There are few sights more uplifting than a field of girasoli (sunflowers) in full bloom. Across the countryside of northeastern Italy, vast carpets of golden blossoms stretch to the horizon, their radiant faces following the arc of the summer sun as if performing nature’s oldest dance. It is a spectacle that lasts only a few precious weeks, yet leaves an enduring impression on all who encounter it.

I was in New South Wales in the land down under and flora, fauna, time and season were out of joint. Lying on the southeast coast of Australia, the state enjoys a Mediterranean climate (ranging between 40 and 75 degrees in winter), the country’s largest population (7 million of a total 30 million) and fosters sophisticated and alternative lifestyles.

Millions of years ago these salt waters covered the peninsula, layering in shell that would become limestone. When the tectonic plates rose and forced the waters back they cracked the granite that lined the earth's crust into boulders, which later mixed with the illuvial soils of clay, sand, and other minerals to form the land that would so influence the vineyards.

Last week I shared how I banged my head when the chair I attempted to step on slipped due to the puddle of water on the floor. People encouraged me to get a head scan to make sure there was no internal bleeding but the pain subsided after a few days and I didn’t think it was necessary. But my aunt reminded me that my great great grandfather fell off his horse and hit his head. He neglected going to the doctor and in a short while he became completely blind. That was the scare I needed so I did go for a checkup. The doctor doesn’t think I need it but I’m scheduled for a CT Head scan (whatever that is) early next month.

The invitation came by post. I thought it was junk at first and stacked it with the rest of the mail until my wife Anne came home for lunch from her dental office. A handsome brochure touting the attractions of Peru is included along with a letter describing the dedication of a group sponsoring a conference on art and disability. I cannot determine how my name came to their attention but recognize this invitation as the chance of a lifetime and speculate for a couple days on how we might manage to afford the trip.

Since my visit to Asturias, Spain, last October, I’ve been dreaming about a rustic chicken dish I was served there. I was visiting for the natural paradise that is Asturias, with hiking, climbing, horseback riding, kayaking, even coal mining on my itinerary. But all that exercise led me to explore the fantastic kitchens of the region too.

January is heavenly in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Alcyone, the daughter of the king of the winds, married Ceyx, the son of the Morning Star. When Ceyx drowned in a storm at sea, Alcyone was so distraught that she threw herself into the sea in grief. Out of compassion for the loving couple, the gods changed them into kingfishers. In order for Alcyone to be able to make her nest and lay her eggs on the beach in peace, her father restrained the winds and calmed the waves for a short period each January . A lovely story; a lovely time of the year; a lovely place.

As recently as 1990 there was virtually no tourism to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway. Located in the Arctic Ocean between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, Svalbard ("cold edge") was believed to be discovered by the Vikings in the 12th century. It became a base for many Arctic expeditions, then home to whalers and coal miners. Thanks to companies like Hurtigruten, it is now on the map for the world to see.

Do you ever say to yourself when contemplating future trips – "well, I've been there and done that – what else can I do?" OK, in this month's travel column let me share with you (briefly) five offbeat things to see and do. I loved 'em, and I'm reasonably sure you will too.

The troop of chimpanzees we were tracking numbered 120 but because it was the end of September, our guide lamented that the chimps were harder to find because much of their nearby food supply had been exhausted. You might want to check ahead of time to see when the fig trees are bearing the most fruit – that apparently determines how many chimps you're likely to see.