The Air 2S packs the best camera sensors and technology into the smallest, lightest and most compact drone design on the market. Weighing in at a smidge more than a pint of beer (595 grams), this slick-looking drone provides high-end image quality (capable of shooting 20 megapixel photos), as well as 5.4K video and 4K resolution video up to 60 frames per second.
This tiny drone also contains a digital zoom and added obstacle avoidance sensors to help you avoid nasty collisions.
Singapore is firming up as one of the first overseas destinations that Australian’s will be able to visit once travel restrictions ease, and despite the city boasting a heaving population of five million people above ground – there are also adventures underground where you can completely disappear from sight and discover an entirely new side to the city-state
If you’re the type of person that thirsts for lesser-known or unique tours, an adventure trek into the Marsiling Bunkers right on the border with Malaysia involves an adrenaline and claustrophobia-inducing experience that shouldn’t be missed.
This sprawling maze of underground tunnels are tucked deep into the Singaporean jungle and were leftover from British rule during World War II. They were used by the British as fuel storage depots, but were also temporarily occupied by the Japanese until Singapore gained independence.
Beyond Expeditions Singapore now trek guests through the forest to a tiny, hidden porthole, from where they can then descend into an underground tunnel for a full day of exploring.
Trek through ankle-high, mud, tight squeezes and come across thousands of giant tropical geckos. This unique tour will show you a side of Singapore you won’t find anywhere else on the island.
Sun Valley is where skiing learned to ski! Or so the folklore goes. This Idaho skiing mecca for those-in-the-know has never run out of style, or fashion.
Sun Valley was set up in an ideal four-season mountain region of south-central Idaho as the first destination winter resort by the Union Railroad in 1936, for the rich, the famous and the glamorous of Hollywood.
Earnest Hemingway fell in love with the area and finished “For Whom the Bell Tolls” at Sun Valley Lodge and is buried nearby. Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood and too many other golden-era Hollywood names to list, also made this their winter playground. Over the years, its consistent pitch, lack of lift lines and variety of terrain have earned Sun Valley the reputation as one of the world’s finest ski resorts.
For skiers and boarders, Dollar Mountain is a separate learner’s haven, while Bald Mountain (affectionately known as Baldy) satisfies the most dedicated thrill seekers. The first chairlift was in Sun Valley and the resort now boasts the best snow-making facilities in the U.S., so you’re never going to run out of what you came for – great snow!
The lift lines are still non-existent, the day lodges luxe and the ski school legendary for group or individual tuition. The accommodation ranges from the historic western glamour at the ‘grande dame’ of resorts, Sun Valley Lodge, to ultra-chic at Limelight Hotel in the nearby town of Ketchum, or condos, apartments and everything in between.
For non-skiers, there is a huge range of fun experiences to enjoy. From a sleigh ride dinner at historic Trail Cabin in the woods, to ice skating, 40 km of cross-country skiing or hiking trails and exploring the authentic western town of Ketchum, with its bars, restaurants, and craft breweries there is fun a-plenty.
Fly into the local airport at Hailey (SUN) or take the scenic easy road-trip from Idaho’s capital of Boise, a great place to stay and sample one of the best, and fastest growing, cities in the west.
Boise is Idaho’s hip capital city, and one of the USA’s fastest growing towns. It’s the perfect entry point and pre or post stop on your road-trip to explore Idaho’s stunning ski fields.
Boise is a very walkable, green, friendly and safe city to explore with a vibrant downtown, cultural and culinary experiences, unique attractions and access to outdoor recreation. The Boise river runs through the heart of downtown, enhanced by a 25-mile Greenbelt of tree-lined pathways that access the city’s many parks.
The city boasts more than its fair share of locally-owned bars and restaurants, microbreweries and cider houses. It is also the home of the largest Basque community outside Europe and history- visitors can take a guided tour of the Basque museum, try Basque food; pintxos- Spanish style tapas, paella at the Basque Block Market and Deli and if the timing is right, attend the Jaialdi Festival (held only every five years) for full immersion.
A few of the other attractions and must-dos include a visit to the Peregrine Foundation’s Worldwide Center for Birds of Prey, dedicated to the study and preservation of raptors of all kinds. See these rare birds up close and check out the museum collection of the ancient art of falconry.
Craving outdoor exercise? Hike to Table Rock, a 3.7km loop trail just outside Boise for great views of the city, or try Cascade Raft & Kayak on the Payette River for an adrenaline rush.
Get your fill of retail therapy with cool houses in the Hyde Park neighborhood, listed on the National Historic Register or sample one of the many of the city’s first-class spas.
Drink your way through nearby wine country (yes! Idaho has a wine country with amazing wine…and breweries and food!). Boise has been called one of the best places for millennials to live in the U.S. but all visitors of all groups will find its charm and attractions hard to resist.
It’s no surprise that Idaho tops several lists when it comes to river sports. Idaho is home to the most navigable miles (3100) of whitewater in the continental USA. Whatever your skill level or available time, there are miles of adventure to discover on Idaho’s rivers.
The first commercial river rafting trips in the United States were launched in Idaho. Idaho outfitters always have been standard setters for the industry who can advise and take you on whitewater experiences ranging from easy 2-hour floats, one and two-day options for the time poor, to the excitement of a week- long adrenaline-fueled adventure and the wildest of whitewater.
The Salmon river is the most famous river in Idaho, and comprises different sections of the more than 300 miles for different experiences. The Middle Fork Salmon River is a legend in its own right and drops 3000 feet during its 105 mile Idaho rafting journey through Idaho’s remote and spectacular River of No Return Wilderness, the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. It is protected by Congress as one of America’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers and its whitewater rapids are perfect for all ages.
Families with younger children can play on river beaches, explore Indian rock art and pioneer homesteads on specially designed rafting trips.
The Snake river is another Idaho legend where you can try raft-supported hiking trips. Or, immerse yourself in spectacular American grandeur of America’s deepest river gorge on a four or five-day Snake River in Hells Canyon trip. Other options in Idaho include the Bruneau river that carves its way through a remote wilderness of awe-inspiring deep canyons.
Or try an inflatable kayak adventure on one of Idaho’s most remote river trips along the upper reaches of the Owyhee. For those with more experience, the Lochsa River is Idaho’s wildest class IV whitewater run – perfect for experts and thrillseekers.
Japan is one of those destinations that everyone wants to visit but deciding where to start can be overwhelming. Where to begin? Do you explore the high-tech cities, head for the mountains and National Parks, or delve into its fascinating culture and traditions?
This 15 day tour is like the buffet of travel and lets you sample some of Japan’s most popular, and off-the-beaten track destinations including Gifu Prefecture’s vibrant Takayama City and the stunning UNESCO Heritage Site, Shirakawa-gō where you’ll enjoy delicious local delicacies, meander quant markets and laneways, and experience long-standing Japanese traditions and culture.
In Tokyo you’ll visit Tokyo’s Sensō-ji Temple and the cypress wood and copper Meiji Shrine, located within a 170 acre forest in the centre of the city commemorating Emperor Meiji, Japan’s 122nd emperor. The option of a sushi class, shodo (calligraphy) or getting to know the locals in the Izakaya night tour to experience a traditional Japanese pub.
The old town of Takayama is one of the highlights of the trip and is famous for its beautifully preserved buildings, including whole streets of houses that date back to the Edo Period (1600-1868). As well as the charming architecture, there are several quaint cafés and a number of old saké breweries to explore. Tasting is compulsory.
Shirakawa-gō Village, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has more than 100 ‘Gassho-style’ houses, which feature steeply-pitched roofs. Built many hundreds of years ago, these historic houses stand together in a beautiful natural setting. Enjoy exploring this area and soaking up the rich history.
Your accommodation will be a combination of three to four star centrally located digs with one night in a traditional Japanese Ryokin. Ryokin were used as highway rest stop in the Edo period, from the 17th to the 19th century, traditionally built from wood and featuring tatami-mat flooring, communal bathing and dining areas.
Any chance to visit a sake brewey in Japan should be jumped at, especially when that brewery is the oldest and biggest brewery in Takayama and also includes sake tasting.
The Hida Sake Brewery Tour located in the Gifu Prefecture offers an in-depth insight into how sake is made and having produced it for more than 400 years you’d expect them to have a pretty decent handle on it…and indeed they do.
Takayama city loves sake so much that 300 years ago there were 56 brewers hawking their wares thanks to the pristine waters and favourable environment. Today there are seven brewers inside a 200 metre area of Takayama. You know what they say, competition is good for business!
The tour starts at Hida-Hagiwara station, where you’ll enjoy an easy walk to the sake brewery while a guide explains the history of the town. The brewery you will visit is Tenryo Sake Brewery and the best part about it is you will taste 5 or more different kinds of premium sake, depending on the season.
As your sake expert explains the step by step instructions on how sake is brewed you will taste various varieties and receive tips on how best to drink and saviour your sake – for instance, it’s recommended to only take a small sip, and let it linger in your mouth before you swallow it. For those who prefer warm sake, place the tokkuri (porcelain flask) in a pan of boiling water. And what would the ideal temperature be to enjoy? About 40-45 degrees celsius is the optimum temperature to warm sake.
This is 1.5 hours you will savour…or not…depending on how many sakes you consume; it’s also the only tour around Takayama available for foreign travellers where an detailed explanation by a sake brewer of the brewing process inside the sake brewery is possible. Kanpai!
The Route of the Hiawatha is considered one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the U.S. and is now the most popular ski area bike trail in the country, attracting more than 70,000 riders in 2020.
The Route of the Hiawatha winds through the rugged Bitterroot Mountains in the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest along an abandoned section of the Milwaukee Railroad. Its gentle 1.6-percent to 2-percent, all-downhill trail straddles the Idaho-Montana state line for 15 miles, through 10 dark tunnels and crossing seven sky-high steel train trestles.
Fifty interpretive trailside signs enhance the family-friendly experience, and tell the story of the railroad, the people who worked here, the forest, and the area’s rich history.
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area is a short 7-mile ride to the East Portal trailhead for the Route of the Hiawatha. The resort offers lift-served downhill mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides up and down the mountain, lift-served hiking trails, a mountain summit nine-hole frisbee golf course, a bungee jump, and huckleberry picking later in the season.
There are five top-to-bottom downhill mountain bike trails with more planned. There are no jumps or wooden features on its family friendly trails, which vary from singletrack that winds through the woods and across ski trails to wider mountain-access roads. All the trails offer fun rides with some offering impressive views of the St. Regis Basin.
Lookout Pass offers rental bikes for adults and kids, as well as Burley bike trailers for youngsters and trikes and recumbent bikes for seniors and a few tandem bikes for the romantics. It also rents handlebar-mounted bike lights, necessary for riding through the route of the Hiawatha’s 10 dark tunnels, the longest of which burrows for 1.6 miles.
Special events during the summer include full-moon night rides and the Hiawatha Back to Nature Trail Run, a half marathon plus the Mountain Archery Festival, a family-focused event for archers of all abilities.
Experience the Australian bush, incredible landscapes and native animals with an Indigenous guide on the Worn Gundidj & Tower Hill tour.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve in the heart of the spectacular Great Ocean Road region is the only wildlife reserve west of the popular Twelve Apostles. The reserve, near the town of Warrnambool sits inside a dormant volcano that has an 11-kilometer crater rim, with cones that rise from a lakebed in a formation created by a series of volcanic eruptions and events over thousands of years.
The area is now home to many of Australia’s native wildlife, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see animals including emus, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, possums and sugar gliders and wedge-tail eagles up close.
A visit to Tower Hill, a major natural landmark on the Princes Highway, is a deep immersion in cultural history. Artefacts show Aboriginal people have lived in the area for at least 30,000 years, back to the days when violent volcanic explosions reshaped the landscape.
Today, the local Aboriginal cooperative, WG Enterprises, organise walking tours that offer an insight to Aboriginal culture. The 90-minute walking tours, led by members of the Gunditjmara Nation, offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the area’s histories, its geology, and Aboriginal era and European settlement. Walks are personalised to interests and may examine artefacts from axe handles, to possum cloaks, didgeridoo performances, and foraging for local bush foods.
Visitors will gain an understanding of traditional Aboriginal lifestyles and learn how to identify native plants for food and medicine. On the evening walk, explore bush tucker, and as night closes in, see some of the nocturnal animals that hide during the day.
Located in central Japan, and with easy access from Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, Gifu is home to stunning natural sites that have been preserved for centuries offering a range of outdoor gems and cultural experiences for travellers to explore.
Start with Old Nakasendo Road on the South-East corner of Gifu, it’s steeped in medieval history and home to a large portion of the road that connected Tokyo with Kyoto in the Edo Period. Explore remnants of the original cobblestone and pass through forests and valleys, stopping at waterfalls, historical sites, and terraced rice paddies.
Mt. Norikura is part of the Northern Japan Alps that sit on the border of Gifu Prefecture, and offer visitors stunning mountain vistas, exquisite hot spring valleys and many climbing routes to explore. The imposing Mt. Norikura reaches 3,026 metres above sea level and is home to the highest road in Japan – the Norikura Skyline.
Hida Osaka Falls is located at the foot of the live volcano Mt. Ontake that forms part of Gero City. It is home to 216 waterfalls stretching over 5 metres tall, as well as 14 hiking trails. A selection of tours and guided walks can be booked to gain a first-hand experience or stay a night or two in neighbouring Gero City; home to one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan.
To finish, explore the mystical forests of Goshikigahara that contain 3,000 hectares of forest sprawled across the southern end of Chūbu Sangaku National Park. This unspoiled haven is home to an abundance of wildlife, flowing mountain streams and waterfalls to enjoy. There are several walking treks including the Kamoshika (antelope) course that connects seven waterfalls, the Shirabiso (silver fir tree) course that meanders through a landscape of water and mossy rocks, and the Gosuwara (lava plateau) course that traverses the primeval forest. Get going, there’s lots to see and do!
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