Bali Hai in the Daintree

Finding Bali in the heart of the beautiful Daintree region of North Queensland? Sounds a little like heaven to us! This is Bali Hai, and its location is so exclusive that it is kept confidential, other than to say somewhere in the rainforest. We can confirm this slice of paradise is located just five minutes drive from the nearest town, Mossman and 20 minutes from port Douglas ... but the rest is quite the surprise. Every room in this idyllic hideaway opens up to the majestic Daintree Mountains. You get your own 80 acres and a series of thatched bures that can accommodate up to 8 guests in three bedrooms ... ideal for a holiday with friends or family, or an incredible honeymoon! 

You can get all your Bali-inspired holiday bliss without the international flight, with all the modern exotic luxury you can crave in the heart of one of the most magical regions of Australia. It's a perfect mix!

In Love with Macau

These days when choosing a holiday destination, the dining possibilities are just as important as the sightseeing options, so when you find a place offering unique cultural attractions and food good enough to impress even the most hardened food critic ... well, you've got to visit, haven't you? 


Editor in Chief Rhonda Bannister has just spent some time in Macau, and here she shares with us her journey of discovery ... 


I'm on a press famil in Macau with Macau Tourism and we are so lucky because we have a great tour guide named Joao whose knowledge of the area is encyclopedic, his personality warm and friendly and his obvious love of this fabulously rich and diverse destination is quite contagious - so catching that after just a few days here, I'm really beginning to fall in love with the place myself! 

Most Australians probably think of Macau as Asia's own Las Vegas and whilst it's true that it's certainly a gambling mecca, that's just a shiny wrapping. Under the glitzy cover is a unique destination offering a centuries old blend of Asian and European cultures and architecture not seen anywhere else in the world. Macau is a truly fascinating place to visit! 

And the food – foodies will love it here with its Macanese, Portuguese and Asian inspired dishes including some of Asia's best dim sum. I've only been here three days and already gained two kilos but I don't care because I've experienced some of the best food in the world, even dining at the two Michelin starred Zi Yat Heen at the Four Seasons Hotel where we're staying. 

Take my advice if you're coming to Macau and stay here, it's a divine slice of heaven on the Cotai Strip where most of the casinos are (from the hotel you just walk through to The Venetian, which is also amazing). This property is so different from the glitz you would expect in Macau, with its classic design reminiscent of a Portuguese palace, manicured grounds which include five(!) swimming pools and adjoining Shoppes at Four Seasons - DFS Galleria ... there's no need to go outside! 

I'm on my way home now via a couple of days in Hong Kong (more on this destination later!) but here's my top things to see and do in Macau and please - if you're planning a trip to Hong Kong leave a few days to hop over here - you'll be glad you did:

Historic Macau

The historic centre of Macau is a World Heritage site and the streetscapes and squares, churches and temples are truly unique. The Ruins of St Paul's is the most famous image of Macau - it's a facade only of what was once a Jesuit church destroyed by fire in 1835.

Senado Square is so picturesque with its wave-patterned stone mosaics and gaily painted colonial buildings - it's not far from St Paul's.

Little alleyways run off the square and here you'll find little tea shops or Portuguese pastry shops such as Ou Mun Cafe - great spot for a coffee and pastry - just like a small cafe in Europe. Around every corner there's something new to see.

Mount Fortress and the Museum of Macau overlook the ruins - the museum traces the history of the colony and it's really fascinating. It's amazing to see all the cannons placed around the top of the fortress where you get a bird's eye view of the old and new.

Ah-Ma Temple is the most famous temple in Macau and helped give the city its name.

If you're up for a freefall at 200 kms an hour from what is reputed to be the highest bungee jump in the world (233 metres) then come to the Macau Tower.  You can also skywalk around the perimeter or just come for the best 360˚ views of Macau. You can't miss it - it's the tallest building around.

Favourite dining and nightlife:

For authentic Macanese food and THE best African chicken and other traditional favourites, head to the lovely Restaurant Litoral just around the corner from Ah-Ma Temple. With its warm and inviting decor of whitewashed walls and gleaming timber furniture plus the standout cuisine it's a sure winner for lunch or dinner. www.restaurante-litoral.com

Authentic Portuguese food doesn't come any better than that served up at Antonios by renowned chef Antonio Coelho. This hole in the wall restaurant situated in a colonial building in the alleyways of the charming Taipa Village is an absolute MUST when you come to Macau but make sure to book and also ask if the musician, Marcelino will be there - he's terrific! This restaurant is one of the reasons I've gained so much weight in a couple of days!

antoniomacau.com

It comes as no surprise to find truly innovative chinese food in Macau but I have to make note of two that we tried and couldn't fault - the two Michelin starred, Zi Yat Heen restaurant where Chef Ho Pui Yung creates unique Cantonese cuisine at the Four Seasons Hotel and Beijing Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt which features specialities from northern China - quite different from Cantonese cuisine.

We went to City of Dreams Casino to see a fantastic show - The House of Dancing Water which was unbelievable - probably the most spectacular performance by an incredibly talented troupe I've yet seen and I have seen a few ... don't miss it if you come!

I can't wait to go back to discover more fabulous restaurants but first I'm going on a diet to lose what I've gained this trip!

Enjoy!!

Rhonda 

Getting Here: 

We flew from Sydney to HK with Cathay Pacific and were lucky to experience the new seating/lie-flat beds in business class which of course made the flight fantastically comfortable - not to mention the great service, food and wine along the way – the only way to travel! On arrival into Hong Kong airport we jumped on one of the subterranean trains that whisk you around this gigantic airport to arrive at the Turbojet counter for our one hour cruise to Macau - you don't go through immigration or collect your bags if you have pre-booked your tickets from Australia and the whole process is just so easy. 

www.cathaypacific.com  www.turbojet.com.hk

www.fourseasons.com/macau

Fun at Antonios with Marcelino 

Restaurant Litoral

Lisboa Casino

Yulefest magic in the mountains

Toasty fires, roast dinners and puddings, decorations and Santa: it may not be Christmas just yet, but in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region it's all about the winter wonderland! The magical Yulefest celebrations see this unique landscape transformed into an icy winter retreat as the many great hotels, motor inns and guest houses,restaurants and cafes become warm havens with roaring fires, hearty meals and hot drinks to retreat from the chill.

The history of Yulefest in the Blue Mountains goes back about 30 years to a small group of Irish visitors relaxing in front of a fire after enjoying the crisp, clear winter climate. They commented on how the conditions and atmosphere reminded them of Christmas celebrations back home so a savvy hotelier offered to re-create a similar festive atmosphere and meal for his nostalgic Celtic guests. That first Yulefest was a hit. Word spread throughout the region and before long, St Nick was doing the rounds twice a year.

Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat, Katoomba is popularly regarded as the ``Home of Yulefest’’ in the region, and this year the hotel will be having celebrations on Saturday June 30th and July 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. Pre-dinner drinks will be served from 6pm in the lounge followed by a five-course dinner and entertainment, a visit by Santa, a souvenir photo and after dinner treats. It's a special experience that locals and visitors alike all love. 

Cost: $149 adults, $66 children (5 – 12 years), $15 children (0 – 4 years). Accommodation packages available. For bookings and details email  contactus@mountainheritage.com.au or phone (+61) 2 4782 2155.

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge to host 'Tasting at the Top' festival

Foodies take note! Following on from all the excitement of the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival that we blogged about yesterday, today we're warming up for a winter time feast in beautiful Tasmania. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is set to take gourmet dining to new heights when it plays host to Tasmania's premier culinary festival, 'Tastings at the Top', from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 June.

The idyllic wilderness retreat will provide a stunning backdrop to the gourmet extravaganza, now in its 18th year and rated one of Australia's top food and wine experiences. The event will be jointly hosted by Peter Bourne - widely known as "The Wine Man" from Sydney and Australia's foremost wine educator, long time wine retailer, industry consultant, hospitality trainer and regular wine writer - and Nick Haddow, the owner and artisan cheese maker from Bruny Island Cheese Co. Both Peter and Nick share an intimate knowledge and enthusiasm for Tasmanian produce which translates into a highly entertaining culinary experience.

From degustation dinners to cooking demonstrations, fresh produce markets to wine and cheese tastings and decadent spa treatments at the Lodge's spectacular Waldheim Day Spa, the event encompasses the very best the region has to offer.

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is offering a special 3 night package encompassing all scheduled 'Tastings at the Top' events and including accommodation; full mountain breakfast each morning; two lunches; dinner each night including a five-course dinner on Saturday and a gala dinner with entertainment on the last night, matched wines as part of the Tastings program, and the opportunity to sample a wide variety of local produce while mingling with the providores - all for just $1695 per person twin share (all inclusive).

What better way to sample some of the region's finest produce, cuisine and wines, and all in a truly magical setting in Tasmania's wilderness. A perfect winter short break, we think!

For bookings phone Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge on 1300 806 192 or email cradlemountain@peppers.com.au.  You can get further information and a full program of the 'Tastings at the Top' events at the Peppers website.

Got your tix to the Noosa International Food & Wine Festival yet?

Get set to wow the taste buds and delight the senses with the annual Noosa International Food & Wine Festival which rolls in to Noosa from Thursday 17th May - Sunday 20th May! 

As one of the country's most celebrated food and wine festivals, locals and visitors get to rub shoulders and dine on delights from some of the rock stars of the food world, as the crème de la crème of international chefs  descend on the Sunshine Coast for this must-visit event in any foodie’s calendar. The calender is jam packed with themed picnics and degustations, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, special food trails, and the internationally renowned Qantas Best Dinner in the World. 

For the first time, festivalgoers will experience a sensory explosion with The Cook, The Chef and The Orchestra – a gala concert and dinner featuring Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant savoured to the strains of the Queensland Arts Orchestra.

This year’s entertainment lineup is set to keep the party going late into the night with ARIA award winners Jessica Mauboy and Anthony Callea rocking the stage on Friday night, and electro-pop outfit Sneaky Sound System bringing down the curtain on Sunday.

General Admission Tickets are $65 (adult) or $20 (child under 13) which covers general admission to the Welcome Party & Concert on Friday and general admission on Saturday and Sunday to Lion's Park, The Grand Marquee, Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations, The Courier Mail Life Annexe and live entertainment. General Admission also includes two tickets for food or wine. The best way to experience the Festival is with a Weekend Gold Pass which costs $315 and includes VIP Admission for Friday's Welcome Cocktail Party, Saturday and Sunday with entry to hospitality pavilions and preferential concert seating.                

To see the full program and buy tickets go to the festival website.

Discover the delights of Melbourne with a short break

Melbourne offers some seriously indulgent lifestyle for a short break! From awesome shopping and quirky boutiques, great nightlife with the coolest clubs and niche bars, a renowned live music and entertainments scene and the famous city alleyway cafes where you can pull up a block and enjoy the best latte of your life, you'll feel like you've got your finger on the pulse of what's cool, creative and happening when you come to this thriving city. The arts is engrained in the city life and multi-culturalism is everywhere from 'Little Italy' in Lygon Street (the best Italian restaurants, can be found here!) to the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world to be had at Chinatown, and 'Little Greece' centred on and around Lonsdale Street. 

And with Melbourne's celebrated calender of blockbuster theatre productions, sporting events and cultural attractions, you are certainly not short of great experiences to fill your time! Wining, dining and a very urban cool approach to living ... a few days in Melbourne gives you a dose of the good life.

Blue Holidays and Virgin Australia has you covered with yet another tempting special offer - for a limited time you can get airfares and 2 nights from $335pp* - so now there really is no excuse for you to not enjoy a quick city break! See other great city deals here.

Sydney Short Break Escape

How about hitting Sydney for 3 days of city high life? Blue Holidays (the holiday program of Virgin Australia) have you covered with a really fantastic special offer that will get you your flights and 3 nights accommodation from just $366pp*! We just wrote all about our own 48 hour short break in Sydney, which was filled with shopping, art galleries, wining and dining, and a whole lot of walking through some of the trendiest areas of this exciting city. Read all about it right here. And if it's your first time or you really crave some of the major tourist sites, Sydney is saturated with incredible experiences. With a packages like this, we're thinking it's never too soon to get back to Sydney for another short break escape! Check out the other great short break packages to Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide here!