Hold onto your hats, New Yorkers— you’ve watched it on TV and now Netflix’s smash hit show Squid Game has arrived in the city. Only this time, you’re not just bingeing the series, you’re in for an experience that’ll leave you questioning your life choices (and survival instincts).
This game is all about the battle of wits, ultimate strategy, and, let’s be real, who can keep their shit together under immense pressure while wearing a red jumpsuit. There’s five thrilling games to try your luck at; some you’ll recognise straight from the show (Red Light Green Light, anyone?), and some that have been made especially for the experience.
But this isn’t some backyard production, Netflix has thrown some serious cash behind it. Everywhere you look, there’s iconic environments, set recreations and familiar characters from the show that’ll make you feel as though you’ve fallen straight through your TV screen.
You can’t even try to fool the infamous Front Man since the experience boasts advanced tech – think a custom real-time ranking mechanism feeding data directly to an innovative leaderboard – that’s designed to separate the winners from the losers.
Regardless of whether you’re on cloud nine or if your ego’s a little bruised, all that gaming works up an appetite. So, settle in for a feast at the neon-drenched Korean Night Market and wash every tasty bite down with a soju-infused cocktail.
And hey, if you fail spectacularly the first time ‘round, it only costs AU$45 to go again.
If it wasn’t for the crippling fear of climate change and the fastly rising cost of living, we’d probably all want to live forever. Or at least live long enough to make it to the big one zero zero. But we don’t get given the chance to decide…’til now.
ZEM Wellness Clinic in Altea, Spain is now offering guests a programme that’s specifically designed to ensure people live to see their 120th birthday. For most of us, that’s a whopping 35 more years on this planet. Like, we’re mentally trying to calculate how much longer we’d have to work to make sure we’d have enough superannuation (we wouldn’t).
Opening later this month, the high-tech clinic will combine AI-powered health monitoring and Mediterranean longevity principles to offer guests 32 different medical practices across 25 specialties.
It kinda sounds like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo to us, but the clinic’s committed to using an integrated tracking system that connects medical, nutrition, and lifestyle data in real-time, so you can see just how healthy you’re getting after each treatment.
And don’t worry, you’re not being treated by any old Tom, Dick or Harry. The clinic has a team of doctors, therapists, psychologists and nutritionists at their disposal, ensuring each guest receives the highest level of care and personalisation.
Buckle up, little Earthlings, because Las Vegas just bought its one-way ticket out of this world. No, we’re not talking about Elon Musk’s newest space creation, we’re talking about Interstellar Arc; the city’s shiny new immersive space attraction where you can live out your astronaut fantasy without the terrifying rocket launch or questionable freeze-dried bangers and mash.
But what exactly is it? Well, no one really knows yet, but it will transport visitors on a futuristic space fiction experience – think an epic 26th-century space mission across the far reaches of the universe. It’s also made by Emmy award-winning creators Felix & Paul Studios (the pair who brought you Space Explorers), so you know it’s going to be good.
While the details are scarce (we do know it’ll be located in a completely custom-built 20,000 square foot venue at AREA15), Interstellar Arc was created to satisfy our collective obsession with space, curiosity, and escapism. And let’s face it: pretending to save the universe is a solid upgrade from waiting in a buffet line at one of Las Vegas’ overpriced casinos.
The only downside? You’ll have to wait a while, this experience isn’t set to open its doors until autumn 2025. Which is a shame because we can’t bloody wait, but that does give us enough time to brush up one our astronaut lingo, so we’re not really complaining.
Hold onto your pounamu necklaces, folks—travel experts New Zealand In Depth has just dropped a Māori culture programme that’ll make your standard guided tour feel like watching paint dry. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s a crash course in mana (spiritual power), tikanga (customs), and kai (delicious food).
They’re offering guests the chance to fully immerse themselves into the spirit and culture of the Indigenous people of New Zealand on a 12 day itinerary featuring a tribal homestay where you’ll learn to weave, carve and cook a hangi feast (and if you ask nicely, your hosts might teach you the Hakka).
But wait, there’s more. Take a dip into the bubbling hot pools of Rotorua for a geothermal bathing experience straight out of Middle-earth. Trek through the lush wilderness on Kapiti Island and spot kiwi birds when night falls. Join an Ancestral Footprints Cultural Tour and explore former Maori settlements. Wake up at the crack of dawn for a unique sunrise experience at Maunga Hikurangi (the Ngati Porou people’s sacred mountain). And that’s not even all of it.
We can promise you’ve never travelled New Zealand like this. This isn’t just travel; it’s a soulful connection to the country’s indigenous heart. But be warned, your next holiday’s going to feel boring in comparison.
Say goodbye to 2024 and howdy to 2025 in the wildest way possible – by having a night at the museum, New Year’s Eve style. That’s right, London’s Natural History Museum is opening its doors on the 31st of December for an epic soiree to remember (or forget, depending on how many drinks you guzzle).
Forget the usual packed clubs and overpriced cocktails—this party is set to take you back in time. You’ll get to boogie under the watchful eyes of giant dinosaur skeletons as the clock ticks toward midnight, transporting you into a world where history isn’t just something in dusty library books – it’s your dance partner.
But there’s no chance of falling asleep or getting bored here (unlike your classes in high school), with live music from Old Dirty Brasstards (what a great name) blasting through the museum and a DJ spinning tracks so sick they’ll convince even the most uncoordinated to bust a move. There’ll even be a silent disco in the atmospheric Earth Hall; think of it as a prehistoric rave but with better lighting and fewer sabre-tooth tigers.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you’ll also be able to explore the museum’s exhibits and join interactive sessions with expert animal handlers. Or stare at one of several jaw-dropping acts wandering around the party. Or try and sneak your way into the VIP area (we’ve heard they have their own private bar and exclusive entertainment).
Tickets might be on the expenny side (AU$250), but how can you put a price on fun like that? The answer? You can’t.
Image credit: Trustees of the Natural History Museum
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.
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.
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