Alright, fasten your seatbelts and place your feet on the pedals; the coolest attraction in Germany isn’t your typical go-karting experience. It’s a full-throttle, adrenaline-pumping showdown where you’re in a high-speed race, but with a Mario Kart-esque twist: you get to fire ‘weapons’ at your opponents.
You’ll zoom around a custom track in an electric kart while dodging incoming attacks, strategically placing obstacles, and using your weapons to sabotage your fellow racers.
Dw, they’re not actual weapons. They’re more like power-ups. These bad bois aren’t just for show – grab those missiles, shields, and boosts and use them wisely. So, forget the horrific driving lessons your dad gave you, this is the kind of high-speed combat that makes Mario Kart look like a Sunday drive.
But we have some tips if you want to dominate (who doesn’t?). Hold onto a shield for the last lap (you’ll definitely need it). Take the corners tight because losing speed means a slower chance of revenge when you fire that homing missile at your closest enemy. Uh, we mean friend. And try to keep your cool. The track may look like a harmless bit of fun, but the second you get hit by a rocket, you’ll be cursing your pit crew for not preparing you for this level of intensity.
If Mario Kart’s not what you grew up on, BattleKart has plenty of other races for you to flex your skills on; there’s BattleSnake (snake-like mayhem in a giant arena) or BattleColour, where your enemies get splattered with paint.
We’ve done some pretty cool stuff over the years, but this experience is hella fun and might just top ‘em all.
No, you didn’t misread. LUCA restaurant in London has had just about enough of its zombie-fied customers staring at their phones while drinking a hot choc or a soy cap. So, they’ve transformed their Clerkenwell bar space into ‘The Reading Room’, banning all mobile phones, tablets, and laptops (and any other digital devices you can think of) in collaboration with lifestyle mag, Monocle.
It might sound a little radical (like, what if there’s an emergency?!), but we kinda like the idea of starting our day with a little less screen time (and a lot more socialising).
Operating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from now ‘til we don’t know when, the bar-turned-cutest-café-ever will be handing out complimentary coffees, pastries that’ll go perfectly with the almond latte you order every morning, and the latest issue of Monocle (no surprises there), The Forecast or the Alpino Newspaper.
But this place’s charm doesn’t just stop at breakfast.
While you won’t be made to put your phone away, LUCA’s Michelin-star restaurant will make you forget all about how many views (or lack thereof) your latest Tiktok vid got with its superb Italian cuisine, served from midday.
At the hands of masterchef Rob Chambers, the menu will instantly have you salivating with thoughts of pork sausage rigatoni, creamy burrata and parmesan fries. And don’t get us started on the décor. One look at the dark wooden floorboards, comfy booth seating and moody colour palette are enough to have us booking a recurring reservation.
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.
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