Book early for Japan, or risk missing out, tour operator advises

Planning to visit tourism magnet Japan in 2026? 

One major travel operator is urging early bookings to avoid the possibility of missing out.

With demand still surging and some departures already full, travellers looking to walk or cycle in Japan in 2026 are being urged to act fast, says World Expeditions..

World Expeditions, a pioneer in active holidays, as launched a special January sale on 15 holidays across Japan - with discounts only available until the end of the month.

The vacation options include walking heritage trails, cultural immersions and supported cycling holidays.

“As the active travel specialists in Japan, we’ve designed our itineraries to suit every style of traveller - from guided cultural walks to independent hikes and multi-day bike tours,” said Sue Badyari, CEO of World Expeditions.

“Some April and May trips have already sold out, and others are nearing capacity. With limited group sizes and strong early interest, this is absolutely the time to book.”

You can check out the trips here: worldexpeditions.com

A barrel of fun: discover a new Tasmanian beverage experience

 

Tasmania is renowned for its cool-climate wines and artisan spirits. 

What could be more Tasmanian, then, than two local producers joining forces for an indulgent tasting experience?  

Tasmanian winery Tamar Ridge and neighbouring distillery Turner Stillhouse have partnered to create an exclusive Wine and Spirit Tour. 

The new immersive experience invites guests to delve into the worlds of both premium Tasmanian wine and spirits, with a special focus on the art of barrel-aging.

The three-hour experience begins with a guided tour of the Turner Stillhouse distillery, where participants learn about the production of Three Cuts Gins and whiskies, including the unique process of resting the gin in former Tamar Ridge wine barrels.

The tasting showcases the influence of Tamar Ridge's pinot noir and chardonnay barrels on the final gin product. 

The pinot barrel-rested gin is aged in ex-Tasmanian French oak pinot noir barrels to provide an intense colour and rich pinot influence. The chardonnay barrel-rested gin, meanwhile, provides subtle colour, but its palate is citrus heavy with a long, smoky finish.

Guests then transition next door to the Tamar Ridge cellar door where they embark on a seated wine tasting, savouring four signature wines (a mix of pinot noir and sparkling) while enjoying panoramic views of the Tamar River. 

The experience is rounded out with a gourmet platter featuring local Tasmanian produce to complement the drinks.

"This collaboration with Turner Stillhouse allows us to offer a truly unique and comprehensive Tasmanian experience," says Tamar Ridge senior winemaker Tom Wallace.

"Guests will discover the craftsmanship behind our wines and the fascinating way those flavours translate into Turner Stillhouse's exceptional barrel-rested gins."

The Wine and Spirit Tour is available seven days a week, from 11am to 2pm, priced at $60 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made at tamarridge.rezdy.com/596770/wine-spirit-cheese-tour.

A spring festival in the southern vineyards of Tasmania

If you love cool-climate wines and have been meaning to escape to Tasmania for a few days then the weekend of November 1-3 might be the perfect opportunity. 

No fewer than 37 wine producers from the Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley and the Huon Valley/d'Entrecasteaux Channel are teaming up for Spring in the Vines, the fourth edition of a weekend of tastings and entertainment. 

They range from big names like Frogmore Creek, Pooley, Derwent Estate, Nocton and Bream Creek to tiny wineries like Yellow Point, Premaydena Hill, and Saltwater River Wines, perhaps making just 100 dozen cases off the beaten track. 

Spring in the Vines is presented by Wine South Tasmania who have teamed up with several top Hobart hotels and local wine tour guides to show off the wine trails across the south of the island state.

Tasmania is known for its pinot noir, chardonnay, sparkling wines and riesling, but there are also adventurous producers including Kate Hill Wines, who produce shiraz from the coldest and southernmost shiraz vineyard in the country. 

Plan your visit at https://www.winesouth.com.au/events

You can drive yourself, or join a chauffeured wine tour with The Derwent Experience, Ageing Barrel Tours, or Apple Isle Wine Tours. 

Hotels offering discounted rates of up to 15% for the weekend include The Tasman, Hadley’s Orient Hotel, The Old Woolstore and MACq 01. 

This sounds like one of the worst holiday ideas ever

There is no place on earth with as many good pubs as the UK.

Think real ale, pub grub, open fires and maybe a game of darts.

The antithesis of the local pub is a group known as Wetherspoons, which operate hundred of pubs across the country.

Sometimes described as "cheap and cheerful", Wetherspoons are the pub equivalent of Coles supermarkets. I tried one in Norwich a while back and was not impressed. 

To say Wetherspoons is a divisive brand would be an understatement, but founder and chairman Tim Martin - a massive Brexit enthusiast - was knighted in the King’s New Year honours list.

UK Newspaper The Independent reported the chain has "inexpensive pints, straightforward food and quirky decor - but it really isn’t for everyone".

It is, however, apparently a favourite with upmarket My UK Tour - a travel business known for selling luxury holidays in locations like the Lake District or the Cotswolds.

Bizzarely, it is now also offering trips themed around Wtherspoon's budget boozers, the drinks business reports.

Two tours are being offered: one in the south of England over seven days, and one in the north that takes place across six.

The southern tour begins in Hackney, London, with a trip to The Rochester Castle, which is the oldest-surviving Wetherspoons, before then taking in some of the sights of the city including the Tower of London.

The itinerary also takes guests to East Anglia and then Kent, where one of the alleged highlights is a visit to Ramsgate’s The Royal Victoria Pavillion, which is the biggest pub in the chain.

Overall, the southern England tour takes in eight pubs, all Spoons.

The northern tour starts in Keswick and concludes in Newcastle, taking in more historical sites as well as six landmark Wetherspoons pubs.

Prices start from £1,300 ($2,477) per person, with a personalised guide and a Bentley for transportation. Why you'd want to drive around in a Bentley if you have a penchant for cheap boozers with standardised food menus is hard to fathom.

“All of us at MyUKTour are so excited to start offering this bespoke trip to one of Britain’s best known, and arguably finest, cultural institutions,” said a spokesperson for the travel company, wisely not giving their name.

“Combining hearty pub grub and craft ales with historical monuments and stunning landscapes, this tour is sure to showcase the very best that Britain has to offer.”

I'll pass thanks.

From bombers and bad guys to a new distillery

What was once one of the most notorious addresses in Belfast has been re-born as a whisky distillery.

The A-wing of Crumlin Road jail, which housed key figures during "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, has been re-launched as a tourism attraction by its American owners.

Earlier this month, the new distilling operation was officially launched following $50 million investment by US-owned Belfast Distillery Company.

The A-wing will soon produce McConnell’s Irish Whisky, with the first bottles made in the facility expected to be available for purchase in 2029.

The launch has seen the revival of the McConnell’s Irish Whisky brand, which had a 150-year history but shut up shop due to the introduction of prohibition in the US in the 1930s.

The McConnell family had an involvement in the Belfast spirits trade dating back to the 18th century.

Joe Babiec, managing director of Belfast Distillery Company, said the final result had “exceeded expectations”.

It is hoped the venture will give tourism a boost in Belfast, with 100,000 visitors expected each year for tastings and tours.

Also known as HM Prison Belfast, and dubbed Europe's Alcatraz, prisoners held at Crumlin Road included future Irish head of state Eamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Michael Stone and Bobby Sands.

The Wild, the Innocent and the Margaret River truffle

Margaret River is one of Australia's pre-eminent wine regions, but it also wants to build a reputation for truffles.

Truffle hunting experiences will be available in the heart of the Margaret River region this winter - a first for the area.

The Margaret River Truffle Farm is offering experiences following the farm's truffle dogs, Alby and Taz, as they lead the way through rows of oak and hazelnut trees in search of the rare funghi.

The Margaret River Truffle Farm is a family-owned and -operated property, using farming techniques with minimal intervention to produce highly-prized black French truffles.

The owners have been working to get their farm ready for visits and truffle hunts, and will start offering these experiences this winter, Tourism Western Australia reports.

Go in style and Forage Safaris will include the farm's truffle hunting experiences in the tour itineraries for 2024 - with the goal of providing a bookable product in 2025.

Go In Style is offering Margaret River Truffle Tours in June, July and August - with one-hour or two-hour experiences available with truffle hunting, and the opportunity to taste truffle and the range of truffle-infused products.

The two-hour experience also includes premium tastings, such as truffle on soup, pate, and pizza.

Forage Safaris is offering a full-day food, farm and wine tour, featuring truffle hunting during the 2024 truffle season, from June to August.

Truffles have been growing near the towns of Manjimup and Pemberton in Western Australia's south west for decades, producing 70% of Australia's truffle supply.

Truffle hunts are also available at these truffieres through the months of June, July and August, at Australian Truffle Traders and Truffle Hill.

The Truffle Kerfuffle festival will, meanwhile, return to the town of Manjimup from June 28-30. Visitors can go truffle hunting, taste their way through the Festival Village, meet farmers and growers, discover local wine and produce, and indulge in truffle laden experiences with leading chefs.

Images: Rachel Claire 

Go behind the scenes at world-famous Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world - and a symbol of modern Australia.

Celebrating its 50th year, it is one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres, the nation’s premier tourism destination and an architectural masterpiece.

It is mark its 50th anniversary with a year-long season of special events and performances and today announced a brand new intimate tour, Hidden House, launching for a limited-run from June to October.

From pulleys to props, scenery to sound-checks, the new tour has been specially curated to open up more of the Opera House to locals and visitors, exploring never-before-seen areas of Australia’s most recognised building.

The tour will journey into back-of-house spaces including the Concert Hall’s world-famous organ - believed to be the largest mechanical action pipe organ in the world – the follow-spot lighting room, which puts a spotlight on world-class talent from Lizzo to The Cure, and the Joan Sutherland Theatre’s backstage lift, which carries up to twenty tonnes of set props for performances by Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet.

Intimate groups of just 10 people will be hosted by two Opera House tour guides, and - for the first time on an Opera House tour - stage and lighting technicians will share anecdotes of what it’s like to work in the landmark.

Following the tour, a leisurely high-tea brunch will be served at Portside restaurant, known for its sweeping harbourside views.

“The Opera House is more than just a piece of beautiful architecture. It is a living stage for culture, creativity and imagination," said Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer Jade McKellar. 

"During our milestone 50th anniversary year, we’re opening up our doors in new and exciting ways so that more people can experience the magic of the Opera House. With this brand new tour, we’re drawing the curtain back on the building’s thriving epicentre and the powerful stories that bring our icon to life every day.” 

"The new Hidden House tour complements the Opera House’s quintessential tour which is available in seven different languages, the Mobility Access Tour, the Architectural Tour, Taste of the House, a guided culinary adventure through all of the Opera House’s on-site bars and restaurants, and the Junior Adventure Tour, perfect for little explorers."

More information can be found on the Opera House website.

Images: Ken Leanfore 

How to explore Coonawarra in serious style

Want to explore the cellar doors and gourmet treats of Coonawarra under the guidance of two local experts?

Meet Simon and Kerry Meares, who have been conducting tours under the Coonawarra Experiences brand since 2017 and know everyone who is anyone across the Limestone Coast.

"Our goal is to share a slice of the beauty, charm, people and wonderful lifestyle of our chosen region," says Simon, who has unveiled a one-day, two-night wine lovers' package from $450 per person.

And the news is even better for Gourmet on the Road readers, who get an automatic 10% discount.

The tour and accommodation package allows more independent travellers the chance to enjoy personalised service, along with the privacy and the flexibility to unwind and explore Coonawarra at their own pace.

Guests can stay in the heart of Penola in a dedicated guest apartment, and wine, dine and tour the vines in style. The package even includes a private icon wine tasting session at Wynns Coonawarra Estate.

This package is currently available to instant book on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Guests can also be driven in a brand new Mercedes Benz V Class that can seat up to seven passengers plus the driver in comfort.

The package involves a tailored experience in the Limestone Coast region, a bottle of Coonawarra wine (your choice of style) and Cuvée chocolate on arrival, two nights of accommodation in the heart of Penola, a full day tour with Coonawarra Experiences; including private wine tastings and personalised experiences at the region's top cellar doors, the private icon wine tasting session at historic Wynns Coonawarra Estate and lunch with matched wines at one of the region's best eateries.

For full details see https://coonawarraexperiences.com.au/tours/immerse-yourself-in-coonawarra-experience/ and don't forget to ask for your discount.

Coonawarra Experiences also offers a range of other tours for wine lovers and gourmets.

Up the ladder to the roof: a new Perth experience

 

Calling all thrill seekers. 

Visitors to Perth's glitzy new Optus Stadium can now challenge themselves to a new rooftop experience – VERTIGO. 

In a first for Australian stadiums, the new experience allows fans to walk several metres beyond the edge of the stadium roof at a height of 42 metres. 

Harnessed from above and with no handrails, the brave - and the foolhardy - an peer face-first over the edge for an uninterrupted view of the field of play. 

The new VERTIGO experience joins the existing HALO rooftop tour, Behind the Scenes Optus Stadium Tour, Game Day rooftop experience and Aboriginal Cultural tours available through The Ozone at Optus Stadium. 

The rooftop tours also include a new Western Viewing Deck experience, and with lift access, it allows people of all abilities to enjoy a unique view of Perth and the Swan River. 

Sounds lovely, but I  think I'd rather have a sit down, a nice cup of tea and a biscuit.

For those who are interested: https://theozone.com.au/experiences/vertigo

A Barossa experience no wine lover will want to miss

Langmeil cellar door in the Barossa offers more than just a wine tasting experience.

Visitors to Langmeil also get to step back in time, and also (for a fee) get to taste a wine made from what are believed to be the oldest shiraz vines in the world. 

Once a derelict winery built amongst an abandoned trading village of a bygone era, Langmeil Winery is now a revived and captivating "must do" for any wine lovers visiting the Barossa. 

pocket of Barossa’s vine and wine history.

Guests are introduced to Barossa Valley and Eden Valley wines - and a free flight of rieslings is currently on the tasting menu. 

Tastings are a seated experience and bookings are preferred and take precedence over walk-ins.

For anyone wanting a complete Barossa experience, the Freedom Cellar, which was originally the cobbler's shop in the historic trading village, is now open. 

Lovingly restored, the cellar is now the ultimate location in which to sample Langmeil’s Old Vine Garden wines as part of a hosted winery and historic vineyard experience.

The two-three-hours tour operates Monday to Fridays only. 

The Langmeil property was revived in 1996 when Richard Lindner, Carl Lindner and Chris Bitter, whose families have lived in the Barossa for several generations, restored the old buildings, well and landscaped the grounds. 

In the clean-up prior to restoration, a small patch of gnarly old shiraz vines from the original 1843 plantings was discovered.

The most important task was to rescue them, and after some tender loving care the vineyard was successfully revived and named The Freedom. After careful viticulture, Langmeil's first harvest from the Freedom vineyard was in 1997.

The Freedom Experience is nothing short of an adventure for old vine wine lovers looking for total immersion in the Barossa region.

The tour begins with an explanation of the region's geography, settlement and broader agricultural history. 

Next, you move on to viticulture and a visit to that ancient vineyard before retiring to the privacy and ambience of the Freedom Cellar for samplings and stories of our Old Vine Garden Collection.

The tour is $100 per head and strictly by appointment. 

Phone 08 8563 2595 or email cellardoor@langmeilwinery.com.au