A free box of wine with a two-night winter Hunter Valley stay

A six-pack of wine is among the enticements for anyone considering a winter break in the Hunter Valley at The Lane Retreat, Bimbadgen.

Escape to The Lane during July and be gifted a six-bottle case of Bimbadgen’s Sparkling Semillon (valued at $132) when staying two nights or more.

Guests can stay in a premium studio retreat with continental breakfast for two people from $275 per night until July 31. 

The Lane Retreat is set among 15 hectares of secluded vineyard and bushlands in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country and is offering a special incentives for mid-winter stays. 

The Lane Retreat has been designed to provide a luxe accommodation offering to complement the brands Palmer Lane wedding and events venue and the winery and restaurants at Bimbadgen’s home vineyard on McDonald Road. 

Guests also have access to the Mulpha-owned Emma’s Cottage Vineyard boutique winery nearby.

The Lane Retreat offers 60 premium studio retreats with outdoor decks offering views of the Brokenback Range or the 50-year-old Bimbadgen vineyards. 

Each studio  has king bedding, a bathroom with double rain head showers and Hunter bathroom amenities, a kitchenette with coffee maker, toaster, microwave and mini bar, and gourmet breakfast provisions supplied daily.

Valid for stays until July 31, 2024. Subject to availability, some blackout dates may apply. Book online at www.thelaneretreat.com.au.

Guests all enjoy VIP access to Bimbadgen’s flagship restaurant Esca, its Woodfired Pizzeria and cellar door. 

Wealthy travellers have increased focus on wellness

Wellness options play a key role when well-heeled travellers across the Asia Pacific region choose accommodation options, new research shows. 

The Luxury Group by Marriott International has launched its The Intentional Traveler (their US spelling, not mine) revealing behaviours among high-net-worth travellers across key markets. 

Wellness plays key role in destination choice, with 90% of travellers considering it a top booking priority. 

The report also showed 72% of those surveyed plan to increase their luxury travel spending and destinations including Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Cambodia are gaining in popularity. 

"Luxury travellers are now more intentional than ever before," says Oriol Montal, regional vice president, Luxury, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. Two counts against him: use of industry jargon and absurd job title. 

"They are seeking journeys that align with their values, enhance wellbeing, and deliver deep personal meaning. For Marriott International, this represents an opportunity to evolve luxury hospitality into something more transformational, curated, and emotionally resonant."

Wellbeing has become a cornerstone of luxury travel. In 2025. Those 90% of travellers who cite wellness experiences as a key factor in their booking decisions are up from 80% the year prior. 

Beyond traditional spa retreats, luxury travellers are embracing holistic wellness experiences - from forest immersions and nutrition programs to sound healing and sleep therapies. 

Asia is the top destination for wellness journeys (67%), where 26% of travellers are planning a dedicated wellness or spa retreat.

A remarkable 93% of high-net-worth travellers in the region prefer to return to destinations they already love, with 89% saying they're more likely to revisit places where they feel a meaningful connection.

The full report is available to download. 

# The report surveyed 1,750 of Asia Pacific's most affluent travellers across Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. 

Qantas hit by cyber attack

Qantas has hit data turbulence after “a cyber incident”.

Around six million customers of the Australian airline have potentially been affected after the attack occurred in one of its contact centres in Manila, impacting customer data. The dangers of outsourcing to save money. 

“We understand this will be concerning for customers,” the airline said in a media statement. “We are currently contacting customers to make them aware of the incident, apologise and provide details on the support available.”

The incident occurred when a cyber criminal targeted a call centre and gained access to a third party customer servicing platform.

There is no impact to Qantas’ operations or the safety of the airline.

Importantly, credit card details, personal financial information and passport details are not held in this system, Qantas said. No frequent flyer accounts were compromised nor have passwords, PIN numbers or log in details been accessed.

Qantas has notified the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Given the criminal nature of this incident, the Australian Federal Police has also been notified.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said: “We sincerely apologise to our customers and we recognise the uncertainty this will cause. Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously.

“We are contacting our customers today and our focus is on providing them with the necessary support.

“We are working closely with the Federal Government’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and independent specialised cyber security experts.”

Bizarrely, Hudson later declined to talk the media. Not a good look. 

If you can't afford travel insurance then you can't afford to travel

Having just spent a couple of weeks watching tourists bomb around a holiday island on motorbikes, and riding jet skis like lunatics, I was reminded how important it is to take out travel insurance every time you travel. 

Even though you might not be covered if you are drunk, breaking the law or behaving like an idiot, you still need that insurance just in case you are skittled by a local taxi, fall into a volcano or have a heart attack on a beach walk. 

Just about every day there is a "Go Fund Me" appeal to raise funds for someone who needs to be medivacced home or for an unisnured family member to be brought home in a body bag.  

Data from recent claims shows that uninsured travellers face extreme medical costs if things go wrong while they are abroad. 

nib Travel, a global insurance provider that is part of the nib health insurance group, paid out around $26.4 million in medical-related claims during the last six months.

nib Travel has paid claims for travellers who needed emergency medical care for serious conditions, including cardiac issues in the United States; respiratory illness in Qatar, and complications from a fracture in Vietnam. 

Dylan Wilkinson, head of APAC & nib Travel Marketing at nib Travel, said that while most trips proceed without any need to claim, medical emergencies can strike unexpectedly and carry significant financial consequences. 

“Nobody plans to have a medical emergency while overseas, but it can happen anywhere, at any time,” Wilkinson said. “While only a small proportion of travellers need to make a claim, the financial burden when something goes wrong can be overwhelming.”

nib Travel offers insurance that may (note the word may) cover a range of medical events such as hospital admissions, medical evacuation and repatriation, dental emergencies, and some pre-existing conditions.

“It’s easy to underestimate how quickly costs can escalate, especially in countries like the United States where healthcare costs are significantly higher," says Wilkinson. 

"Without insurance, these types of unexpected events could leave travellers with significant out-of-pocket costs. The reality is that the cost of a single serious claim can far exceed the cost of the insurance itself.”

For more info see www.nibtravelinsurance.com.au. Make sure, as with every insurance policy, to read the small print. 

It pays to compare a couple of policies to see which best suits your needs, and your budget.  

Image: Phillip Bird, Scopio

Bali's second airport a step closer

Is Bali finally set to get its long-touted second airport?

The proposed new airport in the north of the island this week got the go-ahead from Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto, the national news agency Antara reported.

It can currently take five hours or more to drive from Denpasar to far northern regions of the island.

Co-ordinating minister for community empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar told the agency that the president has approved the development of North Bali International Airport (NBIA).

“We have received the president’s endorsements," he said. "We have readied the technical aspects, and we will strive to make North Bali International Airport a reality very soon.”

The airport is planned for the Kubutambahan area in Buleleng Regency district, in the east of northern Bali.

The previous administration of President Joko Widodo had previously postponed the project and excluded North Bali Airport from the list of national strategic projects last year.The reason given was the lack of adequate supporting infrastructure to sustain such a big project.

Iskandar said that a second airport is crucial for ensuring balanced regional development across Bali.

“If there is only one airport, access becomes limited. We need at least two airports,” he said.

The island’s second airport should effectively boost the economy of its surrounding regions. Hence, Bali will strengthen not only its tourism sector but also its overall economy, the president said.

The development of North Bali International Airport is part of the national Middle-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for the 2025-2029 term. It now has national priority status.

Erwanto Sad Adiatmoko Hariwibowo, president/director of the airport developer, PT BIBU Panji Sakti, said the project has progressed as planned and the company is awaiting the Transportation Ministry’s final decision on the airport location.

“We are optimistic and only need to wait a little longer, perhaps a few months. Everything has been ready. We are now waiting for the ground-breaking date,” he said.

A luxury resort where French elegance meets Balinese charm

There is a certain style that distinguishes Sofitel hotel properties regardless of where you are in the world.

There is a calm sophistication, that unmistakable French flair, and well-drilled, smiling staff whether you are in Sydney, Hanoi or beachfront in Bali. Think luxurious, but not ostentatious.

Quietly located within the enclave of Bali’s famous southern peninsula, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is a very impressive five-star beach escape.

Nusa Dua is home to most of Bali’s big hotels - and is perfect location for a week of indulgence under the sun.

 


There are myriad activities on offer here, right on the beach, but I suspect many guests will simply opt for being pampered or cocooned.

With lovely sea views, or direct access to a swimming pool, the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach has 415 well-equipped villas, rooms and suites in various configurations that offer a blend of world-class facilities, French elegance, and Balinese charm.

We were allocated a luxury room with pool access, which meant we could step directly from our deck into the pool that snakes its way around the complex.

 


The Sofitel MyBed mattresses are almost obscenely comfortable.

I would strongly advise booking a room that allows access to the Club Millesime facility, a delightful VIP area where you can enjoy excellent buffet and a la carte breakfasts, chill out during the day, enjoy afternoon high tea, or pre-dinner cocktails and canapes. Perks also include all-day complimentary refreshments and butler service - ideal for helping out with any arrangements you may need help with.

It is a lovely oasis.

There are myriad dining and wining choices, and we particularly enjoyed the beachfront Toya, where the menu features an impressive range of fresh seafood dishes. Think options like soft-shell crab bao (below), Vietnamese spring rolls, king crab salad, or a sea bass ceviche - perfect partners for a cocktail or two.

 


Cucina offers Italian cuisine and Kwee Zeen is the main dining area, there is also Beach Club and the Chic Picnic (below) experience offers a menu of fresh sharing platters on the beach as the sun sets. Available every day from 5:30pm to 10pm.



“We are thrilled to offer this unique and unforgettable experience to our guests, and we hope the beachfront picnic provides a truly special setting to connect with loved ones while enjoying exceptional food and breath-taking views.” says hotel general manager Jean-Pierre Joncas.

Depending on the day of the week, you can enjoy summer barbecues with entertainment, mixology classes. Sunday brunch or beachfront happy hours.

You may also happen upon traditional Balinese musicians entertaining in the lobby.



All the resort facilities you'd expect are on offer. There is a kid's club so parents can get some "us" time; there is a fully equipped gym with trainers, who tried unsuccessfully to get me hitting the pads, and there are bikes that can be enjoyed on the boardwalk that extends along the waterfront.

I'd certainly recommend a massage treatment at the very chic award-winning Sofitel SPA, which can also include a range of facials and other pampering.

The location of the Sofitel is hard to beat: it is located just 25 minutes from Denpasar Ngurah Rai international Airport and urban beach resorts Seminyak, Legian and Kuta are just 30 minutes' drive away should you be looking for nightlife and tattoo parlours.

With so much to do, including cooking classes, yoga, beachside golf, cycling, archery, fitness boot camps, aqua aerobics, yoga by the beach, tennis, football, volleyball you can be as active as you like, or do absolutely nothing.

Maybe treat yourself to a floating breakfast, or opt for a beachside massage in a gazebo.

Sofitel Beach Resort Nusa Dua, Lot N5, ITDC Tourism Complex, Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, 80363, Nusa Dua, Indonesia. https://sofitel.accor.com/

# The writer was hosted by the resort