever I go anywhere, the first thing I try to get hold of is a map. Not some poor definition tiny-screened digital version but the full fold-out paper version. And it’s getting harder and harder to find one. Agencies are keen that you download the directions and don’t you dare bother them with anything they have to print. Sadly, the excellent Cartoscope series of tourist maps (see pic)... read more>

Aeroplanes have hardly been fuller. Airfares have rarely been higher. It only makes sense because we are swapping the chains of the COVID bug for the delights of the travel bug. The dreaded masks are no longer required, but the relentless queues, delays, lost luggage and sometimes frankly lousy customer service continues. So why do we do it? Of all the economists’ jargon, the term ‘pent-u... read more>