Where … Hoorn, in Holland’s north When … Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 8.20pm What … Unseasonably warm weather has swept across northern Europe, driving temperatures into the high 20s and encouraging residents that have been hiding from winter chill for months to discard layers and venture outside. From the Panorama Bar on the AmadeusContinue reading “Holland’s Hoorn …”
Author Archives: Sarah N
Port Stephens glamping …
GLAMPING has come to Port Stephens with Thou Walla Sunset Retreat unveiling 10 new safari-style tents with each of the comfortable camps featuring an ensuite, flatscreen TV, electric fireplace, balcony, king-size bed, and outdoor furniture placed to take in the water views. Thou Walla Sunset Retreat – pronounced “dha walla”, the location was a gatheringContinue reading “Port Stephens glamping …”
Haji Lane …
SINGAPORE is a shopping paradise with everything from luxury brands on Orchard Road to Chinatown’s buzzing markets catering to visitors on a quest to worship the gods of retail. But there are also edgy enclaves around the Lion City where those dedicated to bespoke style have established indie havens that are home to stores sellingContinue reading “Haji Lane …”
Singapore’s Emerald Hill …
ORCHARD Road might be one of Singapore’s top shopping streets but it’s also a place to become emerged in Lion City history. Emerald Hill Road is an enclave of calm flanking Orchard Road – the entrance is right opposite the Somerset MRT station – with longs rows of original houses still lining the laneway. TheContinue reading “Singapore’s Emerald Hill …”
Changi’s Crowne Plaza …
Where … The hotel at Singapore’s Changi Airport When … Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 4.53pm What … The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is literally connected to Singapore’s Terminal 3 which means weary travellers can be in their hotel room, and changing into togs for a dip in the fabulous swimming pool thoughtfully planned toContinue reading “Changi’s Crowne Plaza …”
Little corner of France …
IT’S easy to forget you’re in suburban Sydney dining at this new Chippendale restaurant with Bistrot Gavroche reminiscent of the charming cafe you frequented on that last memorable visit to Paris. Antiques gathered from around France decorate the first-floor eatery, a building that was originally a rum factory on Kensington Street, to bring a bygoneContinue reading “Little corner of France …”
French style in Vietnam …
VIETNAM’S newest hotel will delight Francophiles with the Mercure Bana Hills French Village taking its inspiration from a mountain-top settlement in the south of France. The resort is a 30-minute drive from Da Nang and has 494 modern guestrooms in six categories – standard and deluxe rooms as well as executive, family and royal suitesContinue reading “French style in Vietnam …”
Jewels in the crown …
IT SEEMS the Duchess of Cambridge isn’t so different from us when it comes to travel. When Catherine married Prince William in 2011 she told her new hubby that a visit to India topped her touring wishlist. Kate’s dream came true this month when the young royals spent a week on the sub-continent playing touristContinue reading “Jewels in the crown …”
Sydney’s Surry Hills …
SURRY Hills is one of urban Sydney’s most intriguing neighbourhood with everything from fine-dining restaurants and comfy cafes to sophisticated shops and quirky boutiques lining the historic blocks just south of the CBD. Crown Street is the enclave’s main drag, a stretch of asphalt that appears to be inner-city drab at first glance but revealsContinue reading “Sydney’s Surry Hills …”
Turkey’s Anzac Cove …
TO mark Anzac Day 2016, the 101st anniversary of the moment Australian soldiers waded ashore on a Turkish beach, I have fished out photos from my 2012 visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula with Bunnik Tours. I spent a couple of emotional hours at Anzac Cove – walking beside the long lines of graves at AriContinue reading “Turkey’s Anzac Cove …”
Amsterdam’s green hotel …
EUROPE welcomes its second Element hotel – Starwood’s green brand – with the February opening of Element Amsterdam. The property is in Amsterdam’s Zuidas neighbourhood, occupying a former office building at the Gelderlandplein shopping mall remodelled to feature 160 studios and suites, with the address offering “eco-minded sensibilities” allowing guests to indulge in sustainable livingContinue reading “Amsterdam’s green hotel …”
Sand-side dining …
MY knowledge of Sydney doesn’t extend far beyond Circular Quay. When I’m in the New South Wales capital I stick close to the blocks between the Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Opera House, occasionally making a detour to The Rocks or Art Gallery of NSW, but my exploring is typically limited to spots I canContinue reading “Sand-side dining …”
Burma, by water …
WHEN the Scenic Aura carries its first passengers along the Irrawaddy River in September, it will be the smartest vessel navigating the lazy bends of the magnificent Myanmar waterway. The riverboat, which is currently under construction in a Yangon shipyard, will feature a variety of eating and drinking venues, from fine-dining fancy to open-air casual, andContinue reading “Burma, by water …”
the Yarra River …
Where … Melbourne’s Yarra River from the Bridge across Spencer Street. When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 6.22pm. What… The late-afternoon sun shines on the side of Southbank’s glass towers with an abstract reflection of the riverside scene captured by the Yarra River. Visit the Visit Victoria website … posted Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Westin welcome …
→ An historic Sydney building provides a fancy facade for this place to stay in the heart of Australia’s biggest city … I’M sleeping in a hotel room that’s worth a cool million dollars. That’s not the rack rate, the price it costs to make a reservation and occupy a room, but a reflection ofContinue reading “Westin welcome …”
Kimberley oasis …
THE eastern sky is touched by a subtle brush of pre-dawn pink when the first bird breaks the silence and sends a melody across Berkeley River Lodge. It’s as if this morning bird is a sentry – like the man in the mosque calling the faithful to prayer – with the duty of announcing dawnContinue reading “Kimberley oasis …”
New outback experience …
TRAVELMARVEL is taking bookings for an new seven-day tour that visits Lake Eyre (above) in flood at the innovative Field of Light installation at Uluru. The guided Lake Eyre & the Red Centre itinerary, priced from $3595 per person twin share, journeys between Adelaide and Uluru with the tour company offering five departure in MayContinue reading “New outback experience …”
Circular Quay …
I LOVE ice cream, but ice cream doesn’t love me. I have a pesky allergy to the icy treat which demands I give all but dairy-free gelato a miss. But there are rare occasions when I just can’t resist so I do my sums, decide if I can risk a migraine, and order a scoopContinue reading “Circular Quay …”
Sydney Harbour …
Where … On a ferry beside Bennelong Point and the Sydney Opera House When … Wednesday, March 23, 2026 at 4.41pm What … Jorn Utzon’s masterpiece the Sydney Opera House, a building so despised at the time of construction that the architect fled the country before it was finished and refused to return Downunder toContinue reading “Sydney Harbour …”
Lights at Uluru …
THE spectacular and innovative installation Field of Light Uluru has finally open at the Ayers Rock Resort in Australia’s red centre. Bruce Munro’s creation, which features more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of four football fields that “blooms ” when darkness falls on the desert, openedContinue reading “Lights at Uluru …”
Istanbul’s French treat …
THERE’S a new spot to buy glorious French-style sweeties in Turkey’s biggest city with Raffles Patisserie opening inside Raffles Istanbul. The elegant address will “uphold the heritage and craftsmanship of the old Continental patisserie and chocolatier and then to add a sprinkle of Oriental magic on it” with Şule Gündoğan, one of the most accomplished youngContinue reading “Istanbul’s French treat …”
Sydney’s harbour …
PHOTOS from an afternoon drifting – or should I say motoring – around Sydney Harbour, from Circular Quay to Mosman Bay and back, on board a pair of lovely Sydney Ferries’ vessels christened Sirius and Royale. Visit the Beyond the Wharf website … posted Friday, April 1, 2016
Art Gallery of NSW …
FOR many years now I’ve been keen to play tourist in Sydney. I have made semi-regular jaunts to the New South Wales capital since I’ve been a journalist but it was always for work which meant I rushed from one appointment to the next, dashed in and out of hotel rooms, and sprinted to theContinue reading “Art Gallery of NSW …”
Oh so lovely …
IS there anything more lovely than a plate packed with finger sandwiches, plump scones flanked by dishes of jam and cream, colourful macaroons, and cute miniature cakes? Afternoon tea has always been one of my favourite eating experiences, especially when I have time to linger over pots of a fragrant brew and perfectly-arranged pastries, andContinue reading “Oh so lovely …”
QF444’s Sydney …
Where … Above Sydney When … Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4.48pm What … Descending towards Sydney’s Mascot Airport on board QF 444 from Melbourne with the bays of Sydney Harbour and the inner waterside suburbs stretching out below the 737-800’s wings. Visit the Qantas website … posted Monday, March 20, 2016
Manor makeover …
PEPPERS Manor House, the 137-year-old retreat in the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, is back in business after a $4.5 million upgrade. A modern extension has given the heritage hotel a contemporary touch with the refurbishment adding guest rooms and a new place to eat as well as revamping the reception area, lounges, roads andContinue reading “Manor makeover …”
Doha’s Souq Waqif …
PHOTOS snapped during an afternoon wander in Souq Waqif – Doha’s main trading place established more than a century ago – which was quiet with traders enjoying a respite from the heat of the day before business began again in the cool of the evening. The market grew near the banks of a dry riverbed,Continue reading “Doha’s Souq Waqif …”
Duckboard Place …
MELBOURNE is my hometown and while I don’t do as much exploring as I should – I much prefer to spend downtime eating Vegemite on toast in my pyjamas rather than gallivanting about the big smoke – I do get out when inspired. I was motivated to do a little exploring today when in the cityContinue reading “Duckboard Place …”
Crown Promenade …
Where … Crown Promenade, Melbourne When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 What … The window in a guest room on a high floor at the Crown Promenade frames a view across the Yarra River to the early-evening lights of Melbourne. Visit the Crown Promenade website … posted March 16, 2016
Spending big at home …
NEW South Wales was the top spot for Aussie travellers holidaying on home soil in 2015. The state that’s home to the Sydney Opera House, Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains (Below) welcomed 28.1 million domestic travellers last year – that number was a 4.4 per cent increase on 2014 – with local tourists combining toContinue reading “Spending big at home …”
Far Near Or Here 