Travel

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Elysian Leura Blue Mountains
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Elysian At Leura

Book the perfect holiday accommodation at Elysian—a luxury home with the most outstanding view of the Jamison Valley. The Elysian house is a self contained two level home that sleeps 15 people. The ground floor has one king-sized bedroom, two queen-sized bedrooms, a large, modern bathroom and a separate powder room. There is also a contemporary kitchen, with open plan lounge and dining. Another cosy living area is at the entry level—families and friends can gather here for group activities or just to hang out. The outside deck offers stunning views from Bowral to the Three Sisters. Take the steps all the way down to the terraced garden. To the south, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Blue Mountains National Park. The upper level contains two oversized king bedrooms, both with breath-taking panoramic views. The bathroom has an oversized glass shower, bath, toilet and double vanity and enjoys the same panoramic views. The house is centrally heated and also has the ambiance of a wood fire. It is owner cleaned and kept immaculate. The accommodation is located opposite the Leuralla Museum with the two hop on, hop off bus companies right at the doorstep—easy to get to all the major attractions nearby. If you feel like doing something more urban, drive to the Leura Mall, which is two minutes away and enjoy its specialty shops, cafes and restaurants. If you’re interested in hiking around, Elysian is the perfect location—many of the most famous Blue Mountains bush walks begin right here. For more information visit https://www.elysianleura.com.au
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Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains 2
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Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, surrounded by the glorious aspects that explore the true essence of the Australian landscape. Where the lushes rainforest meets the enchanted bushland. As the Blue Mountains is such a large space, finding the right accommodation for a special occasion, or a trip with the family can be hard to come by. Not any more, The Fairmont Resort, just an hour and a half drive from Sydney, ticks all the right boxes for the perfect Blue Mountains getaway.
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Romantic Holiday Destinations 3
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  • 4 min

Romantic Holiday Destinations

Valentines Day has come and gone, and once again, the worlds eyes are lingering on the most romantic, the most luxurious, and the most relaxing destinations in the world. Naturally, we all want to treat our loved ones on this celebrated day of love, but why save your romance for one day a year? It may be too late to for this years Feb 14 deadline, but don’t forget, the worlds most romantic destinations are at your fingertips all year round.
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Japanese Onsen 4
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Japanese Onsen

Scattered through every major city in Japan can be found a series of cultural gems that lie in stark contrast to the chaotic metropolis they inhabit. Known as ‘onsen’, these public baths mark the quintessentially Japanese fusion between tradition and progression, culture and function. The onsen harks back to a time when not every household had a private bath, and thus the need for hygiene was facilitated by public open-plan bathing, often using natural hot spring water. These public baths were also social spaces where news was exchanged and business deals arranged. In today’s onsen, little has changed. There is a strict code of conduct for using the bathhouse- after paying a 300 yen (roughly $3 AU dollar) bathing fee, one is to enter the change room and remove all clothing. Bathing suits are not permitted, nor are tattoos (in Japan tattoos are heavily associated with the Yakuza, the largest crime syndicate in the country). From the changing room one proceeds to the bathing area, generally a pool filled with steaming water surrounded by a series of small showers. You must wash your hair and body before entering the onsen. Hair must be worn up, under a folded towel. If you do something wrong, fellow bathers will let you know (often with a swift poke to the ribs). And yet, despite the strict and at first quite daunting code of conduct, these spaces are primarily social and ultimately very relaxed. Older women chat from across the room as they soap each other’s backs, and although the language is unfamiliar the tone is immediately recognisable- they are gossiping, although about what or whom it is unclear. Perhaps the most remarkable and ultimately inspirational thing about the presence of onsen culture in Japanese day-to-day life is that the new, technologically advanced country has simply taken this ancient ritual into its stride, worked around it instead of over it, thus allowing both towering buildings dedicated to scientific progression and tiny wooden bathhouses to exist side by side. This, in my opinion, in the essence of Japanese culture. Both form and functionality, culture and clear-headed rationality play vital and simultaneous roles in this remarkable country.
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5 Tips for Holiday Planning 5
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5 Tips for Holiday Planning

With the myriads of pre-planned tours, experiences and package deals available online, holiday planning has never been easier. However, for those who prefer creating their own itineraries, the process can be a little more arduous. With that in mind, here are 5 tips for planning your next holiday:
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Platform for Arts and Creativity 6
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Platform for Arts and Creativity

Known as the Municipal Market in north Portugal, city of Guimaraes, located is the Platform for Arts and Creativity; a structure that uses existing buildings in the city which embrace the development and lifestyle of the European culture. This institute forms the foundation for up and coming creators. The textures that are embedded in the square building are made up of metal, brass and glass which resonate with the reflection of the design which explores the comparisons between space and the square. The invention of using the square archetype is constructed with the use of space; it invites the notion of openness and creativity that structure as a whole provides. The modern design of the arts centre, envisions the ideals of expansion and growth which is a mirroring development upon Guimaraes. There are three major programme areas; art, economics and culture. Within the building there are creative labs which provide artistic outlets which relate to installations, workshops and business ideas. The Platform for Arts and Creativity exhibition centre has helped shape the way we approach art in a creative space. The modern exterior outlines the foundations of where art instillation and culture come together.
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Glamping: How to be a classy camper 8
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  • 6 min

Glamping: How to be a classy camper

Camping may have once been considered as “roughing it” – a getaway that was about getting down and dirty with nature. But these days it’s becoming more “glamp” than camp. The caravan, motorhome and camping industry is the fastest growing domestic tourism sector in Australia and has been on the rise for the past 10 years. But what’s the appeal? We all know that fresh air is good for us, but it’s more than that. There’s also that irreplaceable feeling of being given the freedom to roam at your own pace, meet others on the road, and experience the “real” Australia. Not to mention, it’s cheap. Glamping (glamorous camping) however, takes all of this up a notch. The great outdoors experience can now go hand in hand with a lot of luxury, all thanks to some innovative designs and an increasing priority placed on quality facilities and accommodation. TENTS Tents are no longer drab pieces of material over metal poles. Sure, they need to be able to protect you from the elements, but now you they can do so while also looking good! We’ve had our eye on tent designs before, such as these dew-drop dwellings here. Although, there just seems to be no stop to the more and more creative tent designs that continue to inspire, excite and intrigue! Field Candy Field Candy and Outstanding Tents are a design-led brand of tents that take conventionality out of camping spaces. Each tent is unique, and are specially designed by an artist, designer or photographer from different parts of the world. The Field Monster by Tomi of Spain for instance is bold to say the least, and the Get A Room tent will add a bit of cheeky humour into any camping adventure! All tents are also guaranteed to be high performance tents. They’ll keep you dry in the rain, warm through any winds, and all the while, fashionably stylish. www.fieldcandy.com The Opera Designed by Belgian designer Axel Enthoven, the Opera is a camper like no other. During transportation, the Opera is a neat trailer that hooks on to your car for the journey. After settling, the Opera folds out in only 5 minutes at the press of a button to unfurl into a beautiful 7 metre tent that resembles the iconic Opera House. Inside, the floors are teak, there is a stainless steel kitchen, hot and cold running water, ceramic toilet, and two electronically adjustable beds. We’ve just got one word for you – wow. The Opera definitely opens up a new world of camping, showing just how far camping has come through impressive design and new technologies. www.ysin.co.uk WHERE TO GO Once you’ve got your equipment sorted, you just need to find the ideal spot! Here are a couple of prime locations around New South Wales. Cockatoo Island, Sydney Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour, and is the perfect setting for those who haven’t been camping before. The island allows for a range of accommodation. If you’re not ready to sleep on the ground, there’s the option of a cabin or luxury apartment. Camping itself though, is made ultra easy. Once a campsite is booked, tents are all prepared upon your arrival. All you need to do is bring your own sleeping bags, pillows, and marshmallows. The Glamping package is even more simple. Here, not only is the tent already set up, but beds, mattresses and all other comfort necessities are also provided. All tents are a spacious 3m x 3m Safari Bow tent, with the grounds holding quality showering facilities. There is also a swimming area, tennis courts, and at night, the Sydney harbour view is simply breathtaking. Cockatoo Island is extremely popular for new years eve with spots being snatched very early on in the year. If you’re not lucky enough to get a spot for that particular date, it is still a worthwhile experience any other time of the year. To see which camping package best suits you, visit the website today. www.cockatooisland.gov.au Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay Paperbark Camp is about 2 hours drive south of Sydney in the area of Jervis Bay, and offers nothing short of a supreme glamping experience in a region that is renowned for crystal calm waters, white sand beaches and scenic woodlands. The tents at Paperbark are safari style, and built above ground for your privacy and comfort. All tents feature a wrap around verandah, hardwood flooring, full insect screening, solar powered lighting and high quality cotton linen and hotel amenities. For that little bit extra, a deluxe tent will also include a free standing bath-with-a-view. The park also has it’s own restaurant for meals and drinks at your leisure. To experience bird watching, star gazing and bushwalking in the arms of luxury, make a booking with Paperbark Camp here. Feeling your inner glamper? Good. It’s just you, the horizon… and maybe a glass of wine, or two.
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Ia Orana Bora Bora 9
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Ia Orana Bora Bora

Bora Bora is an island in the group of Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. Originally inhabited by Polynesian settlers who in fact named the island “Pora Pora” in the 4th Century, it is now a French colony and one of the most sought-out tourist destinations of the world. And no wonder.
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