Tip and advice: Why you shouldn't go to Bali for a beach holiday in January

My wife and I want a one-week beach escape in January and are looking at Seminyak. Concerned about Zika virus and now considering Margaret River. Should we worry? Is there a better option, not east coast? K. Snow, Marrickville

I wouldn't be going to Seminyak in January, although that opinion has nothing to do with Zika, and I like Bali a lot. Just that anywhere on the coast of Bali is going to be packed and it won't be a pretty sight. Also, it's the wet season, mushy everywhere with high humidity. Since this is also high season, it's not even particularly cheap.

Margaret River though, fantastic. Nice climate, hot but not such high humidity, gorgeous scenery along the coast and in the wine areas. Tasmania or New Zealand would be my other suggestions, driving in Tasmania and maybe the same in NZ, although you could spend a week somewhere such as the Marlborough Sounds on the north coast of the South Island, which is easy to get to from Wellington and heaps of potential for adventure activities as well as wine touring in the Marlborough vineyards.

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