Travel & Lifestyle

Hotel Review: Four Points by Sheraton at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport, California)

When it comes to an overnight airport stay, there are only three things that really matter: convenience, comfort and cost. Is it easy to get to from the terminal? Will my well earned (and usually rather brief) sleep be a pleasant one? And will I be keeping things within budget? In this respect, Four Points…

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Behind the Scenes: Head Chef Chris Irving teams up with AMCS to host David Thomas Conservation Oration at The Gantry

Chef Chris Irving can claim some pretty incredible career achievements, including organising a banquet for the Queen, consulting for the Spanish Noble family, feeding the Beckhams and working alongside Chef Gordon Ramsay for four years. His hard work has led to an illustrious career and status that he’s used to champion the adoption of ethically…

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Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates their 50th anniversary with Springfield, a new Fast and the Furious ride and more

Following the massive success of the seventh installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise, which is currently the fourth highest grossing film of all time on the international box office charts (and the number one film of all time in China!?), Universal Studios Hollywood have revealed more details about their forthcoming “Fast & The…

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Sydney Food Truck Focus: Happy as Larry (Italian)

Sydney has a new food truck, and it just so happens to be delivering some of the best pizza in the city thanks to its authentic Italian recipes and a woodfire oven built right into the impressive architecture of the truck – which sees two levels sit inside a shipping container. Going by the name…

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F&L Feature: Searching for the best Eggs Benedict in Australia

Some six and a half years ago, I discovered what at the time was the best Eggs Benedict I’d ever had. And it was at a place quite unsuspecting. World Bar on the Melbourne Southbank. Everything about the dish was perfect, to the point I’d schedule in earlier flights than I’d need whenever I flew…

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Hotel Review: Executive Queen Room at the Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel (Texas)

Situated along San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk, the Wyndham couldn’t be better located for the visiting tourist. A short walk to the city’s entertainment area and tourist hotspot The Alamo, the sizable 410 room hotel, spread over 21 floors, serves as an excellent port for both business guests, tourists and their families. As with any hotel…

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Boutique island festival "Your Paradise" set to return to Fiji in for 6 days and 5 nights this November

After the likes of Alison Wonderland, Jack Beats, Carmada, Hayden James, Peking Duk and Touch Sensitive kicked things off in 2014, the second annual boutique Island Festival “Your Paradise” is set to return to one of Fiji’s most beautiful islands on Malolo Lailai. The festival will return with an incredible lineup – yet to be…

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Cucina Vivo – Broadbeach (Gold Coast)

Further to our look at Kiyomi last week, we also explored the other new restaurant leading the charge in the $345 million transformation that is sweeping through Jupiters Gold Coast. Italian restaurant Cucina Vivo is in stark contrast to Kiyomi in design; whereas the neighbouring Japanese restaurant is dimly lit and moody, Cucina is endearingly…

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The Theme Park Traveller: Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio)

I’ve always been fascinated by Theme Parks, especially in America. The stories of how the parks originated and have since grown and thrived is often as interesting as the rides themselves. Six Flags: Fiesta Texas, located just outside of San Antonio, is no exception, with the origins of the park dating back some 25 years,…

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Tour Diary: Toddy from King Parrot hits the USA from California to Seattle and Salt Lake (March/April 2015 – Part Two)

San Diego, California is a beautiful place! A laid back kinda vibe, nice beaches and friendly folk. This was our first show in a string of dates through this beautiful state! Tonight’s venue is called The Casbah, so it was pretty cool to literally ‘rock the Casbah’ just one time in our musical careers, even…

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Qantas resume flights from Perth to Singapore as part of a number of West Australia improvements

It was announced on Friday that Qantas Airlines would return service to its Perth to Singapore Route on June 26th, after shelving it in May 2014, as part of a run of improvements set to be instated for its West Australian services. Qantas will operate five return Boeing 737 Perth to Singapore services each week,…

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Tour Diary: Toddy from King Parrot (Melbourne) hits the USA from New Orleans to SXSW and Scottsdale, Arizona (March/April 2015 – Part One)

To set the scene here, we’d just arrived on American soil at JFK airport, New York from Frankfurt, Germany after our first European tour as King Parrot. A couple of us have toured Europe before with other bands, but this was our first run as KP. We did a 10 show run across 7 countries…

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F&L Guide: Five of our favourite Steaks in Sydney under $20

There was once upon a time where it wasn’t too hard to get a $5 steak in Sydney – it wasn’t the best steak in the world, but it was $5. Nowadays, finding a good steak under $10 isn’t even the easiest things in the world – but if you know where to look, it’s…

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Hotel Review: Premier Loft at the Studio M (Singapore)

Part of the Millenium group of Hotels and Resorts, Singapore’s Studio M hotel is a perfect example of the city’s unique ways to make the best of small spaces, something which is typical both of the city’s hotel rooms and the apartments that line the streets. But Studio M takes this concept to another level,…

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Travel News: United Airlines to bring new offerings to their International Economy Service

For years now, United Airlines haven’t quite matched the competition on the Australia to USA route for their economy customers. Though premium customers have been given some luxurious upgrades in recent times – especially those flying the new Dreamliner 787 (pictured above) – economy has always gotten the short end of the stick. Until now!…

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Recipe: Flying Fish’s Stout Cake with Fermented Fig Jam and Pearl Barley Ice Cream

Acclaimed Sydney restaurant Flying Fish are in the midst of a menu change, preparing for autumn with a brand new range of tempting dishes. With food as stunning as that million dollar view at the Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont, the award winning restaurant remains one of the cities best and so we thought it’d…

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Travel Diaries: Spending 24 Hours in the Montreal Summer

It’s July. The sun is beaming down on the streets of Montreal and the city is making good on its promise of beauty. A green hill sits in the distance of a city that parades itself as three complementary identities. As a city of business, like any other, skyscrapers loom and threaten to shade you…

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Kiyomi – Broadbeach (Gold Coast)

Gold Coast’s Jupiters is in the midst of a $345 million dollar refurbishment, aimed at completely revitalising the impressive building from the endearingly simple pool area to the in-house dining scene. I was kindly flown up there to check out the two starry restaurants that have opened due to the transformation, the first of which…

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Flight Review: Southwest Airlines – Los Angeles to San Antonio (WN3124)

We continue our Flight Review series, this time back in the USA on our way to Texas for SXSW. Instead of flying directly to Austin, I flew in via San Antonio – about 90 minutes drive from Austin – to bring you a run of coverage that you’ll be seeing online soon. Flying Southwest to…

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The Theme Park Traveller: Hong Kong Disneyland

Disneyland Hong Kong is the iconic brand’s second home in Asia, after launching its Tokyo location back in 1983. It’s also the Disney Theme Park that’s geographically closest to Australia – and with the park originally opening in September 2005, that means that this year they will be celebrating their 10th Birthday! I had the…

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The best ways to get to Toronto, Canada from Australia (and a few travellers tips for your arrival)

This May, the annual music festival and conference Canadian Music Week will be opening its doors to the world, shining a spotlight on Australia and New Zealand, bringing with it dozens of bands and delegates from our countries up to the great city of Toronto. Why not come and join us? Over the next two…

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Tour Diary: Lenka returns to her fourth SXSW in Austin, Texas

Head to Texas for her fourth SXSW, Lenka has brought us back a tour diary of her return to the massive event, which was full of birthday celebrations, delayed flights and a brief few days in LA for rehearsals and Pho. Day One: Arrive in Los Angeles for rehearsals with my LA-based band, (who I’ve…

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F&L News: Michelin Star Restaurant Tim Ho Wan Set To Open This Weekend

Famous for their mouth-watering delicacies carefully crafted by top chefs around the world, dim sum chain Tim Ho Wan are set to open their first Australian outlet on Saturday March 28.

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Eating with the AU: Taste of Sydney 2015 – Centennial Parklands

Not even sporadic torrents of rain on Friday night could deter the most eager food enthusiasts flocking to the heart of picturesque Centennial Parklands for a chance to dine, shop and learn from a selection of Sydney’s finest culinary innovators, as part of the annual Taste of Sydney premium food and drink festival. A comfortably spaced array of restaurant…

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F&L News: The Q Station’s Boilerhouse Restaurant Announces Inaugural Autumn Harvest Dinner (Sydney)

In celebration of the new season and a new menu designed to showcase the best of autumn produce, Q Station’s Boilerhouse Harbourside Restaurant has announced dates and details for their inaugural Autumn Harvest Dinner.

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F&L News: Biggest Agave conference in Southern Hemisphere hits Sydney for two days, celebrating Tequila & Mezcal

Next weekend will see Sydney host the biggest Agave conference in the Southern Hemisphere. The two day conference aims to be a networking event between growers, producers, bartenders, spirit professionals, regulatory councils and, of course, enthusiasts alike.

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Travel News: Victoria’s Yarra Valley Gains a New Luxury Spa and Bathhouse

Hidden away in the beautiful Yarra Valley is Victoria’s latest gem – Spa de Marrakech. The all new Moroccan Spa and Roman Bathhouse retreat has recently opened its doors and aims to provide an authentic Moroccan beauty experience that is as nourishing as it is opulent.

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F&L News: Australian Turf Club Launches Star-studded Autumn Racing Program

Autumn racing has never been so glamorous, with the Australian Turf Club launching their Sydney Racing program for 2015. The eight week program will see world-class racing and social activities from Saturday February 28 to Saturday April 18, including two premier racing events the Golden Slipper Carnival and The Championships.

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