The 'Surrealism Mini Break' from GoMA and Hilton Brisbane

‘Surrealism: The Poetry of Dreams’ is a landmark major exhibition from the Musée national d'art moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris, now showing exclusively at GoMA at Brisbane until 2 October 2011. The exhibition explores the historical overview of Surrealism, charting its evolution from Dada experiments in painting, photography and film, featuring works from Salvador Dali (pictured), Pablo Picasso, Giorgio De Chirico and Max Ernst; to the readymade objects of Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray’s photographs. 

'Surrealism: The Poetry of Dreams' is an opportunity to see important art works that rarely leave Paris, in an exhibition that will provide a fascinating and comprehensive overview of this important artistic movement. And what better way to heighten the overall experience then staying on overnight in Brisbane and enjoying everything this beautiful city has to offer? 

Hilton Brisbane has partnered with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art to give you the opportunity to see ‘Surrealism: The Poetry of Dreams’ whilst enjoying the comforts the hotel has to offer. The ‘Surrealism Minibreak’ - includes deluxe accommodation for two – featuring a sparkling new bathroom, breakfast the following morning and two tickets to the exhibition, all this from $299 per room per night, twin share*

To make your reservation phone 1300 445 866 and quote PR44SM or visit their website here.

Babylonstoren, Cape Winelands

Lying quietly in the Drakenstein Valley between Franschhoek and Paarl in the heart of the Cape Winelands of South Africa is Babylonstoren, one of the oldest and best preserved Cape Dutch werfs (farm yards), now been converted in to luxury digs by former Elle Decoration editor Karen Roos. And she's done a truly amazing job of it too!  It's an enchanting place where the chickens and ducks roam free, the garden is overgrown with lush fruits and vegetables and herbs, and the kitchen and restaurant is the hub of a gastronomic experience in fine dining. A stay at Babylonstoren is a little time trip to another era, with a manor house from 1777 and pioneer structures dating all the way back to the founding of the farm in 1690, an ornate fowl house, pigeon loft, leaning bell tower, historic gates and traditional courtyard, all whitewashed in stark contrast to the rugged countryside surrounding the farm. But inside the guest suites, that's where the modern day magic has been brought to life. The level of taste is impeccable - simple, contemporary comfort. 

Depending on the season, you can fill your days at Babylonstoren with swims in the farm dam, a picnic under the trees, lazy strolls around the farm of 200 hectares, watch as the gardeners pick the produce fresh from the vines (you may even like to help pick your own salad). Swing in a hammock in summer, or curl up the fire in winter. And there is always the spa to indulge in. Sounds like a little slice of heaven to us! 

Escape to Bordeaux with One World Retreats

Holidays for Couples featured One World Retreats in our April 2010 issue, after this writer experienced their incredible 'Escape the World' retreat in Ubud, Bali. Now hosts Iyan Yaspriyana and Claude Chouinard are taking their unique luxury yoga and lifestyle concept to France, with the first 'Escape to Bordeaux' retreat scheduled to be held in a charming ‘Château’ in the countryside of Bordeaux near the famous St-Emilion village, September 17th - 24th of this year. 

While the program is an opportunity to relax and get in touch with the deeper self, it is also an occasion to discover the beautiful region of Gironde and its vineyards at a time when grapes are being harvested. The retreat is also an opportunity to experience the culinary art of the French and of course Bordeaux’s famous wines.

The all inclusive retreat offers you seven nights accommodation at the Château, transportation to and from Bordeaux, healthy and (we can attest!) delicious meals, a massage, daily morning and evening yoga and meditation sessions, a series of 'Follow your Dreams' sessions, local tours of the village of Créon and the castle's own forest, wine tastings, cooking class, bicycle tour through the city of Bordeaux, and much more.

You can find out prices and more information at their website. And read more about One World Retreats in our story on the 'Escape the World' retreat in Bali, right here.

The ultimate New Zealand golf package

Avid golfers know that the it is all the better when played on a green that is set in a spectacular location. Two of the world’s top-ranked golf courses - Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers - have announced their ULTIMATE NEW ZEALAND GOLF PACKAGE, incorporating the best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands in one all-inclusive offer.

The package includes nine nights across three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed luxury lodges – Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, & Matakauri Lodge, and golf at four of the country’s top courses - Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, The Hills Golf Club and Jack’s Point. Also included are premium golf club rental equipment, electric cart and ground transfers to the golf courses in Queenstown.

Three nights accommodation each at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge also includes daily pre-dinner drinks and hors d’ oeuvres, gourmet dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excluding liquor and wines), WiFi, and use of lodge facilities. The package also includes a complimentary lunch for each night’s stay, which can be taken as three courses in the lodge dining rooms or packed as a picnic (on course or off).

Per-person pricing ranges from $8,197 NZD in the low season (May through August) to $12,742 NZD in the high season, which runs November through March. Contact any one of the three properties to co-ordinate your stay on The Ultimate New Zealand Golf Package.

Escape to The Lair, Tasmania

Architectural and design lovers would find The Lair in Tasmania to be truly contemporary retreat. Nature lovers would delight in it's stunning location on 40 unspoilt acres of forest overlooking the Great Oyster Bay. We just find it to be a shining example of private, self contained luxury! Can you imagine waking up to that view each morning? Each and every room at the Lair is totally immersed natural light with a panoramic view spread out before you, forest stretching to ocean and beyond creating an awe inspiring vista. 

Retreat to one of a pair of identical suites at either end of The Lair, open up all the doors and let this all be yours to dream into the romance of this breathtaking location. You'll find the mini bar stocked with fresh local produce and some of Tasmania's finest wines. There's even a complimentary dry pantry that is full to the brim with everything you need to create your own gourmet feast. Or you can let the staff at The Lair take care of that for you, preparing a menu of seasonal produce, with a wine list of international, national and regional wines. 

Life at The Lair sounds like it's very much about indulgence and total relaxation, in the finest style. Just the way we like it! Not a bad way to while away a few days during a stay in beautiful Tasmania now, is it?

Boutique style at The Siam, Bangkok

Bangkok does contemporary chic so well. So we were quite excited to see inside The Siam boutique hotel, not only for it's awesome location right on the banks of the mighty Chao Praya, but for the beautiful styling of the 39 rooms of this privately owned, luxury retreat. The Siam combines the best of urban luxury with the finest of modern exotic style, in that unique way that so many of the small luxury hotels of Thailand have mastered. 

Super-sized king beds and plush furnishings, oriental artwork and antiques, and lofty ceilings make every suite a stylish personal space - not to mention your own personal butler on call to make your stay as carefree and relaxing as possible. There are also intimately private pool villas with open-air roof terraces and, for the ultimate in memorable experiences, the Siamese charm of Connie's Cottage. The traditional teak wood house was brought by boat downriver to Bangkok from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya by socialite and curio collector, Connie Mangskau, and her dear friend the silk merchant, Jim Thompson. Connie hosted an array of cosmopolitan characters within its walls, like Jacqueline Kennedy, Henry Ford, John Rockefeller and Roger Moore. 

The Siam has it's own private pier with a Thai barge and luxury speedboat ready to whisk you off to your chosen city destination. And the best way to end a day of sightseeing, shopping and cultural delights? Pull up a comfy chair at The Siam's own riverside bar, and order a cocktail as the sun sets over the majestic 'River of Kings'. 

Romantic proposals, tailor made by Anantara Resort & Spas

If you're thinking of proposing to your partner, but finding yourself overwhelmed with nerves or stumped for unique ideas, you may just like this post! 

Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas have come up with a range of unexpected proposal scenarios that are luxuriously surprising, cleverly clandestine and truly one of a kind ... and set in some of the most romantic locations on earth, in typical Anantara style. 

Our two top picks for ultra romantic, surprise proposals are both based in Thailand (not least because it's one of our favourite destinations!). Jump overboard and swim through the spectacular Emerald Cave to a hidden tropical beach enclosed by vertical cliff face in the Andaman Sea - like a scene from the movie 'The Beach' - with your guide from Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa in southern Thailand (this writer has done the cave swim herself and can attest to it being a truly amazing experience!). Over a champagne picnic you can reveal the engagement ring that has been concealed in any number of hiding places of your choice. 

Or, if the jungle seems more to your liking, the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa has it all planned out, with a trip along the Mekong River on a longtail boat taking you to meet your elephant led passage through the jungle and countryside along the Thai, Myanmar and Laos border regions. A romantic sunset Dine by Design lets you choose your perfect setting, from a secluded terrace to a moonlit hilltop or picturesque rice paddy with baby elephant companions. One of those babies is called Phil, and he is going to be your ring bearer ... or least, he will do his best to offer up an elegant bouquet of flowers in his trunk or a bow-tied gift box around his neck, engagement ring hidden inside. Too cute! What an unforgettable way to pop the question. How could anyone say no to that?!

You could sweat it out trying to come up with the perfect scene for the perfect proposal. Or you could let Anantara do it all for you. And at the end of the day, you will have your luxury room, suite or villa to return to ... and it's all a part of the memories you will both cherish forever.