An ancient Italian castle town opens its gates to curious travellers
Four things Explore is loving this week.
An 11th-century castle on a hill, surrounded by winding roads, crumbling mansions and laidback squares ... and hardly any crowds. That pretty much sums up the town of Gesualdo in Southern Italy. Now, an Australian tour operator, Irpinia Escapes, has been entrusted by the town's local authority to revitalise its historic centre, the Castle of Gesualdo, by bringing more tourists to the site, shining a light on a hidden gem and offering travellers a slow, simple and uncrowded way to explore. There are a number of tours on offer, but the four-day Natural Irpinia package is one of the best ways to discover this secret nook. irpiniaescapes.com
Michelangelo in Sydney
From an isolated corner of Italy to one of the busiest ... about 5 million people visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City every year to see the ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo. And while the long queues are worth it, there's an opportunity for a less crowded, much-closer-to-home immersion in the Renaissance master's work. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, which opened this week at the Sydney Showground, features 34 masterpieces - from The Creation of Adam to The Last Judgment - re-created to scale using a printing technique that "mirrors the texture, colour, and detail of the original works", the organisers say. Adult tickets from $32. feverup.com
Camping on a glacier
The new Glacier Overnighter experience at Franz Josef Glacier on New Zealand's South Island is taking camping under the stars to new heights. Hosted by experienced guides, the adventurous package includes a scenic flight from the glacier base to the top, a guided hike with unforgettable views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, a camping tent, drinks, canapes and dinner. Just don't forget your beanie. franzjosefglacier.com
The rise of off-season travel
Aussies are heading to Europe outside the peak season in big numbers, according to Explore Worldwide. Almost 70 per cent of its bookings by Australians and Kiwis are outside the summer months of June, July and August in 2025. And the trend is expected to continue with Bunnik Tours offering 35 per cent of its Europe itineraries in 2026 in the shoulder months. bunniktours.com.au; exploreworldwide.com.au
Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
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