Having insider information on locations, the ones most tourists may never see, is valuable...I think you just volunteered! Lol.

In reality a month is nowhere near enough time. We've travelled to Europe many times mostly for 5-6 weeks at a time and still have to go back to the same locations to cover things we didn't do or see. We often grab a local guide, a personal guide, as well which is really the only way to go I reckon. We have a friend in Florence, Italy who started off as our guide. Now we are friends and she shows us around for free when we go...We still pay her though - I'm not a free-ride kind of dude.

I'm too old for backpacking...Never done it actually, all though love camping so we'd probably grab a truck and move about whilst staying in lodges , cabins etc. (Whatever you call them.) We'd want to see the main sites, but also some out of the way things. I'd also like to ride a bike for a few days (motorbike) and have some fun. So much to do, so little time (and money.)

You know, Australia has some of the most amazing beaches. I like the remote ones, not crowded tourist-traps like Manly and Bondi in Sydney. Give me miles of beach with no one in sight any day! If beaches are your thing then you'll need to get yourself, and that hat, down here!