Saffire's Coastal Table food and wine event

Foodies and gourmands should head to Saffire Freycinet on Tasmania's spectacular Freycinet Peninsula from August 24-27 for a unique exploration of fine food and wine. Bringing together top chefs from Tasmania and New South Wales, Saffire’s Coastal Table will highlight the best in Tasmanian seasonal produce, with dinners featuring the unmistakable flair of chefs Anthony Milroy and Monique Maul (Lochiel House), Luke Burgess (Garagistes) and Saffire’s own Hugh Whitehouse. The event will also feature a lunch of local cheeses and salmon with Henry Jones Art Hotel Executive Chef and culinary Olympian Andre Kropp.

Each night, guests will rest their heads (and stomachs!) in Saffire’s award-winning luxurious suites, each with views over the spectacular Great Oyster Bay and Hazards Mountains on the Freycinet Peninsula.

And no Saffire culinary experience would be complete without a visit to the source - tasting locally grown Pacific oysters fresh off the oyster beds, or sampling the internationally acclaimed wines of Freycinet Vineyard.

Priced from: $5250 per suite (Deluxe Suite, maximum two people), including all meals and Saffire’s Coastal Table experiences, may we suggest you book now to avoid missing out!

Dream Destination: Qasr Al Sarab, Abu Dhabi

Our 'Dream Destination' for this week is the enchanting, mystical Qasr Al Sarab desert resort by Anantara, floating like a jewel in the sand of the legendary Liwa Desert of Abu Dhabi's Empty Quarter. An oasis of of pure luxury for discerning travellers, Qasr Al Sarab is decked out to the max in the quintessential splendour of Middle Eastern fabrics and local artifacts, with each room, villa and suite featuring rich interiors and sweeping views of a stunning and foreboding landscape. The Liwa Desert is one of the largest uninterrupted sand deserts in the world, and with dunes stretching out as far as the eye can see, dotted with grazing wildlife, this place is nothing short of breathtaking! 

There are ten Royal villas at Qasr Al Sarab that offer the absolute ultimate in indulgence and romance. Sublime Arabian decor, king size bed, separate living and dining area, oversized bathtub, rain shower, private plunge pool, terrace with shaded daybeds and al fresco dining area, your own personal butler ... really, need we go on?

Filling your time here is not difficult - we would say it's more like pure pleasure! You can take to the sands riding atop a camel, join a guided desert walk, dine on the finest Middle Eastern cuisine and modern gastronomic delights at one of the four restaurants and cafes, bathe and be pampered at the traditional Hammam healing baths and spa, or simply lounging by the pool with that incredible backdrop to wash over the senses. A stay at Qasr Al Sarab is like living an fairytale - and the whole 'Arabian Nights' charm of a romantic holiday in a palatial and luxurious desert palace is more than a little lust worthy, isn't it?!

Warm up the cool months in Vanuatu

Australians know that, when the cooler months sets in, it's a great time to pack up and head to the nearest tropical locale - and Vanuatu is a convenient and stunning place to put at the top of your travel list! Luckily for us, this is also a peak time on the local events and festival calender. So if you're ready and keen to book your tickets and accommodation now, you can pack your bags knowing the cultural fun is well taken care of. From traditional village celebrations, to exhilarating sporting events, Vanuatu’s festivals and events offer travellers a unique opportunity to engage with authentic Vanuatu culture and customs during their getaway. Two top events planned for the month of August are the 'Back to My roots' festival, and the Nalawan festival. But there's a whole calender of different festivals you can be a part of in the coming months, and each will bring you in close contact with a culture and a people who are beautiful, warm and embracing.

The 'Back To My Roots' festival takes place each year on Ambrym, 10 - 12th August in 2011.  During the event, some of the most influential cultural practices and dance, exhibitions of art, and beliefs are presented to the public. Traditional dances, demonstrations of magic and other activities that belong to the people of Ambrym are the central attraction, but visitors can also visit traditional villages and sacred land terminals and sites such as old cemeteries, hike through the forest, or visit the cascades, taboo caves or twin volcanoes Marum and Benbow. Further information is available through Napong Norbert on +678 540 0508.

The Nalawan Festival will take place on 11-13 August 2011 at Labo Village in Malekula’s South West Bay. A spectacular Nukofo custom dance will kick off the celebrations, including grade-taking ceremonies, cultural displays and an eye opening village tour, which will allow you to try your hand in traditional food preparation and partake in local craft. The festival is a rare opportunity for adventurous travellers to witness the rich tradition and customs of Malekula’s South West Bay and get an authentic insight into Vanuatu life. The two-day event is priced at 5,000VT per adult (approx. AUD $54) and 2,500VT per child (approx. AUD $27). Nalawan Festival reservations are advised and can be made by calling Willie Isno on +678 5366 168 or Yegor Makhiboroda on +678 5617845.

For more information on Vanuatu’s festival and sporting calendar go to Vanuatu's travel website here.

Dream Destination: Kamalaya, Koh Samui

Our dream destination for today is Kamalaya, Thailand's award winning Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, found on the picture perfect tropical island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. A truly spiritual retreat, yet created with the utmost of luxury and comfort in mind, Kamalaya offers yoga, detox and health programs that make for a life-enriching holiday to nurture the body, mind and soul. And all of this to be found at one of our favourite island destinations in South East Asia makes this a seriously enticing option for the next big trip to Thailand!

Centred around a monk's meditation cave that has served generations of Buddhist monks, Kamalaya is set over a hillside that is dotted with cosy rooms, sea view and pool suites and villas, beach front villas, and the incredible Rock Top Villa which is built in to the rocks to fully embrace nature on two levels. Kamalaya has a team of naturopaths and lifestyle specialists on hand to tailor your personalised wellness experience - be it detox, yoga, stress and burnout, fitness, weight control ... or just simple, complete relaxation. 

For couples seeking peace and time out, to really embrace the serenity together that comes with a healthy lifestyle in a pristine environment, Kamalaya presents a unique opportunity. This is the kind of place where you can both re-connect with yourself and with each other, on a very different energetic level. And taking that peace of mind and an open heart home with you can only nourish and nurture your relationship. 

Evason Ma'In Hot Springs, Jordan

The stunning location of Evason Ma'in Hot Springs, in the dramatic terrain of the Ma'in Valley of Jordan, offers a little slice of exotic escape in a place that is rich with history. Lying 264 metres below sea level and set like a hidden oasis in amongst towering rock, cliffs and arid landscape, everything about this place defines the luxury Middle East resort and spa experience. Evason Ma’in Hot Springs comprises 94 rooms and suites, plus two elegant Royal Suites and one Honeymoon Suite located on the top floor of the resort providing almost 360 degree views of the waterfall. A stay here is an indulgence, a place to relax and be pampered, all whilst enjoying the therapeutic benefits of the hot spring waterfall. The thermal mineral springs of this area are where Herod the Great was said to have bathed and where people have come for centuries to take the medicinal waters. Naturally, the resort also offers some amazing spa treatments too.

And for the more intrepid souls, there are some fantastic, tailored experiences to chose from, with adventure based activities that take in the local area, to religious and historic tours of Jordan's holy sites, monuments and cities from the era of Romans to Nabateans - many of which have have shaped the world we know today. 

For a truly memorable experience, you can have Evason Ma'in  create a private Hafla Ma'In - in arabic meaning "party" or social gathering - for just you and your love, at one of the many unique locations around the waterfalls and surrounding mountains. Think champagne and gourmet nibbles while watching the sun set over the desert ... intoxicating, mystical, magical. And very, very romantic! 

Sono, Portside - contemporary Japanese in Brisbane

Brisbane dining has a lot going for it, as any local will tell you - and if you're in the city and looking for award winning cuisine in a spectacular setting, you might like to check out Sono Restaurant at Portside. Located on the Brisbane River in Hamilton, Sono boasts spectacular views and an atmosphere of refined elegance. Sono Restaurant Portside incorporates the best of authentic Japanese culture and cuisine with modern, contemporary luxuries. Since the venues inception in 2007, it has made a dramatic impact on Australian dining with its exceptional contemporary menu and commitment to Japanese traditions. Head Chef,  Massayuki Naki, trained for 10 years in Japan to perfect the art of cutting Kingfish - he ensures the fish used at Sono is of the highest quality, sourcing the very best, fresh fish from all over Australia, even going as far to flying it in daily, direct from the suppliers. And with that incredible view to accompany your meal (we're thinking romance!), dining at Sono Restaurant Portside is sure to be a experience. 

Big dreams come true with Small Luxury Hotels

Experience pearl farming in Phuket…hunt out truffles in France…learn the oriental art of calligraphy in China.  For 20 years, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has been offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences in spectacular locations and unique properties across the globe.  Now, SLH is inviting guests to ‘Be Inspired’.  The passionate team at SLH has gone to the ends of the earth and returned laden with an abundance of activities and adventures for guests to experience on their dream holiday.  All this is compiled in the new brochure, ‘Be Inspired’, which launches this month.  For a sneak preview go to their online brochure here. All experiences can be booked directly with SLH.  To book online or call the reservation number on +65 6232 5060.