Aman unveils luxury at sea

So you are cashed up and like to relax in serious style?

Ultra-luxury resort operator Aman has just unveiled a series of inaugural yacht voyages.

Aman at Sea’s Amangati yacht will begin a season of five- to eight-night Mediterranean journeys from spring 2027 with bookings now open.

Many travellers will be familiar with the Aman brand and its ultra-luxe resorts.

The 180-metre Amangati is currently under construction. It will accommodate 94 guests in 47 suites, all with their own terrace.

Wellness will be an integral part of the yachting experience with the two-level Aman Spa housing eight ocean-facing treatment suites with private terraces and open-air whirlpool baths.

The vessel willl also features yoga, meditation, a fitness studio, medi spa and beauty lounge.

There are also open-air pools and sun decks.

Dining aboard Amangati will range from all-day Mediterranean to Japanese teppanyaki and the Aman Grill.

Additionally, in-suite dining will be available round the clock.

Onboard entertainment will includes The Jazz Club, the cinema and a youth lounge.

Watermans brings tastes of the Levant to Barangaroo

The burgeoning Barangaroo gourmet precinct in Sydney has been boosted by the arrival of newcomer Watermans, an eastern Mediterranean restaurant from The Bentley Restaurant Group.

Operated by leading Australian hospitality operators Nick Hildebrandt and Brent Savage, Watermans has chef Darryl Martin (formerly of Barzaari) at the helm.

Watermans is located within the recently completed One Sydney Harbour Lendlease development in Barangaroo, just metres from Sydney Harbour.

“2025 has been a huge year for The Bentley Group," said sommelier and co-owner Hildebrandt. "We started the year with the launch of Eleven Barrack and we’re ending the year back in Barangaroo with Watermans, right in time for summer.”

The 120-seat venue houses two pergolas wrapped in mature greenery, with a "modern-luxe interior featuring timber veneer finishes, bespoke lighting and an open kitchen with a custom-made wood-fired grill and oven".

Co-owner and chef Savage said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Darryl into The Bentley Group family. The menu for Watermans is inspired by the cuisine of the Levant and highlights the best of Australian produce.

"It has a strong emphasis on vegetable-forward dishes, and it’s been fun to collaborate with Darryl, whose cooking I’ve long admired, especially his work at Barzaari.”

Highlight dishes from the opening menu include: hummus with green zhoug and mint; labneh with salted cucumber, pomegranate and lemon jam; raw tuna with watermelon, yoghurt and fig leaf oil; wood-fired scallop with pomegranate, brown butter and sesame praline; and whole wood-fired flounder with broad beans and smoked tomato savoro.

For meat lovers, there is roasted chicken with with preserved lemon, parsley and green olive; and lamb shoulder with harissa, black lime, cinnamon and toum.

Desserts include halva ice cream, date granita, must vinegar, and brik bougatsa, cherry jam and aniseed sorbet.

Watermans is open daily from noon for lunch and dinner at R1/88 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, Sydney. See https://www.bentleyrestaurantgroup.com.au/watermanssydney

The inside track on some of Europe's finest rental villas

Heading to Europe? Looking for a villa, or somewhere special to base yourself?

Worried about using airbnb, or dealing with an owner direct? 

Want to talk with someone with inside knowledge, and local experience?

Australians and New Zealanders can now access a range of villas and boutique hotels on offer from one of the UK's long-established villa rental companies, Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com; ++44 208 003 6557).

The London-based operator focuses on Mediterranean destinations including Greece, Italy, mainland France, Corsica, Corfu (above) and Mallorca.

Established in 2002, Simpson Travel was founded by Graham Simpson, who founded Simply Travel in in 1978.

“We're delighted to be opening up our collection of villas and boutique hotels to the Australian market," Simpson says.

"I first started offering villa holidays in 1978 with my Greek wife Yianna, inspired by the idea of sharing the kind of authentic travel experiences we enjoyed ourselves.

"Today, some of our villas and Simpson Hotels are quietly secluded, while others sit near the finest beaches in Europe and certainly no longer off the beaten track, yet our approach remains unchanged.

"To us, the road less travelled is about going the extra mile; making the effort where others might take shortcuts.

“We are committed to ensuring our guests have truly memorable experiences from start to finish. As well as knowing destinations inside-out, and having strong relationships with villa owners locally, our concierge services and locally based representatives can help guests every step of the way.

"Whether it's a restaurant booking, boat hire, private transfer or shopping recommendation, nothing is too much trouble.

"Depending on the property and location, we are also able to arrange special added extras such as in-villa chefs, cooking lessons, in-villa massage or treatments, nanny services or babysitting.”

Simpson Travel also offers a range of hotels options.