A few months ago one of our favourite magazines interviewed us for an exciting travel story. Written by the gorgeous CLEO features writer Edwina Carr, this article has your next adventure covered. Whether you’re into shopping, partying, humanitarianism, thrill-seeking, pampering or chasing the summer, you’ll find great travel tips that’ll have you ready to book your next trip. The issue hit newsstands yesterday and is jam packed with warm-weather fabulousness. Check out the second page (top right) for our travel advice and read the full interview below.
CLEO: What are the three travel essentials you always bring travelling?
Laura: A sarong, my camera and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.
CLEO: What’s your favourite thing about chasing summer?
Laura: Being able to wear a bikini all year round. Some girls are into bags or shoes – I collect bikinis!
CLEO: What draws you to summer?
Laura: What I love most about summer is the state of mind it brings. Nothing makes me happier than waking up to the sound of the ocean on a perfect summer’s day.
CLEO: What are your top 3 travel tips for other summer-chasers who are going travelling?
Laura:
Pack light – beach vacays don’t require much clothing and you’ll want to mix your pieces with the local labels you find.
Be bikini ready – always wear or carry a swimsuit so you don’t miss out on impromptu swims on a hot day or balmy night.
Talk to the locals – some of the best boutiques, bars and beaches I’ve found have been through tips from the locals.
CLEO: What are your favourite things to do in summer?
Laura: Surfing, road trips and parties.
CLEO: What are your favourite summer locations overseas? Why?
Laura:
Indonesia – it’s super close to Australia, has thousands of tropical islands and its world-class surf breaks means it has more hot surfer boys per capita than anywhere else in the world.
Brazil – you’ve got to love a country where it’s acceptable for a woman of any age or shape to stroll down the beach in a teeny tiny G-string bikini, and you can even shop for one from the beach!
Cambodia – the south coast of the country is littered with tropical islands that offer bungalows on deserted beaches, giving us a glimpse into what Thailand was like 20 years ago.
CLEO: How do you rate Australia’s summer against other countries’ summer?
Laura: I once drove 12 hours through the Atacama Desert to find the best beach in Chile. Sure it was amazing, but in Australia we’ve got beaches just as incredible, five minutes down the road. Our country was made for summer living.
CLEO: Where’s your favourite summer place in Australia? Why?
Laura: Definitely Bondi Beach. It’s an eclectic little suburb by the sea that attracts an interesting mix of people. It’s a base for designers, creatives, surfers, travellers, tourists and people who have been living there for 50 years – creating an explosion of different styles and a dream locale for people watching.
CLEO: What are the best activities to try in some summer?
Laura: Surfing, snorkelling and drinking smoothies.
CLEO: What summer location is next on your hit-list and why?
Laura: Hawaii – I’m obsessed with palm trees and tropical islands so it looks like my kind of place.
CLEO: What was your last ‘summer’ destination and what did you love about it?
Laura: I followed the summer to Budapest, Vienna and Prague with Contiki. I’d never been on an organised tour before, but it turned out to be one of the best trips I’ve ever done.
