Because they don’t appear on most travel comparison sites*, a lot of people don’t realise Southwest Airlines offer Island Hopper flights in Hawaii. Nonetheless, having introduced routes across five Hawaiian airports back in 2019, the Dallas based airline provide an competitive alternative to Hawaiian Airlines’ long dominance in the market. Prices are generally comparable to…
It’s recently been announced that Epic Universe will open its portals in Orlando, Florida on 22nd May 2025! And today we have received the first on site photos from the highly anticipated theme park. The first round of tickets sales – with the 2025 Explorer Ticket that’s inclusive of a single day of Epic Universe…
JIMMY has always been my favourite rooftop bar in Manhattan. Despite its location on the west side of Soho, it remains an unpretentious, benevolent beacon for both the self-fashioned influencer types and art nerds that parade regularly parade around Lower Manhattan’s eternally hip and trendy villages. It’s but one of several spaces that makes ModernHaus…
Have you ever dreamed of hiking through misty jungles, towering mountains, and coastal cliffs with endless ocean views? Southeast Asia is a paradise for outdoor lovers, which offers some of the most stunning trails in the world. From Indonesia’s volcanic landscapes to Thailand’s lush forests, there is no shortage of breathtaking scenery. If you’re an…
The marginal comforts of Economy are clearly no longer enough for the modern traveller. And those who can’t afford the substantial jump in price required for the pointy end are increasingly seeing the value in Premium Economy. Yet it seems like Premium Economy seats are getting even more expensive, a natural knock-on effect from increased…
In travel writing, the word “hack” is thrown around so often that it’s become a meaningless nonsense phrase, like “literally,” “narcissist,” and “we should totally start a podcast.” Shortcuts made to improve certain bugbears of the travel experience are well-documented, and just about every self-fashioned influencer and their TikTok account claim to hold the key…
When it comes to air travel, one of the few markets that would be comparable to Australia would be Canada. They have one national carrier (“Air Canada” being their “Qantas”), who are the only Canadian carrier to travel to and from Australia, with two main domestic airlines for competition. There’s Porter, who followed a similar…
With direct flights into Hawaii – at least from Australia – only taking you to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, many guests to the closest American State to our country don’t take the opportunity to explore the surrounding islands. Or at least don’t go further than Maui. In fact, it took me more than…
It was revealed today at SXSW that the creators of some of the world’s best immersive art experiences, Meow Wolf, are readying their seventh permanent location in the USA – New York City. The news comes less than a year after they revealed that a Los Angeles location would open in a movie theatre in…
Download Festival, acknowledged as the UK’s Premier Rock Festival, has dropped an incredible lineup for 2025. Amongst those in the latest release is Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn. The festival showcases the best of rock and metal music at Donnington Park in Leicestershire, England, and will be held this year from the 13th to…
As someone who has written about hotels for more than a decade now, I stumble when asked what my favourites are. Forestis in The Dolomites is a singular experience and easily one of the most unforgettable stays in the world. The Baccarat New York is pure indulgence, and its bar has some of the finest…
Travelling is an experience. Travelling well is an art. The popularity and time-honoured importance of “travel hacks” are well-documented in the age of social media. Just about everyone is scrambling for ways to make their holiday feel more like a holiday and less like a task. Just open TikTok or Instagram and you’ll meet a…
Wandin is about to turn up the heat with the 2025 Herb + Chilli Festival returning with a fresh lineup of flavours and fun. Set in beautiful Wandin, the two-day festival runs from March 15th to 16th and promises a mouth-tingling experience for every chilli lover. It offers spicy competitions, innovative food offerings, and nonstop…
Even when we don’t consider the frustrating AUD to USD exchange rate, New York City ain’t cheap. But when Qantas’ direct flight from Sydney to New York set to launch next year, the city will have never been more accessible for Australian tourists. So you’re going to have even more reason to make the trip…
The Adelaide Fringe is a hotbed of creativity, with artists and audiences from all over the world joining forces for an unrestrained orgy of imagination and innovation. But even the most dedicated festival-goers need some more literal sustenance. Fortunately, the Fringe also offers a broad range of culinary delights to satisfy every taste. Here’s what…
Every year, Universal Studios theme parks in the US, Japan and Singapore celebrate the Halloween season with Halloween Horror Nights. Across these nights, guests explore specially themed haunted houses – often around particular Universal IP – and get to stay in the park up late, with additional horror theming across its existing attractions. With the haunted…
Since 1973, iconic Hollywood studio Warner Bros. have been offering some form of a backlot tour to the general public. When it launched, tickets cost $3, and education about film and life on the set was the name of the game; a point of difference from the “ride the movies” approach of the iconic Universal…
While we travelled around Hawaii this past December, we took in so many breathtaking sites, sounds and tastes; we truly fell in love with the island and its culture. This led to us wanting to deepen our understanding of Hawaii and its neighbouring Pacific islands. By fully immersing ourselves at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we…
Visiting New York City is expensive, and it doesn’t look like prices will be dropping anytime soon. Food? Sure. You can eat well in New York City on a budget. If you’re staying in Manhattan, walk over to Adele’s Famous Halal Truck on the Avenue of the Americas for one of the best value meals…
Towards the end of last year, I had the privilege of staying at the much lauded TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in Queens, New York City. Opening in May 2019 (in fact, I was there for that!), the hotel brings together a 1960s aesthetic with modern comforts and charm. Within its walls they have engineered…
I always love visiting Seattle. Between the endless culinary delights of Pike Place Market, the stacked cellar doors in Woodinville and the restorative Pacific Northwest climate, few places in the USA can charm with such gentleness and generosity of spirit. It’s not America’s most frenetic city, but it’s easily one of the most livable with…
It was my first bison and bacon burger, eaten outdoors in the gentle Pacific Northwest breeze, when I realised that Vancouver’s food scene was different. There’s great pride of provenance in British Columbia. The city’s chefs have the good sense to play to the region’s natural strengths. And from the land to the sea, this…
Set to open up in Orlando on 22nd May 2025, Epic Universe is the most hotly anticipated new theme park in decades. The third gate for the Universal Orlando Resort will be themed around a number of IPs, including Nintendo, Harry Potter and How To Train Your Dragon. And today we got out first look…
Few (big) cities worldwide are as lovingly cradled by nature as Vancouver. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the snowy peaks of the Coast Mountains, the biggest and most diverse city in British Columbia perfectly fits the bill for both outdoor adventure and urban excitement. There’s world-class art (one of my favourite museums in the…
With LA 2028, the Los Angeles Olympics, just over three years away, the city is busy preparing for the influx of tourists with new infrastructure and entertainment options for visitors and residents alike. This is happening in tandem to clean up efforts, following the devastation of the wildfires last month. So we firstly want to…
Last week, we sat down with Cirque performer Anna Ivaseva, who detailed the experience of bringing her Water Bowl act to Hawaii for the new Cirque du Soleil production ‘Auana. Today we are sitting down with the show’s Director, Neil Dorward. Neil is no stranger to Australian shores, having directed a number of shows that…
Stepping into Puri Tempo Doeloe felt like entering a different world – a quiet, beautiful retreat tucked away in the heart of Sanur, Bali. This isn’t just any hotel. It’s a place that feels more like a hidden treasure. A space that makes you slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy being in the…
Around 800 cherry blossom trees wither over the water in the hip, canal-centric neighbourhood of Nakameguro in Tokyo; their spines ain’t what they used to be. From mid-to-late March, the canal is dressed as its festive best, the cherry blossom trees shedding over the narrow 3.8-km stretch, floating in the water to create a memorable…
While I was in the USA last year I had a few changes to my itinerary. It was ambitious, I was darting from coast to coast to Canada and back again, but not everything was locked in. I spent most of the time in New York City and planned to gradually make my way over…
Villa Avaya, located inside a gated compound in Jimbaran, Bali, may just be one of my new favourite places to stay. A quick walk from Jimbaran Beach, this stunning villa offers the best of both worlds – privacy and seclusion, yet easy access to everything you could want. The villa itself is a true masterpiece,…
