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Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Hop to it: a new way to explore the Canberra wine region


It just got a whole lot easier to explore the Canberra District Wine Region with the launch of the new Wine Hopper tour. 

This hop-on, hop-off service allows visitors to experience the wine region at their own pace.

The Wine Hopper's flexible weekend schedule includes stops at some to the Canberra region's most celebrated wineries with time for tastings and relaxation without a designated driver. 

With a loop around Murrumbateman throughout the day, there is enough time to visit three or four wineries before being ferried back to the Canberra CBD.

Wine Hopper's hop-on, hop-off tour run Saturdays and Sundays from 10am until 5pm. Tickets start from $89 per person and include round-trip transport from Canberra with expert driver-hosts, a route map, winery guide and unlimited hops throughout the day.



Hoppers can sample wines at McKellar Ridge WinesMurrumbateman Winery Eden Road Wines
Shaw EstateClonakillaThe Vintner's DaughterFour Winds Vineyard and Dionysus Winery. Take your pick. 

There also stops at Murrumbateman Country Inn for a lunch break between wine tastings. 

Tours depart Saturday and Sundays at 10am from 7 Akuna Street, Canberra. For more info see their website.

Images: Bus at Dionysus; tasting at Vintner's Daughter.

Tuesday, 22 July 2025

Super cheap airfares to Vietnam - but only for a couple of days


Serial sale sellers Vietjet are at it again. 

They have just launched another flash sale with zero notice. 

With these guys you are either quick, or you miss out. 

The budget Vietnamese airline is this week selling eco tickets from just $199 each way with 20kg of free checked baggage for all international flights. 

The promotional fares apply to the airline's six direct services linking Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth with Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney and Melbourne with Hanoi. 


The deals are available from Wednesday at 3am AEST until 2am on Saturday. 

The fares are available only for booking via ww.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile app, for travel from September 4, 2025, to May 20, 2026. 

The extra 20kg of free checked baggage sounds ideal for anyone planning to spend an extended time in Asia. 

How buying a bottle of wine might win you $10,000


One of Australia's most popular wine brands is to punt on a new game of chance.   

Yalumba wine brand Y Series is to give shoppers the chance to win $10,000 in a competition running from September to December 2025 across Australia and New Zealand.

The Y Series $10K Your Way campaign will have a first prize of three $10,000 grand prizes in cash or travel vouchers to three winners across the two countries. 

There will also be secondary Instant Win prizes including 100 x $100 Ticketek gift cards.

Established in 2002 by the Hill-Smith family, Y Series is a best-selling range. 

Y Series was created "to make great wine minus the fuss - just easy-going, flavour-packed wines for any occasion," the family says. 

Eligible Y Series products - including the Australian best-seller Y Series Pinot Grigio - will be in store from September 1 through to December 31. 

The competition will be activated in-store, online, through social media, and in retail media.

You can find Y Series wines in major retailers including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland, and in independent retailers including Bottlemart, Thirsty Camel and Sip’n Save. 


Monday, 21 July 2025

Bali bliss; how to get away from it all in real style

"Hey hey, you can't go back" - Patti Scialfa

There are so many places that I have yet to visit that I rarely return to destinations, even top-notch ones that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

The Damai, a little sanctuary of serenity in Bali, is a firm exception to that rule. Think exclusive, remote, and stylish. And definitely return worthy.

Tucked away in the hills above Bali's northern beaches, The Damai is a privately owned bijou resort where the air is clean, the sky clear and the sounds muted, except, sometimes, for the local frogs.

The Damai sits in the lush green hills above sleepy Lovina. 


There are just 14 beautifully appointed villas in lush tropical gardens with stunning views over the North Bali coast and the distant volcanoes of Java. 

The award-winning poolside restaurant serves delicious local and international cuisine with organic ingredients from the resort's own gardens and farm. 

The Damai is a perfect spot to relax from the hectic world outside; to enjoy the private luxury of a pool villa or simply to relax in your private pool after a massage. 

With a few hours of arriving you will be zoned out, ready to start regenerating. 


There are plenty of activities on offer; a trip to one of the spectacular local waterfalls, perhaps, a boat ride out to swim with dolphins on one of the local fishing vessels, or maybe a vineyard tour, wine tasting and picnic at a local vineyard (yes, really!).

But my bet is that you will spend most of your stay in your pool, or reading a book, or having an al fresco treatment. 
 
Unlike many of Bali's top resorts, The Damai really is far away from the hustle and bustle.

You will find yourself far from the crowds, and close to the true heart of Bali, local people going about their daily lives. 

Maybe you will venture to a dance class in the village. Savour the scent of cloves in the breeze. Take a trek to a deserted temple or a secret waterfall. 


You are only a few hours from Kuta or Canggu, but in a very different world. 

After taking in the magnificent sunsets, the only sounds you are likely to hear are snatches of traditional music drifting from one of the small nearby villages, or perhaps a rooster crowing.

In addition to the marvellous pool villas, the lush greenery and superb food, the big strength of The Damai is its staff; the vast majority of them locals.

The service here is uniformly smiling and quietly efficient. Nothing is too much trouble whether you are enjoying a cocktail, taking a golf buggy trip from your villa to the main complex, or need help with a restaurant reservation at your next destination.


The Damai describes its style as "elegant simplicity". All the villas are surrounded by private gardens and you are unlikely to see any other guests unless you wish to.

The food is easy to enjoy. Simple brasserie dishes. Balinese classics. Tropical, local and good. Most evenings dinner is served by the poolside, by a roaring fire, under the stars, with view over the boats at sea, catching the fish for tomorrow's menu.

"We use organic ingredients wherever possible." staff tell me. "Many things we grow ourselves. Herbs and salads from our market garden. Honey from the Damai bees. Poultry, eggs and fresh coconut oil from our village. Fish from the local fishermen. Very few imports, and always of the best quality we can find.


In addition to the a la carte dinner menu there is always a three-course set menu of Balinese favourites.  And don't miss out on the cocktails - alcoholic or otherwise. They are splendid and potentially addictive. 

Breakfast features a choice of western or Balinese menus, but we began each day with fresh fruit platters and a shot of "jamu" - a local herbal elixir. 

You can then go traditional, or local, maybe with Mie Goreng, fried noodles with vegetables and chicken satés. 

Dinner is usually enjoyed al fresco next to the main pool. 


Think menu favourites like yellowfin tuna grilled bleu with ripe local mango, pickled raisins, sweet and sour soy vinaigrette with macadamia and oyster mushrooms, or poached village chicken with fresh zucchini, cucumber, dill oil, noodles and a touch of wasabi. 

Stay ultra regional with grilled local fish of the day, beurre blanc or spicy soy sauce, with pilaf rice and steamed local greens. 

Your villa will be just a 10-minute drive through the countryside - past local temples and farms - to the beach resort of Lovina.

The Damai Bali was recently nominated for the TOP25 Hotels Bali - World’s Best Luxury Hotels award: a pity as I would prefer it to remain undiscovered for just a little longer. 

It was praised for couples seeking a romantic honeymoon in an idyllic, private setting; travellers desiring a peaceful retreat with world-class amenities and attentive service, and for gastronomy enthusiasts eager to experience the culinary offerings. 


“We are honoured to be recognised among the world’s best luxury hotels,” said Damai GM Andres Rubio. 

“This nomination is a testament to our team's dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for every guest. We look forward to welcoming travellers from Bali, across Asia, and around the globe to discover the magic of The Damai.”

One note: Unless you are brave/foolish enough to drive yourself, you'll need to book a hotel transfer. You are a good 3-4 hours from Denpasar Airport, and it is an interesting, albeit slow, drive.

You can stop along the way at Singarajah, Git Git Falls or in Ubud to break up the journey. 


The writer was hosted by The Damai
Images: Winsor Dobbin 

How to boost travel connectivity with minimum fuss


If you'd mentioned an eSIM a couple of years ago it is a good bet no one would have had any idea what you were talking about. 

Now the market is flooded with a choice of eSIMS making different promises and with a range of package options. The old travel SIM business model is drowning fast. 

But which one to choose? 

Airalo, the world’s first and now largest eSIM provider, has just been awarded the esteemed 2025 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers Award for travel phone plans. 

I used Airalo on a recent trip to Bali, and was very satisfied. 

"We are honoured to be recognised by Canstar Blue, reaffirming our dedication to providing unparalleled service to travellers," said Charlotte Dawes, head of partnerships, Australia & New Zealand at Airalo.

"We strive to connect and inspire a global culture of confident travellers, giving them greater assurance to experience the world. This accolade underscores our mission to empower travellers, ensuring they have the support and connectivity they need to explore with peace of mind."

Airalo is also scaling its enterprise platform with the launch of Airalo for Business.

This gives companies seamless access to local, regional, and global eSIMs for 200+ destinations, helping them assign eSIMs, control budgets, and can reduce roaming costs by up to 90%, Airalo says.  

Employees can install an eSIM before departure and connect to a local network as soon as they land, staying online and productive from the get-go. 

"As business travel, remote work, and global teams become the norm, managing connectivity has become increasingly complex," says Melvin Ng, Senior Partnerships Director (APAC) for Airalo Partners. 

“Connectivity is no longer a nice-to-have - it is essential for doing business across borders.” 

To learn see www.airalo.com, or for more info on Airalo’s business solutions, visit www.partners.airalo.com.

Airalo, founded in 2019, has had over 20 million travellers to date and offers eSIM packages in 200+ countries. 

Sports Illustrated moves into the resort business


Sofitel? Hyatt? Hilton? Or Sports Illustrated?

Yes, you read that right.

Sports Illustrated wants to be more than a magazine for sports fans. It also wants to be a resort brand, Travel Post and the Nashville Post reported.

In an example of cross promotion, Sports Illustrated Resorts says it is "bringing a whole new game to college towns and fan-favourite destinations across the country". The US that is.

The promotional guff says: "Picture multiple stories of legendary amenities and signature spaces that deliver game-day vibes in an iconic setting. Whether cheering for your team or enjoying time together, this is an escape into a world where sports reign supreme - and your favourite season never ends."

Travel + Leisure Co. this week announced announced that its new Sports Illustrated Resorts brand will expand with a new opening in Nashville, Tennessee, next year.

The new property, which was previously an apartment block, has a prime location on Music Row in the heart of midtown, convenient to downtown Nashville.

The hotel will offer amenities such as a resort-style outdoor pool, a quick-service dining venue and an exclusive lounge for members. Other highlights will include a signature fitness centre.

"Nashville is a city where the thrill of game day and the energy of live entertainment go hand in hand," said Geoff Richards, chief operating officer at Travel + Leisure Co., said in a statement. 

"With this new resort, sports enthusiasts can enjoy that same excitement at a resort built specifically for them, offering a place where game-day culture meets iconic sports storytelling."

Nashville is home to the Tennessee Titans NFL team, the Nashville Predators ice hockey team and Nashville SC soccer team..

Travel + Leisure Co.'s Sports Illustrated Resorts brand is also set to break ground on a new property in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in spring 2026.

The brand's US debut comes on the heels of a venture in the Caribbean, where the iconic magazine lent its name to a resort in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. 

Ironically, the magazine has recently laid off staff and reduced publication dates.