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Articles by Amy Nelmes
This incredible Mykonos holiday home could be yours for $65
For the price of a fancy brunch in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, this incredible five-bedroom holiday home in Mykonos could be yours. Yep, the owners of this $6.6million villa have decided to raffle off the property for $65 a ticket. Quite the steal when considering that as well as the five bedrooms, there's three individual apartments, an infinity pool, bar and gymnasium.
The fool-proof way to always get a flight upgrade
It's every economy ticket fliers dream, being offered an upgrade to business class when they hit the check-in. But let's be real, when does this ever happen? But two travel experts have revealed that there's one way to get a definite upgrade on a packed flight. Perfect for the Christmas period. Rick Brown, author of travel hack guide Kiss my baggage fees: How to be a savvy travel hacker, said: "If your seat is broken, you can request a new seat.
Game of Thrones fan tracks down exact location from scenes, matches them with stills from show
When it comes to iconic moments from Game of Thrones, there's plenty to choose from. So, when Andrea David decided to track down the shooting scenes from the show, she had plenty to peruse. In fact, she's travelled around the world, matching the GOT backdrop to stills from the show. And the result is pretty impressive. Andrea, from Hamburg, has spent three years on the project. And aside from the hit HBO show, she also matches a whole range of films and TV show for her Film Tourism blog.
Computer glitch means American Airlines have a pilot shortage over Christmas
It's the busiest time of the year, with airports packed and flights fully booked, but a computer glitch means the future of thousands of American Airlines flights is a little uncertain. A technical issue meant that pilots were able to book annual leave during the holidays, and it was only noticed by senior staff early this week. Currently, it looks like 15,000 flights won't have a pilot.
Mirry Christmas! AirNZ Christmas ad sees Santa struggle with the kiwi accent
There might be a few confused children on Christmas morning in New Zealand, if this Air NZ advert is anything to go by. The airline released the clip of Santa struggling with the Kiwi accent as children across the country called in their Christmas morning requests – ear-o-plane anyone? A puggy bank? "We seem to be having some trouble with the Kiwi accent," Santa says in the ad.
New cruise ship lets guests 'walk on water' with glass deck
Not for those with a fear of heights or dark water, the new luxury MSC Seaside will have a glass walkway weaved around its exterior. Unveiled this week, the "beach condo" style structure will be setting sail in 2021, with a length of 339 metres and cabins that can host up to 5,646 passengers. But it's the "walking on water" feature which has piqued interest, with a 40m-long glass-floored catwalk.
The White Temple in Thailand has reopened and it's as stunning as ever
It may look like it's straight from a magical make-belief world but this heavenly white temple is actually found in Thailand. Wat Rong Khun, or better known as the White Temple, is a Buddhist temple in the northern area of Chiang Rai Province. Designed by Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, it came to life in 1997, but wa rebuilt this year after an earthquake in 2014 crumbled some of its intricate design. The theme is on death, rebirth and escaping hell.
Luxury hotel becomes first Maldives stay with an ice rink
Adding an icerink to a luxury resort isn’t really anything new, just head to Paris during the winter months and it's the selling point de jour for many hotels. But in the Maldives, where the temperature rarely drops under 28c, now that's another matter. The Jumeirah Vittaveli, a luxury island resort situated a 20-minute catamaran ride from the capital, Malé, is becoming the first hotel in the Maldives to add an ice rink.
The most dangerous countries revealed in a map
Before planning your 2018 trip, we'd recommend checking out this map which shows how tourist-friendly countries really are. Released by International SOS and Control Risks, by collecting data from the World Health Organization and other institutions, the interactive ‘Travel Risk Map’ reveals just how risky countries are. It's based on figures linked to road safety, security and medical matters, with the dark red meaning extreme danger and yellow meaning low.
The hotel that only accepts one guest at a time
In fact, their tagline is, "As soon as you check in at the Vipp hotel, it's fully booked." Vipp, an architect company, wanted to create individual suites across Sweden, with the Vipp shelter being its first.
Mountainside cabins are getting a facelift in Iceland
It doesn't matter if you're on a mountainside in Wales or a trek in New Zealand, generally rural cabins are usually run down and offer basic amenities. If any. But an architect in Iceland is giving the lowly mountain shelter a facelift, providing a cosy retreat for trekkers in the mountains. Tent-like in its design, the conceptual cabin called Skyli, designed by Stockholm-based Utopia Arkitekter, would withstand the extreme weather conditions of Iceland's mountain landscape.
Emirates' new first class suites have 'zero-gravity' beds
The battle of the most superior first class suite seems to be currently in full swing, with Emirates releasing their offering just a week after Singapore Airlines. In a true "anything you can do, I can do better", the airline has introduced a number of fandangle upgrades, including zero gravity beds, private cabins and mood lighting. Each suite has a 32-inch HD LCD TVs with over 2,500 channels of on-demand entertainment or passengers can stream content from their own devices.
Richard Branson to enter the cruise world with a $3.9 billion fleet
Richard Branson's Virgin Group have announced plans to enter the ever-popular world of cruising, with the introduction of three ships in 2020. The adults-only cruise ships are currently in the middle of being built at a shipyard in Genoa, Italy, and will cost a staggering $3.9billion. Ninety-three per cent of Virgin Voyages cabins will have an ocean view and more than 80 per cent will have a terrace. The ship is more like a large yacht, than the liners we see at the moment.
Aspiring Crocodile Dundee? Kakadu National Park needs a new 'CEO and part-time croc-wrangler'
Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory is on the hunt – for a new park manager with croc-fighting abilities. A cheeky advert, by Kakadu Tourism, says the role is for a "CEO and part-time croc wrangler", who will run 20,000 square kilometre of stunning savanna. '"Take a ride on the wilder side of life and sign up for crocs, buffalo and the ultimate job," the job description states. "This is the top job and it’s not for the faint-hearted.
The rebuilt Hastings Pier named UK's best building
The new Hastings Pier, which was rebuilt after a devastating fire, has been crowned this year's best building in the UK in the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba). Bagging the Riba Stirling Price, the new pier – designed by dRMM Architects, was described by a Riba judge as a "phoenix risen from the ashes". Dating from 1872, Hastings Pier was ravaged by fire in 2010 but had closed two years earlier because of storm damage.
Hotel review: Peppers Soul, a Surfers Paradise high rise with an arty edge
It's no secret that Surfers Paradise is the Bogan epicentre of the Gold Coast, where clothing is as minimal as wins at Time Zone. And there's no criticism here, the tawdry and tacky is part of the allure. After all, there's a reason why 13million visitors descend upon Surfers each year.
Hotel review: InterContinental Sydney Double Bay and its secret member's room
The door looks just like the entry to any of the 140 hotel rooms and suites found in the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Brown, unassuming, and directly next to the lifts on level two. To the unsuspecting eye, you'd probably just think it's where the cleaner keeps their Henry hoover and supplies. But we've been handed a key to this Narnia world. And as we swipe and the door clicks, ready for us to push, we're soon inside the inner sanctuary that is the members only area of the five star hotel.
The most powerful passport in the world has been revealed
The passport that gives visa-free entry into the most countries in the world has been revealed as the tiny nation of Singapore. According to the Passport Index, the Singaporean passport is currently the most powerful in the world, allowing entry into 159 countries fuss free. It comes after Paraguay removed visa requirements for those carrying a Singapore passport.
Science proves alcohol does increase your ability to speak a foreign language
If you've ever wondered why you can suddenly wax lyrical in the local tongue after a few beverages, then here's your answer. A new study, found in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, has found that alcohol can help boost your ability to speak a second language. Researchers tested 50 German speakers who had just learned Dutch. Some were given a low dose of alcohol, and others a control beverage with no alcohol. They were then asked to have a conversation in Dutch.
Europe's first underwater restaurant is coming to Norway, and it's incredible
It might look like a concrete container dropped into the ocean, but inside, this will be Europe's first underwater restaurant. Designed by Snøhetta, the new dining space is called Under, and will be built near the village of Båly on Norway's south coast. Set to open next year, there will be enough space for 100 diners who can peek at the passing aquatic life from a huge observation window.
From Viagra to berries, the best cures for beating jet lag
Viagra might conjure up images of oldies trying to get it on, but, in fact, it's one of the best ways to beat jet lag. Dr Ginni Mansberg and Shelly Horton, hosts of Things You Can't Talk About On TV, discuss taking the d-popping drug after they were hit by the lag during a recent long-haul trip. For the science, watch above. This week, Dana Hunnes, a senior dietitian at Ronald Regan-UCLA Medical Center, also told Vogue that diet plays a huge part in adapting to the right time zone.
This five-star Maldives hotel has an Instagram butler
For solo travellers who need to capture that incredible shot for their Instagram, the Conrad Hilton Resort in the Maldives has you covered – an Insta-butler. Your social media –savvy butler will be there to take photos, help with a bit of filter guidance, and if your hands are busy with a cocktail, then they'll even post.
Drive-on tracks transform Utes into snowmobiles in minutes
A U.S company have unveiled the Track-N-go, allowing pick-up trucks to drive onto tracks and turn into snowmobiles in the blink of an eye. The manufacturer’s website says: "The average time to install the four tracks is 15 minutes. Some can install them in five minutes, others will do it in 25 minutes. The same time is expected to remove them." Once fitted, snowy terrain, including huge snow drifts, can be easily tackled, and can even be used on mud, gravel and sand.
Hotel review: The Larmont, a five-star offering to match Kings Cross' new identity
It's been almost three since the lock out laws were passed, stripping the identity of Kings Cross as an area that attracted the riff with the raff with its gritty alternative to polished Sydney. The weird and wonderful characters of the flailing red light district have vanished, with the more palatable vibe from neighbouring Potts Point seeping right down to the farther end of Darlinghurst Road, close to the Kings Cross Hotel.
Floating tents are now a thing, not for the sleep walking of us
An American company have launched the world's first floating tent, allowing campers to now spend the night on their favourite lake. Made in Ohio by the SmithFly company, the tent is made-up of a raft base which "has three chambers, two in the lower tube, one in the structure" to ensure there's no punctures. It doubles up as an air mattress to ensure a comfortable night's sleep.
The 'world's most useless airport' finally gets its first arrival
The small island of St Helena finally welcomed its first scheduled arrival on Saturday at its $480million airport, dubbed the "world's most useless airport" after a series of setbacks. An SA Airlink flight from Johannesburg, with up to 68 passengers on board, touched down on the tiny Atlantic island on Saturday evening, after a seven hour flight. It was such a momentous moment, locals gathered to watch the first commercial flight the island has ever welcomed land safely.
Why you should never drink coffee in your hotel room
Germaphobes, this one is for you. A new study has found that the coffee machine in your hotel room – you know, the Nepresso that looks so inviting in the morning – generally has around 35 to 67 different forms of bacteria. A study by the University of Valencia tested nine different Nespresso machines that had been in use for at least one year.
Google Maps fixes Blue Mountains bug which took tourists to a rural cul-de-sac instead
The stunning Blue Mountains in New South Wales has always been a big hit with tourists but until recently, those using Google Maps would have been led to a rural cul-de-sac instead. An error meant that instead of directing visitors to the Blue Mountains, 65km inland from Sydney, it took them to Valley View Road in Dargan.
Pilot's stunning landing at Queenstown Airport: 'Most beautiful approach I have seen'
A New Zealand pilot has captured a video of him landing his Qatar Airways plane through thick cloud at Queenstown Airport … and it's simply stunning. Captain Sandeep Varma posted the bird's eye view video from the cockpit, showing the plane gliding over clouds which look like snow-capped mountains. It's only when the plane slips beneath the clouds that visibility turns to nothing but white, before finally dipping down to clear skies just before hitting the runway.
Swedish model almost dies during bid to become a mountain guide
Melissa Miller has become well-known on Instagram for her wanderlust journey around the world, but she's just revealed that her dream to become a mountaineer almost killed her. The 31-year-old from Sweden had been training for years to move career from modelling to adventure sports. But after years of training in warm climates, it was a trip in Norway's mountains during winter that proved almost fatal.
Iconic music studio used by Oasis and Stone Roses is now moonlighting as a B&B
It's been the birth place to some of the 90s most iconic albums, with Oasis, the Stone Roses and Duran Duran all spending months tucked away within its four walls. But The Sawmills, the first residential music studio in the UK – which opened in 1974 – has now also opened as a B&B. Found on the banks of the River Fowey in Cornwall, it still operates as a fully-functional recording studio, with a control room, machine room and two isolation booths.
Bizarre tourism video promoting sex island getaway
Most of us know about those grubby clubs and resorts offering a special type female company, but never has sex tourism tried to edge into the mainstream like this before. A private island in Colombia has released a video, which is going viral, about their "sex island experience" this November. The high end holiday break involves transfers to the island of Cali, fifteen minutes from the mainland, then three day party involving 60 women, 30 men and unlimited sex.
Take a look inside Lego's flagship house complete with 25million plastic bricks
The façade is covered in tiles to give the illusion that the whole building is made from Lego. But even though the exterior might not be actually building blocks, visitors will find 25 million Lego bricks inside.
Inside the extravagant music hall that cost $843 million
It's not unusual for a building to go over budget, but perhaps almost $760million over an $85million budget is a little on the excessive side. But the newly-opened Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall in Hamburg, is on the excessive side. Just take a look inside the 2,100 seated stunner. There are 10,000 unique acoustic panels, made up of one million cells which shape the sound by either absorbing the waves or causing them to reverberate through the halls.
Budget airline EasyJet will fly electric planes within a decade
British budget airline EasyJet has set its sights on flying electric passenger jets on short-haul routes within the next decade. During a presser on Wednesday in the UK, the company say they believe the move is the future of avaitaion and a conscious effort to cut plane pollution. The airline said in March it would partner with U.S. startup Wright Electric to develop electric passenger jets and is aiming for planes with a range of up to 540 km.
Wanted: Couple to run potato farm on rural French island
If you're ready to test your relationship and perhaps even your sanity, then this might be the job for you. The French government are looking for a couple to look after a tiny island off the coast of Brittany in France. The chosen couple will run a potato farm on the isolated mile-long island, which has a distinct lack of both neighbours and mod cons. The toilets are sawdust-filled holes, rainwater runs through the house and electricity comes from solar and wind energy.
A wall covered in 1100 kg of chewed gum becomes unlikely tourist spot in Seattle
The world is spotted with bizarre tourist attraction but this wall covered in chewing gum in Seattle is perhaps one of the oddest. Found in a back lane of Pike Place Market in the US city, it's been attracting visitors who not only visit the disgusting mass of chewed gum but also contribute to it. Currently, there's around 1100 kg of sticky gum squashed onto the wall. To put that into perspective, that's the weight of hippo…or about fifteen humans. Pretty gross.
Incredible treehouses shaped like a cocoa pod to open in Panama
Incredible treehouses shaped like a cocoa pod to open in Panama It might look like something out of a dream but these magical treehouses, in the shape of a cocoa pod, are real and opening in 2019. They were designed by UK-based Baca Architects and will be found on a chocolate farm in the tropical rainforest in west Panama, on the Isle Pastor. Each treehouse will feature outdoor showers, shaded balconies, sleeping areas, and staircases that spiral up from the ground around the tree trunk.
Bali volcano: How it affects your travel plans
Bali is bracing itself for a volcano eruption as Mt Agung continues to rumble, with more than 96,000 local people in the Karangasem Regency area being evacuated to shelters. On Wednesday, Mt Agung recorded its biggest tremor yet, registering at 4.3. The volcano has not erupted since 1963 when 1,000 people died, but there's concerns it's about to blow any day now. But with the school holidays in full swing, many Aussies have planned to spend their holidays in Bali.
Hotel review: Radisson Blu in Denarau, Fiji, is perfect for a family-friendly holiday
As a new parent, child friendly resorts are actually quite daunting. It's an insight into what life is going to be like if you fast forward a few years, when you maybe add another sibling or two into the mix, and life pre-child is a fastly fading memory. Yep, travel with a baby can be exhausting. But holidaying with two or three children, hyped-up on fizzy drinks and bubbling with holiday excitement is next level.
Timelapse shows 30 day journey of container ship and it's incredible
While it's not unusual to be a little envious of our friends hot-trotting around the globe, it's perhaps a little odd to be jealous of a container ship. Sailor and vlogger, Jeffrey Tsang, captured 80,000 photos of the journey of a container ship across the Indian Ocean to Hong Kong, via Colombo and Singapore. And combining the photos for an epic timelapse, we can follow the journey with glimpses of the milky way, incredible sunrises and even a lightning storm.
How to travel solo with a baby in Fiji
Back in the day, if a new mum had said they were packing up their baby and going for a solo jaunt during their maternity leave, they'd probably be labelled crazy. But in recent years, mammas are using their mat leave as an opportunity to travel, with many, like Travel Mad Mum, even blogging their way around the world. Daunting? Perhaps. But it just takes a little confidence.
The Gold Coast's Movie World opens a new rollercoaster
Movie World in the Gold Coast are officially opening a new rollercoaster ride on tomorrow (Friday September 22), just in time for the school holidays. The DC Rival Hypercoaster will be the second fastest HyperCoaster in Australia, travelling at 115km per hour, during the 1.4m length. And it also whizzes backwards, as well as forward facing. This week, a few lucky visitors to the Warner Brothers' theme park were chosen to test out the rollercoaster, with one writing on Facebook: "Fricken awesome."
Qatar Airways launches first-ever double bed in business class
Business class on a Qatar Airways flight just got a lot more comfortable with the introduction of the world's first-ever double bed. The Qsuite allows passengers to recline two middle seats into a fully flat bed, creating a private bedroom with two entertainment screens inside. A honeymooners' dream. It's also perfect for families as four seats can be transformed into a private area, turning in on themselves.
The world's first underwater restaurant has opened
The world’s first underwater restaurant has opened 16ft below sea level in the Maldives and it may be the best eatery we’ve ever clapped our eyes on. The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is found in the middle of the Indian Ocean, where the seas are as blue as they come. The perfect backdrop for dinner. Located in the Conrad Maldives Hotel on Rangali Island, the uber luxe experience starts with diners walking to the end of a jetty before descending down a spiral staircase into the coral reef below.
Louvre Abu Dhabi will finally open in November
The highly-anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi will open to the public this November. The project has taken a decade to complete after initially being unveiled back in 2007, in a partnership between the French government, Abu Dhabi tourism and Louvre management. The striking dome is made from 7850 unique stars, which create a dazzling effect as visitors walk through.
Hotel review: Peppers Manor House, Southern Highlands, is a culinary delight
Polenta shouldn't really take centre stage of a hotel review, especially when reviewing the rather grand Peppers Manor House, situated in Sutton Forest in NSW's Southern Highlands. But despite the many incredible moments during a recent stay, it is the polenta - yes, the Italian-style cornmeal – that keeps springing back into my memory. Peppers Retreats & Hotels, spotted around Australia, have always had a surprising culinary edge to them, and I've road tested quite a few.
Elements of Byron Bay expands with new villas and a solar-powered train
The five-star Elements of Byron resort has become the jewel in the Byron Bay hotel scene, with it already being crowned an award winner. But despite the $120million property only opening in 2015, it's already expanding with 99 new villas and a new adults-only pool. The new two and three-bedroom villas are aimed at families, and are a lot bigger than the villas currently on offer, with a kitchen, laundry and fireplaces.
Virgin Atlantic announce Wi-Fi on flights with awesome 'social media phenomena' video
The days of being uncontactable for a few hours on a flight are coming to an end, with Virgin Atlantic announcing the introduction of Wi-Fi on planes. Wi-Fi hasn't launched on certain Australian planes, but is mainly found on flights through Europe and America. It's only a matter of time before the joys of finally watching a film will be replaced with social media scrolling on all flights.
The worst campaign videos from around the world
For most, tourism campaign videos give us a quickie slice of what the country or city has to offer. And they are usually pretty spectacular. But sometimes, they can be oh so bad. Even our own, "Where the bloody hell are you?" back in 2007 – which catapulted Lara Bingle to instant fame – was slammed for costing a shocking $180 million and was deemed distasteful.
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