New arts festival to enliven Tokyo over winter

Tokyo's streets, waterfronts, parks and public spaces will become a canvas for creativity with the launch of ARTE TOKYO, a new city-wide festival of arts and culture running from October 10 until the end of the year. 

The vibrant Japanese capital will take art beyond traditional galleries and museums. 

The inaugural festival promises to bring together art, theatre, music, performance, illuminations and entertainment across the city, encouraging visitors to discover Tokyo through culture as they explore its neighbourhoods and public spaces. 

The festival will centre on three main areas, Tokyo's Waterfront, Hibiya and Marunouchi, along with and Yoyogi and Shibuya. 

It will transform the Tokyo Bay waterfront into a stage as Odaiba Beach, waterfront parks and promenades will become settings for installations and interactive experiences. 

Visitors can also experience the festival from the water aboard the Arte Tokyo Cruise, connecting Odaiba and Tennoz from October 10 to December 20 - mainly on weekends and public holidays. 

From mid-November, ARTE TOKYO will bring contemporary art into the streets and public spaces of Hibiya and Marunouchi, from Tokyo Midtown Hibiya and Hibiya Park to Tokyo International Forum and the area around Tokyo Station. 

In December, Yoyogi and Shibuya become another major focus, with art and cultural experiences appearing throughout Yoyogi Park and surrounding public spaces. The program connects Yoyogi Park with Shibuya, Harajuku and Omotesando, encouraging visitors to explore an area where parks, shopping, entertainment and contemporary culture come together.

The festival also overlaps with Tokyo's winter light season, including Yoyogi Forest of Lights, Omotesando Illumination 2026 and Blue Grotto Shibuya 2026, which will illuminate a 900-metre stretch from Shibuya Koen-dori to Yoyogi Park.

ARTE TOKYO will also offer a different way to experience one of the city's historic landscapes.

To coincide with the inaugural festival and the 80th anniversary of Hama-rikyu Gardens, a special night-time art project is planned from November 25 to December 24. 

For more info see https://artetokyo.jp/en/

Spring in the Vines unveils 59 participating wine producers

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 organisers 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. 

And Two Bud Spur they will be celebrating 20 years - and hosting a pinot noir tasting that will offer the chance to explore vintages across two decades, understand how the climate has influenced the wines, and how they have evolved with careful ageing.

Alex Heroys from Destination Southern Tasmania said the 2026 edition will have a focus on new releases such as riesling and rose, as well newly disgorged sparkling wines.

“Many venues will be bringing out old vintages for special tastings,” he said. 

“There will be food vans and music, some ticketed events and some will simply open their doors, or gates, and offer a BYO picnic option for patrons.”

Spring in the Vines 2026 has partnered with Wicked Cheese for pre-ordered cheese platters for those looking for a hassle-free picnic to enjoy a bite to eat at one of those venues accepting BYO. Wicked will also have some on the day purchase options available.

Aging Barrel Wine Tours will offer a Spring in the Vines tour in the Huon Valley region on the Saturday and the Coal River Valley on the Sunday.
Downloadable map: https://winesouth.com.au/spring-in-the-vines/

Here is the full list of participating wine producers: 2forty9 Wine Farm (Coal River Valley), Aunt Alice Wines (Huon Valley), Bangor Vineyard Shed (Tasman), Birdhill Vineyards (Coal River Valley), Bream Creek Vineyard (Tasman), Bremley Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Brinktop Vineyard (Coal River Valley), By Chance Wines (Hobart), Caledon Estate (Coal River Valley), Cascades Bay Wines (Tasman), Cathedral Rock Vineyard (Huon Valley), Charles Reuben Estate (Coal River Valley), Chatto Wines (Huon Valley), Coal Valley Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Collado Way Wines (Huon Valley), Craigow Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Derwent Estate Wines (Derwent Valley), Domaine A (Coal River Valley), Elsewhere Vineyard (Huon Valley), Five Bob (d’Entrecasteaux Channel),  Frankcomb (Huon Valley), Frogmore Creek (Coal River Valley), Future Perfect Wines at Mount Direction (Hobart), Germain Wines (Derwent Valley), Henskens Rankin (Huon Valley), Heriots Point Vineyard (Huon Valley), Hurly Burly Wines (Coal River Valley), Iron Creek Bay Estate (Coal River Valley), Kate Hill Wines (Huon Valley), L’Appel Wines at Sisu Wines (Coal River Valley), Mapleton Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Marco Lubiana Wines (Derwent Valley), Merriworth Wines (Coal River Valley), Mewstone Wines (d’Entrecasteaux Channel), Mount Direction Estate (Hobart), Nandroya Wines (d’Entrecasteaux Channel), Nocton Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Parallax Organic Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Pooley Wines (Coal River Valley), Premaydena Hill (Tasman), Pressing Matters (Coal River Valley), Puddleduck Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Quiet Mutiny (Coal River Valley),  Resolution Vineyard (d’Entrecasteaux Channel), Richmond Park Estate (Coal River Valley), Rivulet Wines at Mewstone Wines (d’Entrecasteaux Channel), Roslyn 1823 (Coal River Valley), Sisu Wines (Coal River Valley), Six Friends (Coal River Valley), Sonnen Wine (Coal River Valley), Southwood Wine (Derwent Valley), Stargazer (Coal River Valley), Three Capes Vineyard (Tasman), Trial Bay Estate (d’Entrecasteaux Channel), Two Bud Spur (Huon Valley), Uplands Vineyard (Coal River Valley), Vini Fusilli (Huon Valley), Wobbly Boot Vineyard (Coal River Valley),  Yellow Point Vineyard (d’Entrecasteaux Channel). 

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

Otahuna Lodge offers a chance to be Lord of the Manor

Ever considered hosting a special occasion where you have an entire luxury property to yourself, your family and friends?

Historic Otahuna Lodge outside Christchurch in New Zealand has just launched its "Lord of the Manor" package.

Whether you're looking to celebrate a milestone birthday, family reunion or a memorable workplace retreat, weekend dates in 2026 are now open.

The Lord of the Manor package (available from May 1 through October 15) can be reserved at the rate of $NZ 9995 per night (weekday nights) or $11,995 (Friday and Saturday nights).

All Lord of the Manor bookings enjoy the following inclusions for up to 10 guests:

# Accommodation across five suites and two master suites

#·Pre-dinner drinks with canapés

# A four-course, set menu dinner

#· Matched wine pairings with every course

# Continental and cooked breakfasts.

Up to six additional guests (for a maximum of 16 people) can be added at a rate of $600 per additional person per night.

It is a remarkably stylish property celebrated for its architecture, award-winning gardens and sophisticated cuisine. A special place to stay.

For full details see www.otahuna.co.nz/

An oasis in Bali's tourism epicentre

Whether you plan on partying, surfing or spending some time in the pool with the kids. Pullman Bali Legian Beach has a major drawcard: its location.

Midway between Kuta and Seminyak, and situated right across the road from one of Bali's most popular surfing beaches, this is an ideal base for lovers of bustling international hotels.

All the local attractions are within a short stroll, whether you want to walk along the beach, visit myriad restaurants and bars, have a massage, a mani/pedi, drink cocktails, visit a market, get a tattoo, drink at a beach club or maybe see a drag show.

Or alternatively there's enough activities on site for the whole family that you could stay on site and stay busy all week.

There are a variety of room styles on offer and we were lucky enough to spend one night in a Premium Deluxe Ocean View room (below), and the second in a spacious and very quiet Exclusive Family Room.

This is a big hotel - offering terrific variety. 

There are 378 rooms and suites, each with the possibility of overlooking the gardens, pools or ocean. 

There is plenty of fresh air and sunlight no matter which room format you choose, and all rooms are  equipped with LED smart TV and cable channels, fast and free wifi, bathtubs and rainfall showers, yoga kits and safe deposit boxes.

There is a lot of greenery here; it is a little oasis from the hustle and bustle outside. Visit the hotel's own temple gardens, dine in the Montage all-day dining restaurant (with different global cuisines featured each night of the week), or dine from an on-trend food truck. 

Think Middle Eastern foods one night, seafood another, or Tastes of Asia, which we enjoyed. Not gourmet, but hearty. The relaxed resort vibe does sometimes extend to the service.

But if you need a late-night bite after being out partying, or a cosy breakfast in bed, there is 24-hour in-room dining.

Breakfast can be whatever you want from a buffet array of healthy options ranging from Japanese and Indian to western options. The egg station is quick and efficient and makes excellent omelettes. 

The al a carte all-day menu features Indian and Korean dishes, western favourites and local tastes like satay platters and bebek goreng (duck fried rice) 

There are three bars, an infinity pool, garden pool and kids pool, a well equipped gym with enthusiastic trainers, a kids club, even function rooms and a ballroom. 

Keeping guests’ wellness to the fore, the modern Tjakra7 Spa features hydro pools (below), steam room and sauna, along with a range of spa therapies. It is very impressive. 

There are bars serving cocktails, mocktails, beers and wines. Choose from L-Bar near the lobby area (which has late-night BOGOF happy hours), IP Bar at the rooftop Infinity Pool that offers great sunset views, and the relaxed Garden Bar. 

For those needing time before check in or after check out there is a lounge with computer screens and bathroom facilities. 

Kids will love the late-night movies shown open air in the gardens.  

What does the manager have to say? 

“Pullman Bali Legian Beach is a property which stands out amongst all the hotels and resorts in this legendary Kuta and Legian area," says GM Ravi Khubchandani. 

"As the home of business, casual meetings, and leisure, Pullman Bali Legian Beach is a primary choice to stay for many people that would like to enjoy the exalting life alongside the famous Legian Beach.”

See https://www.pullman-bali-legianbeach.com/ 

# The writer was hosted by Accor

A Kanazawa image gallery

Kanazawa is a medium-sized city in Japan that has not yet succumbed to the massive invasion of western tourists that has plagued cities like Kyoto. 

Reachable in around 2 1/2 hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train, Kanazawa is well worth 2-3 days of any visitor’s time. 

It is a city of contrasts, where Edo-era buildings co-exist alongside modern architecture. 

Think historic castles and beautiful gardens, gold-leaf production, bustling markets, fresh seafood and easy access to most attractions. 

There are myriad museums and galleries - and the city is very popular with Japanese tourists over the summer national holiday period. 

A full review follows but here are some images that showcase the city. All pics taken on my iPhone and posted unfiltered.

You can check out https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/

Blooming marvellous: a New Zealand treat

They call it Daffodil Season.

New Zealand luxury lodge Otahuna welcomes spring - and marks its re-opening - with a celebration of daffodils in its expansive gardens. 

Planted in the late 1800s by Sir Heaton Rhodes, every August and September the Relais & Chtaeaux property's paddocks erupt in bloom as hundreds of thousands of bright yellow flowers signal the change of season.

From August 23-September 20, Otahuna Lodge - located outside Christchurch in a magical setting -offers a "Daffodil Season" special offer for which guests may enjoy a two-night stay (or longer) and take advantage of a host of several inclusions. But luxury doesn't come cheap. 

From a complimentary luxe lunch to a private tour of the Lodge's gardens and even a guaranteed upgrade to one of two exquisite Master Suites the additions are impressive. 

Inclusions for the double occupancy offers are a guaranteed complimentary upgrade to a Master Suite per availability at time of booking; pre-dinner drinks with canapés each evening'; a four-course, set menu dinner each evening, full cooked breakfast each morning, a picnic or plated lunch with one bottle of premium New Zealand wine and a private guided tour of Otahuna’s historic gardens.

The offer is available from $NZ2400 (incl. GST) per night for a minimum of two nights.

See https://www.otahuna.co.nz/