It's always a bit awkward, isn't it, that moment when the plane has landed and we all stand up at once to retrieve our bags from the overhead luggage.

Randye Hoder found herself employing a dose of helicopter parenting earlier this year as her 18-year-old son headed to Europe for a well-deserved holiday.

Sydney's buzzy festival has become a mess - but it would thrive in Auckland, writes Chris Schulz.

Twenty-five dollars seems a hefty price for tourists to pay to access Auckland's War Memorial Museum, writes Stephanie Holmes.

Ten years since her first major taste of international travel, Shandelle Battersby is back on the road.

Simon Calder has more great advice for taking care of yourself while travelling.

Our monolingualism limits our interactions when travelling, writes Winston Aldworth.

Truth really is stranger than fiction when you're giving away a tropical paradise, writes Eveline Harvey.

The hell of 'table-for-one' could be why room service was invented, writes Kevin Pilley.

'Isn't it hard to travel with a baby?' my friends ask. 'It's easier than staying home,' I reply.

Last week's cover story on the most over-rated destinations on the planet certainly struck a nerve with readers.

I get eco-tourism. Of course I do. But I'm not big on the wilderness stuff, writes Kevin Pilley.

The golden statue at Hainan Island, China, was built to represent peace and wisdom, but the selfie-takers showed the opposite.

If an overseas trip isn't an option, there's still plenty to see on our doorstep.

Skybus responds to travel writer Jim Eagle's recent column about his experience using the service.

It's no wonder airports and airplanes make such juicy targets for terrorists.

COMMENT: The SkyBus service is an efficient and reasonably-priced service, but there was an unpleasant surprise at the end of my latest trip.

Our online guru Eli Orzessek shares his travel tips with our readers

By the time you're reading this, I'll be in New Orleans. Not meaning to brag, of course - but, hey, did I mention I'll be in New Orleans?

As a kid, I loved the observation deck at Auckland Airport. The chance to see a jumbo jet taking off was not to be missed - it still isn't.

Tourism rides highest on the big money that comes with high-value, unique experiences.

Life got a lot easier when our children were old enough to go to the toilet on planes without our help.

Anticipation is one of the great things about any journey.

COMMENT: As an older woman, my conversations with cab drivers are more likely to be related to the weather, politics and the All Blacks.

The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens shares her best advice around travel insurance.

COMMENT: If we're going to have "T-plates" for tourist drivers, can I suggest a few more plates for drivers distinctive to New Zealand roads?

A group of Kiwis is throwing their support behind a campaign calling for tourists to drive with 'T-plates' on their rental cars. Is this a good idea? Have your say.

An expedition through Dubai airport with my 20-month-old son delivered a revelation last year.

Last week I was lucky enough to attend our biggest, most important annual tourism showcase in one of our top destinations, Rotorua.