Asia's new culinary travel drawcards

There is nothing more satisfying for a gourmet traveller than to discover a foodie hotspot ahead of the crowd. 

Digital travel platform Agoda has just released its list of Asia's hidden gems, where the local cuisine offers a window into a region's culture. 

The list showcases six destinations that are not major urban centres but do provide dishes to tantalise the palate. 

In the remote Isan region of Thailand, Udon Thani is described as "a culinary gem with its focus on traditional Thai flavours". Known for its vibrant street food scene, Udon Thani offers dishes like som tam (spicy papaya salad) and larb (spicy minced meat salad), which are staples of the region's cuisine. The city's food culture is deeply rooted in its agricultural heritage, providing a unique taste of rural Thailand.

Hué, Vietnam, is celebrated for its imperial cuisine, which reflects the city's historical significance as the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. The culinary scene in Hué is characterized by its delicate flavours and artistic presentation, with dishes like bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes) and bún bò Hué (spicy beef noodle soup) offering a taste of the city's royal past.

In the Philippines, Iloilo stands out with its vibrant mix of local and international flavours. Known for its seafood and traditional dishes like La Paz Batchoy (a noodle soup with pork and liver) and pancit molo (dumpling soup), Iloilo's culinary offerings are a testament to its cultural heritage. 

Dandong, China, offers a culinary experience at the crossroads of Chinese and Korean influences. This border city is known for fresh ingredients and bold flavours. From savoury dumplings to spicy stews, Dandong's food scene is vibrant. 

In Malaysia, Melaka is a cultural crossroads where Nyonya cuisine takes centre stage. This unique culinary tradition combines Chinese ingredients with Malay spices, resulting in dishes that are both flavourful and aromatic. 

Luang Prabang, in Laos offers a culinary journey set against the backdrop of its UNESCO World Heritage status. The city's cuisine is a harmonious blend of French colonial influences and traditional Laotian flavors, creating a dining experience that is both exotic and familiar. Signature dishes like laap, a spicy minced meat salad, and tam mak hoong, a tangy green papaya salad, showcase the city's appeal. 

"Exploring these hidden gems through their food is like taking a delicious journey through history and culture," says Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply at Agoda said. 

More at agoda.com. 

Image: Luang Prabang night market

Europe urged to crack down on Russian tourists

Russians are not the most popular tourists. They have a reputation for being loud, smoking, and a reluctance to obey rules. 

 
The European Commission has now signalled plans to tighten Schengen visa rules for Russian nationals following criticism from a group of European countries that say current policies are being applied inconsistently across the bloc, news network Euronews reports.

The proposed measures, which Euronews says are expected to be presented next year, would introduce what Brussels describes as “targeted restrictive visa measures” aimed at addressing security concerns linked to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. 

The move comes after 11 European nations, led by Sweden, called on the Commission to take stronger action and create a more unified approach to handling visa applications from Russian citizens. The group also includes the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

In a joint letter sent to Brussels, the countries expressed concern over what they described as significant differences in how member states are implementing visa guidelines introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Those measures were designed to reduce non-essential travel from Russia, increase security screening and gradually phase out multi-entry visas in favour of single-entry permits.

The letter says inconsistent implementation has weakened the effectiveness of the policy and sent mixed political messages at a time when Europe is seeking to maintain a united stance against Moscow.

The letter urged the Commission to introduce binding restrictions, improve enforcement of existing guidelines and provide regular updates on visa issuance statistics involving Russian nationals.

France granted the highest number of Schengen visas to Russian nationals in 2025, issuing nearly 180,000 permits, an increase from the previous year. Italy followed with close to 160,000 visas, while Spain issued just under 100,000.

The letter says that it is difficult to justify large numbers of Russian tourists enjoying vacations across Europe while the conflict in Ukraine continues and civilian areas remain under attack.

Image: Gatot Adriansyah, Scop.io

This man has just been given one of the best jobs in the wine world

A winemaker called Émilien Boutillat has just been awarded one of the most coveted jobs in the world of wine.

Boutillat will join Champagne Bollinger later this year as Cellar Master, a role that will see him entrusted with preserving and deepening the expression of the style and identity of the esteemed Champagne House, while guiding it through a new chapter.

Born and raised in Champagne, where his family has been established for generations, Boutillat joins Bollinger after experience at Château Margaux in Bordeaux, and Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 

He has also has had stints in New Zealand (Mud House), the US (Peter Michael Winery), Chile (Viu Manent) and South Africa (La Motte).

He was Cellar Master of the Cattier and Armand de Brignac Houses, before joining Piper-Heidsieck in 2018, where he has served as Cellar Master until now.

“We are delighted to welcome Émilien to Champagne Bollinger," says Charles Armand de Belenet, managing director of Champagne Bollinger.

"His career, his exacting standards and his vision of winemaking will be invaluable assets in preserving and advancing the style of the House, while supporting its evolution in the next chapters of its history.

"On the eve of its Bicentenary, this appointment is fully aligned with the House’s ambition to prepare for the future while remaining faithful to the values, savoir faire and commitments that define its singularity.”

Boutillat describes joining Bollinger as a great honour.

"Its history, craftsmanship and commitments are unique strengths that will continue to shape its future," he says. "I look forward to being part of this collective endeavour, working alongside the teams to balance respect for tradition with openness to innovation."

Boutillat succeeds Denis Bunner, who was appointed chief winemaker in 2023.

* Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Champagne region, Champagne Bollinger is a family-owned, independent producer.

The Icelandic connection to small-batch Tasmanian wines

Artisan Tasmanian winemakers Paul and Gilli Lipscombe no doubt expected some quizzical looks when they named their Sailor Seeks Horse "reserve" wines Huldufólk.

Huldufólk is Icelandic for "hidden people" and these creatures are supernatural elves in Icelandic and Faroese folklore, who look and live like humans but exist in a parallel, unseen dimension.

Residing inside rocks, hills, and cliffs, they are deeply respected, with many locals historically avoiding moving rocks or building on specific lands to protect their homes.

Huldufólk are traditionally believed to be indistinguishable from humans.

 

The name comes from Paul's family connections with Iceland.

His father Hugh owns fish and chip businesses in the UK, and in 1981 he jumped on a plane to Iceland on a mission to source the best quality cod and haddock.

It was then, 45 years ago, that the Lipscombe family developed a relationship with fishermen in Isafjordur that still stands.

Today, the Lipscombe family still sources fish from the trawler Julius Germundsson.

Back in the Huon Valley, in the far south of Tasmania, Sailor Seeks Horse's current Huldufólk releases are the 2024 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The chardonnay is a stunner: fiercely linear, pure and precise. It is simultaneously chalky, citrusy, crunchy and cohesive with lemon meringue pie notes. Sadly only 800 bottles were made. 

The cellar worthy pinot noir is similarly scarce, made from a single barrel of 115 clone pinot with an impressive melange of fruit and savoury notes. Each costs $120 and you may already be too late. 

See https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/ 

Authentic gourmet experiences on the Amalfi Coast

There is increasing demand from travellers for authentic gourmet experiences. 

Casa Angelina on Italy's dramatic Amalfi Coast has launched a collection of activities featuring local Italian traditions. 

Located high above the the ancient fishing village of Praiano, Casa Angelina is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. 

The exclusive 36-room retreat aims to offer the "pleasures of southern Italy are reimagined through a lens of quiet luxury". It is represented in Australia by the Unique Tourism Collection. https://uniquetourism.com/  

Among the immersive experiences for the 2026 summer season are Ancient Lantern Fishing and Nonna's Secret. 

Lantern Fishing offers guests the a night-time excursion inspired by the traditional lampare fishing technique. Accompanied by a local fisherman, guests catch their own fish. Executive chef Leopoldo Elefante later guides them in preparing their catch using seasonal local ingredients and simple techniques (below). 

In southern Italy, the annual preparation of tomato preserves is a tradition with most families. 

Nonna's Secret invites guests to take part and discover one of Campania's most cherished customs (top image). 

The experience begins with a leisurely walk through Casa Angelina's organic garden alongside chef Elefante, gathering sun-ripened tomatoes and fragrant basil. Back in the kitchen, guests are guided through the traditional preparation of homemade passata - with each guest taking home a jar of hand-crafted tomato preserve. 

Other experiences include lacemaking. basket weaving and painting. 

For more details see www.casangelina.com

Discover a different way to buy your wine

Just about every wine store in the world offers a similar format: a section for chardonnay, another section for shiraz, a different section for imports. 

New Melbourne store Drop Shop, which opens its doors today, is doing things differently. 

Drop Shop is challenging decades of liquor retail convention with a simple idea: most people don’t buy wines by grape variety or region - they buy by occasion and budget.

Founded by Pinot Palooza creator and Wine Victoria chair Dan Sims, drinks retail specialist Courtney Keegan and Common State founder Luke McKinnon, the new concept aims to replace overwhelming choice with a tightly curated range organised into three intuitive categories:

Choose from: 

* Weekday from $15 to $25
* Party from $25 to $40
* Fancy from $40+

“We want to create a new category,” says McKinnon, ex Dan Murphy's and Blackheart and Sparrows. 

"We've gone for an occasion-based liquor format that strips out the clutter and speaks directly to the individual who’s tired of choosing between a warehouse and a wine lecture.

”With this guiding logic, the offer is deliberately simple. Wines are presented in three distinct categories with Victorian and rising producers front and centre."

The same equation applies across wine, beer, RTDs, spirits, as well as non-alcoholic options. 

The 60sqm store is designed by We Are Humble and inspired by Japanese konbini culture. 

Drop Shop is described as a convenience store for drinks that’s designed like Aesop, run like 7-Eleven, and organised to take the guesswork out of buying booze. 

“Most retailers would probably describe themselves as highly curated,” Sims says. "But the average bottle shop stocks more than 1000 wines. At Drop Shop, we literally only have room for 150, so everything has to really earn its spot on the shelf. Think of each category as its own shortlist. The idea isn’t to limit choice - it’s to make choosing easier."

Drop Shop is at 70 Lygon Street (corner of St Phillip Street), Brunswick East, 3057. Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11am-9pm, Friday and Saturday: 11am-10pm, Sunday: 11am-8pm.

See www.dropshopdrinks.com