They already have the Harbour Bridge. They’ve got the Opera House. And now, from Feb 2025, Sydney’s beefing up its impressive touristic lineup with The EVE Hotel (lucky ducks).
It’ll be located in the heart of the city, convenient for when you’ve gorged yourself on wood-fired bread and drank too many Neapolitan Sours from Totti’s, and will showcase a bold new vision of boutique luxury thanks to its makeup of art, culture and culinary experience.
This place has it all – think vaulted ceilings, curated interiors, immersive art installations, rooftop gardens, a 20-metre rooftop pool and a mouthwatering restaurant with views overlooking the trendy suburbs of Surrey Hills and Redfern.
It might seem like you’ll have to sell both kidneys to stay here, but the sales team are doing each and every one of us a solid by celebrating the hotel’s opening with a specially designed package.
The package will include one night’s stay in your room of choice (presidential suite, here we come!), a signature cocktail at Bar Julius and a bespoke take-home gift you can’t get anywhere else, starting from AU$519. For Sydney?! That’s a bargain in today’s hotel economy.
But let’s back it right up because Bar Julius won’t just be The EVE’s hotel bar, it’ll be the trendiest watering hole in the whole city (you heard it here first). It boasts an all-day dining concept, food bursting with fresh and bold flavours, dynamic interiors and a cocktail menu filled with ‘Crystal Mimosas’ (served tableside) and ‘Bar Julius Negronis’.
Kicking off the new year in a new way sounds pretty good right about now.
Always wanted to explore the Scottish Highlands but never had a reason to actually book the flight? Maybe Guided by Nature’s 10-day Highlights of Scotland tour – a.k.a not your run-of-the-mill, “look out the bus window now” type of tour – will be the thing that finally sways you.
You’ll explore Scotland in its purest, muddiest, most breathtaking form. In other words, you’ll lace up for not one, not two, but three of the country’s most prestigious trails. So, pack your hiking boots, a serious sense of adventure and maybe a kilt (optional but very much encouraged).
First up on the itinerary is the legendary Fife Coastal Path, where thundering waves, pebbled beaches, rocky shores, rural farmland and craggy cliffs straight off a postcard do a damn good job of reminding you that Mother Nature is the ultimate show-off.
There’s also a bit of trekking to be done along the Speyside Way, 16km to be exact. But if you think about it: every step you take in those 4-5 hours is a step closer to arriving in whisky country. Which is a welcome distraction when you think you can’t possibly look at any more spectacular views (or take any more weirdly-better-than-your-professional-camera iPhone photos).
Now you’ve arrived at the main event: a visit to a proper whisky distillery. Sip on Scotland’s liquid gold, toast to your new hiking pals, and savour the warm, smoky goodness while reminiscing on the incredible memories you’ve made together over the journey because, by day 10, you’ll have earned those blisters, all the bragging rights, and the knowledge that you’ve truly *done* Scotland.
Ready to add some *wow* to your whale watching? We recently covered Majestic Whale Encounters 2025 lineup, but even we couldn’t predict the level these legends would take it to in 2026.
Yes, they’re a little eager, but when you’re sitting on a tour as cool as the 7-day Baja Orcas and Mobulas expedition, we understand the impatience. And it is cool. Like, grab-your-sunnies cool because this tour is going to be bright, bold and totally unforgettable.
Imagine cruising the waters of the Sea of Cortez, where you’ll come face to face with the ocean’s most badass predators – orcas. These aren’t your average flippered friends; these orcas are as wild as they come, putting on a show that’ll have you questioning why Majestic Whale Encounters didn’t have this expedition in their lineup sooner. You might even witness a pod teaming up for an epic hunt (nature’s version of a high-speed chase).
You’ll also search for seals, playful dolphin pods, turtles, false killer whales, whale sharks, big eye jacks (which are nothing to be sneezed at) and graceful mobulas, leaping out of the water in unison. And you’ll get to swim with them too.
Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeller or a first-timer, the clear waters off California’s coast will put you right at ease and you’ll be able to see these mesmerising beauties use their wings to glide together like they’re in a synchronised dance troupe.
You’ll do it all while enjoying the creature comforts that come with staying on a 116-foot expedition yacht, the ‘Galant Lady’. Say no more fam.
Sick of staring at spectacular scenery like a typical tourist? Dive into Kangaroo Island’s cultural deep end by embracing the ancient stories of its First Nations people with SeaLink’s new Indigenous tour.
This unique experience has been created in partnership with recently inducted South Australian Hall of Famer, Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie (founder of Kool Tours) and blends the island’s cultural history with its modern history through interactive storytelling and personal perspectives.
Mark knows his stuff – he’s basically a walking, talking encyclopaedia of island lore—so you’ll get the chance to discover sacred sites, learn about native bush foods and hear creation stories that have been passed down through the generations.
Spoiler alert: you won’t get to throw a boomerang or hear a didgeridoo. But you will participate in a smoking ceremony and get your steps in with a bushwalk in Penneshaw, exploring the island’s plants and animals and discovering how the locals used them for food and medicine (and everything in between).
This isn’t just a tour, it’s a fascinating peek into a world that’s as beautiful as it is resourceful – one that’s largely been unheard of. Until now.
By the end of the day, you’ll not only have a deeper connection to Kangaroo Island, but you’ll also have a new understanding of just how this breathtaking island came to be and how long it’s been used, loved, lived on, and treasured, explained to you by the people who know it better than anyone. Sign us the hell up.
Mafia Island, off the south coast of Zanzibar in East Africa, conjures images of men in black suits with brown paper bags and guns walking up and down beaches. But fear not, there are no guns here; just stunning lagoons, a tropical climate, and a penchant for sleeping in trees.
Each tree house at Chole Minji took between six months and a year to complete, because they were built completely by hand, using traditional tools and materials sourced only from traders who were living there. The word unique is thrown around pretty loosely these days, but there is a level of dedication that has gone into making these treehouses that makes them literally impossible to replicate.
Sandy paths lead to houses built into and around ancient Boab and Tamarind trees, all with views of mangrove-lined shorelines. The only way to get closer to nature is probably a Greenpeace protest.
Forget the socks and the Christmas trinkets no one wants – this year, why not gift the beach lovers, thalassophiles and wannabe mermaids in your life a piece of the ocean? And no, we don’t mean getting a really nice jar, putting some salty water in it and placing it under the tree.
With Coral Gardeners you can actually adopt a baby piece of coral on behalf of your loved one, which they’ll plant in a reef that needs a little tlc, helping to preserve the world’s beautiful marine ecosystems.
Coral gardening might sound like something straight out of Moana, but it’s actually a fantastic and eco-friendly way to restore reef systems that have been damaged. By gifting a piece of coral, you’re not just wrapping up a little bit of nature (not literally), but you’re also giving our favourite reefs a real chance to survive.
And you can choose which coral species you want to adopt. There’s Pocillopora Meandrina, an iconic Fijian species that’s also known as cauliflower coral. Or Pocillopora Verrucosa, a raspy coral that’s native to Mo’orea Island. Or Montipora Grisea, an encrusting species of coral that’ll spread over the reef’s surface to help bind it together.
Your loved one can even track their baby bit of coral and watch as it grows thanks to regular updates and plenty of images. This isn’t some ordinary stocking stuffer, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Has your best friend/partner/sibling/parent ever turned to you and said ‘Gee, I wonder what it feels like to defy gravity’? Yes, it’s a pretty niche statement but everyone’s thought about it for a split second, especially after watching Interstellar.
Well, if you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas and don’t fancy hunting around Metropolis for Superman’s cape or buying a jetpack, Zero’G’s zero-gravity flight experience might be the way to go.
You get strapped into a plane, and while you don’t have a boarding pass or 7kg of luggage to stuff into an overhead compartment, you are about to embark on a wild ride through the skies – sans destination.
Before you know it, you’ll be weightless: flipping, somersaulting and floating through the air like you’re Mathew McConaughey and you’ve just realised gravity is only a suggestion.
But how can this happen!? Zero-G’s specially designed plane mimics the sensation of being in space by performing parabolic arcs (don’t ask us to explain that because we can’t). Each arc creates a few seconds of pure free-fall, where you can tumble through the cabin while attempting your best Neil Armstrong impression.
The best part? You don’t need any prior astronaut experience. The worst part? It costs a bomb. One seat on this plane is gonna set you back around US$10,000 – you could literally gift your loved one 20 cheap flights to Southeast Asia with that kinda cash.
But, if you’re in the mood to splash it, this is a pretty sick option.
Hold onto your caps and cork hats, folks, because everyone’s favourite small-group tour operator Intrepid Travel, has joined forces with Lucinda Light (remember her from season 11 of MAFs?) to lead an ‘everyone’s welcome’ trip to tropical Far North Queensland.
If this seems like a weird collab, then it’s not. Lucinda was an Intrepid tour leader back in the day and is now reprising her role for this exclusive, 7-day trip so that people can experience a transformative journey through the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.
It’s essentially Intrepid’s Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure with a light-soaked twist. Leave your office chair behind to swim under waterfalls, dodge cassowaries (just kidding, they’re not that scary), and bask in the kind of natural beauty that’ll have you questioning whether you can’t just stay in Queensland indefinitely.
Not only will your body relish time spent in the sun, but this Aussie adventure will have your soul doing cartwheels – think guided earthing sessions and immersive discussions on emotional intelligence and wellness, all designed to invite calm reflection and inner exploration.
And Lucinda will be there every step of the way to share her expert knowledge of the iconic destinations and help cultivate a connection between you and your fellow travellers, all while cracking jokes and making you laugh so hard you’ll forget you’re covered in mosquito repellent.
We’ll swap our routine for self-rejuvenation any day. Sign us up.
We reckon nothing tastes stronger than a cocktail with a side of conscience and lucky for everyone, the geniuses over at FCC Angkor by Avani and Herbal Kulen Gin have come up with a bottle that’s as good for the planet as it is for your palette.
It’s at Scribe Bar, a place where you can easily embark on a sensory journey while also immersing yourself in the rich, diverse and downright mouthwatering flavours of Cambodia.
But Herbal Kulen Gin is no ordinary gin. Crafted by the eco-visionary Unn “Pari” Sophary, this planet-saving spirit will only be produced in a small batch (we hear that, and we think exclusive) and offers sippers the chance to taste the soul of Cambodia – think lemongrass and citronella.
You might be thinking, ‘But where does sustainability come into this?’ and we’re so glad you asked. Pari has a deep commitment to reforesting the land at the foot of the Kulen Mountains, and so this special gin pays homage to the country’s vibrant ecosystem and sustainable practices. And now you get to taste that commitment in every cocktail at Scribe.
Try the Cambodian Negroni – a spicy, citrusy twist on the classic – or wet your lips with an Apsara Sour full of regional botanicals such as butterfly pea tea, lemongrass syrup and lime juice. No matter what drink you choose, this collaboration gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘responsible drinking’. We’ll cheers to that.
Get ready to elevate your nights in Bangkok – literally. The newest, coolest, and one of the highest (26 floors high to be exact) rooftop bars is almost here and we simply can’t wait for its private lift doors to open in mid November.
SIN, perched atop the Avani + Riverside Bangkok Hotel, is a place where mischief meets a little magic, serving up jaw dropping 360-degree views of the pulsating city’s sparkling skyline and the nearby Chao Phraya River. But this isn’t your average rooftop lounge.
The vibe at SIN is equal parts glitz and grit with neon-lit corners, plush seating and an aesthetic that influencers will surely lust after. And we haven’t even mentioned the cocktails yet, although we’re sure they’ll end up on more than one said influencer’s Instagram feed.
Every cocktail is a masterpiece and has been expertly crafted by award-winning mixologist, Brian Gonzalez Fernandez. Forget espresso martinis and spicy margs, SIN promises alcoholic beverages inspired by themes of sin (go figure) and desire with a Thai twist.
Embracing your cravings is easy when you have a choice of 10 signature cocktails including ‘Forbidden Nectar’, a bourbon caramel delight, and the ‘Kiss of Euphoria’, a crafty concoction combining tequila with kiwi and Cointreau. And let’s not forget the curated menu of light, contemporary bites to ensure the drinks go down way easier than they should – think oysters served with wasabi mayonnaise and wagyu beef tartare.
But there’s a cherry on top (if you still have room). The bar will also play host to a number of regional and international DJs including British DJ of Thai descent, Tek Harrington, and techno mastermind, Sunday Sundae, to keep the place buzzing until the early hours. Bangkok’s really showing the world how to do rooftop bars properly with this one.
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