Sit back, have a read and decide where you’re travelling for your next luxurious, adventurous or journey-of-a-lifetime holiday – and how to make the most of it!

Join Taylor Swift’s chef at the Rees Hotel

The Rees Hotel in Queenstown, New Zealand, introduces Trent Watson, a star studded chef who followed his passion for skiing, beautiful mountain scenery and great local produce to Queenstown eight years ago. Trent’s background includes catering for artists such as Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and Dolly Parton as a backstage tour chef throughout Australasia. In January he was appointed head chef at New Zealand’s Best Ski Hotel, multi-award-winning The Rees Hotel.

The Rees is an independent five-star property located beside Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. It has 60 rooms, 90 spectacular apartments and five ultra-luxe lakeside residences boasting mesmerising views over the lake to The Remarkables mountains. The hotel is renowned for its NZ Qualmark gold standard facilities, service and sustainability, and an authentic NZ experience – as well as a world-class restaurant and wine collection.

Trent’s cooking style is inspired by the abundance of market gardens, hunters and fishers, fresh air and mountain views and the ever-changing demographic of people he meets and works with. He likes to bring together elements of both Māori and European influence. Animal and game meat are a representation of Queenstown’s first settlers bringing deer (venison), while ingredients like watercress and kawakawa are a fusion of both cultures. Favourite local producers and artisan products – such as Royalburn Station for lamb raised in the Cardrona valley, Black Quail Estate in Bannockburn for truffles in autumn, Gibbston Valley Cheese and Welcome Rock Market Gardens in Garston – ensure Trent’s menus reflect the best foods in season and offer an authentic taste of the South.

Under his new direction, The Rees’ restaurant, True South Dining Room, will offer modern Kiwi cuisine melded from Māori and European culture and reflecting the history and the future of the region.

Visit therees.co.nz

Mighty Mongolia: Magnificent to Experience

Meet the captivating destination of Mongolia. Known for its vast landscapes, nomadic traditions and rich cultural heritage, Mongolia is a truly unique and off-the-beaten-path destination that promises unforgettable experiences. Crooked Compass prides itself on curating immersive journeys that go beyond the ordinary, providing travellers with authentic and enriching encounters. Its Mongolia tours are no exception and align perfectly with the adventurous spirit Crooked Compass embodies with loads of stunning highlights.
• Nomadic Encounters – Immerse yourself in the nomadic way of life as you stay with local families in traditional ger camps (Mongolian felt-covered roundhouses), gaining insights into their customs, cuisine and daily activities.
• Gobi Desert Expedition – Explore this unique landscape. Embark on a remarkable journey through the vast Gobi Desert, encountering rare wildlife and marvelling at the Flaming Cliffs, known for their rich paleontological history.
• Cultural Festivals – Be a part of vibrant and colourful Mongolian festivities, celebrating traditions, music, dance and horseback riding competitions and getting a true glimpse into the country’s cultural tapestry and ways of life.
• Photographic Adventures – For photography enthusiasts, Crooked Compass’s Mongolia tours provide incredible opportunities to capture the breathtaking scenery, nomadic way of life and untouched beauty of this mesmerising destination.

Visit crooked-compass.com

Visit Manitoba and walk with the bears

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of sub-Arctic landscapes in Churchill, Manitoba, known as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’ and feel that sharp quiver of excitement as you stand in proximity to the largest land carnivore in the world. In this remote, pristine central-Canadian destination you can safely view polar bears from a tundra vehicle or a fenced wilderness lodge during the autumn months of October and November. You can even walk among them with a guide, or see them from a helicopter. In summer, view them along the rocky coasts of Hudson Bay while you’re on the water for a beluga whale experience. Imagine!

Visit travelmanitoba.com

Discover sauce-y Sydney food tours

For foodie experiences served with a side of culture, Local Sauce Tours operates Sydney’s ‘funnest’ walking tours, designed for locals and visitors alike. Passionate about using food as a way of connecting people, their friendly guides host small groups to deep dive into the city’s distinctive boroughs. Want to know your Taiwanese breakfast burrito from your Chinese burger? Explore fascinating Chinatown in Sydney’s centre, discover delicious street food, hear the stories of Chinese-Australians and leave with a guide to best restaurants and stand-out dishes. Take a trip around Newtown and, thus, the world! Snack on Egyptian, Turkish, Mexican and “Aussie” bites along the way as you learn about this vibrant neighbourhood’s iconic street art. Toast to new friends over a craft beer when you end the tour at a popular local brewery. Newtown is also famous for its many vegan-friendly restaurants. Journey to Five Dock, the heart of Sydney’s Italian gastronomy. Meet a butcher whose family has mastered the trade for hundreds of years, and sample generously served cured meats, cheese and bread at a nostalgic deli. The ‘Little Italy’ tour shares insights into the Italian heritage and stories of the loyal business owners who have prevailed for decades. You’ll love your newfound knowledge of Sydney’s multicultural cuisine, local history and colourful characters – as will those you invite to come with you. And vegetarians, vegans and guests with dietary requirements are welcome, too – just let them know in advance.

FOODIE FAVOURITES

• Chinatown Street Food and Stories: Sundays (and Fridays in March – also weekly tours), 2.5-hour tour with 4 food stops for $65 pp.
• Newtown Chewtown – Food and Street Art: Sundays (and Fridays in March – also weekly tours), 3-hour tour with 4 food stops and alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drink for $70 pp.
• Five Dock ‘Little Italy’ Food Tour: Monthly, 2.5-hour tour with 3-4 food stops and coffee/tea for $70 pp.

For more tours and to book, visit localsaucetours.com.au

Disneyland wining ’n’ dining Anaheim’s flavoursome adventures

On March 1, Anaheim welcomed the return of the annual Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, which this year runs until April 22. The celebration of some of California’s most delectable food and wine has come a long way since it first debuted within Disney California Adventure Park in 2006. Today, the seven-week-long celebration is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Disneyland Resort’s event calendar, and this year will also see the return of favourites like Pixar Fest and Season of the Force. But for now, the destination is focused on all things culinary, offering visitors an epicurean experience with a Disney twist. This year, the festival also welcomes some of Anaheim’s world-renowned chefs, brewers, sommeliers and bartenders for culinary and tasting seminars showcasing the best of the Disneyland Resort as well as the best of Anaheim’s incredible food and beverage scene.

Visit visitanaheim.org

Wintjiri Wiru Uluru lights and gourmet bite

Photo Credit: Tourism Australia

Recently launching at Ayers Rock Resort, Wintjiri Wiru is a world-first Indigenous storytelling and gourmet dining experience using 1,000 choreographed drones, lasers and projections to illuminate the night sky. Wintjiri Wiru has a menu to match the drama – a celebration of native Australian ingredients combined with modern culinary techniques. Sip on a Spiced Apple Tonic with Beachtree Organic Koala Gin and snack on tasty smoked emu with saltbush chilli crust, or gin-infused cucumber with green ants and celery salt, all while enjoying an incredible show.

Visit voyages.com.au