Every year, Clunes (a country drive from Melbourne) hosts Booktown, its secondhand and vintage book fair. Throw in retro recyclables shops and an amazing bakery and we’re sold.

Booktown, Clunes is a huge weekend event when every spare tent, court house and hall is turned over to secondhand books and old magazines. This is the place to come for collectors’ items, but also $5 bargains. You can wander Service Street, Bailey Street, Fraser Street, Purcell Street and Templeton Street for hours (we found a stash of Life magazines from the 1960s for $5 each and got happily lost).

After that, enjoy a glass of award-winning wine at Mount Beckworth Wines (46 Fraser Street) and just a few doors down, delicious home-made egg and bacon pies, vanilla slices or apple cake at O’Haras Cafe and Bakery.

The retro recyclables are something else too. You’ll find everything from funky maxi dresses to farm equipment on Fraser Street.  You’ll find everything from an ancient thermos to 1950s furniture.

The books are the thing, though –and the classic Australian newspapers and magazines. Booktown is held at the start of Autumn in Clunes every year. Drive if you can – otherwise, it’s a bus connection to Ballarat by train from Melbourne! For more information on future events, see www.booktown.clunes.org

Take a long walk along Crown Street, Sydney and you’ll find some of the world’s most famous Australian exports, from glamorous Chinese chef Kylie Kwong, to the hipster boutique for rock stars, Wheels & Doll Baby. By Holiday Goddess Editors.

This is worth the Google maps print-out or download. You are in for some serious wandering when you take on Crown Street, Sydney – but it’s also the best way to see some of Australia’s most famous names and labels in one afternoon/evening.

You can’t book at Billy Kwong, Kylie Kwong’s legendary Chinese restaurant, unless you have 6-8 people. The wait is worth it. Crispy duck? Yes, but done Kylie’s way, with organic ingredients. This is a locally grown, carbon-neutral, Fair Trade foodie paradise, run by a seriously smart Australian legend who has a huge TV cult following.  Kylie does slow food and tap water in a way that should convert every showbiz chef. Full details (and recipes) at http://www.kyliekwong.org. Billy Kwong is at 355 Crown Street, open from 6pm.

Wheels and Doll Baby is very rock, very sexy and somewhat sexy. The range is worn by Debbie Harry, Pearl and Daisy Lowe, Dita Von Teese, Sadie Frost, Pink and Miss Kelly Osbourne. It’s fishnet, it’s leopardskin, it’s tight pencil skirts, it’s (possibly) you – but at least peer in the shop window.

At 259 Crown Street, in the heart of one of the best vintage, rock’n’roll and secondhand fashion strips in Australia. Details – wheelsanddollbaby.com

Know a chap who likes Johnny Cash? Cowboy boots? Rockist badges? Buy him a souvenir of Sydney at Route 66, right near Wheels and Doll Baby.

Crown Street is also packed with cool pubs and bars, so if you work up a thirst after you’ve shopped and Billy Kwonged, consider wandering up to the Fouveaux Street end of Crown, for an Aussie champagne.

If you’re visiting Australia don’t miss the Tea Too stores – perfect for your hotel room and lovely to take home. By Holiday Goddess Editors

Imagine enormous tea boutiques full of unique herbal blends – and witty originals like Sydney Breakfast Tea and Melbourne Breakfast Tea.  The T2 range can be found all over the world but take advantage of your Australian holiday to experience all the little orange boxes in one place. There are samples to taste, tiny ceramic saucers of tea to sniff – and sweet, portable accessories. We don’t know what we’d do without Tea Too. From their Chinese newspaper gift wrapping, to their herbal tea jugs, they are one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. Find them in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. Details at their website (where you can also match your zodiac sign to your tea)

If you’re on a tight budget in Sydney (or your purse was just stolen) then you need to know about the generous free internet in Sydney’s inner-city libraries. By Holiday Goddess Editors.

BYO laptop and you can connect to fast broadband at many Sydney libraries and community centres, free of charge. Find  the connection you need at Customs House, Glebe, Newtown, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Haymarket, Kings Cross, Town Hall and Waterloo. Make sure you’ve charged your battery, though – the power points are off limits.

No laptop at all? Surry Hills (near Central Station by train) has available computers downstairs at its Surry Hills Library & Community Centre. And of course, the added advantage of chic street-view tables in the lobby.Not so much a library, more a way of life.

For the full list and more details, visit the City of Sydney website at http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Holiday Goddess Editors recommend taking the train to Orchard MRT for quick, cult European label shopping (don’t miss Zara) and fast sushi or noodles.

Sometimes life just needs to be simple. If you only have an hour in Singapore then don’t worry about maps, taxis or enormous itineraries. Hop on the train to Orchard on the easy-peasy Singapore MRT train system, and hop off for great shopping, fast Asian food, internet access and more.

As soon as you exit the train station you’ll find yourself in a typical Singapore mall, which in turn feeds a second mall. The best of British and American shopping is on offer here (from Borders to Marks & Spencer) along with truly convenient options, like quick sushi upstairs and a classic Asian noodle hall downstairs.

If you haven’t shopped at Zara before, then see why women from Madrid to London are addicted. These inexpensive, beautifully cut and sewn copies of catwalk looks are stacked from floor to ceiling. It’s hard to emerge without at least a belt, and you may come out with an entire wardrobe.

Orchard MRT fronts Orchard Road which is a whole day’s shopping experience. So don’t go there. Just switch from mall to mall, then hop back on the train. You’ll feel like you’ve done Singapore without doing a single thing. Promise.

Four restaurants in The Age Good Food Guide and a regular Farmers’ Market make tiny, charming Kyneton a fantastic Melbourne getaway. By Holiday Goddess Editors.

Lucky enough to be in Melbourne with time on your hands? Just get in the car and drive.  Or hop on the train, for a total time-travel experience. Kyneton is tiny, charming, right in the heart of the beautiful Victorian countryside and – most importantly – heaving with award-winning restaurants and a particularly good pub.

We tried the local Shiraz at The Royal George Hotel and were in raptures over the crumbed sardines. You can sit here for hours reading all the secondhand Skippy annuals, or just use it as a bouncing-off point for a long walk or a picnic.

People rave about the Annie Smithers Bistro which is for serious foodies. But there is lots to love in Kyneton once you find Piper Street, where every building is preserved from Victorian times, and the cafes and restaurants are thick on the ground. Some are shorts-casual. Others are seriously suity, but those Age reviewers are right. It’s all delicious.

The Vintage Yard Sale on Piper Street is worth intense rummaging.  City prices, handpicked vintage and secondhand booty, from recycled 1950s fabric cushions to heaving suitcases.

If you’re driving, then Kyneton is close to all the old Victorian gold mining towns and should definitely be your stop-off point for lunch.

Details – http://www.kyneton.org.au

Go green, go chiconomy class, save a fortune and enjoy the ferry from England to France. By Holiday Goddess Editors.

Our first tip is to go on a weekday, not a weekend or public holiday. Our second tip is to squeeze into the calmest, warmest off-peak days you can find.
But if you can manage all this, then walking onto a ferry from England and walking off in France is a wonderful experience.

It’s also ridiculously chiconomical. Fares begin at £19 and if you pick up a newspaper offer or special promotion, you can sail for the price of lunch.

Connect to your ferry stop by train from London, if that’s your hub. But if you’re on the UK coast anyway, remember you’re halfway to Europe anyway.

The best deals are for you and your friends en masse. Pack out the car, split the cost. And remember, the luggage allowances are incredibly generous compared to those parsimonious deals with budget airlines.

Fares are available to Ireland, Belgium, Spain and Holland too. And we really like the free guides to download at http://www.directferries.co.uk

There may be parties of schoolchildren on your boat. It may feel a little odd to realise you’re travelling sans flight attendants. But seriously, if you haven’t tried the ferries from England to Ireland and Europe, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

The mini cruises to Europe (well under £100) are also worth a look.

Tucked away in Surry Hills, near Sydney’s Central Station, you’ll find one of Australia’s most inspiring, free permanent art exhibitions. This is where the legendary Brett Whiteley lived and worked. By Holiday Goddess editors.

From  10am through 4pm every Saturday and Sunday you can wander back into Whiteley World and hear the music he played, and see the furniture just as he arranged it.
This was Brett and his partner Wendy’s inner-city universe in the 1980s and it’s a powerful way to experience his art.

Once seen it’s never forgotten. But although some of his most famous pieces are in galleries, this is a unique way to spend a Saturday morning.

Exhibitions and art workshops change regularly in Brett’s studio so if you become hooked (some fans return throughout the year) there is always something new to experience.

Of all the decades Brett Whiteley was associated with it’s the 1970s with which he is most widely linked. That’s when he moved from alcohol to mind-altering chemicals and took his art with him. A Sydney boy through and through, he is world famous today. And here you are, with the chance to see his private life, on public display. Don’t miss it.

Details http://www.brettwhiteley.com

Castlemaine – Victoria’s best-loved bohemian bush town – is also home to The Restorer’s Barn, a slice of secondhand heaven. By Holiday Goddess Editors.

Castlemaine used to be the number one destination for school trips in the 1970s and 1980s as any Melbourne grown-up will tell you. And it’s true, the gold mining history and beautifully preserved Victorian and Art Deco buildings are still there. This time, though, you won’t have to study anything except for the unique local shops.

Castlemaine is home to a lot of discerning writers and artists, hence one very cool bookshop (with a gigantic cat sign over the door). And there is a lovely, Art Deco nostalgic cinema and theatre too (with live bands and the occasional psychic medium). It’s basically a must-see Victorian town. Even the huge pub at the end of town has been converted into a vast fashion centre (find it just a short walk from the Castlemaine train station).

It’s The Restorer’s Barn that the faithful flock to, though. Thousands of secondhand plates, saucers and cups. Old biscuit tins. Ancient Bay City Rollers albums. How can you resist? Find of the day: Proper French door numbers. Second find of the day: half a 1950s car.

Across the road you’ll find a vast handmade soap shop, and the kind of crumbling buildings which disappeared in the rest of Australia fifty years ago.

Castlemaine is a wonderful day out, by train or car. But don’t smash the secondhand china.

 Tamara Pitelen’s cautionary tale on lessening the pain of luggage gone astray.

Don’t wear high heels on the plane © Tamara Pitelen

On a recent 11-day holiday to Spain, Turkish Airlines lost my luggage. Twice. At both ends of the trip. Yes, a letter of complaint has gone to customer relations in which words like “mind-boggling incompetence” are thrown about but as that scenario plays out, here are some words of advice learnt the steely-hard way.

1. Don’t wear high heels on the plane (don’t judge me, I’d gone straight from the office) or you’ll be in those shoes for three days unless you go shoe shopping.

2. If you do go shoe shopping, as well as purchasing a toothbrush, shampoo and new knickers, keep the receipts.

3. Wear clothes on the plane that will be comfortable for three days in the climate of the country you’re going to… again, unless you’re happy to go shopping.

4. Don’t put anything in checked-in luggage that you’ll need, such as house keys and car keys.

6. Most importantly, keep every last scrap of documentation if you want compensation. The baggage tags, the lost baggage forms, your e-ticket and every single receipt.

Emma Killick guides a foodie’s tour of Toulouse.

Toulouse at Sunset © Guillaume Dubé

Many heading to the south of France bypass the cities, but if you’re arriving by plane or train or picking up a hire car, I definitely recommend at least a quick stop in Toulouse. This historic city is young and vibrant, in large part due to the University of Toulouse, one of the oldest universities in Europe. The centre is 15 easy minutes from the airport or five minutes by metro from the train station. Whenever we are picking up friends from the airport, we always squeeze in a trip to the market or a meal before heading out into the countryside.

Here’s what you can do if you’ve got a day set aside, or even just a couple of hours:

MORNING: The daily market at Place Victor Hugo is mind blowing – all the meat, fish, cheese and pastries you could ever want. All of it is sumptuously displayed (so much so that I was almost tempted to buy a fillet of horse meat …). All the fruit and vegetables are just outside the covered market and more is to be found on the nearby Boulevard de Strasbourg

Place Victor Hugo, Ground Floor
Tuesday to Sunday, 6am-1pm

LUNCH TIME: Head upstairs from the market (the entrance is on the outside, under the covered walkway) to the mezzanine where there’s a narrow row of half a dozen restaurants. They’re all very friendly and very good, and they expect you to walk down the row and peruse the menus. All of them are supplied by the market below and guarantee fresh, tasty fare. We love the Le Louchebem (French Pig-Latin for “butcher”).

Get there by 12:15 at the latest as there are no bookings taken and the place gets packed.

Place Victor Hugo, First Floor
Daily 11.45am-3pm. Closed on Mondays.

EVENING: Enjoy an aperitif on the Place du Capitole. The square is vast, with the enormous town hall and opera house on one side and beautiful rose-bricked buildings on the other. Great for people watching and admiring the effect the changing light has on all the beautiful buildings. Many cafes spill out from the covered archways opposite the Capitole. The service can be a little Parisian (i.e. aloof), but worth suffering through for the atmosphere.

Next, head to Place Saint-Georges for dinner. A ten-minute stroll from Place du Capitole, Place Saint-Georges is a small, leafy square accessed by several narrow, medieval streets. In summer all the restaurants in the square have tables set up outside. It makes for a great atmosphere, and gives you a good view of all the gorgeous buildings surrounding the square. Unlike small French towns, late dining is readily available. There are a variety of restaurants and cafes here – everything from crepes and pizza to extensive gourmet menus. I recommend the following:

Traditional with great service and an extensive wine list:

Restaurant Emile. 13 Place St. Georges
05 61 21 05 56
www.restaurant-emile.com

They are known for their cassoulet and fish stew. We had a fabulous starter of herring tartar that was tasty and beautifully presented. On the expensive side, but a worthwhile treat. Making a reservation is recommended.
Young vibe and reliable food and service:

Van Gogh Cafe 21 Place St. Georges
05 61 21 03 15

Their summertime terrace comes complete with sand underfoot, which is nice and cool and feels a little as if you are on a volleyball court (high heels not recommended). The atmosphere is warm and friendly, which is partly due to the beautiful building and furnishings and partly due to with the staff. We gobbled all our food and the servings are uncharacteristically large (you could share one cassoulet between two).

Ireland’s Saint Patrick banished snakes from Croagh Patrick, also known locally as The Reek. Tamara Pitelen cycled over to find out more.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims and tourists make the trek to the summit of Croagh Patrick. (Photo courtesy Tourism Ireland)

I am now officially On My Own in a foreign country.

After three weeks spent cycling across Ireland, from Dublin to Galway and up to Westport, I had to put Kate, my cycling partner in crime, on a bus back to Dublin this morning.
To distract myself from this lonely state of affairs, I am climbing Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo that looms at about 800m (2510ft in old money) and is the mountain from which St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, apparently banished all snakes and venomous creatures from the land. Legend has it that St. P rang his bell at the top to call all the venomous creatures to him, then they just obligingly flung themselves off the cliff. This black bell is now in the National Museum of Dublin.

Croagh Patrick (aka The Reek) is climbed by thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. Some even do it barefoot and at night. But the big day is the last Sunday of July when about 25,000 pilgrims throng the mountain to attend mass at the summit. Penitential exercises on The Reek date back to St. Patrick’s fast on the mountain for 40 days in 441AD. Anyway, it’s this mountain that I plan to climb and according to signs at the bottom, it takes a “Person of Average Fitness” about two hours to get up and an hour and a half to get down.

The man himself. A sculpture of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. (Photo courtesy Tourism Ireland)

I arrived at the bottom at 11.25am this morning and read the information sign for first time climbers. It said: “Avoid climbing alone.” Strike one.

It also said: “Do not climb in rain or fog” just as a crowd of thick, dark, angry and ominous clouds gathered overhead, obscuring the summit.

Finally, the school marm of a sign said: “Tell someone your expected return time.” Strike three. For a moment, I considered going back to the carpark to tell the young girls sat in a caravan selling ice-creams, walking sticks, and ‘I climbed The Reek’ caps, to call police rescue if I wasn’t back by dinner time but, having been a 13-year-old girl myself once, knew that would be as successful as asking my mum’s cat to set the video to record Desperate Housewives.
So off I went, alone, in potentially bad weather, with not a soul knowing where

I was. At least I had cheese sandwiches in my bag.

A sea view of Croagh Patrick. (Photo courtesy Tourism Ireland)

The first two thirds is a challenge, by that I mean it’s steep and it’s easy to lose your footing because the ‘track’ is actually a dry river bed of boulders, rocks, stones, and gravel that cascades down the mountain. After 40 minutes of trudging upwards, the first drops of rain started. Five minutes later it was heavy enough to warrant pulling my raincoat out of my bag but as I did the wind almost whipped it out of my hands and sent it flying off the mountain. I looked around to see how many other idiots, sorry, people, were continuing the climb in the wind and rain. There were a few so I kept going.
The last third is bloody tough. It’s straight up and all loose rocks and vertical drops. The wind was blowing hard and, frankly, I was scared. I had to scramble over rocks on all fours, I was feeling dizzy, my legs were jelly and I was afraid to stand up properly for fear of falling backwards or being blown off the side. So I sat down and debated whether to continue or turn back, even though the vertigo-inducing view down looked just as frightening as the way up.
Just then, an elderly French man came into view on his way down. I know he was French because when I said “hi” he said, “parle pas l’anglais” or something like that but with hand signals he told me to just have a rest then keep going, “eez good!” So I did and at 1.05pm I came over the top. Twenty minutes faster than a Person of Average Fitness. I could’ve sobbed with relief but people were looking.

My first sight on reaching the summit was of a couple hugging each other in front of the church that was built up there (somehow) for all those barefooted pilgrims. They were either lovers overcome with emotion at having made it or were two strangers clinging to each other out of sheer terror at being blown off the side.

After finding a sheltered spot, ie, blowing a gale rather than a hurricane, I ate my cheese sandwiches while admiring the view which took my breath away. I’m sorry to rely on such a tired cliché but it really did. The view was spectacular, magnificent. On one side Ireland stretched out as far as the eye could see like a glittering green jewel, hills sweeping into valley and plains. The other side was the sea, azure blue, dotted with the same islands of rich green that I’d seen on the way up.

It’s a long way to the top when you want to rock and roll. (Photo courtesy Tourism Ireland)

I sat there for about half an hour, wondering if I could just live in the church for the next 50 years, which at that point seemed preferable to climbing down but I got too cold. Hypothermia or death by falling 800m? I tossed a coin. Death by falling won so I started the climb down.
At about two thirds of the way down I passed a portly English couple who were worryingly red in the face and had stopped to have a cigarette.

“Is there much further Love?” The woman asked me between puffs. She had tattoos up and down both her arms, the prison variety as opposed to the attractive Celtic design variety. I didn’t know how to break it to them so I didn’t.
“Well, you’ve still got a bit to go but, hey, if I can do it, anyone can!” I replied, all irritating bonhomie and Girl Guide encouragement.

I jog-shuffled-slipped the rest of the way down and got to the bottom at 3pm, my legs shaking with the effort but as luck – or perhaps design – would have it, there’s a pub called Campbell’s at the bottom so I celebrated with a rum and coke. It’s what St Paddy would have wanted.

You’ve shopped til you’ve dropped, done the fabulous Sex & The City Tour – now it would be rude not to have cocktails a la Carrie and co (and remember, any hour is cocktail hour in NYC)… In a city that abounds with every kind of bar imaginable where do you start? If you look good enough to get past the door bitch, try the wildly opulent Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/bars.html and sit back and watch the models and stars (and those who want to be) sipping champagne and martinis. One of my best finds in Manhattan when I was there for a few months was The Place http://www.theplaceny.com/html/index.htm  in the West Village. The cosy and intimate bar, one of the tiniest in Manhattan, seats only ten or so people so by the time you leave you’ll be on first name terms with the bar staff.  If you’re a nightbird, and you’ve already mastered getting past the door bitch (or bastard) at Rose and want to spot more celebs (this time think Drew Barrymore, Lindsay Lohan and entourage, Benicio del Toro, Selma Blair, Josh Hartnett and Courtney Love), head around the corner from The Place and go to the Beatrice Inn (285 W. 12th), the impossibly cool bar owned by Paul Sevigny (actress Chloe Sevigny’s brother) a warren-like layout with low ceilings, oil paintings, old chests and bureaus, and nautical mirrors –  once you get over the shock of the overpriced drinks you’ll feel like you just crashed some private celebrity party.

If you’re in town with girlfriends you’ll have fun doing the Sex and The City tour; with over forty sites you’ll recognize from the series such as bars, restaurants, shoe shops, movie and series locations such as the gallery where Charlotte worked as well as the infamous sex shop where she bought her vibrating ‘rabbit’. Team this up with some revealing inside information on S&TC and you’re in for a three hour Manhattan sized treat. Remember though girls – like the show it’s adults only. For more info check out http://www.screentours.com/tour.php/satc/. Fabulous!

There are so many to choose from but one of my favourite streets in Manhattan for wandering along and discovering a range of shopping – from Converse shoes to high-end perfume – is definitely Bleecker Street which stretches from the East to West village. Start your walk from the Bowery Street end in the East Village, location until 2006 to the legendary CBGB venue … Moving on, take your time, allowing two or three hours to meander along Bleecker, soaking up the casual atmosphere and great characters you can only find in New York, from the hip to the crazy.  Shopping highlights include Marc Jacobs where you can even buy his own brand of condoms, and the totally gorgeous Bond No 9 http://www.bondno9.com/splash which sells a range of New York inspired perfumes such as the floral Chelsea and dramatic Madison Soiree – I bought one of the Madison Soiree candles, not cheap at nearly $85, but so highly perfumed you only need to burn them from an hour to have your room smelling incredibly good. And if you’re passing the Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker http://www.magnoliacupcakes.com ), go in and try one of their famous iced cupcakes if you can bear the queue which runs down the block on busy days (and customers are limited to a dozen cupcakes due to popularity). The Magnolia Bakery was made famous in the movies The Devil Wears Prada and Prime as well as Sex & The City’s when Miranda’s stuffs her face with them; which leads me too…….

Boxtree Barn, Devon sleeps four and has a dog-sitter in residence. Chiconomical and dog-friendly.
Visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk

The Old Vicarage, Norfolk, is a Georgian house with plenty of good walks nearby. Pricey but luxe.
Visit www.ruralretreats.co.uk

Swn y Dail, Pembrokeshire is a flat with no stairs (suits arthritic dogs) and can sleep up to six for a very reasonable price. Visit www.thewoofguide.com

If you’re really over the duty-free perfume selection and want something uniquely British, then we recommend you try the following brands. You can pick up some of these in Selfridge’s, Liberty’s, Harrod’s or Harvey Nichols – but it’s more fun to visit the store of origin to choose your ultimate personal scent.

Floris at 89 Jermyn Street, www.florislondon.co.uk
Jo Malone www.jomalone.co.uk
Miller Harris www.millerharris.com
Penhaligon’s www.penhaligons.com
Angela Flanders Perfumery www.angelaflanders-perfumer.com
Aromatherapy Associates www.aromatherapyassociates.com

Paulo Siqueira plucks supermodels. We hear he did Naomi. What better souvenir of  New York?  Make sure you book ahead though; visit www.paulosiqueira.com.

If you sew or do craft (or have a friend who does) then you can’t miss London’s V.V.Rouleaux – an easy three-minute walk from Sloane Square tube station on the Piccadilly line.  Simply the most beautiful, unusual and desirable ribbons, buttons and faux flowers we’ve ever seen. At http://ww.vvrouleaux.co.uk

http://www.Belindarobertson.com
http://www.brora.co.uk
http://www.pringlescotland.com
http://www.marksandspencer.com
http://www.loropiana.com

Twelve of Princess Diana’s classic dresses are on display at Kensington Palace including the famous Victor Edelstein creation worn when she danced with John Travolta. Have tea in the beautiful Orangery afterwards. For more information www.hrp.org.uk

We hear good things about the vintage shoes available here, mainly because of the size selection.
www.brimfieldshow.com

Expect to queue – we always have. It’s worth the wait…the tea menu is a work of art and you can choose from traditional blends like Darjeeling, to the finest Chinese tea. The French love little cakes and pastries and Mariage Freres has a groaning table of them. For more see mariagefreres

Only in New York could you find the best of Japan like this. People say Sake doesn’t give you a hangover, because it’s made from rice, rather than the evil grape. Find out for yourself – there is a 200+ selection here. Visit www.sakagura.com

R.M.Williams provided the clothes and boots for Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. They do cowboy boots, or riding boots, which reach to the top of the ankle. The riding boots are tough, beautiful and last for years. Thus the price. The elasticated vent at the side is the R.M.Williams trademark.
For more information visit www.rmwilliams.com.au.

Jurlique is one of the very few Australian beauty/body brands to make it to big department stores in New York and London. One sniff will tell you why. This is the real deal – Jurlique have their own farm (you can visit – it’s not far from Adelaide) and are obsessed with purity. We hear Kylie is a fan.
www.jurlique.com.au

Smythson produces visiting cards, writing paper and wedding invitations for the great and the good. It also offers a series of tiny, cult-status leather notebooks and diaries. Expensive but worth it. We still think their ‘Blondes, Brunettes, Redheads’ notebook is the wittiest. Visit www.smythson.com

Holiday Goddess Emma has a little interest in Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn in Marton, North Yorkshire – possibly because it’s co-owned by her partner Neil Morrissey. Neil’s own beer, Morrissey-Fox, is on tap. For more information visit http://www.morrisseyfox.co.uk.

Rumour has it that Jimi Hendrix wrote Stone Free at the Free Trade Inn in Newcastle upon Tyne. The jukebox is suitably loaded. It’s a great place to be at midnight on a Saturday. For more information visit freetradeinn.

You can buy a bottle of wine at the shop at The Vine Tree in Norton, drink it in the pub, and take the remainder home if you like. Or – try a wine in the pub, then buy a case from the shop. There are more than 40 bottles sold by the glass. Wine lovers love it. See thevinetree.

The Lord Poulett Arms in Hinton St George is possibly the perfect English pub. A kitchen garden. Village locals. Dorset fish. And (we love this) an incredible 14 wines by the glass to choose from. It’s won awards, and your friends can bring their dogs. Visit lordpoulettarms.

The Greys is basically about music, but it’s also tiny, so get three early if you want to see the folk, bluegrass or country on offer. They don’t do much else – except excellent organic alcohol and a great atmosphere. Visit greyspub.

Fans of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe should have at least one glass of wine in Lewis’s honour at The Black Boy Inn. Kids love it too, so if you have children in tow, book them into the regular cooking class. This is a family pub, at heart. Visit theblackboy.

Love, Actually writer Richard Curtis has been seen at The Anchor in Walberswick, Suffolk and it’s beloved of film and TV Britpackers generally, because of the location. Beach views, oysters, designer beer. Perfect for you and a certain someone! Visit anchoratwalberswick. More Richard Curtis trivia – the pub where Andie MacDowell slept with Hugh Grant in Four Weddings is The Crown at Amersham in Buckinghamshire. Yes, you can book the room. Visit thecrownamersham.

Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh) are said to have drunk at The Warren House Inn at Dartmoor, but also to have been haunted by its ghost. You’ll want to visit for the local ales or local walks. It’s a big, blokey, beautiful bar. Visit warrenhouseinn.

You can hire the punt at The Trout Inn, and go along the river with a picnic. What bliss! Even if you don’t move from your table, the view of the river Thames is wonderful. Visit trout-inn to find out more about this pub at Buckland Marsh.

If you can’t do gluten, you can still do high tea – get to Barnes Bridge rail station or take the 209 bus to Orange Pekoe at 3 White Hart Lane. The website is orangepekoeteas. It won the Time Out 2008 Best Tearoom award and caters for the wheat-free very nicely. We also like Nicole’s, which is fashionista Nicole Farhi’s downstairs cafe. Gluten free chocolate cake and macaroons – not bad. Shop afterwards! The website is www.nicolefarhi.com. The queen of gluten-free is The Lanesborough, which is wildly expensive and luxurious. Book at least a day before.  Visit lanesborough.