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.
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.
Everyone’s favourite small group travel operators G Adventures has made it pretty much impossible to say no to a European summer vacay next year with five brand-new, purpose-built yachts set to sail the picture-perfect Greek islands. Leave the crowds (read: cruise-loads of retirees) of Santorini and Mykonos behind and opt for a week of hopping between turquoise bays, lounging on the sun deck with a cocktail in hand, soaking up all of that sweet, sweet Aegean sun.
This isn’t your average yacht trip—it’s your ticket to secluded beaches inaccessible from land, secret taverns only your skipper knows about and sunsets so epic no photo will ever do justice (not even with the new iPhone 16).
This new fleet might be small in size, but they’re might where it counts; holding up to 16 passengers each for the ultimate chill vibe. No doubt you’ll be swapping stories with the backpacking couple from the UK and sharing sunset toasts with the trio of girls chasing adventures across the Mediterranean.
Each yacht is nearly 57 feet in length with five cabins featuring bedside reading lights and USB ports. There’s also a fully-equipped galley, a comfortable communal area and an outdoor shower for hosing off the salty sea spray after a dip in the sparkling waters.
The best part? These sailing trips are the perfect balance of guided tour and free time to explore. Dive into hidden beach caves one day, climb hillsides to ancient ruins the next, and spend every evening getting full on tzatziki, but still finding room to feast on moussaka under the stars. Next year can’t come quick enough.
Swap your Time To Go Home Tuesdays for the way more satisfying Wall Street Wednesdays at the 411 – the perfect mid-week pick-me-up.
Sure, it looks like your average London hot spot on the outside, but on the inside, the prices of drinks go up and do in the same way the stock market does. We’re travel nerds, not finance bros, but this concept is something we can definitely get behind.
It works on popularity. If a drink is being ordered by everyone who walks through the door, its price will go up. If a drink is being neglected as much as your house plants, then the price goes down. And there are screens positioned throughout the bar so you can track exactly how high a pornstar martini is climbing (choose a different cocktail), or just how low it’s falling (double park it).
Just like in real life (hello 2008), the market can ‘crash’ where drinks hit an all time low, with some only setting you back a couple of dollars. And if you need something a little more solid to go with all your discounted drinks, the 411 serves comfort dishes full of big flavours – think seriously spicy hot wings and juicy smash burgers.
But don’t expect to be here for an hour or two, this is definitely an all night kinda place with vinyl DJs playing the bar’s signature sound (R&B, Classic Hip-Hop and Soul) all night long. You can even challenge your friends to a chilled game of pool or a rowdier midnight round of beer pong. Bottom’s up!
You might be familiar with Derry because of the popular TV sitcom Derry Girls. Yep, it’s the hometown of Erin and Co, but it’s also the Halloween capital of Ireland. Bet ya didn’t know that. And neither did we until we stumbled upon Derry Halloween.
Every October, this city transforms into a playground for the ghoulishly inclined, offering a (strong) cocktail of thrills, chills, and more spooks than your childhood self had nightmares after watching The Grudge for the first time. No? Just us?
There’s plenty to scare yourself with here: a front-row seat to the infamous Derry Halloween Carnival with its creepy clowns, haunting witches, and other not-meant-to-be-seen creatures is enough to have you passing on the pumpkin-spiced punch.
And that’s not all. Your eerie escapade continues with a selection of fiery performances, weird walking trails, and intricate lantern displays that’ll have you channelling Josh Lambert navigating The Further*.
Catch the Witchy Wonderland, dance with the Wailing Nuns, listen to Uncle Doom and his Organ of Gloom (no, we didn’t make that up) and improve your skills under the Zombie Circus’ big top.
But you won’t just have your friends to keep you company. The spirits of this city’s historical figures have been waiting all year for a good yap. They’ve escaped from their workhouses and slipped between the bars of their prison cells, ready to join in the horrifying Halloween festivities with a prime spot right by your side.
They’re terrifying enough, but the real spine-tingler is the atmosphere. As the sun sets, the walls of Derry whisper tales of centuries gone by, and the air thickens with anticipatory spooks and scares. Dare to join?
The enchanting Rastrello hotel in Italy’s Umbria/Tuscany region has just snagged its first ever B Corp certification – in layman’s terms, it’s doing the planet a solid. This prestigious certification means Rastrello’s facing issues of sustainability, social impact and transparency head on and, to be fair, receiving eco-warrior status is no easy feat.
There’s plenty of hoop jumping involved including comprehensive assessments that are more intrusive than every first date you’ve ever been on – “So, tell me about your environmental practices?” – and rigorous review processes before you can wear that B Corp badge with pride.
And this charming hotel wears it really well, it did take them 9 months to receive its coveted status after all. They’ve swapped out single-use plastics for reusable goodies, have changed all bedding to feature organic linen and supplied each bathroom with eco-friendly toiletries (your hair can tell the difference).
They also boast a farm-to-table dining experience that would make even the pickiest eater salivate, with fresh local produce on the menu. We’re talking vegetables, herbs and fruits all from the onsite organic garden. The property even has multiple olive groves for efficient extra virgin olive oil production (B Corp certified too, of course).
Sustainability stuff aside, Rastrello promises exclusivity thanks to its modest nine rooms but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. A comfy but chic vibe oozes out of the property’s rugged stone walls and its stunning countryside views simply can’t be beat. Bravo Rastrello, bravo.
It’s that time of year again when the creepiest crawlies come out to play in the streets of London. Yep, spooky season is well and truly here – just look at the gigantic purple monster seeping through the window cracks of the city’s Leadenhall Market.
The Mandrake Hotel wants in on the action and has transformed itself into a mysterious palace of mischief right in time for Hallowen. This year, they’re throwing a Masquerade Ball, so you can expect the drinks to be strong, the costumes to be wild, and the potential for embarassing/drunken escapades to be through the hotel’s ornate roof.
Seriously, they’ve gone all out. Each low-lit room is filled with creatures James Wan wouldn’t even put in his horror films. Every part of the hotel’s decor from candelabras to wall sconces are draped in cobwebs and chances are you’ll have spotted at least 10 Phantom of the Opera’s before the night’s end.
You can also expect a cocktail menu that’s more potion than punch, featuring drinks like “The Boozy Banshee” and “Witch’s Brew.”
And you just know the entertainment is going to be a delightful mix of live music and questionable performances—think the Sanderson sisters’ rendition of “I Put a Spell on You”. You might even find yourself onstage, doing the Monster Mash in front of an audience that’s half-cackling, half-terrified you’ll jump into the crowd and start forcing them to follow your disastrous dance moves.
But don’t let that stop you. Dust off that vintage vampire cape, grab your most absurd mask, and prepare to get lost in the madness magic of halloween. Just remember: what happens at The Mandrake stays at The Mandrake… unless you wake up to a viral video of you flailing around like a zombie while leading the conga line. That fifth “Witch’s Brew” has come back to haunt you after all.
No, we’re not trying to be funny. This Bauhaus-inspired London hotspot actually has shapes for a name: a yellow triangle, a red square and a blue circle.
There’s not a single word on the bar’s exterior to help tell it apart from the dry cleaners on its left and the public library on its right and it’s that creative mystery that sees A Bar with Shapes for a Name (or Shapes for short) sitting at number 61 onThe World’s 50 Best Bars extended list.
Its love for primary colours aside, this bar’s focus on all things functionalist and minimalistic makes it a pretty cool spot to hang out – think long communal style seating, a stripped-back studio-esque design and only 20 bottles that make up the bar’s 12 cocktails on offer.
Out of those 12, there’s a few must-drinks. The ‘Pastel’ is an obvious choice thanks to its carbonation, vodka base and complex flavours of lime, rhubarb and raspberry but if gin’s more your thing, try the ‘Loop Light’. A nod to the bar’s artistic roots, this cocktail has only three ingredients (gin, citra hops and pipacha oolong tea) and is dangerously easy to drink.
You know what else is dangerous? The prices. The cocktails range between 8 – 12 pounds, and when you couple that with the bar’s closing time of 4 am, you might find that you and your bank account aren’t on speaking terms when the sun comes up.
Amaro in London’s west and Viajante87 in Notting Hill also make the annual list, sitting at 90 and 99 respectively, so who’s up for after-work drinks?
The biggest mystery surrounding the launch of the Norient Express along Norway’s coastline is why it’s taken so long for a luxury train experience to be launched on one of the world’s most scenic rail routes.
Think dramatic fjords, mountains that scrape the sky, and lush valleys. Then consider how incredible it would be to experience that jaw-dropping scenery from the comfort of a lux hotel on wheels—the Norient Express.
The six-day adventure begins when you wave goodbye to the colourful wooden houses of Bergen enroute to Trondheim, home to Scandinavia’s largest medieval building—and thumping nightlife. Of course, you’ll stop along the way, with highlights including the capital, Oslo, where you can drop in on the Norwegian royals, check out cutting-edge Scandi architecture, history and art.
But you might be torn about disembarking for a spot of sightseeing; local craftsmen have built the fully electric Norient Express’s luxury carriages to rival high-end hotel suites, and the exclusivity of the experience has been enhanced by limiting its capacity to 60 lucky passengers. The fully inclusive experience includes gourmet Norwegian cuisine in the dining compartment, an onboard fitness room and spa.
There is entertainment, including the observatory car, which provides front row seats to the Northern Lights and panoramic views of the Norwegian landscape.
So, grab 59 of your best mates, pack your suitcase, and get ready to party hard at the Norient Express bar and lounge, where the cocktails are to die for.
Need to know: The Norient Express will run on a weekly timetable, from Sunday to Thursday, with the first train due to pull out of the station in October 2025.
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