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Umi Bali to open in 2026

Just when you thought Uluwatu couldn’t get any more jaw-droppingly beautiful, along comes Umi, a five-star stunner that’s about to take Bali’s luxury game up several notches and then add a couple more for good measure.

Set to open in May 2026, Umi is perched just 200 metres from Uluwatu Beach, which means your morning swim could come with a side of sea breeze and surf envy.

Australian-owned and oozing understated glamour, Umi will feature seven private villas and 92 designer suites, each one showing off pool views and nestled among 1.5 kilometres of lush, garden-wrapped serenity. It’s probably like living inside a very tasteful jungle. With room types ranging from sleek Deluxe Suites to sprawling Family Suites, there’s plenty of space for everyone from solo sunset-seekers to barefoot little explorers.

And the design? Let’s just say if Mother Nature and a world-class architect had a love child, this would be it. Inspired by the sea caves of nearby Suluban Beach, Umi’s U-shaped layout opens dramatically to cascading infinity pools that ripple down the land’s natural contour. Think cliffside cool meets sculptural serenity, all wrapped in leafy planter boxes.

Dreamed up by co-founder Danil Flehan and the creative minds at Immersive Architecture and Vojtek Morsztyn Studio, Umi is all about luxury with a conscience. Expect barefoot elegance, eco-friendly flair, and a lot of guests “accidentally” extending their stay.

23rd Street Distillery’s award winning whisky

23rd Street Distillery has just taken out major international awards for not one, but two of their whiskies. The Australian Whisky and Single Malt have been awarded Gold and Double Gold respectively at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition, meaning they’re so good they might just make you weep gently into your Glencairn.

First up is the Australian Whisky, a golden tribute to Riverland’s sun-drenched brilliance and three years of alchemy involving premium barley, yeast, and sheer determination.

Paul Burnett, head distiller at 23rd Street, says, “The stunning climate of the Riverland allows gradual development and ensures an ideal environment for maturation in carefully selected barrels”.

Matured for a minimum of two years in American oak, this spirit is like an Aussie Road trip in a glass: starting with zesty citrus spice, stopping for roasted nuts and raisins, and finishing strong with vanilla-soaked toffee and a subtle nod to dark chocolate.

There’s even a hint of sweet nostalgia thanks to the seasoned Tawny barrels used in the blend. Drink it on ice with scorched almonds and Grana Padano if you’re feeling fancy. Or just sit back, sip, and smile knowingly at the poor souls still drinking bottom-shelf blends.

Now, let’s talk about the second drop, the Single Malt, because this one’s for the whisky purists and oak nerds. Only the crème de la crème (aka the “purest heart’s fractions”) makes it into the bottle, matured lovingly in a mix of American and French oak barriques, first-fill bourbon barrels, ancient Topaque and 25-year-old Galway Tawny casks. It’s rich. It’s rare. And it’s rocking a 46% ABV, just to keep you on your toes.

Paul says, “A few months prior to bottling, we transfer a few of the Whiskies’ bases into newer, shaved barrels to increase the nuances of vanilla and delicate oak structure”.

So that’s why you can expect layers of barley malt, creamy spice, polished oak, and a lingering vanilla hum that’ll make you forget what you did in the morning every time you take a sip.

Bottled without colouring (because it’s already beautiful, thanks), the Single Malt is a bold expression of everything 23rd Street does best: balance and complexity.

To sum it up, there are two whiskies. One distillery (that won Australian Whiskey Distillery of the year at the same awards, might we add). And zero excuses not to pour yourself a dram right now.

The Understudy Ski Lodge

You don’t need snow, skis, or a chalet in the Alps to enjoy an après-ski moment this winter, you just need to find the right door in Melbourne’s CBD.

The Understudy is back, and she’s had a very stylish glow-up. Reborn as The Understudy Ski Lodge, this hidden subterranean cocktail den is now a full-blown alpine fever dream without the altitude sickness.

Slide past the unassuming wood cabin door (yes, there’s a stag knocker) and descend into a world of vintage ski posters, flickering candles, fur throws, and the sweet scent of ‘log cabin’. It’s all the romance of a snowed-in lodge without having to drive to Mt Buller… or go outside.

And the drinks are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. ’Winter’s Orchard’ arrives steaming, spiked with spiced syrup and pink lady cider, while ‘Chalet Noir’ tastes like bourbon met a hot chocolate and never looked back. And if you’re into Biscoff (who isn’t?), ‘The Midnight Slope’ is basically dessert in a glass.

The food is equally extra: baked camembert, halloumi with a Moroccan twist, sliders with truffle chips, and a fondue that could make you cry real chocolatey tears.

Walk-ins only. No bookings, no pretension, just good times in soft lighting. If you’re looking to escape the cold while leaning dramatically into it, The Understudy Ski Lodge is Melbourne’s answer to your winter daydreams.

Laugarás Lagoon

Just when you thought Iceland couldn’t get any more extra with its volcanoes, geysers and Björk, along comes Laugarás Lagoon, a brand-new, two-level geothermal wonderland opening this August. Yes, August 15. Mark it. Tattoo it. Whatever works.

Nestled in the Golden Circle near the town of Laugarás, this steamy newcomer isn’t your average hot spring. For starters, it has a cascading waterfall inside the lagoon. That’s right. You can literally soak, slide, and swan dive your way through levels of geothermally-heated luxury (it’s doing the most).

And the vibe is Nordic chic meets “I may never leave.” Expect warm mineral pools reaching up to 40°C, forest views, and two bars because nothing says wellness quite like sipping bubbly in a 5,000-year-old lava field.

If that’s not enough, there are also saunas, a glacial plunge pool (for people who enjoy voluntary suffering), and a secret grotto where you can hide from your travel companions or contemplate your life choices in peace.

And if all that lounging makes you hungry, fear not. Ylja, the onsite restaurant, is headed up by Icelandic culinary wizard Gísli Matt. Think hyper-local ingredients served with mountain views and zero shame if you wanna wear a robe to dinner.
In short: Laugarás Lagoon is set to be the country’s next hot thing, literally.

UBS Digital Art Museum

Forget everything you think you know about museums; you know, the stiff silence, velvet ropes, and the security guard sitting down in the corner of every room. Hamburg’s UBS Digital Art Museum is smashing all that with a pixel-powered wrecking ball when it opens its neon-soaked doors later this year.

This isn’t a place where you look at art. It’s a place where art looks back at you and then follows you around. The museum’s crown jewel is a full-blown immersive takeover by Japan’s teamLab Borderless – those digital wizards who turn rooms into kaleidoscopic, interactive wonderlands where flowers bloom around your feet and waterfalls rearrange themselves as you walk through.

Set in HafenCity and billed as Europe’s largest digital art museum, this 6,500-square-metre dreamscape is what happens when tech, creativity, and just the right amount of ambition get together for a late-night brainstorm. And yes, your phone’s camera roll is about to suffer (in the best way).

But this isn’t just an art-fuelled fever dream, it’s also climate-neutral. Because why not save the planet and blow people’s minds at the same time? So, if you’ve ever wanted to stroll through a living canvas or just need somewhere better than your living room to take a dramatic selfie, this one’s for you.

Nammos Resort Amaala

Hold on to your Aperol spritz, Mykonos just had a baby with the Red Sea, and its name is Nammos Resort Amaala. That’s right, the legendary Greek brand behind glittering beach parties and €30 salads has decided to unpack its Louis Vuitton in Saudi Arabia’s Triple Bay. Because apparently, camels and kaftans weren’t luxe enough.

Brought to you by Red Sea Global (a.k.a. the people turning sand into pure gold), Nammos Amaala is taking over Hijaz Island like a stylish superyacht on a mission. We’re talking 110 ocean-gawking rooms, 20 “you’ll-never-leave” private residences, and views that scream ‘Instagram me’. There’s a spa for when your chakras need tuning, a gym to pretend you work out, and a kids club (because little Hugo and Allegra need their own VIP space too).

And don’t you worry, they’ve thought about the dining. There’s not one, not two, but four restaurants where you can dramatically sip rosé and judge other people’s resort wear. And yes, the Nammos Beach Club is making the jump too, bringing with it chilled beats, seafood so fresh it’s practically still swimming, and vibes hotter than a July afternoon in Jeddah (really fecking hot).

It’s the eighth and final resort in Amaala’s first phase, which is basically the Saudi version of saying, “We’ve completed our glow-up.” Also, it’s all about regenerative tourism, so you can party guilt-free.

Move over Monaco. The Red Sea is ready to flex.

Join Cupitt’s Estate’s Blend & Feast

Ever wanted to play winemaker without having to own a vineyard or wear tweed?

Cupitt’s Estate in NSW is handing you the reins (and a glass) with their Blend & Feast experience, but it’s not your average wine tasting. This event is wine wizardry with a side of some pretty serious feasting.

First, you’ll be guided through a behind-the-scenes wine blending session with the estate’s Head Winemaker (aka the grape whisperer). You’ll swirl, sniff, sip, and mix your way to your custom blend like you’re Willy Wonka, but with grapes.

But wait, there’s more. Once you’ve unleashed your inner sommelier, you’ll tuck into a three-course long lunch with all the trimmings. Think seasonal, estate-grown produce, expertly paired with Cupitt’s handcrafted wines.

It’s the perfect blend (see what we did there?) of indulgence, education, and just the right amount of day drinking (without going overboard). Whether you’re a wine snob, a foodie, or just here for the vibes, Blend & Feast is your chance to eat, drink, and ferment merrily.

Bookings are essential, though, and loose lips and red wine-stained teeth are highly likely, so be prepared.

Fujifilm’s GFX Challenge is Back

Calling all shutterbugs, storytellers, and video visionaries, Fujifilm’s GFX Challenge is back for 2025 and it’s throwing open the doors to your wildest creative dreams (and paying you to make them real).

With a hefty AU$150,000 in grants up for grabs, this competition is practically a golden ticket for aspiring Aussie and Kiwi content creators to show the world exactly what they’ve got.

Whether you’re a full-time filmmaker or just someone who knows their way around a lens (and a latte), this challenge is your chance to score up to AU$15,000 and the latest Fujifilm gear to shoot your dream project. That’s right — cash, cameras, and clout, all rolled into one deliciously creative bundle.

Entries are open from June 30 to August 31, so you’ve got a solid two months to come up with an idea that’ll blow the socks off the judges. Previous finalists have gone on to shoot global campaigns for Fujifilm, so this isn’t some flash-in-the-pan opportunity, it’s a launchpad.

Winners also get mentoring, technical support, and a starring spot on Fujifilm’s global stage. Imagine your work in an international exhibition, your name in lights (or at least on the Fujifilm website), and your camera gear fully stacked. Unbelievable.

So, dust off that dream project you’ve been sitting on, hit the GFX Challenge site, and get clicking. Your big moment is one submission away.

Give your skin the glow up it deserves

If you’re clocking more air miles than a migrating bird and your skin’s starting to resemble airline-issued crackers (you know the ones), it’s time to get acquainted with Calmerceuticals Enhanced Marine Collagen.

This isn’t your average sad scoop of powdered who-knows-what. Oh no. This is a tasty, travel-sized liquid miracle packed with clinically backed VERISOL® collagen peptides, vitamin C, zinc, biotin and hyaluronic acid – aka the dream team of skin hydration and glow restoration.

Let’s be real. Between airport air, tiny hotel shampoos and that third rosé at 30,000 feet, travelling takes a toll. But one quick daily swig of either the mixed berry or mango & mandarin elixir (yep, there are two flavours to choose from) and you’re feeding your skin the good stuff from the inside out. It’s like giving your face a first-class upgrade, even if you’re stuck in 42B next to a guy who just took his shoes off.

And the best part is, it actually works. Studies show it improves skin elasticity, reduces fine lines, and supports stronger hair and nails (perfect for when your far-too-heavy suitcase wants to test out the strength of your new manicure). It’s also easy on the tummy and totally free from dairy, gluten and artificial nasties.

So, toss a few sachets in your toiletries bag, look smug at passport control, and glow your way across time zones. Because who said frequent flying has to mean frequent wrinkling? C’mon, your skin deserves a holiday too.

Embrace medical wellness at Amanpuri

If your idea of “wellness” is a green juice and an occasional yoga stretch while doomscrolling, Amanpuri’s about to gently (and glamorously) blow your mind.

Nestled in a ridiculously lush corner of Thailand, Aman’s OG resort has levelled up its already swanky wellness game with a new medical-meets-mystical experience that’s basically a total reboot for your body, mind, and very possibly your soul.

At the Holistic Wellness Centre – Aman’s first of its kind – you won’t just get a massage and a mint tea. No, no. We’re talking full-spectrum healing with diagnostic wizardry that checks your hormones, immune function, and cardiovascular health before you’ve even unpacked your kaftan. Then it’s IV drips of NAD+, Resveratrol, Vitamin C, and other things that sound like high-grade spaceship fuel but are really just your fast pass to feeling fresh.

But wait, there’s more. You can dip into MSC therapy, cryotherapy, hydro-colon cleanses (don’t ask), and sneaky aesthetic upgrades like HIFU facials and ThermiVa, all while being gently coaxed into balance with acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and Chi Nei Tsang massage. It’s modern science meets ancient wisdom meets “how are they making me look this glowy?”

Forget bootcamp-style wellness where someone yells at you while you juice fast (and subsequently pass out after the 9th burpee). At Amanpuri, the vibe is serene, deeply personalised, and borderline magical.

Come for the transformation, stay for the coconut trees and the discreet age-reversal sorcery. Your future self just sent you a thank-you note.