Innholdsfortegnelse for June - August 2025 i International Traveller

Monaco is arguably at its most dazzling in May, when the city’s winding streets transform into the world’s most famous racetrack with the stunning Mediterranean as its backdrop. Renowned for its tight corners, elevation changes and narrow course, all eyes are on Circuit de Monaco come Grand Prix weekend. But this year, the event’s attendees also had their sights set on a very different experience. The most exclusive way to immerse oneself in the iconic race was docked in Port Hercule, just steps from the F1 paddock. Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, made a landmark appearance at the FORMULA 1 TAG HEUER GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025, offering a weekend full of spectacular events and a floating home-awayfrom-home aboard EXPLORA II, the newest…

Cruising to the South Pacific (and surrounds) is the most scenic and stress-free way to leave Australia without waiting around for a plane before the holiday can begin. It’s no wonder Australia’s appetite for cruising is on the rise as savvy travellers embrace the chance to sail internationally, starting from home. Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) calls into four of the South Pacific’s most iconic destinations thanks to select departures from Sydney Guests can relax in their ships’ award-winning spas, be captivated by incredible entertainment at sea and enjoy world-class dining with more variety of cuisine than any other cruise line for an elevated culinary journey. 1. VANUATU Cruise among Vanuatu’s 80 emerald islands on NCL’s 11-day South Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu & Lifou sailing aboard Norwegian Spirit, which includes a stop…

WHERE IT IS The rose-pink safari tents of Masiya’s Camp at Royal Malewane rise from the savannah of Kruger National Park in South Africa. The camp is The Royal Portfolio’s latest luxury safari offering, joining three more of the brand’s lodgings right in the heart of Big Five territory. theroyalportfolio.com WHY WE LOVE IT If an evolved, bohemian Barbie lived in a safari dream tent, it might look a little something like Masiya’s Camp. Masiya’s embodies boho maximalism, with eclectic design touches that take inspiration from near - like a colour scheme borrowed from the plumage of the lilac-breasted roller bird - and far, with Marrakchi textiles and artworks collected during the travels of founder and stylist, Liz Biden, Brilliant hues, candy-striped tent walls and a mishmash of prints from…

After 100 years on the road, Tauck knows what makes a journey unforgettable. Not the flash. Not the checklist of sights. But the pacing, the access, the local knowledge: these aspects all define Tauck’s new Bordeaux-to-Paris journey. Designed with input from past guests, the French tour pairs high-speed rail with riverboat travel, gliding from one cultural moment to the next - exploring the grounds of a private château with a cocktail in hand, following a guide’s stories across the sands of Omaha Beach and wandering through Monet’s garden before the gates open. And even with two new riverboats joining the fleet next year, a Tauck cruise still avoids the fanfare, quietly charting a course for what a trip should feel like. GO ON A FOODIE WALKING TOUR WITH A FOCUS…

MUMBAI'S HIP HOOD Bandra has become one of Mumbai’s most fashionable postcodes. It’s a place of contrasts and a confluence of cultures, of potted gardens and candy-coloured villas, streets lined with traditional vendors among trendy coffee shops and wine bars, and where life plays out on Goan-style porches. Turn to page 68 to read more about how past and present collide in this intoxicating neighbourhood.…

The dramatic West Coast of New Zealand/Aotearoa, with its famously diverse landscapes, is one that’s worth immersing yourself in - and a road trip is the best way to get up close to this naturally scenic destination. Witness glacier-fed rivers and verdant rainforest and learn about the region’s rich Māori culture and gold-rush history while travelling its wild coastline. DAY 1 Begin your journey by rail, boarding a premium carriage on the TRANZALPINE SCENIC PLUS EXPERIENCE in flora-filled Christchurch. Sit back and take in the memorable views as you’re transported to Greymouth, then pick up your rental car from the train station. DAY 2 Hit the Great Coast Road from Greymouth, winding through coastal vistas and rainforests, even stopping to explore one of the many hiking trails along the way.…

The journey from Tambolaka airport to my hotel was not what I had anticipated. Having flown 50 minutes from Bali to Sumba in Indonesia’s eastern archipelago, I thought the landscape might be similar to its much more famous cousin. It’s not. Driving through western Sumba’s main town, the lack of development is striking. Tin-roofed buildings line a dusty road used more by schoolchildren on foot than cars or motorbikes - a relief after Bali’s gridlock. Leaving town, the scenery turns rugged. Parched fields dotted with stunted shrubs and volcanic rocks occasionally give way to flashes of sparkling sea, with barely any signs of life about. After an hour, a vision of low-slung modernism appears, its grey concrete lines cascading down to the Savu Sea. This is Cap Karoso, which opened…

Light play One of Tokyo’s most-visited art galleries, teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM is an immersive experience made up of digital artworks that bleed between rooms. The interactive spaces respond to the presence and movement of visitors, such as Microcosmoses, an installation made up of countless wobbling lights. Turn to page 144 to read more about this boundary-pushing gallery.…

In the early 2010s when I lived in London, all the cool kids were moving to Berlin. The city’s rich cultural history, low living costs and a new era of club culture - boosted by budget airlines increasing connectivity across Europe - fuelled the gravitational pull.This in turn transformed the German capital into one of the trendiest places of the decade to visit. Fifteen years and a paradigm-shifting pandemic later, I was curious to know where young creatives are moving to today and what that might tell us about the travel destinations of tomorrow. Emma Ventura reveals this on page 102: her deep dive into Europe’s new capitals of cool uncovers Amsterdam’s alt-tourism story, Thessaloniki’s emergence as a culinary capital and Tbilisi’s creative renaissance. Suddenly, I want to visit them…

WILD WELLNESS At the foothills of South Africa’s Franschhoek Mountains, Sterrekopje Healing Farm is a sanctuary where guests are invited to rest, play and channel creativity through a holistic range of rituals. It embodies a gentler, more intuitive approach to wellbeing - one of two contrasting trends gaining traction as hoteliers and hospitality brands respond to our desire for better health, resilience and longevity. Turn to p32 for more on the evolving world of wellness in 2025.…

In the bag What’s in your bag? It’s a seemingly mundane question that captivates millions. Vogue has an entire video series devoted to the premise, where A-listers from Jane Fonda to Angelina Jolie and Ariana Grande sit down to show-and-tell the contents of their carryalls. Turns out, we can infer a lot about a person by what they pack, and a bag’s contents is as much a reflection of personality as the clothes we wear. Even tech is tuning into aesthetics - marrying sophisticated function with sleek, sculptural product design. Today, the right pair of headphones doubles as a statement accessory, and getting your gear out into the airport security tray has turned from a slog into a coveted photo op. Because if your travel itinerary is well-curated, why shouldn’t…

From biohacking to breathwork, longevity to hormonal harmony, high-tech to holistic, wellness travel in 2025 seems to span an ever-widening (and sometimes bewildering) spectrum of modalities. Skyscanner’s Australia Travel Trends 2025 report identified “the rise of health, resilience and longevity tourism” as a key force in travel, with 63 per cent of Australian travellers saying they’re more mindful of their health and wellbeing than ever. Hoteliers and hospitality brands are seeking a share of this rapidly expanding sector (the global wellness industry was valued at USD$6.3 trillion in 2023 by the Global Wellness Institute, with wellness tourism accounting for $830 billion), tapping into the growing desire from travellers to use holidays to kickstart long-term health benefits. But where to start? On one hand, multimillions are being invested into harnessing the…

When thinking of Washington, DC you might picture neoclassical buildings and gleaming monuments. That’s a great place to start. But beyond its marble columns and cherry blossom-lined pathways, the city offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else. 1 UNBEATABLE VIEWS Rising 82 metres above Pennsylvania Avenue, the historic Old Post Office Tower is the second-tallest structure in the city. Thanks to local height restrictions (no building can surpass the Washington Monument), the city’s low skyline offers views in every direction. Look for the winding Potomac River and the gothic spires of Washington National Cathedral. On clear days, visibility stretches up to almost 20 kilometres. 2 BOOKS OF THE WORLD THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST. CONTAINING OVER 178 MILLION ITEMS ACROSS 470 LANGUAGES. WHILE YOU CAN FIND HISTORICAL…

It’s like stepping through a portal, moving from one world to another. As if, behind this frantic, modern city - most often fuelled by a nerve-jangling intensity - there’s somewhere quieter and slower, where the rules of this place are suspended, the hours slowing down before puttering to a stop. On a balmy August evening, trashed clean by the monsoon, we dodge the rickshaws that careen down Dr Peter Dias Road. We cross over into another realm, a place of lush, potted gardens and candy-coloured villas, the gelato colours - coral, turquoise, buttercup yellow - adorned with hand-painted signs. Ava Maria. Sunkist. Saudade: the untranslatable Portuguese phrase that evokes longing for something lost or the love that lingers in its wake - or sometimes both at once. Men in banyans,…

Picture this: you’re getting away from it all in New Zealand, revelling in total seclusion from the outside world with complete immersion in incredible landscapes. Outside your window there’s a view of either snow-capped mountains, rolling ocean, picturesque farmland or lush forest; inside is a different kind of luxury. More than just a place to stay and designed for all-season comfort, PurePods offers truly memorable experiences. The secluded glass pods are reached by short nature walks - via conservation reserves, farm trails or native bush tracks - and the unique accommodation is an off-grid dream. With over 16 to choose from, here are some of our top picks. 1 MATŪ Overlooking King Country, PurePods’ latest off-grid farmland location gives visitors a taste of rural New Zealand, Just a 10-minute drive from…

Standing a top the impressively thick walls of honeycoloured stone that once protected the entire population of Gozo from marauding pirates and slave traders, it’s easy to see the strategic appeal of the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago. The ramparts of Victoria’s citadel gaze out over sun-bleached towns surrounded by painstakingly terraced fields, rectangular salt pans that are part of a trade dating back to Roman times and chalk-white cliffs that loom over sheltered harbours of the deepest blue. To the south lies the neighbouring island of Malta. “And on a clear day you can see all the way to Sicily,” my guide Chantelle Shaw tells me. “Sometimes you can even watch the glow from Mt Etna’s eruptions at night.” The main settlement on Malta’s second island is officially…

CITY SLICKERS Europe is a continent dazzling in diversity: a patchwork of distinct cultures and cuisines, languages and lifestyles. And to uncover its next must-visit cities, look to where the cool kids are relocating. Amsterdam is one such place, drawing creatives and travellers alike to the buzzing cultural scene unfolding on its fringes. Turn the page for our pick of Europe’s coolest cities right now.…

Madagascar is often associated with the animated blockbuster of the same name. But the movie gives little insight into this fascinating African country. Separated from the mainland by 402 kilometres, the worlds fourth-largest island sits quietly in the Mozambique Channel - a proud nation boasting rare wildlife, timeless tribal customs and a 60-million-year-old landscape unparalleled by anywhere else on Earth. When Sir David Attenborough studied the extraordinary endemic wildlife, he described the isolated island as “a curious wonderland … an unrepeatable experiment”. To protect its natural wealth, the government has preserved more than 123 crucial ecosystems. So if you’re seeking new shores, Madagascar holds the rare golden ticket to authentic experiences. FOREIGN AFFAIRS Since pulling away from the mainland some ISO million years ago, Madagascar has ticked away within its…

You’re bringing your Hot & Healed comedy show Down Under this spring. We want the definition according to JVN - what does it mean to be ‘hot and healed’? It means embracing the process of healing, which is messy, fun and unapologetic - and finding out more about the person you are. To be hot and healed is just to be on a journey of finding your best self. Tell us a bit about the show and what you’re excited to share with Aussie audiences? The show is about the process of finding my best self; it’s unapologetic, it’s queer, it’s brash and it’s really fun. It’s also about processing the fallout of 2024 and the [US] election, but I want to broaden it for Australian audiences. The topics I’m…

From 10 July EMILY KAM KNGWARRAY Tate Modern, London, UK Trace the luminous career of Anmatyerr woman Emily Kam Kngwarray through a collection of her most culturally significant paintings at London’s Tate Modern. The eponymous retrospective, further enhanced by film and audio elements, depicts the artist’s deep connection to Alhalker Country in vivid detail, using colours representative of her Northern Territory home. In collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia, it marks the first large-scale exhibition of her work in Europe. tate.org.uk 16-17 August HAGEN SHOW Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea IN THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA. THE HAGEN SHOW BEGAN BEFORE THE COUNTRY ACHIEVED INDEPENDENCE, SYMBOLISING UNIFICATION FOR CULTURAL GROUPS ACROSS THE PROVINCE. THE COLOURFUL CELEBRATION CONTINUES TODAY AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL AND NATIONAL TRIBES TO…

A book-inspired boom Bestsellers and book clubs have permeated the pop-culture Zeitgeist for years, with travellers increasingly seeking out the real-world settings found in their favourite novels. If you’re a reader with wanderlust, you should bookmark these destinations. How to land a flight upgrade While most travellers dream of flying business class, many are unable to afford the often-exorbitant prices. But what if we told you it was possible to ditch economy without spending a cent? Follow these secret travel hacks on your next trip and you may be sipping Champagne before take-off. LIVE OUT YOUR WHITE LOTUS FANTASY Few things scream ‘next big thing’ quite like a TV series that captures more than half of the world’s population. Just ask any fan of HBO hit, The White Lotus. Due…

WISH YOU WERE HERE The Portuguese island of Madeira is fast becoming a European hotspot thanks to its subtropical climate and wild landscapes that have drawn comparisons to Hawai’i. While many adventurers flock here for its 1000-plus kilometres of trails and 20-million-year old, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Laurisilva forest, Madeira has always been a surfing mecca. It’s a childhood pastime that allows Lauren de Sousa, photographer and International Traveller’s art director, to reconnect with her familial roots - particularly in Paul do Mar. Located on the island’s south-west edge, the small fishing village was only reachable by boat until the mid-20th century, leaving it deeply rooted in tradition. “I love the colourful buildings of this laid-back village wedged between land and sea,” she says. “People spill out onto the streets from…

Serene reflections in impossibly blue waters, dreamy red-gold sunsets and star-filled night skies make the Marlborough region a place of extraordinary natural beauty. Marlborough bursts to life in spring, when you can expect crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. Here’s the best of Marlborough in springtime. TREAT YOURSELF TO WINE COUNTRY Despite being the largest wine-producing region in New Zealand, with over 30 cellar doors, Marlborough is easy to get around. THE ORIGINAL MARLBOROUGH WINE TOURS offers expert guides to lead the way to Marlborough’s best vineyards, explaining local winemaking traditions and meeting passionate vintners. Tours are designed for both seasoned wine lovers and curious explorers, providing a relaxed, informative and scenic experience as guests explore boutique wineries and famous estates. In the heart of Marlborough’s wine country, THE MARLBOROUGH…

Why we travel has been a question philosophers have tried to answer for the best part of two millennia. Why do we seek out paths unknown to us and people we are yet to meet? One thing we know is that humans throughout history have continuously sought out connection - not only with people, but also with places. Which is what Intrepid Travel has learnt over three decades of small group travel groups that are just big enough to find experiences that aren’t open to individual travellers, and just small enough for unique, intimate journeys. The connections it helps foster can completely change the way we see the world. PROTECTING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK South Africa’s largest national park, Kruger, is a renowned destination for wildlife lovers - and for good…

Even 10 years ago, the mere mention of homegrown wine in the United Kingdom would have incited a chuckle at best, though most likely a chortle. However, you’ll now find a bottle from Blighty gracing most London wine lists. Even the French are looking across the channel, with Champagne house Pommery planting its Hampshire vineyard in 2017. While the industry is still youthful, it is quickly establishing itself as a serious contender in the sparkling wine scene, and producers are not shy about experimentation in both the vineyard and winery Great wines paired with a burgeoning wine tourism offering means this is one of the most exciting wine regions to visit You don’t have to travel far from London; most are within an easy 30-minute to two-hour drive south or…

As our lives grow busier with never-ending to-do lists, group chats and constant notifications, it’s no wonder wellness tourism is booming. More than ever, people want to return home feeling rejuvenated and rested, with deeper sleep, nourishing food, immersive nature and meaningful experiences now at the heart of travel. In fact, the Global Wellness Institute projects the wellness tourism market will reach $11.3 trillion in 2025 as travellers increasingly seek more than sightseeing. If you’re craving once-in-a-lifetime adventures paired with all-inclusive laid-back luxury, HX Expeditions may be your ideal wellness escape. With HX, the journey is just as transformative as the destination. Here are seven scientifically backed reasons why travel can rewire your wellbeing - and why a trip with HX is one of the best ways to go about…

In Europe, the continent of dazzling diversity, some cities are perennially synonymous with what they do best: Berlin its nightlife, Paris its haute couture, Madrid its Movida. But ‘cool’? That’s the nebulous ‘it’ factor, with a constantly shifting centre of gravity that tugs at the Zeitgeist of any given year. In turbulent 2025, we see cool as a certain insouciance, a defiant taste for the good life, artistic bravery, a social and environmental conscience. By that measure, the following European cities stand as bonafide capitals of cool - leading lights of their own unique paths, offering alternative forms of exploration, and worthy of visiting right now. AMSTERDAM, Netherlands New north star In Amsterdam, life, it seems, is increasingly best lived on the edge. Not at society’s dingy fringes, but in…

It is rude to bite bossam, so you have to “shove the whole thing into your mouth”. So says Local Insider Meggie Yu. We’re seated cross-legged and shoeless at a table too low to the ground for chairs as she proceeds to show us how to assemble our first Korean dish in Seoul, Tucked away down a side street in the Jongno District (one of 25 districts in Seoul), it would be easy to walk right past Daeryeonjip. It’s not listed in guidebooks and doesn’t have a website, but on any given day you’ll be hard-pressed to find an empty table. And according to Meggie, it’s legendary among locals. “You take a piece of boiled pork and place it on a cabbage leaf, then you can add anything you want,”…

Mikaela Stafford is a Paris-based Australian artist specialising in sculpture and 3D motion graphics. Her signature visuals - abstract, gestational forms that appear as if they’re on the brink of sentience - have captured the attention of global brands like Nike and landed her in exhibitions at London’s Tate Modern. While Stafford’s work is undeniably futuristic in aesthetic, it draws deeply from art and ideas across the centuries- the conceptual realms of Dante’s Divine Comedy, for instance, and the classical backdrop of Paris, all inspire Stafford’s creative process in the studio. “Being able to visit some of the most significant galleries in the world on a regular basis has sharpened my eye for composition and symbolism and helped me refine my visual language,” she says. “I’m constantly surrounded by history,…