Lufthansa Group bets big on Japanese destinations

German aviation giant Lufthansa Group is going hard on flights to Japan and will offer 50 flights a week during the 2027 summer season.

This marks a significantly expanded service due to a strong increase in demand. 

Lufthansa is resuming its direct Frankfurt to Nagoya service as well as adding an additional daily flight to Tokyo-Narita to its Tokyo service. 

Stablemate SWISS is also expanding capacity the Lufthansa brands as the leading European airline group in this market. SWISS will have up to seven weekly flights from Zurich to Tokyo-Narita.

Nagoya is one of Japan’s most important industrial and economic centres with Aichi Prefecture the main centre for the country’s automotive industry and other manufacturing companies. 

“Japan is a key market for the Lufthansa Group, and we are pleased to further strengthen our presence with additional capacity and the resumption of flights to Nagoya," says says Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group.

"Together with our expanded Tokyo services, these investments provide our customers with more travel options and support the continued diversification of our intercontinental network. 

"As the leading European airline group in Japan, we remain committed to connecting people, cultures and economies between Europe and Japan.”

In total, the Lufthansa Group’s hub airlines - Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and ITA Airways will fly to Tokyo-Haneda, Tokyo-Narita, Osaka, and Nagoya.

Nikkei eatery Chotto Matte to land in Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is to get a mega Nikkei restaurant in time for the summer season.

After making its mark in London's Soho, San Francisco, Toronto, Manchester and Riyadh, the global Japanese-Peruvian fusion eatery Chotto Matte is officially opening its first Australian location on November 22.

Think Japanese precision meeting Peruvian fire: sushi and sashimi, ceviche, a giant robata grill, colourful cocktails, bold art, DJs and plenty of late-night energy, the blurb promises.

All in a 250-seat space in the heart of Bondi.

The opening marks a homecoming for Australian-born founder Kurt Zdesar (below), after an international career that included almost a decade as European director of Nobu. He opened the first Chotto Matte in Soho in 2013.

The Bondi menu will merge Chotto Matte favourites with dishes created exclusively for the Sydney venue, showcasing local seafood alongside ingredients sourced directly from Peru.

"Opening Chotto Matte in Australia feels like I’m bringing the brand home to Sydney, a real milestone and full circle moment for the next chapter in the brand’s international story," Zdesar says.

"Bondi has a vibe that feels very Chotto Matte, and I’m excited to introduce what we’ve created to a city and dining culture I know and love.”

For local owner Rafi Assouline, the Australian opening has also been years in the making, waiting for the right location before approaching Zdesar with the opportunity to open in Bondi Beach.

“I first experienced Chotto Matte in London back in 2018 and immediately felt there was something about it that would resonate in Sydney," he says.

"But it was never about bringing the brand here for the sake of it. I knew I wanted it to be in Bondi, in a large, landmark space that could really match the energy of Chotto Matte, so it became a waiting game until the right location came along.”

Chotto Matte’s culinary identity has been shaped by group executive chef Jordan Sclare, who has worked alongside Zdesar on the brand since opening its Soho flagship in 2013.

For Bondi, Sclare has worked with Zdesar and newly appointed head chef Jay Choi to retain the signatures of Chotto Matte while taking advantage of Australian produce.

The kitchen will centre around the two-metre robata grill.

Hahndorf gets a central new accommodation option

The Adelaide Hills are among Australia's most enticing wine regions and visitors will soon have a new accommodation option. 

  
Hahndorf on Main is a new boutique accommodation offering in the heart of lovely Hahndor. It is set to open next month and is part of the Best Western Signature Collection.

Located on historic Main Street, the hotel offers newly-built contemporary accommodation within easy walking distance of Hahndorf's many restaurants, cafés, galleries, artisan stores, tasting rooms and attractions.

The property features 29 rooms, including accessible accommodation, and is billed as being ideal for couples, short breaks, events and Adelaide Hills getaways.

Walking trails and local wine producers are a short drive into the hills.

The opening marks the third property owner Andrew Chapman has brought into the BWH Hotels network in the past two years, following Best Western Adelaide Airport and Best Western Port Lincoln.

Rod Munro, managing director of BWH Hotels Australasia, said the addition of Hahndorf on Main reflects the strength of the relationship built with Chapman and his growing hotel portfolio.

"Andrew has a deep understanding of the hotel market and is highly strategic in how he positions each property within his portfolio." Munro said. 

"He recognises that selecting the right brand is about more than a name above the door. It's about understanding the property's unique strengths, target guests and long-term objectives."

Chapman said the new property was a natural addition to his growing accommodation portfolio.

"Hahndorf is a unique destination with strong appeal for both leisure and business travellers, and we're pleased to be adding a new accommodation option in the heart of the town," he said.

Bargain air fares on sale for one week only

Are you planning a tropical escape for 2027?

Cebu Pacific has just launched its 10.10 Super Seat Fest, with one-way all-in fares from Sydney and Melbourne to the Philippines from just $308.

Running from October 8-14, the sale covers travel from February 1 to June 30, 2027, giving Australian travellers the chance to lock in a Philippines getaway ahead of time and at a bargain price..

The sale also coincides with Cebu Pacific’s new “Fly to My Happy Philippines” campaign, showcasing the country through food, culture, islands and adventure - encouraging travellers to discover their own version of happy in the Philippines.

For Australians looking beyond the usual Manila itinerary, Cebu Pacific is also making it easier to explore some of the country’s island destinations, with flights from Clark to Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron in Palawan.

And for those chasing surf, scenery and a laid-back island vibe, Siargao (top image) is another destination the airline reckons is worth adding to your 2027 travel list.

CEB currently operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

See www.cebupacificair.com.

Get ready to pay to visit this natural attraction

Australians travelling overseas are often slugged for visiting major attractions.

Now the state of Victoria has decided it is time to gouge visitors from interstate and overseas.

It’s a bad look, but tourists wanting to visit one of Australia's iconic natural wonders, the Twelve Apostles, will now have to book in advance. And from 2027 they will be required to pay an entry fee.

That’s right, visitors will be required to pay to enter a publicly owned beach destination.

Statistics show that each year more than 2 million people travel down the Great Ocean Road to visit the remaining seven limestone rock stacks that remain in the Southern Ocean, about four hours' drive west of Melbourne.

The Victorian government has announced that from next week (October 16) visitors will need to book ahead to enter a newly constructed $126 million visitor centre and see the remaining apostles.

From April, the government will start charging tourists an as yet undisclosed entry fee although local residents and traditional owners will be exempt from paying, the ABC reported.

Acting Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Catherine King said the new visitor centre would support sustainable tourism along Victoria's south-west coastline.

"The redevelopment is already playing an important part in the local economy and will encourage even more visitors to spend time in the region, boosting local jobs and businesses," King said.

What she means is that funds have to be raised to pay for a visitor centre no one asked for.

Port Campbell Community Group secretary Marion Manifold told the ABC that the group was opposed to the fee as "we believe public land should not be commercialised and should remain in public hands".

"If funds are required we prefer an airport tax on visitors into Australia," Manifold said.

"It's a good aim but in the past we believe very little money has come back to the Port Campbell national park and believe this is not likely to change."

Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos is unmoved.

"It's only fair that visitors to the region pay a small fee to visit this world-class destination so that we can maintain it for future generations," Dimopoulos said. 

Which is a bit rich considering the state has overseen five of the 12 rock stacks collapsing. 

Tasmania celebrates a remarkable sparkling milestone

The Tasmanian wine industry is celebrating a major milestone: 200 years since Australia's first sparkling wine was made on the Apple Isle. 

Back in 1826, former convict Bartholomew Broughton was making wine from grapes grown at Prospect Farm in the Hobart suburb of New Town having planted a vineyard three years earlier. 

His 1826 vintage was advertised as “grape wine made in imitation of Champaigne,” Wine Tasmania reports.

For various reasons the nascent Tasmanian wine industry died out - and was not revived until 1956, when Jean Miguet at Providence in the Tamar Valley and Claudio Alsorso, on the banks of Derwent on what is today Moorilla Estate, revived wine grape growing and winemaking. 

Two centuries later, Tasmania has over the past 50 years built a global reputation for exceptional sparkling wine - regarded by some critics as second only to Champagne. 

Some of the best producers make only Methode Champenoise wines: House of Arras, Jansz Tasmania, Pirie, Bellebonne, Clover Hill and Henskens Rankin. 

Others make both sparkling and table wines: Freycinet Estate (Radenti), Delamere, Stefano Lubiana, Apogee, and Pipers Brook (Kreglinger) among the highest profile. 

Tasmania has proved a hugely successful island for producing key Champagne grapes chardonnay and pinot noir. Here's cheers to its sparkling success!