Innholdsfortegnelse for Volume 126 - 2025 i Vacations & Travel

There’s a certain kind of magic in stepping beyond your comfort zone – a heady mix of exhilaration, disorientation and wonder. In this adventure-themed issue of V&T we swap predictable itineraries for wildcards and wanderlust. We snorkel cage-free with sharks off the coast of Oahu, trade wheels for hooves and eagles in Mongolia, as well as getting airborne over the jagged spine of the Dolomites. For those who prefer their feet firm on terra firma, there’s canyoning through Slovenia’s emerald gorges or hiking the heavenly Tian Shan range in Kyrgyzstan. And if you’ve never danced in a tomato thrashing fun-fest in Spain or flung beads at each other in New Orleans while dressed like a glitter queen, we do suggest that now is the time. This is a celebration of…

Cathay comeback This summer, Cathay Pacific is making a comeback by reconnecting with the South Australian capital. From November 2025, the airline is relaunching direct flights between Hong Kong and Adelaide with a summer seasonal service that will operate three times a week. The return marks Cathay’s eighth destination in the Southwest Pacific, providing travellers with more options when flying between Hong Kong and Australasia. cathaypacific.com Nĭ hăo, China! Vietjet is expanding its Asia network with the launch of two new direct routes connecting Hanoi to Chengdu and Xi’an – two of China’s most historic and vibrant cities. Both routes now offer four return flights per week, making it easier than ever for travellers to explore more of Asia. This expansion is part of Vietjet’s effort to strengthen its China-Vietnam…

1 Ride the wind While most explore the Italian Dolomites on foot or wheels, soaring above the remarkable jagged peaks is a far more exhilarating experience. Take to the skies of Val Gardena on an unforgettable paragliding journey with Fly2, floating like a cloud over the sprawling valley below. Strapped in with a seasoned guide and pilot on a tandem flight, you’ll ride the wind across this World Heritage Site, soaking up bird’s-eye views of its untouched alpine meadows. fly2.info/en 2 Apex appeal Open water and dozens of sharks just metres below. What may initially seem like a dance with death turns out to be a surprisingly calm, perspective-altering opportunity to overcome fears of the ocean’s apex predators. Based on Hawaii’s Oahu, One Ocean Diving offers non-invasive shark snorkel ecotours…

Hot. Is that a sexist thing to say about female sheep shearers in the remote Queensland Outback? I’m a staunch feminist but, hell yeah, I make no apologies for that word. Because they are. We’re at fifth-generation-owned Toogunna Plains Farmstay in the Quilpie shire – a vast 53,000-hectare sheep and cattle station that’s been in the family for 118 years – and these fierce women make up half of the crew in the woolshed this year. It is unusual. There’s typically a 30 per cent female participation rate in shearing but, due to the devastating floods in March and April this year, the ante has been upped. Rock tunes pump out as the sheep are pulled from pens in rhythmic precision. It’s a frenetic pace – yet the girls take…

Kyoto is a blaze of autumnal colour when I visit potter Kawai Kanjirō’s humble wooden home on a narrow lane in Higashiyama. Inside the house is a time capsule of how the famous potter, poet and philosopher lived from the 1920s to 1960s. His tools are lovingly arranged in each room, giving the impression he has just stepped away. Our group arrives early to the house, now a museum run by his family. A woman sees us and kindly opens the door ahead of time to let us explore. We take off our shoes on the tatami floors (showing off our colourful socks) as we admire the exquisite arrangement of ceramics. The stairs to the first floor are slippery with only a rope for a bannister. We spy a cat,…

Swimming around the world is a humpback whale named Miguel. No, he doesn’t know his name. And shhh, he doesn’t know he’s adopted. Miguel’s story starts in the colourful port of Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city, nicknamed the ‘End of the World’, where passengers readying to board Antarctic-bound ships stroll the streets buying ‘Fin del Mundo’ T-shirts, scoff racks of Fuegian lamb and crack through kilos of king crab like it’s the last supper. The adventurous head seven kilometres out of town to climb Glacier Martial, a heart-beating show-opener to their sojourn at sea. Trekking to the top are Leonie Leete from Perth and Gladys Amestoy from Sydney, who met in transit in Buenos Aires. Summiting the glacier, 60-years-fit Leete puffs to keep pace with her new 70-year-old friend;…

Fit for a king Kittawa Lodge, the exclusive off-grid escape on Tasmania’s King Island, has rolled out the welcome mat for its new two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat. Framed by windswept coastal dunes and rugged ocean vistas, the light-flooded accommodation embraces privacy and slow living. Guests can expect an enviable cedar outdoor hot tub, oversized concrete bath, layered interiors and a private cellar stocked with premium Tasmanian wines – along with local red-necked wallabies hopping just metres away. kittawalodge.com Room to reflect Opened in June, 1 Hotel Melbourne is bringing eco-conscious elegance to the banks of the Yarra. The waterfront refuge delivers spacious maritime-inspired suites (with energy-efficient smart thermostats and low-VOC materials), a rippling asymmetric facade, several swish bars and a low-waste restaurant celebrating regional produce. Plus, there’s a wellness space featuring…

After several days gorging on the culinary delights and fine wines of the Margaret River, we head north, winding our way through the bushland of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, arriving at Pullman Bunker Bay Resort in the late afternoon. Set back from the beach on 14 hectares of landscaped native gardens, the resort’s 150 bungalow-style villas nestle in nature. Our studio villa has timber floorboards and limestone feature walls, a comfortable seating area, well-appointed kitchenette and roomy bathroom with bathtub and separate shower. A small outdoor terrace is shaded by native trees, which come alive with wildlife as the sun sets. It’s a short, gentle downhill stroll to Bunker Bay the next morning. A true hidden gem, the beach is as pristine as it is peaceful, with powder-soft sand and…

Thousands of young Swazi women and girls, called imbali or maidens, aged anywhere from eight to 22, are streaming towards us. Adorned in traditional attire, the sight is astonishing. Clothing is minimal; short beaded skirts, rainbow coloured scarves embellished with pompoms and tassels, and very little else. As they chant and dance, the rhythmical stamping of their feet and the jingling of their anklets pulsate in the air. The energy is palpable and infectious. The Reed Dance, or Umhlanga Ceremony as it’s more properly known, is an event steeped in heritage and history. It serves not only as a rite of passage for the country’s young women, but also as a way of keeping traditional values and practices alive. A SMALL COUNTRY, A GRAND EXTRAVAGANZA Encircled by South Africa and…

The heart of Tokyo doesn’t always beat to the rhythm of neon and noise. Tucked into the city’s northeastern pocket, about an hour’s train ride from central Tokyo, Shibamata feels like a time capsule – its pace slower, its streets softer underfoot. While the city’s more famous districts dazzle with their modernity, this little-known neighbourhood in Katsushika Ward offers a different kind of richness: one steeped in nostalgia, tradition and genuine warmth. WHERE SPIRITUALITY MEETS ARTISTRY At the heart of Shibamata lies Taishakuten Daikyoji, a Buddhist temple dating back to 1896. From the moment you step through the towering Nitenmon Gate, you’re enveloped in a profound sense of stillness. The temple is revered not just as a place of worship, but as a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Its exterior walls are…

Derby is a small town in northeast Tasmania with a big secret. Weaving through a gorgeous 10,000-year-old forest are 49 incredible mountain biking trails, covering 125 kilometres of all-mountain and downhill biking. Opened in 2015, the number and variety of the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails have catapulted Derby into an internationally recognised mountain biking destination. I arrive in Derby with three friends who, like me, have never mountain biked before. Sensibly, we have a full-day lesson with Shredly’s Adventures, with our patient instructor, Lync Nietvelt, teaching us the fundamentals. This starts with the correct braking techniques, and is followed by posture, riding stances and the best body positions for the different types of terrain we’ll encounter. BLUE DERBY TRAILS We spend the morning practising our skills on Chain Gang…

“Another one,” I yell as I break the surface of the Indian Ocean in Esperance’s Lucky Bay, thrusting up my hand gripping a juicy abalone. It is the 12th one I have pried from the rocks under me. I can’t get enough of the feeling of freediving down and seeking more, all in the name of tonight’s dinner. With an ethos to “do what you want, when you want”, True North II’s eight-night Adventure South West itinerary takes us from Esperance to Fremantle with laid-back sophistication. Taking barefoot luxury literally, no shoes are worn onboard and casual attire is the norm. We are just two of 16 guests housed in the ship’s 11 cabins. Days are spent exploring the region’s best attractions, sipping champagne and watching sunsets over the ocean.…

ON THE HORIZON Oceania Cruises is poised for transformation after cutting steel on its latest ship, Oceania Sonata – the first of several new Sonata Class vessels taking to the seas in 2027. The event took place in Fincantieri-Marghera shipyard in Venice to celebrate the beginning of the luxury brand’s exciting new era. Set to be followed by sister ship Oceania Arietta, Oceania Sonata will be the ninth and largest ship in the brand’s fleet, as well as the most spacious and amenity-rich. oceaniacruises.com Killer protection The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has mandated acoustic mitigation measures in efforts to better protect whales in Antarctic waters. The initiative applies to all operating member vessels and aims to safeguard the peninsula’s population of rare B1 killer whales, which rely…

Nestled amid the lush green landscapes of central Bali, approximately 40 minutes from the town centre of Ubud, lies Padma Resort Ubud. We arrive on a balmy March evening and are greeted with a cold towel and warm herbal tea made of aromatics sourced from the resort gardens. The lobby is an expansive open-air pavilion surrounded by beautifully manicured greenery; we hear the trickle of the water and the movement of the kois swimming eagerly, as well as soft beats playing overhead. I’ve been here for such a short time, yet I already begin to feel my stress starting to fade. We’re staying in the Premier Deluxe Room, the wooden furniture inside emulating the Balinese aesthetic from the lobby. It boasts a huge bathroom with a free-standing bath, walk-in shower,…

All adventures call for a little post-exploration pampering. This exquisite bathtub at &Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge is the perfect place to reset after tracking down the Big Five on safari and bushwalking through untamed landscapes – all while overlooking the lush contours of a private game reserve. Set into a dramatic cliff face, the property sits in a biologically rich region of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. andbeyond.com Four other tubs with incredible views Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast, Italy With a clifftop vantage point inside an 11th century castle, this blissful bath wows with panoramic Amalfi Coast vistas. belmond.com Higashiyama Niseko Village, Japan Slide into this luxe onsen-style hot tub for enviable snowy scenes overlooking one of Japan’s premier ski resorts. ritzcarlton.com Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia Unwind in privacy…

“Discovery of the nutmeg kernel led to brutal battles to control the spice trade”…

The warriors are fearsome as they materialise from the green-flecked shadows of the coconut palms, weapons raised and voices loud and threatening. They are coated in mud, shields painted with a ghostly skull and eyes glinting. One warrior runs to find the chief to warn that there are strangers in their midst and to see if we pose a danger or not. More posturing ensues before the chief gives us his blessing and the warriors, now with wide welcoming smiles, allow us through. The warrior welcome at Titiru Eco Lodge is just the beginning of our cultural education in the Solomon Islands, where time, for the most part, has stood still, with traditional ways still lived and loved. ISLANDS APLENTY The Solomon Islands, known as the ‘Hapi Isles’, consists of…

“Let’s go down TNT,” my guide Ryan Marks says as he skis up beside me. No, we’re not trying to blow up Park City Mountain Resort, although silver miners did in fact blast inside it from 1868 to 1960. TNT is the dynamite name of one of the seven Adventure Alleys at this alpine resort, all with explosive names harking back to Park City’s mining legacy. We gather speed to enter the trail. It is a side country playland leading me through a smattering of trees before my snowboard curves around berms into a natural gully that Ryan and I have all to ourselves. Like most resorts in Utah and the US, the slopes of Park City Mountain are quiet during the week and ramp up on weekends with enthusiastic…

Flight Numbers: NZ5 + NZ103 Aircraft: 777-300ER + 777-300ER Seats: 30D + 1K Duration: 12hrs 10mins + 3hrs 20mins After a seamless premium check-in, I am impressed with the Star Alliance lounge in LA, accessible for Air New Zealand Airpoints Elite and Gold members. It is spacious, has many different areas including a lovely terrace, and the food is excellent. Time spent in a great lounge always kicks off a long-haul flight in the best way. CABINS I am in seat 30D in Premium Economy on the Los Angeles to Auckland leg, a great option as it is one of two seats positioned at the rear of that section – the other passenger and I feel like we’ve won the lottery as we both have ample room and aisle access.…

The labyrinth of Marseille never disappoints, its dusty-rouge buildings along the Mediterranean coast whipped by the Mistral. It’s particularly beguiling from the seat of an E-bike, zipping past the living history that carves the French city’s Corniche Kennedy. The sun-drenched views frame Cathédrale de La Major, one of the most significant national monuments in France, and Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, a Neo-Byzantine church erected on the foundation of a military fort built by King François I. It’s a fast and frenzied day out, and one of the most un-cruise and active shore excursions I have ever done. And that’s just the point of Norwegian Cruise Line’s new focus on wellness – to get you seeing the world via the waves while getting you excited for staying healthy. It makes…

There’s a rhythm to Colombia that stays with you long after the journey ends. It beats in the streets of Cartagena, hums through jungle-clad villages, and dances with colour along riverbanks where life hasn’t changed in generations. Now, for the first time, that rhythm can be felt aboard a luxury river cruise – thanks to AmaWaterways’ bold new chapter in travel: an unforgettable voyage along the Magdalena River. In an industry first, AmaWaterways has introduced two exclusive seven-night itineraries through Colombia’s heartland, sailing between Cartagena and Barranquilla. This is not your typical river cruise. These journeys unveil the soul of South America in slow, elegant motion – through a landscape alive with wildlife, music and untold stories, aboard a purpose-built ship designed to honour it all. A RIVER RUNS THROUGH…

Edible escape The Sunshine Coast’s annual Curated Plate Food & Drink Festival is back with a fresh batch of gourmet events from 25 July to 3 August. Directed by chef and TV personality Peter Kuruvita, this year’s lineup is centred on homegrown talents and diverse culinary influences, from Southeast Asian to native bush tucker. Beyond brunches, farm tours, markets and picnics, visitors can enjoy live flamenco, take a local ale cruise and join Indigenous Elders for fresh seafood around an open fire. thecuratedplate.com.au Grill next door From restaurateur Hannah Green of Melbourne’s well-loved Etta comes Daphne, a laid-back neighbourhood local promising Monday martini nights and a community-centric ethos. On track for a September 2025 debut, the all day diner and bar in Brunswick East will offer curbside seating, a front…

The sun’s pre-dawn lightshow is creeping up the horizon as I dive into the pool at the Heritage Park Hotel. I am the only person there, and do some lazy laps in the inky light before the sun finally pops, creating a path of white over the deep blue of Honiara’s Iron Bottom Sound, named for the huge amount of planes brought down into the waters of Guadalcanal during World War II. The pool is just one of the highlights of a stay at Heritage Park Hotel, whether for those early morning dips or poolside cocktails and dinner at Splash Bar and Grill with the sunset thrown in for free. You could pick up this hotel, lock, stock and barrel, plonk it into any city and it would hold its…