Virgin Australia drops seven-hour Halloween sale

Virgin Australia is jumping on the Halloween bandwagon with some "seriously spooky-low airfares".

The Australian carrier has launched a seven-hour flash sale available to book from 4pm AEDT today with fares starting from $55 across domestic and short-haul international destinations.

Virgin says the sale includes weekend escapes and holiday getaways to international destinations like Queenstown, Bali, Vanuatu and Fiji from $388 return.

Fares will be available to book here from 4pm until 11pm,

Some of the offers include Sydney-Ballina (Byron Bay) from $55, Brisbane-Newcastle from $99, Melbourne-Gold Coast from $105 and Perth-Adelaide from $209.

International return economy lite fares include Melbourne-Queenstown from $388, Brisbane-Port Vila (Vanuatu) from $519, Melbourne-Denpasar (Bali) from $525 and Sydney-Nadi (Fiji) from $539.

Eating well in the Maldives starts with the right meal plan

The Maldives is a fairly magical travel destination; spectacularly beautiful.

And it offers a serious point of difference.

On most holidays, a disappointing hotel restaurant is a minor problem: you walk down the street and find somewhere better to wine and dine.

In the Maldives there is no street. 

Almost every one of the country's resorts has an island to itself, so whatever its kitchens serve is what you eat, three times a day, for the whole stay. No UberEats, no local takeaway.

That makes the meal plan one of the biggest decisions of the trip, and one of the least understood.

LuxAtolls, an independent website that compares the Maldives' 180-plus resorts, has catalogued what each one actually puts on the plate: every restaurant, its menu where the resort publishes one, and exactly what each meal plan covers.

Which is extremely useful if you are planning a trip with a gourmet focus.

 "The resort is the holiday," says founder Tym Lewtak, a long-time travel marketer who keeps going back to the Maldives. "Two properties with identical star ratings and similar nightly rates can be wildly different choices."

Nowhere is that truer than at the table.

All-inclusive in the Maldives doesn't mean what it means in Cancun, or the Caribbean, or Byron Bay. There is no standard.

At one end, a plan might be three buffet meals and house drinks in a single restaurant. At the other, Hurawalhi in Lhaviyani Atoll pours unlimited cocktails, wines and Taittinger champagne, and its sister island Kudadoo includes a meal at the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, an all-glass dining room 5.8 metres under the sea.

The price gap between plans is just as wide.

LuxAtolls' Maldives Pricing Index found that across the 45 resorts selling both as paid upgrades, the all-inclusive supplement averages 173% more than the half-board one, largely down to the drinks. Most resorts now offer a choice: 113 of the 183 properties tracked have three or more meal-plan tiers.

Drinks are also where the bill creeps up. Every bar tab attracts a 10% service charge and 17% GST, so a US$20 cocktail actually costs US$25.74. Over a week, a couple spending US$200 a day on extras pays about US$400 in tax alone, which is often what tips the sums towards all-inclusive.

Prices on LuxAtolls are shown in US dollars, and its quotes include the service charge, GST and the US$12-per-person-per-night green tax, so the price quoted is the price paid.

The Maldives isn't only for big budgets, despite its reputation for luxury. Entry-level resorts start at around US$300-400 a night for two, breakfast included.

"There is a $5,000-a-night Maldives," Lewtak says. "There is also a $400-a-night Maldives. Most people only ever hear about the first one."

LuxAtolls' all-inclusive guide, resort reviews and quote service are at luxatolls.com.

Images: 5.8 Undersea at Hurawalhi; Coco Bar at Hurawalhi. Supplied by Luxattols.com.

Lufthansa launches direct KL-Frankfurt flights

Lufthansa Airlines is celebrating the launch of its new non-stop service between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt, connecting Malaysia’s capital with one of Europe’s leading aviation hubs.

The new service, initially five days a week and operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, features 287 seats across three travel classes and fitted with Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin.

The launch marks an expansion of Lufthansa’s south-east Asian network and provides customers in Malaysia with direct access to Frankfurt and onward connections across Europe and around the world.

“Today marks an important milestone for Lufthansa and our customers in Malaysia," said Frank Naeve, Lufthansa Group senior vice president for global sales. 

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"With the launch of our non-stop service between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt, we are strengthening the connection between Malaysia and Europe while bringing our latest long-haul aircraft and Allegris travel experience to the market. 

"Malaysia is an important economic centre in south-east Asia and a growing destination for international business and investment, while its rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions make it equally appealing to leisure travellers. 

"Our new non-stop service connects these two worlds, making travel between Malaysia and Europe more convenient and providing our customers with an enhanced long-haul travel experience.”

Flight LH705 departs Kuala Lumpur at 11:55pm and arrives in Frankfurt at 6am the following morning. The return flight LH704 departs Frankfurt at 9:30pm and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 4:40pm the following day.

Lufthansa serves Bangkok, Singapore and Phuket and Kuala Lumpur becomes the airline’s fourth destination in south-east Asia.

Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, minister of tourism, arts and culture in Malaysia, said: “In line with the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign, we welcome Lufthansa’s new non-stop service between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt, which further enhances Malaysia’s connectivity with Germany and the wider European market. Strong air connectivity is fundamental to tourism growth, strengthening economic links and fostering greater cultural exchange."

Meet an airport that serves three countries

Ever heard of an airport that serves three countries?

Meet EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, which offers links to Switzerland, France and Germany. 

It is a Franco-Swiss international airport located in the Alsace region of France and is the only binational airport in the world.

It is locaed 4.7 km west of the tripoint of the three nations and is 3.5km northwest of the city of Basel in Switzerland, 20km south-east of Mulhouse in France, and 46km south-southwest of Freiburg.

The airport is located completely on French soil but also has a Swiss customs border and is connected to Basel by a 2.5km long customs-free road, allowing air travellers access into Switzerland without undergoing a French customs check

It will offer 89 direct destinations across 31 countries this winter, news hub Travel Mole reports. 

The 2026-27 winter flight schedule took effect this weekend and will run through March 27, 2027. 

A total of 20 airlines will serve the airport, with most routes connecting travellers to European cities and Mediterranean destinations, including Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, the UK, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.

Passengers will also have access to connecting flights through major international hubs served by Air France in Paris, Austrian Airlines in Vienna, British Airways in London, KLM in Amsterdam, and Lufthansa in Frankfurt and Munich. 

Three destinations will be added to the winter network. Poznań in Poland will receive three weekly flights, while Varna in Bulgaria and Yerevan in Armenia will each have three and two weekly flights, respectively.

Wizz Air is expanding its presence by joining easyJet, GP Aviation and Chair Airlines on services to Pristina, Kosovo. It will also introduce Naples, Italy, to its network in March 2027.

Frequencies will increase on several existing routes, including Amsterdam, Bucharest, Lisbon, Marrakesh, Porto, Pristina and Skopje, giving travelers more options during the winter season.

Looking further ahead, Air Canada will introduce a new direct route between EuroAirport and Montreal on June 17, 2027. The service is scheduled to operate four times weekly using an Airbus A321XLR, complementing existing flights by Air Transat.

Montreal will provide passengers with onward connections across Canada and to destinations in the United States, expanding the airport’s transatlantic reach.

Australia to Europe via Muscat and Helsinki?

There's an intriguing "slow travel" route from Australia to Europe for those who don't fancy direct flights as planned as part of Qantas' Project Sunrise. 

Oman Air and Finnair are expanding travel options between Europe, the Middle East and Australia through a new codeshare agreement that strengthens connections between Finland and Oman.

The two oneworld alliance members will offer travellers additional routes to Helsinki, Muscat and Melbourne, extending connectivity beyond their respective networks, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The agreement marks Oman Air’s first new codeshare partnership since joining oneworld in June 2025, as the Muscat-based carrier seeks to capitalize on its alliance membership and broaden its international reach.

Under the partnership, travellers will be able to connect to Helsinki through London Heathrow, where Oman Air operates 11 weekly flights from its Muscat hub. The agreement also covers Finnair-operated services from Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Milan and Rome to Helsinki, Finnair’s home base.

The codeshare will also open up connections to Melbourne via Bangkok, where Oman Air operates twice-daily flights. 

Members of both airlines’ loyalty programs will benefit from oneworld recognition, including access to eligible tier privileges and service benefits throughout their journeys.

Rohan Patell, Oman Air’s head of partnerships and alliances, said the agreement represented an important step in maximizing the benefits of joining oneworld.

“Our entry into the oneworld alliance was an important milestone in Oman Air’s growth journey, and our partnership with Finnair represents an exciting next step in unlocking the full value of alliance membership,” Patell said.

Fredrik Wildtgrube, Finnair's senior vice president of alliances and airline partnerships, welcomed Oman Air customers on board, highlighting the new connections to Helsinki and opportunities to explore Finland.

The airlines said the agreement represents the first phase of a broader partnership, with both sides exploring further opportunities to expand their cooperation.

For Oman Air, the deal also supports efforts to attract more international visitors to the Sultanate.

Travelers can use Muscat as a stopover destination through the airline’s stopover program or extend their trips to discover Oman’s cultural heritage, varied landscapes and traditional hospitality.

Air Canada makes cuts as Canadians are still not keen on US travel

Canadians are steadfast in their refusal to vacation in the US with Air Canada withdrawing several US routes and suspending others through the winter and into summer 2027, as cross-border travel demand remains firmly below pre-pandemic levels.

Canadians have have declined to travel to their nearest neighbour as US President Donald Trump repeatedly insults and threatens them along with several other previous allies. 

The airline’s latest schedule changes come against amidst continuing weakness in Canadian travel numbers to the United States. 

Statistics Canada recorded 1.89 million return trips by Canadian residents from the US by air and automobile in September 2026, up 6.8% year on year but down about 29% compared with September 2024, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Air Canada will discontinue or suspend services to Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis and New York JFK, while five additional routes have been removed from its summer 2027 schedule.

The winter changes include the suspension of Montreal–Detroit, Montreal–Minneapolis and Toronto–Indianapolis. Flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York JFK, suspended in June, will also not resume this winter. Toronto Billy Bishop–Boston is also scheduled to end on December 1, 2026, after launching in July.

Routes removed for summer 2027 include Montreal–Seattle, Toronto Billy Bishop–Boston, Toronto Pearson–Charleston, Vancouver–Nashville and Vancouver–Raleigh/Durham. 

Three seasonal Florida routes will also start later than originally planned. Ottawa-Fort Lauderdale, Montreal-Palm Beach and Quebec City-Orlando have been pushed back from October to December. 

Air Canada is nevertheless maintaining a substantial US operation. Its November schedule is expected to offer around 160 daily departures to the country, approximately 3% more than a year earlier, highlighting a strategy of reallocating capacity rather than totally abandoning the market.

Airbnb tells hosts to ease up on their demands

Remember how some Airbnb hosts used to demand that guests did a deep clean before they checked out? 

No more. 

Airbnb this week updated its global house rules policy to ban hosts from forcing guests to complete heavy check-out chores and ordered them to reduce surprise requests.

The company told hosts that starting November 20, they can choose from seven standard house rules and are “generally not allowed” to ask guests to wash dishes, strip beds, or take out the garbage, travel newsletter Skift reported.

Hosts who repeatedly violate the policy could face a notice on the listing, lower visibility in search results, or “other actions under our terms of service,” the policy says. Those can include cancelling bookings, removing Superhost or Guest Favorite status, or suspending the host’s account.

Hosts may still ask guests to place used dishes in the sink, put rubbish in designated indoor or animal-proof bins, and lock up. 

Reasonable requests/standard rules can include check-in/check-out times, quiet hours, pet restrictions, smoking rules, and guest limits. And local considerations like limiting shower time due to water restrictions may still apply. 

Guests are still expected to leave properties in a reasonable, tidy condition without excessive mess, stains, or damage.

New Hobart apartment hotel draws inspiration from the Tasmanian wilderness

Hobart has a new apartment hotel that draws its inspiration from the Tasmanian wilderness. 

 
Dotted across the new Adina Hobart are images taken by Elliot Doedens, a young photographer whose parents own the hotel, and who guests just might find behind the reception desk when they check in. 

 
Doedens and his mother, Annalisa, are both photographers whose striking images set the tone at the 48-room apartment hotel on Argyle Street, which boasts a mix of studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. 

Selected rooms can also interconnect as a three-bedroom configuration, and apartments have fully equipped kitchens and separate living spaces.

Owners Richard and Annalisa Doedens worked with the design team on interiors inspired by Tasmania’s eucalypt forests. 

Elliot’s large-scale photographs capture landscapes around Mt Field, Lake St Clair and the south-west wilderness, the colours, textures, and organic forms of which are aimed to be part of the guest experience. 

Richard Doedens said the aim was to create a property grounded in its location.

“Our goal was to create a hotel that feels intrinsically connected to Tasmania," he said. "The palette, textures and organic forms all draw from the quiet beauty of the eucalypt forests that define so much of the state’s landscape.”

Set within the same mixed-use development as the 142-key Vibe Hobart, Adina guests will also have access to Belvedere restaurant and bar, conferencing facilities, a pool, and a gym.

Adina Hobart general manager Jamie Capp said apartment-style accommodation gave visitors greater freedom to experience the city and the state.

“Apartment-style stays are increasingly important to the visitor economy because they encourage extended travel and support local operators," Capp said. "With both Adina and Vibe now in Hobart, we’re offering travellers more choice, whether they’re here for business, culture, or nature.”

Adina Hobart is owned and developed by Raadas Investments Pty Ltd and operated by TFE Hotels. 

I'm hoping to stay in the next week or two, and will report back.

See www.adinahotels.com 

Lyndey Milan to lead an exploration of Provence's treats

No one enjoys good food and wine as much as Australian culinary icon Lyndey Milan OAM.

Now she has joined World Expeditions to lead an exclusive trip through the food, wine, art and landscapes of Provence.

World Expeditions has announced Milan as host of a new 11-day small-group journey through one of her favourite parts of the world, the South of France.

Provence: The Art of Living Well with Lyndey Milan will depart in September next year, combining food, wine, travel, culture and, "the pleasure of bringing people together around a table".

For more than four decades, Milan has helped shape the way Australians think about food and wine. 

The former food director of The Australian Women’s Weekly and co-host of Nine’s Fresh, she has presented food and travel television series around the world, authored award-winning cookbooks, judged leading wine and food competitions and hosted culinary journeys internationally.

She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to hospitality, particularly the food and wine industry, and to the community.

“Living well is about enjoyment, feeling glad to be alive and being excited by new discoveries,” Milan said. 

“Provence embodies that beautifully. It’s the people, the weather, the food and wine, the markets, history, culture and villages, but also the relaxed lifestyle. It is such a joyful place.”

The World Expeditions journey explores Provence at a deliberately unhurried pace, travelling from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (two nights) to Aix-en-Provence (four nights) and hilltop Gordes ( four nights). All delightful destinations, particularly after the August holiday hordes have departed.

Timed for late September, as summer gives way to autumn and les vendanges, the grape harvest, brings the vineyards to life, the itinerary combines food, wine, art, markets and walking.

Food and wine are naturally central. Travellers will shop for seasonal produce at local markets before cooking together in a Provençal home, visit an organic olive estate for a tasting and gourmet picnic among the groves, and enjoy a special visit to Maison AIX, including a tour of the estate and cellar and a tasting of its Provençal rosé.

“But this is not a cooking tour,” Milan said. 

"The journey is about so much more than food. We’ll explore the history and culture of Provence and meet some of the characters who make these communities what they are. It’s that access and those personal connections that make the experience so special. You simply couldn’t replicate it travelling independently.”

Limited to just 16 travellers, the tour departs on September 24, 2027, and costs $13,990 per person twin share.

International hotel brand expands its Brisbane offering

With the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon, the hotel landscape in Brisbane is in a state of flux.

Accor, Australia's largest hospitality group, this week announced the signing of Novotel Brisbane City Centre in the space that was previously Capri by Fraser.

Opening on November 1, the hotel will become become Accor's 22nd hotel in the city.

As the Queensland capital prepares to welcome the world for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the arrival of another globally recognised hotel brand supports its growing profile as a major tourism, business and events destination.

The 239-room hotel is owned by Frasers Hospitality and will operate under Accor management, further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two groups. The existing partnership includes Novotel Melbourne on Collins and Novotel Sydney Darling Square.

Located in Brisbane's CBD, close to Queen Street Mall and the City Botanic Gardens, Novotel Brisbane City Centre features three meeting rooms, a restaurant, 24-hour gym and yoga room, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.



“Novotel Brisbane City Centre is opening at a defining moment for the region,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“With major investment in infrastructure, tourism and events underway, we see enormous potential for Brisbane over the coming decade. Our focus is on ensuring we have the right brands in the right locations to meet that growth, and we are delighted to expand both our Novotel network and our partnership with Frasers Hospitality.”

Novotel Brisbane City Centre joins a global network of more than 630 Novotel properties across 70 countries.

The hotel's opening offer has rooms from $262 per night. See ALL.com.

Flexible deal at a Perth hotel with the Subiaco vibe

 

If you like to be in the centre of the action then Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth might be right up your busy street.

Subiaco is one of Perth’s liveliest neighbourhoods and with Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth’s Perth Getaway deal offers 5% off the hotel's best available rate and includes breakfast for two.

That means the best available rate is not actually the best available rate, but from $259 a night, guests can base themselves in the heart of Italian accented Subiaco, close to the neighbourhood’s restaurants, bars, boutiques and cafés.

Central Perth just a short drive, or long walk, away.

Subiaco is named after a commune outside Rome and lies about 3km west of the Perth CBD. The area has been extensively redeveloped and gentrified over the past couple of decades.
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The fully flexible rate is useful if your plans change.

Book by October 31 2026, for stays from November 2026 to September 2027. 

If you time your run, UnWined is returning to Subiaco from October 24-25, celebrating the best of local wine producers with over 75 stalls for guests to explore along with gourmet food vendors.

 
See https://vibehotels.com/book-accommodation/perth/hotel-subiaco-perth/#hotel-deals

Qantas puts Pacific destinations on sale

Fancy a Pacific island break? 

Qantas today launched a sale across its Pacific network with more than 18,000 discounted seats to eight island destinations including Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa and Norfolk Island.

The sale comes as Australians continue to head to the islands in record numbers, with more than 430,000 trips taken to Fiji in 2025-26, an increase of more than 5% on the previous year. 

The week-long sale includes economy return fares from $579 from Brisbane to Port Vila, with travel available on select dates between January and September 2027, including the drier months from May to September. 

Australia is Vanuatu’s largest source of visitors, with the Vanuatu Tourism Office reporting its highest monthly arrivals from Australia on record in January 2026, Qantas said in its media release.

Other economy return fares start from $599 from Sydney to Fiji, $599 from Brisbane and Sydney to Norfolk Island, and $609 from Brisbane to Noumea in New Caledonia. 

“The islands of the Pacific have long been a favourite escape for Australians and this sale brings eight of them into closer reach with fares from $579 return," said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace:

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“From a winter break on Norfolk Island and a week in Fiji to diving in Palau and Vanuatu, there’s something here for every kind of island getaway, whether it’s a couples’ escape, a family holiday or a trip with friends. 

"With travel dates through to September 2027, it’s a great chance to lock in a break for the year ahead.”

Qantas fares include checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, and inflight entertainment.

Sale fares are for various travel dates between November 2026 and September 2027 with select blackout periods. 

Image: Lomani Island, Fiji. Supplied. 

Brown Brothers reveals new al fresco dining area

 

The Brown family has always been big on hospitality - and now it has a new offering at its headquarters in Milawa, north-east Victoria. 

The Arbour is a new all-season outdoor dining space in the lovely gardens surrounding the Brown Brothers cellar door.

It is described as a "casual take on King Valley dining bringing together Mediterranean-inspired share plates, seasonal local produce and Brown Brothers wines in a relaxed garden setting".

Visitors are encouraged to come for barista-made coffee and something sweet, to settle in for lunch and shared plates, or to linger over a glass of wine paired with something from the wood-fired oven.
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The Arbour is open seven days a week, with bookings and walk-ins welcome.

Cambodia and Vietnam open new border crossing

Cambodia and Vietnam are strengthening links in a bid to boost both tourism and trade. 

The two south-east Asian nations this month opened a new international land border crossing, news hub Travel Mole reports. 

The Khanh Binh-Chrey Thom international border gate links An Giang province in southern Vietnam with Cambodia’s Kandal province, providing another gateway for travellers and commercial traffic between the neighbouring countries.

The crossing is expected to simplify journeys for residents and international visitors while supporting logistics, commercial exchanges and cooperation between border communities.

It could also make it easier for travellers to combine visits to Cambodia and Vietnam within a single trip.

The opening comes as Cambodia is in conflict with another neighbour, Thailand, after border skirmishes.

The Khanh Binh-Chrey Thom opening follows the inauguration of the Muen Chey-Tan Nam international border gate on December 8, 2025, linking Cambodia’s Prey Veng province with Vietnam’s Tay Ninh province.

Image: vietnam.vn

All change on London's famous Oxford Street

Oxford Street in London, one of the most famous shopping precincts in the world, will begin a major pedestrianisation project later this month. 

From October 26, close to a kilometre of the shopping thoroughfare will be closed to all vehicles ahead of the busy Christmas shopping season.

No buses. No taxis. I see anger ahead.

The first phase will cover the stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, with buses, taxis, bicycles and other vehicles all banned to create a pedestrian plaza in one of Europe’s busiest retail districts, news hub Travel Mole reports.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the transformation would help strengthen Oxford Street’s appeal to shoppers, businesses and visitors, with the new traffic-free zone marking the beginning of a wider regeneration plan.

The project aims to establish a greener public space where major international retailers sit alongside new workplaces, leisure attractions and cultural events. 

Future activities could include sports, fashion and other entertainment experiences, expanding Oxford Street’s role beyond traditional shopping.

Khan said the project had received strong support from Londoners and businesses, describing it as an opportunity to create a world-class pedestrian destination and reinforce the street’s position as a leading retail and leisure location.

But  the plan faces opposition from Westminster City Council, which has raised concerns about the practical implications of removing traffic from the main thoroughfare.

Tim Barnes, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, said that although a timetable had finally been announced, significant questions remained about how the scheme would operate.

The council wants urgent clarification on vehicle access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety. It also fears that traffic displaced from Oxford Street could spill into smaller surrounding roads, potentially increasing congestion and creating environmental and economic problems for nearby communities and businesses.

I wonder how shoppers laden with Christmas presents will react to finding they can't hail a taxi. 

Dual pricing raises its ugly head in Bangkok

Dual pricing is one of the Thai tourism industry's dirty little secrets.

No matter where you come from you are likely to be paying more than locals. Unofficially, sometimes officially. 

Reasons: the average foreigner is assumed to have more money than the average Thai and can afford to pay more. Also, because foreigners don’t pay taxes, they can help fund tourism projects.

The Thai dual price system exists across popular travel destinations such as temples and national parks, and sometimes at markets.

Nowhere, however, is it more obvious than when using public transport in Bangkok.

Locals will pay a maximum of 45 baht ($1.90) for all electric train lines per trip starting from January 1, 2027, but foreigners are not eligible.

Our Thailand correspondent says that the press release trumpeting the new fare scheme carefully omits that this is for Thais only, saying only "eligible" passengers.

Under the planned system, Thai citizens would be charged according to the actual value of their journey. If the fare exceeds 45 baht, the government would refund the difference. 

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat confirmed foreigners won't be eligible, which is why refunds will be paid through the government's Pao Tang app. Expats and tourists will keep paying standard fares.

Which sounds very complicated. And something that could well annoy tourists who are already threatened by increased entry and exit taxes by Thai authorities.

Regular readers know that Thailand is one of GoTR's favourite destinations. But...

"Somewhere in the dark corner of a government building there is a department which houses a group of people whose only job is to dream up ways to make anything as complicated as possible," our correspondent reports.

Six Senses unveils ambitious plans

Luxury hotel brand Six Senses is planning an ambitious expansion in 2027, with five new luxury properties scheduled to open across Europe, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The new properties will add city hotels, historic estates and destination resorts to the Six Senses portfolio.

The openings will strengthen the brand’s presence in key luxury markets, including Italy, Spain and France, while extending its Middle East footprint, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Six Senses Milan (top image) is scheduled to open in early 2027 in Brera, opposite the Pinacoteca di Brera and close to Milan’s Duomo.

The 85-room property will feature 69 rooms and 16 suites, including two with private relaxation pools and another with a private terrace and 12.5-meter pool. Dining options will include a seasonal restaurant and deli, alongside two bars, including a rooftop venue.

The Six Senses Spa will feature a 15-meter indoor pool, saunas, hammam, cold plunge and rooftop pool. An Earth Lab will focus on sustainability and community initiatives.

In Spain, Six Senses Quexigal Palace will bring the brand to a historic estate near Madrid in early 2027. Built in 1563 by architect Juan de Herrera, the property was once a royal country residence and hunting lodge.

Six Senses Tel Aviv will also open in early 2027, combining five historic buildings dating from 1909 with a new 10-story tower. The project will feature 140 hotel rooms and 55 residences, plus a spa, rooftop sky pool and cocktail bar, chef-led restaurant and Six Senses Place. It might prove a hard sell.

In France, Six Senses Loire Valley is targeted for the third quarter of 2027.

The resort will feature 88 suites and villas, a golf course with a second 18-hole course planned, equestrian and tennis facilities, an organic farm and extensive hiking and cycling trails. Another 70 private villas are planned.

The expansion will extend into the Gulf with Six Senses Wadi Safar in Saudi Arabia scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Perth gains a third Mercure hotel

Booming Perth has a new accommodation option with the opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park.

The new hotel is the third Mercure property in Western Australia.

Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is said to offer "contemporary accommodation designed for both business and leisure travellers".

It features 70 guest rooms and a spacious suite, with somet rooms boasting private balconies overlooking the Perth skyline, John Oldham Park and the Swan River, which is just a short stroll away.

The new hotel marks global hotel giant Accor's second partnership with Capital Bay Management, following the successful operation of The Sebel West Perth.

"The opening of Mercure Perth Aurea Kings Park is a strong addition to our network in Western Australia," says Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

"As the third Mercure hotel in Perth, it reflects the growing appeal of the brand and our commitment to providing quality accommodation that connects guests with the unique character of each destination.”

Peow Lim, general manager at Capital Bay Management, added: "Joining the Accor family through the Mercure brand marks an important milestone for Capital Bay Management.

"With its prime position between Kings Park and the Swan River, the hotel offers guests a unique sense of space and connectivity to the Perth CBD."

Rooms start from just $235 per night, available via all.com.

Lufthansa Group bets big on Japanese destinations

German aviation giant Lufthansa Group is going hard on flights to Japan and will offer 50 flights a week during the 2027 summer season.

This marks a significantly expanded service due to a strong increase in demand. 

Lufthansa is resuming its direct Frankfurt to Nagoya service as well as adding an additional daily flight to Tokyo-Narita to its Tokyo service. 

Stablemate SWISS is also expanding capacity the Lufthansa brands as the leading European airline group in this market. SWISS will have up to seven weekly flights from Zurich to Tokyo-Narita.

Nagoya is one of Japan’s most important industrial and economic centres with Aichi Prefecture the main centre for the country’s automotive industry and other manufacturing companies. 

“Japan is a key market for the Lufthansa Group, and we are pleased to further strengthen our presence with additional capacity and the resumption of flights to Nagoya," says says Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group.

"Together with our expanded Tokyo services, these investments provide our customers with more travel options and support the continued diversification of our intercontinental network. 

"As the leading European airline group in Japan, we remain committed to connecting people, cultures and economies between Europe and Japan.”

In total, the Lufthansa Group’s hub airlines - Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and ITA Airways will fly to Tokyo-Haneda, Tokyo-Narita, Osaka, and Nagoya.

Bargain air fares on sale for one week only

Are you planning a tropical escape for 2027?

Cebu Pacific has just launched its 10.10 Super Seat Fest, with one-way all-in fares from Sydney and Melbourne to the Philippines from just $308.

Running from October 8-14, the sale covers travel from February 1 to June 30, 2027, giving Australian travellers the chance to lock in a Philippines getaway ahead of time and at a bargain price..

The sale also coincides with Cebu Pacific’s new “Fly to My Happy Philippines” campaign, showcasing the country through food, culture, islands and adventure - encouraging travellers to discover their own version of happy in the Philippines.

For Australians looking beyond the usual Manila itinerary, Cebu Pacific is also making it easier to explore some of the country’s island destinations, with flights from Clark to Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron in Palawan.

And for those chasing surf, scenery and a laid-back island vibe, Siargao (top image) is another destination the airline reckons is worth adding to your 2027 travel list.

CEB currently operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

See www.cebupacificair.com.