We may not always have the best weather (ok, almost always we don’t) and we may spend a large part of our day, dreaming about escaping to exotic shores and adventures over the other side of the world, but sometimes I think we don’t realise how lucky we actually are here in Britain.

With some of the most grand and well preserved history in the world, beautiful landscapes able to rival any other you’ll find on the European continent and cosmopolitan cities, full of examples of the very cultural phenomenon’s that help our tiny island lead the way in terms of inspirational arts, music, dance, food, theatre, and architecture.

During this weeks High Five I’m taking a while to stop, reflect, and consider all the amazing places to visit and the fantastic experiences we have right here under our very noses – places that you can often get to during a free weekend.

The Roman Baths, Bath.

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Before I go any further, let me say this: Sydney is AMAZING. It’s a legendary traveller hole – people come here and kind of get stuck, they love it so much they find it hard to tear themselves away.

Yes, you must climb the Harbour Bridge, yes, you must take in the view of the Sydney Opera House from the Manly Ferry and yes, of course, you must learn to surf on Bondi Beach. A trip to Australia would feel a little unfulfilled if you didn’t do those things.

That said, there’s so much more to New South Wales than just Sydney. So whether you’re flying in, or just passing through, whatever you do, make sure you hang around long enough to explore, otherwise you’ll be kicking yourself when you hear everyone else’s stories later on – trust me.

The ‘Other’ Best Bits to be Found in New South Wales

If you’re still hankering for some Sydney action after reading this, then make sure you check out our tips for making the most of Secret Sydney. It will show you an entirely new face of what is undoubtedly one of the best cities in the world. Can you tell I’m a fan?

Now, back to what you came here for, here are 10 amazing things to do in New South Wales that will take you beyond Sydney…

The Blue Mountains offer amazing views of dramatic landscapes just a few miles north of Sydney.

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It’s no secret that Thailand is one of the most spectacular places on the planet.

If you’re looking for a trip that balances vibrant culture, immaculate beaches, thick, green jungles and dramatic landscapes, while surrounding you with history, it’d be tough to find anywhere better. Not least right now, with our unbeatable Etihad airfares to Thailand.

What you may not be aware of, is that there are still many places to explore and discover, off the beaten track and away from the majority of other travellers.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t head to those well known traveller hotspots, like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan etc. — you absolutely should — they’re some of the most popular holiday destinations in the world for a reason.

However, try and really make the most of your time, and head away from the crowds to absorb Thailand from somewhere a little quieter. It will make your experience all the more special and provide stories and memories to keep you, and others, entertained for years to come.

Koh Khai.

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It would be hard to find somewhere that encompasses the spirit of Africa in the same way as Kenya. It’s a very raw example of many of the things that make Africa so amazing.

You can expect huge, green plains, buzzing with life and nature, traditional African warriors hunting and spear fishing, and cities full of people, all buzzing through the busy, congested streets.

If you want to experience an interesting and all encompassing mix of rural, urban, traditional and modern Africa, then Kenya is the place to go.

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‘I want a holiday’. How many times have you uttered that sentence so far this year? For me, it’s got to be around 26 times (yep I’m boring myself as well as everyone else).

If you’re in my position but your bank balance is out to spoil your fun, then you should find this list of affordable adventures pretty interesting.

Here are 12 of our best value, week long, adventures, meaning that you can get away on the kind of awesome experience you’ve been jealously hearing about from your friends for the past few months. Which one’s caught your eye?

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