Category Archives: Destinations

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 …”

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 …”

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 …”

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 …”

So Siem Reap …

→ Narrowing the search on a Siem Reap hotel … FINDING a Siem Reap hotel can be an intimidating prospect. If you’ve never visited the Cambodian tourist town you don’t know where to start with the settlement seeming to stretch north, south, east and west along two main roads that meet near the Royal Residence.Continue reading “So Siem Reap …”

Leave big smoke for festa fun …

EVERY year food and wine festivals in Australia’s capitals bring together chefs, winemakers, restaurateurs and amateur foodies to showcase the best of their cities’ eating and drinking. The annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is jammed with more than 300 events, including 25 free activities with 17 family-friendly events, and more than 30 countries andContinue reading “Leave big smoke for festa fun …”

Very social London …

THE English capital was the most talked about travel destination on Twitter in 2015 with the words “London” and “travel” tweeted together more than 630,000 times during 12 months. That was 200,000 times more than the next most popular cities Paris, New York, Rome and Tokyo according to information from the Mayor of London’s promotionalContinue reading “Very social London …”

Digs for Singapore fling …

→ Hotel Jen Orchardgateway perfectly places for Singapore stopover or longer stay … IT‘S rich pickings when searching for a place to stay in Singapore. There are more than 250 properties on the TripAdvisor list with trusted brands like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Park Royal and Mercure sitting as far down as page three ofContinue reading “Digs for Singapore fling …”

To market for LA eats…

MY first Los Angeles meal is dinner at the over-hyped restaurant of an overexposed reality star and not only are we packed in like sardines but it’s so dark we need iPhones to illuminate the menu and so noisy we have to shout. Breakfast the next day is at a glitzy hotel, where suspicious attendantsContinue reading “To market for LA eats…”

New tracks in 2016 …

AUSSIE travellers are always enthusiastic about going off the beaten track but a lack of transport, absence of accommodation, or scant supply of tours often make it hard to plan a holiday. However, new air routes, hotels, ferry services and guided tours mean some quiet corners of the planet – as far-flung as the ArcticContinue reading “New tracks in 2016 …”

Aussie dining in La La Land…

FINDING somewhere to eat in LA can be an intimidating prospect, especially for first-time visitors. A tip is to rely on the hotel concierge — they can make recommendations and reservations — while a second option is simply sticking to the green and gold with a gaggle of Aussies chefs and restaurateurs making their markContinue reading “Aussie dining in La La Land…”

Brisbane’s new Styles …

BRISBANE’S newest international hotel, the ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street, is now in business with the first guests checked in on March 1. The “premium economy hotel”, occupying a central block in the Queensland capital beside the Myer Centre and Queen Street Mall, boasts a new restaurant and bar called The Social and every oneContinue reading “Brisbane’s new Styles …”

Airport fare …

HERE’S a Brisbane eatery that’s so exclusive only a select group of people can get a table. But it’s a location, rather than a celebrity chef or Michelin rating, making this spot special with Brisbane River Grill airside at Brisbane Airport’s renovated international terminal. This location – past passport control and myriad security checkpoints –Continue reading “Airport fare …”

HOTEL – ANANTARA MALDIVES

BIG MALDIVIAN DIGS THE Maldives has long been known as a destination that’s perfect for pairs. The Indian-Ocean utopia has an extensive list of resorts boasting the style of accommodations that suit two people seeking endless amounts of romance with a generous supply of over-water bungalows, infinity swimming pools, secluded sandbars, and stunning sunsets. ButContinue reading “HOTEL – ANANTARA MALDIVES”

Autumn in the vines …

LIKE all vineyards during vintage, wineries around Rutherglen are busy all hours now as summer fruit hanging heavy on the vines demands to be harvested. But soon autumn will creep across this picturesque corner of northern Victoria, dressing its vines in shades of yellow, orange and red that stand out against the monotone greens ofContinue reading “Autumn in the vines …”

Saigon’s new stays …

IF YOU like hotels with history then Saigon is the place for you. Stately properties – the Rex Hotel, Caravelle Saigon, the Hotel Majestic, Hotel Continental Saigon, the Grand Hotel – carry the delightful design flourishes of a bygone era, tell interesting tales, and have been welcoming guests since long before the “American War’’. TheseContinue reading “Saigon’s new stays …”

Essential Manchester experiences …

A MECCA for arts lovers, music fans, sports enthusiasts, and shopping aficionados, Manchester has almost as much going on as London. Musical Manchester The “Madchester’’ music movement was born during the late 1980s and early ’90s, mixing alternative music with sounds from the electronic dance scene, and grew to launch bands such as The StoneContinue reading “Essential Manchester experiences …”

Vietnam’s Aussie battlefields …

NEVER have the notes of the Last Post seemed more significant than at this moment. I’m standing in a nondescript corner of southern Vietnam, deep inside a rubber plantation that looks like all the others carpeting this region of Southeast Asia. The bugle call that marks the end of day and commemorates Australia’s fallen servicemenContinue reading “Vietnam’s Aussie battlefields …”

Where to wander …

THERE are more ways than ever to explore a holiday destination – trams, horse-drawn carts, Segways, vintage cars, bicycles – but there are some streets that should be seen on foot so pack your walking shoes and prepare to pound the pavement. Budapest Budapest’s Andrassy Ut stretches 2.5km from Heroes Square to Erzsebet Square withContinue reading “Where to wander …”

Seeing Southern California …

FOR most Aussies travellers visiting Los Angeles, the obvious sightseeing options involve following the tourist trail to West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills or Disney’s Anaheim. But the City of Angels serves as a gateway to southern California where there are loads of other places to see. 1.  Santa Barbara rests at the heart ofContinue reading “Seeing Southern California …”