I love travelling to Europe. France in particular is a great place to hang out. Not only does it have a special vibe but it also has a coastline of world-class beach-breaks, an easy-going lifestyle, rich culture and of course, yummy food.
Paris is a beautiful city, and so different to what I've grown up around. With its rich history, churches and monuments I found that the city had a surprise for me every time I turned a corner. Then there's the unbelievably tasty macaroons, pastries and hot chocolates!
Mexico
I really enjoy Mexico for the sense of adventure it provides. For me, its attraction of course is the waves and when I travel there it is purely surfing, driving along the beaches, and then recovering from the 45-degree days. I love going to Mexico and experiencing the feeling of being 'surfed out' every day. Amazing waves too!
Peru
Peru is another adventurous destination. There is a town in the north called Mancora which has some fun point breaks and is a tropical oasis out in the desert. Driving to some of the surf spots is like driving on Mars, rolling over massive sand dunes and baron landscapes. The food in Mancora is also delicious; try the cheap mangoes and tuna from the local fisherman if you get a chance to travel here.
Taranaki, New Zealand
New Zealand is similar to Australia in many ways, and it's a travel-must given how close it is to home. I love how the countryside meets the ocean and the surreal experience of being out in the line-up and looking back at the snow -capped Mount Taranaki.
Taranaki has a lot of great set-ups for waves and a massive plus is it isn't overcrowded like a lot of the other NZ locations where events are held. I love the friendly vibe and also enjoy the walking tracks and site-seeing spots away from the beach.
Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Indonesia has all the elements for a great surf trip. It is a destination fit for those who froth on perfect waves in warm water. It is absolute paradise out in the Mentawai Islands. You take a big charter boat out and live at sea for a couple of weeks. You are driven to world-class reef breaks and anchor up.
A chef cooks your food and your cabin is cleaned for you every day, all your left to do is kick back, relax and surf until you can't move. When the waves are a bit average you can snorkel, fish or veg out and watch movies. It's a really great experience.
Maldives
The Maldives is an island chain right on the equator, so it has beautifully warm water. It has a number of sick spots to surf too. I like that you can stay on a boat or an island — whatever suits you. It is a very relaxing place to surf, train and just hang out.
Portugal
I enjoy competing in Portugal and I've had a lot of success in the beach breaks there. I love the country's old towns and its culture. Lisbon and Peniche are definitely worth checking out. Oh, and the Portuguese tarts are to die for.
I have a lot of fond memories of road trips up the New South Wales coast, surfing on our way up toward Byron Bay and Lennox Head. My whole family would pile into the car and off we went. My brother and I would compete in a massive junior event at Lennox Head every year so the trips were always planned around that.
It is a beautiful area and I love how the rolling hills meet the beaches.
Margaret River, Western Australia
I look forward travelling to Margaret River for the annual 6 Star series event in March. The waves are super-powerful and there is a great variety to surf. The region is known for its wineries, cheese and chocolate which is perfect for when the surf is average. It is a very laidback place and has a nice country feel to it.
To surf in Hawaii, is a pretty special experience. There is so much energy and power in the ocean and if you're not careful you can get rolled. You surf a lot bigger boards to deal with all the extra water and it is sometimes just a matter of surviving!
The north shore of Oahu is a surf mecca in the winter but it does tend to get really crowded. I also like Maui, another of the smaller islands in the Hawaiian chain. Honolua Bay is not only great fun but is also picturesque when the waves are firing.
There is no place like home though!
Are any of Sally's favourite destinations the same as yours? What is your top 10?
Related: The art of volcano surfing
