Art adds new elements to cycling trial

Dramatic street art, improved amenities and new visitor experiences are adding value to one of Victoria's great cycling journeys.

A major $8.5 million enhancement of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is providing visitors with even more reasons to slow down, stop, explore and stay longer across the towns and villages of Victoria's High Country.

Supported by the Victorian Government's Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and led by Tourism North East in partnership with the Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo Shire and Alpine Shire, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project has introduced a collection of public art, landscaping, upgraded amenities, improved signage and infrastructure and new opportunities for visitor experiences along the trail.

The investment is expected to attract more than 17,500 additional visitors each year, generate $12.3 million in annual economic activity and support 65 ongoing jobs.

Tourism North East CEO Bess Nolan-Cook said the significance of the investment extended far beyond the physical trail.

“This $8.5 million investment is about much more than enhancing a cycling trail. It is an investment in the communities, towns, villages and businesses that sit along it and make the Murray to Mountains experience so distinctive,” Nolan-Cook said.

“Every rider who stops for coffee, visits a cellar door, stays overnight, buys from a local producer or discovers a town they may otherwise have passed by creates an economic ripple that extends throughout the region.

“The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is unique because the trail itself is only part of the experience. It connects people with our landscapes, our food and wine and, importantly, the people behind the businesses they encounter along the way."

Installations include Beci Orpin's colourful Harvest Trail between Oxley and Milawa; Emily Floyd's larger-than-life Magpie Family between Bowser and Tarrawingee; Ronan Holdsworth's Birds of Seasons murals at the Rutherglen Silo Precinct; and Ben Gilbert of Agency of Sculptures at the Beechworth Railway Precinct.

At Yackandandah, Drez Studios' Mindful Tunnel transforms the rail-trail underpass into an immersive passage of rhythm, colour and perceptual play, while Alexander Knox's sculptural gateway sign creates a striking sense of arrival at the King Valley's Oxley entrance. Further along the trail, Skunk Control's Colour Bridge at Porepunkah celebrates the High Country's changing seasons through wildflower-inspired panels and integrated light.

Stretching through some of north-east Victoria's most celebrated landscapes and destinations, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail connects visitors with Rutherglen, Wangaratta, Milawa, Oxley, Everton, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Eurobin, Porepunkah and Bright and their surrounding communities.

High-speed trains to link Italy, Austria and Germany

Italy’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains are very much on the move with the launch of direct services between Italy, Austria and Germany getting closer. 

Across Europe, trains can provide travellers with an affordable alternative to short-haul flights.

Testing of the trains began in Germany and Austria last week as part of the international approval process. 

Subject to successful certification, commercial services between Milan and Munich and Rome and Munich are expected to start in summer 2027.

The project is being developed by Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), through Trenitalia, in partnership with Germany’s Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Austria’s ÖBB.

The initial service will comprise four connections across the two routes.

The Milan-Munich journey will take about six and a half hours, covering roughly 600 kilometers. Planned intermediate stops include Brescia, Verona, Rovereto, Trento, Bolzano and Innsbruck.

The Rome-Munich service will take approximately eight and a half hours, with stops at Florence, Bologna, Verona, Rovereto, Trento, Bolzano and Innsbruck.

The services will use the Frecciarossa 1000, Trenitalia’s flagship high-speed train. The train is certified to European interoperability standards and is designed to operate across different railway systems, power supplies and signalling technologies, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The network is planned to grow substantially from December 2028, when the full program is expected to reach 10 connections between Italy and Germany.

Future services will extend the network to Berlin and Naples, including planned routes linking Milan with Berlin and Naples with both Munich and Berlin. The longer-term network is expected to create five daily round-trip services across the Germany-Austria-Italy corridor.

Spring in the Vines returns to southern Tasmania

Lovers of cool-climate wines might want to consider a trip to Tasmania for this year's Spring in the Vines festival. 

Dozens of vineyards in Southern Tasmania will be open to visitors from from Friday, October 30, until Sunday, November 1, and many of them are only open to the public a handful of days a year. 

The event is billed as a chance to meet with producers across the Derwent, Coal River Valley, Huon Valley and d'Entrecasteux Channel regions and taste their latest releases. 

"We're ready for our largest event yet," say organsiers Wine South. 

"We've had great early interest from many new and continuing vineyards to participate this year. 

"We are seeing great representation across all regions and are expecting 2026 to be our largest Spring in the Vines to date." 

There will be a range of accommodation partners for Spring in the Vines both in central Hobart and regionally, who will offer discounts of between 10-20% for wine-loving visitors.

There will also be rental car discounts if you are making a weekend of it, plus Hop On Hop Off bus tours.

Many producers will be offering live music and seasonal food on site and some be offering back vintages.

Others, like Trial Bay Estate, will invite guests to picnic in their lovely gardens. 

See https://winesouth.com.au/spring-in-the-vines/

Exquisite Provence hotel changes with the seasons

After a long, hot European summer, autumn will come as a welcome relief in sunny Provence. 

The hilltop villages here are among my favourites, and we spent many delightful days and nights exploring the region when based in France. 

One hotel that was on our hit list, but never visited, was the Maisons Pariente's stunning hilltop property the 5-star "luxe rural" Hotel Crillon le Brave in the foothills on Mont Ventoux. 

Situated at the heart of the commune of Vaucluse in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, Hotel Crillon le Brave comprises 12 delightful stone houses in the tiny village of Crillon le Brave (or simply 'Crillon', as it's called by the locals). 

The village is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. 

With buildings interconnected by winding stone pathways, guests are encouraged to indulge in the sense of 'being a local', moving among the hotel's buildings and exteriors as if the village were home.

While there are dozens of villages, market and galleries to be explored, there is always the temptation to enjoy just one destination in Provence. 

The hotel has announced a seasonal transition. 

From searching for the 'black diamond' truffles for which the region is famous to focusing on well-being during a residency with nutritionist and women's health specialist, Claire Borwin, Hotel Crillon le Brave has a range of autumn options on offer. 

There are 26 rooms and 17 suites in all and La Table du Ventoux, where we ate many years ago, but under a different name, if I recall correctly, showcases local flavours. 

For more information on what's happening at Hotel Crillon le Brave check out https://www.crillonlebrave.com/

Or contact www.uniquetourism.com in Australia.

New chapter for revamped Bangkok hotel icon

Many experienced travellers would have fond memories of the leafy Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, one of the storied hotels of Asia.

The grand dame of Thai luxury hospitality is now set for a new chapter after a $US 50 million refurb described by the operators, Minor Hotels, as "an enhancement".

The newly reimagined Anantara Siam was originally opened in 1983 and was designed by acclaimed hotel architect George Wimberley.

The overall transformation has been guided by respect for the hotel's Thai heritage, ensuring that many of its most treasured design elements remain at the heart of the guest experience.

Among them is a striking 100-metre hand-painted mural in the hotel lobby, originally painted by Thailand’s greatest muralist, Paiboon Suwannakudt.

At the heart of the revamp is a "complete reimagining" of all 335 guest rooms, suites and villas.

Every bathroom has been meticulously revamped with elegant marble finishes, bespoke vanities, enhanced lighting and contemporary fittings.

Among the additions to the hotel are the Anantara Garden Pool Suites and Villas, set within lush tropical gardens with private pools and indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Also new is the Jim Thompson Explorer Suite, reimagined through a global partnership with Thailand’s legendary ‘Silk King’, Jim Thompson. It blends Thai heritage with modern sophistication through polished teak floors, painted panelled walls and curated artwork. The two-bedroom suite features an open-plan living and dining area and a private library.

Hungry guests can journey through authentic Thai flavours at Spice Market, contemporary Italian cuisine at Biscotti, Japanese dining at Shintaro, premium steaks at Madison Steak Avenue, vibrant South American cuisine at Guilty Bangkok and handcrafted cocktails at Aqua Bar.

Wellness takes centre stage with "a complete transformation" of the award-winning Anantara Spa.

For more info see https://www.anantara.com/en/siam-bangkok

Sydney gets set to celebrate the Moon Festival

Sydney is getting ready to celebrate the Moon Festival later this month.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is a harvest festival in Chinese culture and celebrations will return to Darling Square this September for two weeks of celebrating family, gratitude and the autumn full moon.

From Saturday, September 19, until Sunday, October 4, the precinct will showcase a program of illuminated installations, live entertainment, free activities and food and drink offerings.

Originating in China, Moon Festival is now celebrated across many countries including Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

At Darling Square, guests can walk through the illuminated lantern installation, enjoy free lantern decorating sessions, free dancing workshops, DJs and live entertainment, including Emperor Guan and the Moon Goddess roaming through the precinct.

Food retailers across Darling Square are getting involved once again with Moon Festival-themed menu items.



For more information on the program, including activity and session times, please visit the website.