Australia
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre. Australia boasts over 7,000 beaches - more than any other nation. A nation of festival-goers, Australians are happy to visit mainstream and fringe arts festivals or kick up their heels at country folk festivals.

Capital cities hold huge annual carnivals and Sydney also celebrates the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras every February - attracting an international crowd of over 600,000 and lasting an entire month! The Adelaide International Festival is held each March and is one of the largest.

New Zealand
New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!