WHERE I’D RATHER BE ...
SHORT HAUL
Dancing at Electric Avenue, Christchurch’s annual one-day music festival, in Hagley Park next Saturday. This year includes Ben Harper and Peking Duk, and a host of others. electricavenuefestival.co.nz/
EATING: At Little High, a hip food court set-up where you can dine from eight different eateries at the same table, from China to Venezuela, via Italy and Japan. littlehigh.co.nz/
DRINKING: At The Last Word, a whisky and cocktail lounge where the vast liquor list is accessed by servers on traditional rolling library ladders. Top shelf, thanks. lastword.co.nz/
STAYING: At Eco Villa, a restored historical home 10 minutes’ walk from Christchurch central. Try the outdoor bath at night; the owner will cut herbs and flowers fresh from the garden to stew you in. ecovilla.co.nz/
MID HAUL
In Melbourne for Babylon in the Park, a festival of dance, art and culture. With Carl Cox, Ace Ventura, art installations and food, this year it’s being held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. babylon.net.au/
EATING: At Caffe e Cucina, a stalwart of Melbourne’s Italian scene, which serves huge plates of handmade pasta, traditional tiramisu, and caffe corretto (coffee ‘corrected’ with a dash of alcohol) to finish. DRINKING: At the Builders Arms Hotel, a handsome little pub that offers craft beers and bistro dining in an elegant and historic pub in charming Fitzroy. buildersarmshotel.com.au/
STAYING: At The Cullen in Prahan, a bold art-filled hotel inspired by Australian artist Adam Cullen. You can hire smart cars or bicycles to get around on, and buy prints of artworks that catch your eye. artserieshotels.com.au/cullen/
LONG HAUL
In Costa Rica for the 10th anniversary of Envision Festival, a wild week-long dance, yoga and performance event held on the Costa Ballena coastline, between beach and jungle. envisionfestival.com
EATING: Patacones at Los Laureles, a family-owned restaurant based in nearby Uvita, known for its shrimp tacos, patacones (fried plantain) and passionfruit margaritas. facebook.com/loslaurelesrestaurant/ DRINKING: Costa Rica’s national drink is the guaro sour, made from sugar cane liquor, so I’ll take one while watching the sunset at Vista Las Olas, a hilltop hotel and bar with magnificent views over the Pacific. vistadeolas.com/
STAYING: At the rustic and affordable Flutterby House, a jungle-set hostel that offers private rooms, bike rentals and a cosy library, five minutes’ walk from Uvita beach. flutterbyhouse.com/