Travel & Lifestyle

Guide to Dutchess County, NY: Exploring the treasures (and Paul Rudd’s treats) hidden along the Hudson River

Towards the end of last year, as the leaves on the trees of New York were filling up the gutters, and the sights of Halloween peppered the sidewalks of small towns, I ventured north of NYC for the first time ever to the beautiful Hudson Valley Region. It’s a place so beautiful, and filled with…

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Flight Review: Island hopping with Hawaiian Airlines – Kona (KOA) to Maui (OGG) to Honolulu (HNL)

The islands of Hawaii are home to no less than 8 airports across 6 islands, with Hawaiian Airlines offering more than 170 daily flights between 5 of those island destinations. From north to south, they fly between – Lihue (LIH) in Kauai, Honolulu (HNL) in Oahu, Kahului (OGG) in Maui, and both Kona (KOA) and…

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Colourful cocktails arranged on a bar.

Underground Spirits Australia set to launch their new Coronation Gin

Underground Spirits Australia announced the launch of their limited-edition Coronation Gin during a cocktail event in honour of World Caramel Day. With notes of sweet orange, maple syrup and coconut, among others, this intricately crafted gin adopts flavours from across the Commonwealth countries. The Coronation Gin will be officially unveiled at the 2023 Sydney Royal Easter…

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Know before you go: 7 tips that will make you a Walt Disney World pro

Before you head on your next holiday to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, take heed of these 7 hot tips that will help make you a pro, as you embark on your voyage to the theme park destination of the world. 1. If you’re staying at an on site hotel, you may get early…

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Is Genie+ worth it at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida? Is TRON Included?

Last year, I reported on the value of the Genie+ system at Disneyland in California. It’s an optional add on that gives you access to “Lightning Lanes” on select rides at both the OG Disneyland park and the neighbouring California Adventure, helping you skip many queues that you may face on a day at the…

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Ranked: The 10 Best Rides (for adults) at Walt Disney World (before Tron arrives)

Ahead of the arrival of the highly anticipated roller coaster TRON Lightcycle / Run, on April 4th (tomorrow!), we’re counting down the 10 best rides (for adults) at the four Disney theme parks in Orlando, Florida. We do have to start out with an honourable mention to Splash Mountain, which would have originally made this list,…

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Ascending the SUMMIT: The sky high experience (and bar!) no New York trip should be without

If you haven’t travelled to the city since the pandemic, you may have not yet heard of New York’s newest observation deck. Nonetheless, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, set in the city’s fourth tallest building, right next to Grand Central Station, saw some 1.4 million visitors walk through its doors in the year following its grand opening…

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Go City or CityPASS: Which sightseeing pass should you get in New York City?

When travelling to a new city, you’ll often find bundle ticket offers that help tourists visit many of the main attractions in that region for a discounted rate. These sightseeing passes can be great ways to save money, and even visit some attractions you may not have considered otherwise. In recent trips to the Big…

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Dining Destinations: Huihui (Maui, Hawaii) – Kā’anapali Beach Hotel’s beachfront restaurant

In our new series “Dining Destinations”, we take you to some of the best and most unique dining experiences you’ll find around the world. We start in Hawai’i, on the island of Maui, where over the pandemic an inspired new restaurant popped up at one of the region’s most iconic hotels, fusing Hawaiian flavours with…

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A Cheat Sheet to Unzen, Japan’s Oldest National Park

Unzen Amakusa National Park is Japan’s oldest national park. While its legacy has had far-reaching international influence, the park still feels like one of Japan’s best-kept local secrets. At the middle of it all is Unzen Onsen, an onsen town home to a landscape of rugged hiking trails, steaming volcanoes, lush forests, and some of…

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Herb & Chilli Festival heats up the Yarra Valley

This weekend in the Yarra Valley, hot heads and green thumbs alike swarmed to the aptly named Lovely Nursery for the 11th Herb & Chilli Festival. Featuring over 80 stalls, live cooking shows, hot wings, fresh chillies and chilli chocolate chip cookie eating contests, and a whole host of fresh herb and chilli plants to…

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Mary’s & Southern Comfort are throwing a massive glow-in-the-dark party in Bondi this month

When was the last time you played glow-in-the-dark golf? Never? Me too. Yet that’s exactly the type of niche Southern Comfort and Birds of Condor are getting at with a huge event in Bondi this month. With Mary’s Burgers along for the ride, there’s a glow-in-the-dark party being planned for Thursday 30th March at the…

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Photo Gallery: Pride March – Sydney WorldPride 2023

Over 50,000 people walked across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge today for the Pride March, on the final day of the World Pride festival. It was a beautiful day, as the LGBTQIA+ community celebrated with brightly coloured outfits and good humour. It was a celebration of the progress which has been made by the LGBTQIA+…

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Is the Power-Up Band at Super Nintendo World worth it?

After much anticipation, Super Nintendo World finally opened its doors at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday. With it comes a brand new, state-of-the-art Mario Kart ride, Toad’s impressively themed (and delicious) restaurant and an interactive land full of secrets, keys and coins. And to lay claim to many of those secrets (and coins), you’ve first…

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Flight Review: United Airlines’ longest route – Sydney to Houston, Texas on the 787 Dreamliner

With a distance of 13,834 km (8,596 mi), one of the latest routes to return to our skies over the Pacific Ocean is also United Airlines’ longest* – Sydney to Houston. The service, which is just under 16 hours from Sydney (UA100), and 17 and a half hours to get back (UA101), initially debuted in…

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First Ride: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is a technical marvel that will thrill fans of the game

Today, Mario Kart officially arrives in Hollywood with the opening of the highly anticipated Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios. It’s the first time Nintendo have opened an interactive park in the United States, and comes two years (almost to the day) after Universal debuted their collaborative themed land at their Osaka, Japan location. While the…

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Super Nintendo World opens in Hollywood: 5 things you have to know before you go

On Wednesday night, Hollywood celebrities and Nintendo royalty (including the father of Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto) helped launch the long awaited Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, ahead of doors officially opening to the public today (Friday, February 17th). It’s a land that was described at the opening event as being “rich with interactivity, inventive…

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How many days should you spend at Walt Disney World?

Occupying more than 25,000 acres in Orlando, the footprint of Walt Disney World – Disney’s first park outside of California, opening in 1971 – is the largest dedicated to any theme park in the world. And 50 years later (the celebrations of which conclude on 31st March), still only half of that land is being…

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Ooni Koda 12 Review: The pizza oven you’ve always wanted is finally here

There are very few things quite as satisfying as pulling a fresh pizza out of the oven and taking a second to admire your handy work. You’ve put toppings on dough, spread evenly, and melted everything into one another to create what is easily one of the greatest food creations in history. There’s one problem…

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QT hotels around Australia are putting the focus on throuples this Valentine’s Day

In modern dating culture, anyone would be lucky enough to even have one valentine to spend February 14 with. Got two? Count your blessings, because QT Hotels & Resorts are doing something rather unique to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year and it involves you, plus two. Instead of encouraging couples to come in for an…

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You can now sit in the cockpit of a retired British Airlines Concorde in New York City

One of the most recent attractions to open its doors at the Intrepid Air & Space Museum on the waters of Manhattan in New York City, is an updated experience for one of the 20 Concorde jets built in the 70s and retired in 2003. The British Airways jet – a record breaking Concorde Alpha…

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Universal Studios reveals new micro parks and Super Nintendo World Hollywood details

It’s been a busy few years for Universal Studios, as the theme park side of the company (Universal Parks & Resorts) continues to expand the size and scope of operations. Once just a backlot tour in Hollywood, Universal Parks can now be found in 5 cities around the world, with their latest Beijing location opening…

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Flight Review: Jetstar’s International Economy on the 787 Dreamliner – Honolulu to Melbourne (JQ2)

As part of their long haul fleet, Jetstar have the distinction of being the only budget carrier that takes Australian passengers directly to the USA. The airline travels a few times a week between Melbourne, VIC or Sydney, NSW and Honolulu, offering an affordable alternative to its competition, as well as being the only airline…

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10 of the Most Immersive Experiences in America

From Disneyland in California to Broadway in New York, America has long catered to those looking for an immersive experience, and few do it better. Here’s just ten of my favourite places to visit in the U.S.A. when looking to escape reality; immersing yourself in art, music, scenery, cowboys (you’ll see what I mean) and…

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Super Nintendo World confirms Universal Studios Hollywood opening date

This week, Universal Studios Hollywood confirmed the opening date of their highly-anticipated new land, Super Nintendo World. It’s the second Nintendo themed land in the world, and the first in the US since the debut Osaka location opened as part of Universal Studios Japan in early 2021. Entering in the lower section of the park…

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Kiin is the newest Asian restaurant in the heart of Adelaide

Kiin is a new modern-Asian style restaurant that has just opened in the heart of Adelaide. The name is Thai for “eat” and is the creation of Ben Bertei and David Wickwar, who have over fifty years of hospitality experience between them. Located at the front of the Arts Theatre in Angus Street, Kiin Bar…

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Sydney’s BRAND NEW summer hot spot La Bottega Leichhardt is here

We visited Sydney’s new Italian café La Bottega to check out the vibe and the food. Tucked away down busy Norton Street, it has a friendly inviting feel. Colourful umbrellas give some cool shade to the outdoor tables, while the open glass doors make the indoor space feel part of the outdoors. The menu has…

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Exploring Denver’s RiNo Art District: How to spend the day, and where to stay the night

An easy trip from Denver’s International Airport on the A Train, and minutes from Union Station, Denver’s River North Art District – known as RiNo – was established in 2005 and sits as part of the city’s ever growing Five Points neighbourhood. There’s a lot to love about the vibrancy of the district, but one…

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Five new(ish) things you’ve got to do in New York City’s Times Square

There’s always something new to experience in New York’s Times Square. And this year has been no exception, with new museums, hotels and Broadway shows opening every month. So what are some of the best new(ish) things to do in the heart of the Big Apple? I headed over earlier this month to get a…

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Mickey’s Toontown gets a re-opening date as Disney celebrates “100 Years of Wonder” in California

When Mickey’s Toontown opened in 1993 at Disneyland in California, it was the first major expansion to the park since Bear Country (now called Critter Country with Splash Mountain as its centrepiece) in 1972. The inspired design of the land, and the rides that would make their way into the space, brought in elements from…

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