Each week we bring you a hand-picked selection of travel news from Australia and around the world.
New Look For Reefsleep
Journey Beyond will soon upgrade Cruise Whitsunday’s Reefworld and open it exclusively to overnight guests. A pontoon moored permanently on the Outer Great Barrier at Hardy Reef, Reefworld invites guests to spend the night under a canopy of stars (Reefsleep) or in its underwater Reefsuites.
It will close from 15 May to 29 June while the upgrade takes place, with plans to reopen on 1 July. The upgrade is part of a $30 million investment by Journey Beyond to reimagine the Hardy Reef experience.
Reefworld has welcomed almost 340,000 visitors – both day visitors and overnight guests – since it opened in 2019. After the upgrade, overnight guests will have it entirely to themselves, from the first snorkel of the day to the last glass of Champagne under the stars.
They’ll also get to indulge in premium dining and beverages and guided snorkelling adventures. New furnishings and refreshed design elements will reflect the beauty and tranquillity of the reef.
From April, day tours with Great Barrier Reef Adventure will be based out of Cruise Whitsundays’ newly refurbished Heart Pontoon.
From 2027, a new 35-metre catamaran will join the Cruise Whitsundays fleet. It will have various indoor and outdoor seating options, including an expansive viewing platform on the open-air upper deck. A dedicated area will be reserved for Reefworld guests.
An overnight stay at Reefworld costs from AUD $895 per person double occupancy, $920 solo occupancy. An overnight stay in Reefsuite costs from $1495 per person double occupancy, $2,690 per person solo occupancy. *Low season T&C’s apply.
Sydney To Host Matildas Final
For Matildas’ fans, Australia is the place to be in March as Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast host the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. A total of 27 matches will be played across the three cities.
Sydney will host 11 of the matches, including the final at Stadium Australia on March 21. Sam Kerr will captain the Australian team in her fifth appearance at the tournament.
Australia will take on the Philippines in the opening match in Perth on March 1 before heading to the Gold Coast and Sydney for the remaining group stage game. The tournament serves as Australia’s qualification pathway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. Tickets and more information here.
The Smartest Hat
We’ll be cheering the Matildas on in Sydney and Maurie will be wearing his new favourite hat, an ivory-coloured Harley Trilby from Evoke Headwear. It’s a Flexibraid® hat, which means you can fold the hat and pack it in your case without crushing it.
This time last year, I wrote about my Tina M Copenhagen hat, also made from Flexibraid®, and I’m happy to report that one year later, it’s still going strong despite being carted around the world in a suitcase on numerousoccasions. (You can read that post here.)
The Evoke hats are popular among golfers, travellers and outdoor enthusiasts, and Maurie loves the way the Trilby blends sporting style with smart design. As well as being lightweight and crush-resistant, it is breathable, rain-resistant, and certified for UPF50+ sun protection. And like my Tina M, it has a ComfyFit size adjuster so you can get a perfect fit.
We think the Harley Trilby is a bargain at a recommended retail price of AUD $55. This is not a sponsored post but Maurie was given the hat to road-test and keep.
Get into the spirit in Bhutan
Set high up in the Neyphu Valley, nestled among pine trees and rugged cliffs, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is the first and only five-star wellness-inclusive luxury resort in Paro. The property is inviting guests to celebrate the local Paro Tshechu Festival from March 29 to April 2.
One of the most famous Bhutanese festivals, the Paro Tshechu Festival always falls in spring, just as the blossoms and magnolias start to bloom. With its origins dating back to the mid-17th century, the colourful festivities include dance, folksongs and musical performances by locals and monks.
Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary offers a unique retreat to discover Bhutan in all its unspoiled glory. Step back in time as you walk through the grand front entrance to a peaceful inner Courtyard.
Throughout their stay guests are offered a wellness-inclusive journey based on Traditional Bhutanese Medicine. All treatments are 100% herbal based. Each stay includes a complimentary consultation with a TBM doctor and one wellness treatment per paid night.
Included in your stay is a daily four-course lunch and six-course dinner with spectacular mountain views as a backdrop and a variety of Bhutanese, Asian and Western dishes on offer. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is part of the Small Luxury Hotels Collection.
Catching A Wave Gets A Whole Lot Easier
The Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra, Indonesia, are world-renowned for their reef breaks, a magnet for surfers and paradise for those wanting a secluded escape. But the islands are also notorious for the “travel tax”, a grueling 24-hour trek involving multiple flights and overnight ferries.
That will change in June when Fly SamaSama connects Kuala Lumpur directly to the Mentawais in just three hours, which includes a brief immigration stop in Padang. Operating a 23-seat Embraer 120, the premium air charter service includes surf-equipment-friendly baggage allowances. It will coordinate directly with top resorts including Awera Mentawai, Aloita, Kingfisher, Hollow Trees Resort, and Villa Mentawai.
Founder and pilot Andre Hugo has his eye on future expansion across other remote islands in Indonesia as well.
Lithuania Celebrates Arts, Crafts And Flavours
From March 6 to 8, more than 1,200 artisans and food producers will turn five kilometres of city streets in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, into an open-air handmade goods market. The Kaziukas Fair is one of the oldest annual artisan fairs in Europe and the largest celebration of traditional crafts in the Baltic countries.
As an increasing number of travellers seek out more authentic, local experiences, events like the Kaziukas Fair offer an opportunity to experience artisan traditions. The annual fair offers plenty of hands-on opportunities, with visitors able to try their hand at crafts from weaving and wood-carving to jewellery-making and ceramics, and even to baking a traditional Lithuanian tree cake.
Šakotis, or tree cake, is one of the iconic dishes of Lithuanian cuisine. Shaped like a pine tree, it’s a staple dessert typically served at weddings or other large celebrations. The preparation process takes a lot of time and effort, as the cake is baked by slowly dripping egg-rich batter onto a rotating metal cylinder over an open flame.
Other local delicacies on offer include baked goods, locally produced sausage, smoked fish, and potato dumplings. Accompanying it all will be the sounds of ironmongers plying their trade, potters’ wheels spinning, and musicians in national dress playing local folk tunes. More information about Vilnius here.
Escape The Crowds And Go To Le Marche
If you’re looking for a laidback, unspoiled region to visit in Italy, Le Marche has the natural beauty and vibrant heritage of more well-known areas in Italy but without the crowds. With long coastlines and quiet beaches, breathtaking mountains and charming historic towns, this region in eastern Italy has something for everyone, whether your interests lie in food and wine, art and history, or adventure travel.
For art enthusiasts, a must-visit is the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche in Urbino, home to some of the greatest masterpieces by Renaissance painters. Other interesting museums can be found in Pesaro, Fano, Fermo, Ascoli Piceno, and Ancona.
The opera tradition is strong, and many towns in Le Marche host music and dance festivals from April to September. Seasons govern the daily rhythms, while numerous historical and religious festivals are held throughout the year. Fun fact: the region produces around 90% of all Italian leather shoes, so look out for traditional shoemakers.
Moreno Morretti has dedicated the past decade to exploring every corner of his homeland. His company, Italy Charme, is the leading provider of customized Le Marche experiences and he personally oversees the organisation of tours that offer a genuine connection with artisans, chefs, farmers, historians, and locals who embody the essence of the region.
