Rolling on the river: Danube aims for greater visibility

Travel marketers want us to think of the River Danube as one great cross-continental tourism highway.

The Austrian National Tourist Office, Visit Hungary and the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) have collaborated with regional partners to launch “Discover your Danube”, a new cross-border promotional initiative.

Flowing through multiple countries, the river offers a combination of historical landmarks, vibrant cities and scenic landscapes.

The project was unveiled at ITB Berlin 2026 and will spark marketing initiatives by the third quarter of the year, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Co-financed by the participating organisations and supported by the European Travel Commission (ETC) Co-Op Program 2026 with EU backing, the initiative aims to boost the international profile of the Danube as a seamless, multi-country travel experience.

It promotes the river not just as a route, but as a year-round destination blending nature, culture, gastronomy and local lifestyles, with a focus on independent travel across borders.

“Discover your Danube” positions the river as a flexible and immersive experience rather than a linear journey. Travelers are encouraged to explore the region in stages, from outdoor adventures and cultural city breaks to culinary traditions and regional heritage.

The campaign will target "high-value international travellers" - that means rich folk - from key long-haul and European markets.

A core goal of the project is to drive year-round tourism by highlighting off-peak travel, longer stays and sustainable mobility options such as rail, cycling and hiking.

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe behind the Volga in Russia, flowing 2,850km and passing through or bordering Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Image: Budpaest, Serhii Zarev, Scop.io    

Củ Chi: From war zone to luxury golf resort

The world moves on. 

For many folk the name Củ Chi is synonymous with the Vietnam War (which the Vietnamese call the American War). 

  

The tunnels of Củ Chi are a huge network of connecting tunnels located south of Ho Chi Minh City. 

The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the war and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for the decisive Tet Offensive in 1968. 

Now Củ Chi is building a reputation as a world-class golf resort with the opening of Vinpearl Golf Léman, a newly opened 36-hole facility. 

Located just an hour's drive from central Ho Chi Minh City, Vinpearl Golf Léman is set amid the waterways and greenery of Củ Chi. 

Covering more than 200 hectares, the project consists of two courses, North and South and is being promoted as being among the longest and most strategically designed courses in Asia.

The course is designed to reflect the natural landscape and includes over 200 bunkers, undulating fairways, and finely contoured greens. 

Complementing the course, Vinpearl Golf Léman offers a modern clubhouse, a premium pro shop with international golf brands, and a restaurant and  convention centre with capacity for nearly 700 guests. 

"Vinpearl Golf Léman has been developed with modern facilities, a distinctive design, and a scale ranking among the most strategic in Asia," says says Nguyễn Thu Phương, southern operations director of Vinpearl. 

"We believe it will soon become a host venue for national and international tournaments, contributing to raising Vietnam's profile on the global golf map.

"The opening of Vinpearl Golf Léman adds another international-standard course to Ho Chi Minh City, providing golfers with a comprehensive venue where sport is combined with high-quality leisure experiences. 

"It also marks a strategic step in Vietnam's journey to become one of the region's leading golf destinations, on par with Asia's most renowned golfing hubs."

Vinpearl Golf operates international-standard golf courses in Vietnam at Hai Phong, Nam Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Cu Chi and also manages the Cape Wickham Golf Links in Tasmania. 

See https://vinpearl.com/vi/vinpearl-golf-leman

New villas for wine lovers visiting the Yarra Valley

Good news for wine lovers frustrated by a lack of weekend accommodation in the Yarra Valley.

In addition to the soon-to-open Levantine Hill Hotel, the RACV this week unveiled plans for a $27 million expansion of its Healesville Country Club & Resort.

Located in the heart of the Yarra Valley, just over an hour from Melbourne, RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort's expansion will be a major boost to regional tourism in Victoria.

The development project will feature 12 new premium villas providing luxe two-bedroom accommodation for families and small groups, along with a new golf pro shop and new sports and recreation facilities.

The addition of the new villas and facilities will create over 250 jobs during construction and 26 ongoing positions once operational, injecting an estimated $3.8 million annually into the local economy.

"RACV is committed to investing in regional Victoria and this project is a great opportunity to expand the accommodation options that are available in the Yarra Valley," said Craig Peachey, RACV executive general manager leisure.

"These new luxury villas and facilities will help to meet the growing demand for family and group style accommodation, while enhancing the Yarra Valley’s reputation as a premium tourism and golfing destination.

“During weekends and peak periods, the resort is fully booked in advance, so potential visitors to the region may look elsewhere for their getaway. This expansion will enable the facility to welcome up to 16,700 additional guests annually."

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort offers a choice of Lawn View rooms, Golf View rooms, and Premium Mountain View room, all featuring en suite bathrooms, minibars, and robes.

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort is also home to a day spa, pool and fitness centre, along with the 18-hole golf course, and Banyalla and Riddell's Green restaurants.

Construction is scheduled to commence in mid 2026 with the new villas expected to welcome their first guests by mid 2027.

For more info see racv.com.au/travel-experiences/.

A little slice of Australiana

Dagwood dogs, carnival rides, farm animals, woodchopping and politicians shaking hands in a bid for votes. 

It doesn't get much more small town Australia than this: the annual Huon Show in Tasmania, the southernmost region of Australia. 

Held at the Ranelagh Showgrounds, outside Huonville, this where the whole region comes together for one day; from dairy farmers to fish farmers; the unemployed to the over-tattooed. 

I hope you enjoy the images.

 

  

A new Abode for visitors to Canberra

 

Abode Hotels has unveiled somewhere new to stay in the Australian capital of Canberra.

Abode Phillip will be the ninth accommodation option in the Abode portfolio.

With 54 self-contained apartment-style rooms, Abode Phillip accommodation is equipped with modern amenities including kitchenette facilities, a washer/dryer, and STAYCAST streaming.

Located just "a stone's throw" away from major shopping and dining precincts, entertainment venues, parks, and public transport hubs, Abode Phillip is billed as being suitable both leisure and business travellers.

"We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Abode Phillip," said Brett Walker, general manager of Iconic Hotels by Geocon.

"Our aim is to provide our guests with a comfortable and convenient home away from home, offering a blend of modern amenities and prime location."

Bookings are now open for stays starting Friday, June 7. See https://abodehotels.com.au/hotels/phillip/.

From a place of terror to a place of leisure

It used to be that HM Pentridge Prison was a destination to be avoided at all costs.

Today, on the 26th anniversary of the closure of the jail, TFE Hotels officially launched its 106-room Adina Hotel, Olivine wine bar, North & Common restaurant, Chapter Place events venue, and urban retreat The Interlude on the same site.

What was once a cold, hard place has been transformed into a billion-dollar dining and entertainment precinct.

TFE Hotels’ Regional General Manager for Victoria, Stephen Moore, said the unveiling of the Pentridge precinct was a sign that Melbourne’s tourism industry was continuing its post-pandemic recovery.

Moore said today's ribbon cutting, and ceremonial opening of a Heritage-listed red door into the converted prison wing, signalled the official launch of the TFE’ venues at the Heritage-listed site.



The launch followed a private event last week where Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Bill Nicholson, conducted a Welcome to Country and ceremonial cleansing of the site.

The MP for Pascoe Vale, Anthony Cianflone, said the Pentridge Visitor and Entertainment Precinct was a game changer for Coburg and surrounds.

“Wine Bar, cuisine, wellness, accommodation, entertainment, history, culture, and tourism - all of which means a growing visitor economy, more jobs and skills for our community,” he said.

General Manager Jesse Kornoff (pictured above with Cianflone) said the 106-room Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne (which had its soft opening in February), Olivine wine bar and the eight Chapter Place events spaces had been well received by locals and travellers alike.

“We’ve had people coming in and staying because they’re genuinely interested in seeing what’s been hiding behind the bluestone walls; others were part of conferences or held events in our unique event spaces; and others still were simply attracted to the sheer convenience of our brand-new hotel being located halfway between Melbourne’s CBD and the airport.”

North & Common restaurant, with head chef Mark Glenn at the helm, will open to hotel guests this week and officially launch to the public on May 10, while Olivine wine bar, which opened last month, showcases the adaptive reuse of former prison cells.

How to "deep dive" into the world of wellness travel

Wellness is the buzzword in the travel industry right now, even more so than "luxury", "cocktails" or "plant-predominant". 

No surprise then that Australia is to get its first Wellness Tourism Summit later this year. 

To be held on the Tweed Coast, the event is aimed at showcasing the rapid growth and demand in the wellness sector and the opportunities for tourism businesses across Australia. 

To be held on October 13-14, the Summit is being convened by Katherine Droga, founder of Droga & Co. and chair of the Global Wellness Institute’s (GWI) Wellness Tourism Initiative (sorry, never heard of it). 

The program has been designed to "deep dive" (such hip terminology) into consumer insights and trends and reimagine wellness travel. It will feature a panel of leading international and local wellness experts.

“The Wellness Tourism Summit will be embracing the theme of regeneration this year," Droga said. "Wellness tourism can support the well-being of not only visitors but local communities, culture, and the environment. Given the recent flood devastation in the Tweed region, we can’t think of a better place to host this year’s Summit.” 

Consumer demand is certainly strong with the global wellness tourism sector forecast to grow by 21% annually to 2025. Transformational travel is in. 

The Summit destination partner, the Tweed Tourism Company, will showcase the region's wellness offerings, ranging from coastal to riverside and hinterland settings.

The Wellness Tourism Summit is proudly supported by the Tweed Tourism Company, Destination NSW, Tourism Australia, Well Traveller, Waterlily, HydraFacial, Belgravia Leisure, Spa Vision, Philippines Tourism and Finn Cold Press Juices (phew!).

Early Bird Tickets are on sale now for $495 - which shows there is money in wellness. See www.wellnesstourismsummit.com.au

Break free just a short drive from Adelaide and McLaren Vale

Calling all wine lovers visiting the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia who also fancy a seaside holiday.

Wirrina Cove is located between the coastal towns of Second Valley and Normanville on Yankalilla Bay and combines a resort, 18-hole golf course and the 210-berth Marina St Vincent.

Accor and New Terry Developments today opened the 87-room BreakFree Wirrina Cove hotel, which is surrounded by national parks, beaches, waterfalls and kangaroos. The resort features sweeping views of Gulf St Vincent.

BreakFree Wirrina Cove is around 70km south of Adelaide and boasts conference and function facilities, high-speed internet, bar and cafe facilities, plus a swimming pool and gym.

Accor Pacific CEO Simon McGrath said: “We are proud to open a BreakFree resort in the Gulf St Vincent region. This resort will play a key role in further elevating the area's profile and its attractiveness as a leisure and business destination.

"Terry Developments should be very proud of the long-term investment they have made into the future of tourism the area, and we look forward to enjoying a successful partnership together.”

BreakFree Wirrina Cove Owner Andie Xu said: “With outstanding golf and meeting facilities in the Gulf St Vincent region, BreakFree Wirrina Cove sets a new benchmark in accommodation.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Accor, who are the market leader of accommodation in Australia, under a franchise agreement. Accor’s BreakFree brand is the ideal fit for our resort, and we’ve enjoyed working with their team to create a resort that is both contemporary and welcoming.”

To celebrate its opening, BreakFree Wirrina Cove has launched an opening special. Guests can stay from $119 per night in a standard King room including continental breakfast until September 27.

Wineries in the Fleurieu Peninsula are located just 20 minutes' drive from BreakFree Wirrina Cove and Victor Harbour is also a short drive away.

For more information visit accor.com