Choosing an Australian destination, or even several, is never easy — this vast country spans nearly three million square miles, eight climates, and three time zones. Sydney is always a great pick, with beautiful parks, beaches, and architecture. Melbourne oozes vibrant energy, with world-class dining and access to the Great Ocean Road, a 150-mile blockbuster of coastal vistas and koalas in gum trees. However, if you really want to get Down Under, then the island state of Tasmania is the pearl of Australia.

It’s a good year to be a San Francisco sports fan. Sure, the Giants didn’t make the playoffs, but the FIFA World Cup is coming to the Bay Area this summer. Well, technically San Francisco Bay Area Stadium is in Santa Clara, but it’s totally doable to stay in the city itself, and with most of the games in the evening, you’ll have your days free to explore.

The first sign that things were different on board the giant cruise ship was that several of its passengers greeted one another by bringing their fingers together to form a heart. I had never been on a cruise before, but I could tell that the man buns and tattooed 30-somethings running around crying, “I need a hotspot!” meant this was not your grandmother’s — or even mother’s — floating holiday.