Category: TRAVEL

Want to spend money? World’s best shopping destinations for 2025

For many travellers, shopping is more than just a pastime—it’s a key part of the holiday experience. Finding unique items and great deals can be as memorable as visiting a landmark. A recent report from December 2025 has unveiled the most budget-friendly places for a shopping spree, and the results might surprise you. A new study by women’s fashion brand Kaiia has pinpointed the countries where savvy shoppers can get the most value for their money. By looking at over 25 nations, the research compared factors like sales tax, tax-free refund policies, minimum purchase requirements, and the base price of a typical clothing bundle. This detailed analysis reveals the final cost for travellers, showing where your money goes furthest. If you’re planning a trip and want to indulge in some retail therapy, here are the top five destinations to consider. How the Study Determined the Best Deals To rank the shopping destinations, the study took a comprehensive approach. Researchers analysed several key factors that directly affect the final price a tourist pays. These included each country’s sales tax, the rate of tax-free refunds available to non-residents, and any minimum spending required to qualify for those refunds. The study also established a baseline cost for a standard bundle of apparel and shoes to ensure a fair comparison across different economies. Finally, it factored in online search popularity to gauge how much interest each location generates for shopping deals. By combining these metrics, the report calculated the true cost of shopping for visitors after all taxes and… Read More

Beyond The Valley 2025 – what’s on this year

Australia’s iconic Beyond The Valley festival has officially kicked off its landmark 10th edition, delivering a spectacular celebration of music, culture, and community. Held at the stunning Barunah Plains from December 28 to January 1, this year’s festival promises to be the biggest and boldest chapter yet, marking a decade of unforgettable summer memories. A High-Octane Start to the Festival The festival opened with a bang on December 28, as the Dance Dome set the tone for the days ahead. Bullet Tooth brought electrifying energy to the stage, while Ollie Lishman closed the night with a pulsating set that had festival-goers dancing into the early hours. The Valley Stage also came alive on December 29, featuring standout performances from Australian favorites Miss Kaninna, Mallrat, and DICE, who seamlessly carried the crowd from day to night. Addison Rae’s Historic Festival Debut One of the most talked-about moments of the festival so far was global pop sensation Addison Rae’s debut festival performance. Closing the Valley Stage on December 29, Rae delivered a high-energy set that drew one of the largest crowds of the weekend. Addressing the audience mid-performance, Rae shared, “This is the first festival I’ve ever done,” sparking a wave of celebration among fans. Her set was a milestone not only for her career but also for Beyond The Valley, cementing its reputation as a platform for groundbreaking performances. Electrifying Performances and Surprise Sets The Dance Dome continued to be a hub of energy on day two, with house music heavyweight Chris Stussy and KETTAMA delivering… Read More

Australian candlelight music – but not like you think

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2026 with a magical concert experience like no other. Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Fever are bringing Candlelight®: The Lord of the Rings to Australia, and here’s why you don’t want to miss it: 1. A Global Celebration of Middle-earth This international concert series is part of a worldwide tribute to one of cinema’s most beloved sagas. From New York to São Paulo, and now Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, fans across the globe will be immersed in the epic world of Middle-earth. 2. Iconic Venues with Stunning Atmospheres Each concert will take place in a venue renowned for its historic charm or unique character, creating an unforgettable setting for the music of The Lord of the Rings. In Australia, these venues include: 3. Live Performances by Talented String Quartets Experience the iconic music of The Lord of the Rings trilogy performed live by skilled local string quartets. These evocative melodies will transport you straight to Middle-earth, capturing the adventure, friendship, and wonder of the films. 4. A Unique Candlelight Experience Fever’s Candlelight series is known for its intimate and magical ambiance, with venues illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight. This enchanting atmosphere will elevate the music of The Lord of the Rings to new heights. 5. Limited Tickets – Join the Waitlist Now! With limited tickets available, this is your chance to secure a spot at one of the most anticipated events of 2026. Don’t miss out—join the waitlist… Read More

How to see Machu Picchu in VR in Sydney

Sydney is about to welcome a groundbreaking new experience that will transport visitors over 13,000 kilometers to the heart of the Peruvian Andes—without ever leaving the city. Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City, an immersive virtual reality (VR) adventure, is set to make its Australian debut at Sydney Olympic Park on December 12, 2025. Presented by global live entertainment platform Fever, this cutting-edge VR experience redefines how we explore history and travel. Visitors will don next-generation VR headsets to freely roam through stunning 4D recreations of the iconic Inca citadel, Machu Picchu. From the sacred Temple of the Sun to the vast agricultural terraces, every detail has been meticulously reconstructed to offer a deeply engaging and interactive journey into one of history’s most extraordinary civilizations. A Journey Like No Other Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City combines state-of-the-art free-roam VR with authentic cultural storytelling. Guests will meander through misty mountain trails, hear the echo of ceremonial drums, and witness ancient rituals atop the Temple of the Sun—all brought to life with breathtaking visual fidelity and spatial audio. Highlights include soaring with condors above the Andes and stepping inside an Incan home during a solar eclipse, capturing both the grandeur and intimacy of this lost world. Adding a modern twist to the adventure is Teri, a witty robot guide voiced by Hollywood star Terry Crews. Teri provides valuable insights and a touch of humor as visitors explore temple corridors, terraced farms, and sacred plazas, making the experience both educational and entertaining. Designed for Everyone… Read More

From London to Vilnius, tradition gets a pop of pink

Two cities, two vastly different celebrations, one dazzling hue. This October, the British Museum’s inaugural Pink Ball lit up London, calling attention to both culture and fundraising, while across Europe, the Vilnius Pink Soup Festival announced its return for May 2026 after shattering attendance records earlier this year. Though separated by geography and themes, both events share a bold vision to unite communities through creativity, history, and the joyous power of pink. The British Museum’s First Pink Ball Set against the magnificent backdrop of the British Museum, 800 guests clad in an elegant spectrum of pinks gathered for the museum’s very first Pink Ball on 18 October 2025. Designed as a “flagship national event” by director Nicholas Cullinan, the ball delivered glamour and gastronomy while raising critical funds for the arts. With a £2,000 price tag per ticket, the event included fine Indian cuisine and cocktails, served alongside treasures from the museum’s vast collection, such as the Parthenon marbles and Renaissance masterpieces. The pink theme took its cue from the museum’s ongoing “Ancient India” exhibition, highlighting the colours and vibrancy of Indian tradition. Guest stars like Naomi Campbell, Alexa Chung, and Grayson Perry added A-list prestige, while co-chair Isha Ambani, art patron and philanthropist, brought global expertise to the event. Amidst the glitz and historical artefacts, Cullinan’s practical motivations remained clear. With arts funding plummeting by 18% over the past decade, events like the Pink Ball aim to ensure institutions like the British Museum thrive beyond public grants. Proceeds from the evening are set to… Read More

The south coast of Japan: add Shizuoka to your list

If you’ve ever dreamt of a food tour through Japan, you’ve likely pictured steaming bowls of ramen and perfectly crisp tempura. But what if we told you that some of the country’s most unique and unforgettable culinary experiences are waiting for you in the Shizuoka Prefecture? This is a destination that every true foodie needs to have on their travel list! Located along Japan’s stunning south coast, Shizuoka is uniquely positioned between the Kanto region (around Tokyo) and the Kansai region (around Osaka). This special location means its culinary culture is a fantastic blend of influences from both, creating a diverse food scene that captures Japan’s rich history. Get ready to explore a world of fresh, flavourful meals that make Shizuoka a must-visit foodie paradise. If Japan’s not your thing, then why not consider Egypt? A Feast of Fresh Seafood Shizuoka’s food culture is deeply connected to its beautiful natural surroundings, especially the abundant Suruga Bay. The coastline provides an incredible supply of high-quality, fresh seafood, and there’s no better place to experience it than the Shimizu Fish Market. The menu here changes daily based on the morning’s catch, offering everything from succulent tuna and snapper to mackerel and delicate whitebait. Each fish is expertly prepared to bring out its best flavour, respecting both the species and the season. Eel, or unagi, is a true star in traditional Japanese cuisine and a particular specialty of Shizuoka. Eel farming began in Lake Hamana over 120 years ago, and today the Hamamatsu region is filled with incredible… Read More