Airline to fine unruly passengers

Budget airline Ryanair has revealed it intends to fine disruptive passengers who get kicked off a flight.

It has introduced a £500 fine which it says it will impose on unruly passengers, news portal Travel Mole reports. 

The airline says it remains ‘committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages.’

“At a minimum, they will now be issued with a £500 fine.”

Ryanair has supported legal action against disruptive passengers which led to flights being diverted recently.

“It is unacceptable that passengers are made suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour, a Ryanair spokesperson said. 

“To help ensure a comfortable and stress-free environment, we have introduced a £500 fine, which will be issued to any passengers offloaded from aircraft as a result of their misconduct.

“Disruptive behaviour in such a confined shared space is unacceptable, and we hope that our proactive approach will act as a deterrent.”

Ryanair passengers who musbehave will also will also be pursued through the courts for civil damages by the company.

A birthday present from Saffire Freycinet

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania's leading luxury resort, is celebrating its 15th birthday. 

Fifteen years ago, back in 2010, Saffire reimagined what luxury could mean in Tasmania. 

Now the award-winning lodge marks a milestone anniversary after booking 82,000 room nights. 

To mark the occasion, Saffire is offering a special deal for travellers to reconnect with the wild, restorative beauty of a Tasmanian winter. 

The package is for two guests and includes a guaranteed upgrade to a Signature Suite, all dining and beverages, Saffire’s iconic Signature Experiences, $100 property credit, and late check out. 

Available for a limited time, the two-night ‘15 Years of Leading Luxury’ package is on sale until July 31, for stays from now through to August 31, 2025, with rates from $2,350 per person, twin share.

Federal Group managing director and Chief Executive Officer Greg Farrell said when the company opened Saffire in 2010, Tasmania’s tourism offering was still finding its voice.

“We saw an opportunity to create something that didn’t yet exist here, an experience that would honour the raw beauty of this place while offering the kind of personal, immersive luxury that speaks to the soul,” Farrell said.

“From the beginning, Saffire was never just a place to stay, it was a place to feel, to connect.” he said. 

Looking ahead, Saffire continues to evolve. In 2024, plans were unveiled for the Saffire Villa, an ultra-premium, private retreat set above the main lodge and designed for families, small groups, or corporate escapes. 

It will open in late 2026. 

Luxury Lodges of Australia executive chair Penny Rafferty said Saffire Freycinet was a valued founding member of the collective, which was also established in 2010.

“When Saffire Freycinet opened in 2010 it was a milestone moment for Tasmania and the emerging category of Australian experiential luxury travel. It has continued to grow and evolve over time, both leading and responding to global luxury travel trends," she said. 

"Federal Hospitality has continued to innovate and invest in the Saffire experience over the years, ensuring it is always a compelling choice for new and returning guests.” 

For more info on the offer see 15 Years of Leading Luxury - Saffire Freycinet, call 03 6256 7888 or email stay@saffire-freycinet.com.au

Image: Adam Gibson 

A breakfast for every taste

Breakfast is a thing of beauty at The Damai resort, deep in the hills of northern Bali overlooking the beaches of Lovina. 

You can choose between a traditional Balinese breakfast, a healthy “Green” breakfast, an American breakfast or a la carte choices. 

Many of the ingredients, including the breads, jams, and many of the fruits are sourced from the 14-villa boutique hotel’s nearby farm. 

Whatever your decision your meal starts with a small glass of jamu - the local health elixir. The ingredients change on a daily basis. As does the composition of the fruit plate.

The views are spectacular. The food equally so.

A full resort review will follow in a few days but here are some breakfast dish highlights to whet your appetite. 

Check out http://www.thedamai.com/ 

# Hosted

French vignerons bank on South Africa

French wine companies are not generally known for a sense of adventure.

A handful have dipped their toes into businesses in the US and Australia, but few have expanded far beyond that.

One exception is AdVini, a listed French company that invested in South Africa 15 years ago and now operates five prominent wine producers in the Stellenbosch region, wine.co.za reports.

Controlled by the Jeanjean family, AdVini’s South African arm contributed 13% to the company’s 2024 turnover.

AdVini's big name labels include Domaine Laroche in Chablis and Maison Champy in Burgundy.   

The company was founded in 1870 and now operates 27 wine properties, estates and winemaking facilities in the French regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Provence, Languedoc and Roussillon as well as the five farms in Stellenbosch.

They are L’Avenir Estate, Le Bonheur Estate, Ken Forrester Vineyards, Stellenbosch Vineyards and Kleine Zalze Wines (top image).

Naretha Ricome, AdVini South Africa vice-president, says plans to expand its South African footprint will continue

“The fact that South Africa is the only wine country in which Advini has invested in land, vineyards and infrastructure outside of France underscores our belief that there is still a lot of untapped potential in the country’s wine industry, both in terms of wine production as well as tourism,” says Ricome.

“We did look at other wine countries, including Chile, but nowhere was more opportunity seen than in South Africa.”

She attributes the success of its Stellenbosch wine farms to the AdVini philosophy of allowing each of its wineries to maintain independence and identity.

Ricome says innovation has a strong role to play in growing the wine category in South Africa.

“The South African market holds vast potential for further innovation - the wine category makes up only seven percent of the total retail alcohol offering," she says

"AdVini is determined to be one of the leaders in growing wine’s share in this space. Innovation in packaging and project, together with other exciting opportunities from the incredible wine country that South Africa is, will ensure the expansion of the AdVini footprint. The past 15 years have been tremendous, but we believe the best is yet to come.” 

High spirited: The tiniest bar pops up in Sydney

Five-star Kimpton Margot Sydney has unveiled The Vault, a hidden speakeasy pop-up, tucked inside the original strongroom of the hotel’s heritage-listed 1930s Art Deco Water Board Building.

But this is no ordinary bar. 

Measuring just eight-and-a-half square metres, with space for six guests and one bartender, The Vault is located underneath the hotel’s lobby, and features a whisky barrel table, soft lamp lighting and heritage shelves lined with bottles.

From now until July 31, The Vault pop-up will offer whisky tastings, with a menu of four drams from boutique Tasmanian distillery Lark, designed to sip back-to-back paired with seasonal canapés by Australian chef Luke Mangan of Luke’s Kitchen, for $110 per person.

The whiskies include the Chinotto Cask, Classic Cask, Peated Whisky and a limited- edition Dark Lark single malt whisky. 

Spirit lovers can upgrade their experience to also include the Japanese whisky-inspired Lark’s Mizunara Rare Oak Cask for an additional $60 per person.

Bookings are essential, with one-hour sessions Wednesday to Saturday at 6pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm and 6pm. The Vault can be enjoyed as a standalone experience or added as a pre- or post-dinner pairing with a booking at Luke’s Kitchen, also located within Kimpton Margot Sydney.

For more information and bookings see www.kimptonmargotsydney.com/eat-and-drink/the-vault/

Exploring the South African bush in conspicuous style

Heading for South Africa? Thinking about exploring some game parks?

Here’s a destination offering luxury under canvas you might want to consider adding to your list.

Masiya’s Camp is an exclusive under-canvas retreat at the world-renowned Royal Malewane, in the heart of the Greater Kruger National Park.

It is part of the Royal Portfolio, a collection of celebrated luxury properties across South Africa owned and operated by the Biden family (not THAT Biden family).

With six luxury tented suites, Masiya’s Camp offers safari luxury while paying tribute to the late Wilson Masiya, Royal Malewane’s first-ever master tracker.

Masiya’s Camp breaks tradition from the predictable safari aesthetic "by boldly introducing bright colour and vibrant interiors into the earth-toned landscape. The colours of the dusty pink canvas tents were inspired by the lilac-breasted roller, one of Africa’s most dazzling birds that can also be seen around the lodge in season".

“People associate the bush with beige and neutrals, but nature is full of bold, beautiful colours,” says Liz Biden.

“From flowers to feathers, colour in the wild brings joy and energy. For Masiya’s Camp, we wanted something fresh and exciting - a rose-pink hue reminiscent of the African sand."



Each of the tented suites offers indoor and outdoor living spaces with uninterrupted views of the bush. Guests can unwind on private wooden decks featuring heated plunge pools, enjoy indoor/outdoor showers, and relax in private salas designed for quiet reflection.

Design elements include flowing canvas drapes, floor-to-ceiling glass, and intricately carved Indian and East African doors. Persian rugs, vintage florals, and bespoke furnishings combine with African blues and reds add to the theme.

 The dining area under canvas features vibrant interiors, a pizza oven, and an outdoor braai/barbecue cooking station. A lounge tent with fireplaces and glass stacking doors open onto outdoor decks, designed for d pre- or post-dinner drinks.

For cocktails, drinks and snacks, a bar is located in the centre of the camp offering 360-degree views of the surrounding bushveld.

Twice-daily game drives - led by Royal Malewane’s experienced guiding team - immerse guests in the magic of the Greater Kruger at dawn and dusk.

Such style does not come cheap. Rates start from ZAR 52,500/ €2,590 per person including accommodation, all meals and beverages and two game drives daily. Wish I had the budget! 

See www.theroyalportfolio.com/royal-malewane/accommodation/masiyas-camp 

Images: Supplied/Greg Cox