Tokyo and all of its food, culture, nightlife and more can be challenging to explore on your own. And if youâre a traveller passing through, thereâs also the added pressure of wanting to maximise each moment of your limited time in the big city. Local guides are a great way to experience immersive travelling. Tours […]
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Itâs not often that pebbles and rocks are the main feature of an attraction, but here in Oya, the proverbial gold really does lie at oneâs feet. Oya, known as âStone Cityâ, sits on the fringe of Utsunomiya. This low-key town has seen a small resurgence in popularity, with a number of modern cafes and […]
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Business hotels are one of the most common types of hotels available across Japan, offering no-frills accommodation with a very affordable price tag. But not all business hotels are created equal, and the hotel boom in Japan has left tourists spoiled for choice, with some now offering a few exciting features. JR-East Hotel Mets Utsunomiya […]
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Many travelling to Japan may have heard of or been to Nikko, but just an hour south by car lies the prefectural capital city, Utsunomiya. Also within the âStrawberry Kingdomâ of Tochigi Prefecture, Utsunomiya offers small city vibes, cultural sights, and as many delicious gyoza as your stomach can handle. Getting there Travel to Utsunomiya […]
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The mountainous terrain of Japan means nature lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to trekking. Simply embark on a short one hour train, nature-bound and watch the transformation of metropolitan Tokyo to scenic and serene inaka (Japanese for rural countryside). Even if youâre only traveller passing through, I encourage you to block out […]
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Famous for powder soft snow and fun-tastic slopes, Hokkaido is at the top of most Aussiesâ summer travel list. Swapping out thongs for ski boots, itâs common for top ski resort areas like Niseko to turn into mini Australian villages with the sheer influx of tourists. But Hokkaido, technically a prefecture, is home to many […]
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Paddington, is the ‘Sunday Best’ suburb of Sydney. Boasting equally chic and affluent Australian fashion labels and hole-in-the-wall art galleries, a quick jaunt down Oxford Street is all you need before you find your steps a little lighter, your smile a little wider. It’s also home to some of the best eateries known throughout Sydney. […]
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Seafood is the ‘S’ word here at love.fish, as is ethically Sourced, Sustainbility and Supports local Suppliers. For a harbour city like ours, there aren’t many restaurants that can attest to being experts of what lies under the sea. The data is skewed at polar opposites of the graph, we have tonnes of fish and […]
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Get ready to take a piece of acclaimed chef Josh Niland (of the consistently excellent Saint Peters) home with you. April this year will see the opening of Fish Butchery on Oxford St in Paddington. Dubbed ‘butchery’, the Saint Peter team aim to position it as a modern fishmonger, offering dry handled fish, produce that […]
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With its card deck design, three-acre SkyPark and impressive fifty-five storey height, Marina Bay Sands is by far one of the world’s most unique resorts and is an unmistakable symbol of opulence in Singapore. But when there are queues on a Wednesday night just to go up to the bar, CĂ LA VI, and additional […]
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Singapore might be known for its South East Asian street food and buzzing hawker centres, but it also has a thriving cafĂ© culture well worth exploring. Visitors to the lively city can expect to see familiar faces on the menu like avocado on toast and interpretations of the good ol’ big breakfast, but keep an […]
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All of us living in this hemisphere are plagued with the unfortunate luck of having the silly season to coincide with beach body time. This means no ugly Christmas sweater to hide the festive feasting we’ve partaken all December long. So before you reach for that second mince pie, check out our predictions for 2018âs […]
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The latest piece to the Merivale empire, Hotel Centennial, has finally opened under the tutelage of The Paddington’s Ben Greeno, Fred’s Danielle Alvarez and Head Chef James Evangelinos. With their love of local produce and talent for restrained simplicity, Greeno and Alvarez have crafted a menu shaped by Mediterranean sensibilities. âThis is a nod to […]
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The expansive grounds of The Newport is set to become even more elegant with the inclusion of Bert’s, Merivale’s newest brasserie and bar. Inspired by grand hotel dining rooms of the 1930s, Bert’s aims to capture the easy air of Sydney’s Northern beaches with a hint of whimsical nostalgia. An all-star line-up of hospitality talent will […]
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Bondi Beach Public Bar (BBPB) is opening on Wednesday 20th December, just in time for summer. As the love child of Icebergs Dining and Bar and The Dolphin Hotel, BBPB represents the synthesis of a modern day pub while tapping into the history and vibe of 1907s and 1980s Australian pub culture. âWhenever I am […]
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Fusion food often gets a bad rap but most Sydney eateries seem to be able to get the balance in flavours belonging to two different cultures, just about right. The latest player to join this sub-cuisine is Chefs Pastry, an innovative new bakery combining centuries-old French pastry techniques with vibrant pan-Asian flavours. While this might […]
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Some weekends you’re awake by 7.30 am, have had a run and a kale smoothie by 9 and you’re now ready for a productive day of adventuring. Other weekends, it’s a struggle to remember what happened the night before through the haze of the world’s best (or worst) hangover and you’re praying Deliveroo does McDonald’s […]
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A new refined modern Japanese dining restaurant just opened in Barangaroo and its name is Fujisaki. Heavy hitters in the dining scene that are part of Lotus Group’s new venture include executive chef Chui Lee Luk, formerly of Claudeâs restaurant, sushi chef Ryuichi Yoshii, formerly of Yoshii, and sommelier Annette Lacey. Yoshii pwns the raw […]
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The onslaught of Japanese desserts continue to hail down on Australia. From the team that brought you Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart, comes PAFU, a puff pastry store launching in Melbourne’s QV this December 16th. What exactly is PAFU? A puff or ‘ăă’ in the Japanese language, is the Japanese response to the traditional French apple turnover […]
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Hardcore Sydney fans and Newtown locals may have to say goodbye to Hartsyard as they know it but the Newtown institution plans on reopening in early January 2018 with Hartsyard 2.0. After nearly six years, chef and owner, Gregory Llewellyn, decided it was time to head in a new direction and change things up. This includes […]
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The first fifteen minutes of the live discussion saw Jonah Peretti, CEO of Buzzfeed, probed by Leigh Sales, anchorwoman of ABCâs 7.30, Dr Phil-style. This was Vivid Ideasâ first Game-Changer talk for 2017, and quoting Peretti, following questions on where he was born, what his childhood was like and which teachers supported him the most, […]
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What is Australian cuisine, and in particular, modern Australian cuisine? At 12-Micron, this means creating a space that showcases the very best this country has to offer, from the cuisine to the interior, from the produce to the plates they ultimately sit on. This is what Barangaroo’s latest stands for right down to its namesake, […]
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The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room are back with Crab Carnival and this year is set to be their biggest yet. Now in its fourth year, the Carnival will be a celebration of all things crustacean for 28 days, beginning Monday 20th March until Sunday 16th April. Chef Sean Connolly, The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room and […]
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12-Micron is the new kid on the street, The Streets of Barangaroo that is. It’s an impressive new 230-seater restaurant, late-night dessert kitchen, and bar with majestic harbour views to boot. The 12-Micron name, inspired by the rare and coveted fine 12-micron wool fibre, marks the venueâs ethos to celebrate the best of Australian produce. 12-Micron Executive […]
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Double Bayâs iconic restaurant and bar Mrs Sippy has launched a brand new menu just in time for Summer, celebrating their fifth year with significant changes that should see the popular hotspot charge through these holidays with style. The new additions feature light, fresh and summer-ready dishes aimed at pairing with your midday heat right […]
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As we reach the heat-wave bringing centre of Australia’s summer, Swiss ice cream brand Mövenpick has announced a range of signature Ice Cream Sandwich to be sold at their dessert boutiques. The sandwich will be made up of their high quality creamy ice cream and two rich chocolate cookies as the outer layer, giving folks […]
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Middle East meets Mediterranean at this unassuming spot on a side street in Newtown. Old City Kitchen and Bar is only a couple of paces away from busy King St but it is significantly quieter and more intimate than say, its rockabilly neighbour Miss Peaches, located a mere two doors down. The professional finish of the […]
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Alexandria destination The Grounds is well experienced with serving its patrons artisan breads and pastries but their latest venture, The Bakery, will see this offering carried through with even more gusto and allow for some exciting exclusives. Think trays of lime & meringue tartlets, freshly baked Pigion Seed loaf, a pistachio olive oil and polenta cake […]
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High tea is something I grew up having a deep reverence for. My paternal grandmother loved it despite not being big on sweets. But whether you’re into the components of it or not, it’s undeniable that there’s something that’s very refined about sitting in a pretty little salon, nibbling on a huge amount of small things […]
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Canberra isn’t typically known as a getaway destination but the short three-hour drive from Sydney makes Canberra sufficiently far away to give you that ‘going away’ feeling yet still close enough that a quick 24-hour stay is more than achievable. Also a plus are the pockets of luxury that you’ll find at our nation’s capital […]
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