A different take on delightful Paris

Ernest Hemingway described Paris as a "Moveable Feast"- a city in which gourmet delights await around every corner. 

But even he would have found Paris a tad sleepy on a Sunday. Many of the best bakeries, bars and restaurants are firmly shuttered on the Sabbath.

Today, more of Paris is open on a Sunday than ever before, but it can still be hard to track down a funky place for a glass of wine or a great pastry if you don't know where to look. 

Born from a love of laid back Sundays, author Yasmin Zeinab's new book Sundays in Paris is the culmination of the popular blog by the same name. It is a comprehensive city guide featuring the best places to eat, drink and explore in the City of Light.

With chapters including Coffee, Brunch, Dinner + Drinks, Cultural Attractions, Gardens + Outdoor Spots, Markets + Foodie Stops, Shopping and The Essentials, Sundays in Paris offers a lot of useful insider information. Take it from me, a long-time Paris resident.

My only complaint is the size of the book - it's a bit big for your pocket, but not big enough for for the coffee table.

All 20 of the arrondissements that spiral outwards in a clockwise direction are featured in this book.

Sundays in Paris also includes suggested full-day and half-day itineraries skewed towards the young and hip. 

Sundays In Paris by Yasmin Zeinab, was published this month. Paperback | RRP $29.99/NZD $32.99.

Discover one of Melbourne's best-value places to stay

I've stayed at Metro Apartments on Bank Place a couple of times - and was extremely impressed on both occasions. 

For those occasions when you need somewhere clean, chic and central to stay but don't want to splash out hundreds of dollars a night, these furnished apartments absolutely fit the bill.

The location is awesome. Bank Place is a laneway running between Collins Street and LittleCollins Street in the central business district.

It's home to several bars, cafes and eateries and many of the taller heritage buildings have been converted into loft-style apartments. The lane also includes several ornate heritage lamp posts and bluestone alleys.

Metro Apartments on Bank Place is ideal for anyone on a budget,with laid-back studios and 1- to 2-bedroom apartments come with free wifi and satellite TV, plus kitchens or kitchenettes; most have living areas.

Price start from $100 a night on wotif.com and hotels.com - excellent value for such a great location.

Among the destinations either a short walk or tram ride are the MCG and Etihad stadiums, Chinatown, Bourke Street Mall, South Bank Promenade and the Eureka Sky Deck – the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere.

Southern Cross Station and Flinders Street Stations are just 10 minutes away.

There is a 24-hour reception and and business services (I like the handy computer and printer in the lobby), and the choice of several room styles. 

The laid-back studios and 1- to 2-bedroom apartments come with free Wi-Fi and satellite TV, plus kitchens or kitchenettes; most have living areas.

Room amenities include queen-size beds with en suite bathroom and separate living/dining/kitchen areas, kitchens include hotplates, a convection microwave oven, a fridge, dishwasher, cutlery, crockery, cookware utensils, and toaster and a combination washer/dryer. 

Also check out the flat-screen LCD television, reverse cycle air conditioning and complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities, as well a work desk. 

To book directly contact Metro Apartments on Bank Place Melbourne, 18-20 Bank Place, Melbourne 3000. 03 9604 4321 www.metrohotels.com.au

# The writer was a guest of Metro Apartments on Bank Place.

Cruise the Mekong in style - and learn from an acclaimed chef

Guests booking Aqua Mekong cruises in 2018 being hosted by acclaimed Australian chef David Thompson are being offered 30% savings on normal cruise prices for special June and August departures.

The four-night cruises from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh from June 22-26 and August 3-7 include exclusive hosted components with Thompson, the acclaimed Thai chef, who has been consulting chef with Aqua Mekong since its inaugural cruise in October 2014. 

Highlights will include travelling with Thompson to local markets to learn about locally grown and harvested ingredients; cooking classes or kitchen tours hosted by Thompson and and interactive Q&A with the chef. 

The lead-in rate for the cruises is US$3780 representing a 30% saving on normal Aqua Mekong cruises of this duration.

Guests will experience the green season and vibrant culture, history and cuisine of south-east Asia aboard the sustainably crafted Aqua Mekong, a five-star floating hotel with 20 designer suites, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Mekong River, a 1:1 staff to guest ratio and twice daily shore excursions by high-powered skiff.

Aqua Mekong is the only ship on this stretch of the Mekong River to offer a fully-equipped gym, screening room, outdoor cinema, observation deck and an upper-deck pool.

Guests will dine on dishes created by Thompson and board the Mekong’s only private tenders for guided short excursions to serene Buddhist temples and stilted villages or exploration by bicycle and kayak.

For information and bookings, contact your travel agent or Aqua Expeditions Australia on 1300 124 204 or reservations@aquaexpeditions.com.au

Thompson's restaurants regularly earn Michelin stars and rank on ‘The World’s Best 50’ list.

Snake in Tasmanian vineyard becomes a global sensation

Images of a rather cheeky snake in a Tasmanian vineyard have become a global sensation. 

Bangor Vineyard Shed owner Matt Dunbabin recorded footage of a tiger snake using a wire fence on his Tasman Peninsula vineyard as a tightrope.

Dunbabin said that tiger snakes were quite a common site on the estate, but he had never seen one climbing before.

“We see them quite often on the farm, and it is wonderful to have them around. It was definitely a fascinating thing to see – what great poise and balance," he said.

“After I took the video he continued on his merry way, and I guess he climbed back down to the ground when he’d had enough up there.

“Oh, and for those a bit concerned about having to share their next glass of wine, or wedding, with him – don’t worry, this is right down the other end of the farm.”

The story has been reported in media across Europe and North America.  

Here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfIIUqlF3ca/?taken-by=bangorshed

Voyager Estate takes the organic route

Voyager Estate, one of the leading lights in the Margaret River wine industry, has announced plans to transition to organic accreditation. 

Steve James, manager of wine-making and viticulture, announced the switch in the year Voyager is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first plantings. 

James said that 40 hectares of vineyards, or nearly one-third of the winery’s Stevens Valley vineyards, are now in conversion as certified by Australian Certified Organic (ACO), a move that will see all of Voyager Estate’s vineyards transition to organic certification within the next three years.

The move underpins Voyager Estate’s long-term commitment to sustainable farming as well as its holistic approach across all undertakings in the vineyard and at the winery, namely carbon footprint reduction, use of renewable energy, recycling, land rehabilitation and re-vegetation activities, plus its 100% carbon neutral stance.

Just last month, James hosted Claude Bourguignon from LAMS (Laboratoire Analyses Microbiologiques Sols), a unique French laboratory that specialises in analysing vineyard soils to understand its physical, chemical and biological properties and how this relates to wine quality and style.

James said Bourguignon was particularly impressed with Voyager Estate soils and attributes their extremely high quality to organic practices, lack of herbicides and use of natural products, such as compost, over many years.

James commented: “It was great to hear an internationally renowned expert endorse our commitment and shift to organics and identify our soils as among the best he has seen during his visit to Australia. I know the hard work is going to pay off in terms of the potential for our wines to get better and better.”

Owner Alexandra Burt said: “We’ve come a long way since my father, Michael Wright, settled on our special site in Stevens Valley. The transition from patches of bare dirt to established vineyards of beauty and quality has given us the opportunity to craft wines of uncompromising precision and elegance that tell the story of this place. He would be proud to see us taking this next step to organic certification, having come so far along the path already.”

Voyager Estate is a second generation, family-owned estate. It was established in 1978, and has been under the full ownership of current custodians, the Wright family, since 1991. It has a focus on world-class chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.

Hotel room bargains on offer to the quick and the canny

You don't get much nowadays when you pay $99 for a hotel room. Even at double that price there can be plenty of disappointments.

Mantra Group, one of Australia's leading accommodation providers, has just launched a sale, however, with quality rooms starting from $99 for bookings made between now and February 21. 

The sale covers more than 130 Mantra, Peppers, BreakFree and Art Series Hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Bali and Hawaii.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the deals on offer during the sale, featuring a selection of beach getaways, city breaks and country escapes. 

To book visit www.mantrahotels.com or call 1300 987 603. 

Port Douglas: The Mantra PortSea (above) offers accommodation, a swim-up pool bar and a range of leisure facilities. Stay from $99 per night including 2-for-1 continental breakfast (minimum two-night stay). Valid for travel until June 22, 2018.

Gold Coast: Mantra Legends Hotel in the heart of Surfers Paradise starts from $109 per night (Sunday to Thursday with a minimum two-night stay). Valid for travel until September 27, 2018, including food and beverage discounts.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney: The new Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport (above) offers travellers contemporary and stylish accommodation within a short stroll of their Sydney Airport domestic departure gate. Studio king rooms for $149 per night (Friday to Sunday) including 1GB of Wi-Fi daily and a noon late check-out. Valid for travel from April 1 until  September 27, 2018.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Canberra: Mantra MacArthur Hotel was the only hotel to have opened in Canberra in 2017 and is a modern, contemporary hotel centrally located in the heart of the city. Stay in a studio room from $119 per night (Thursday to Monday). Valid for travel until September 14, 2018.

VICTORIA

Melbourne: Enjoy a city escape at Mantra on Jolimont located in the heart of Melbourne's sport and entertainment precinct. Stay in a one-bedroom apartment from $109 per night (Sunday to Thursday). Valid for travel until September 30, 2018.

TASMANIA

Tamar Valley: Enjoy the seaside views and the Tamar Valley at Peppers York Cove. Deluxe hotel rooms start from $149 per night including a welcome bottle of house wine and a midday checkout. Valid for travel from until September 30, 2018.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide: Centrally-located BreakFree Adelaide has studio rooms from $99 per night including wifi and a noon check-out between March 23 and May 31, 2018. 

NEW ZEALAND

Christchurch: BreakFree on Cashel, in the city centre, offers an urban double room for NZ$99 per night, including wifi, between May 1 and August 31, 2018. 

HAWAII

Honolulu: Ala Moana Hotel offers mountain view room for US$149 per night (minimum two-night stay) until September 30, 2018.