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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.

Gwinganna launches mother/daughter retreat

Forget awkward brunches and passive-aggressive text chains, Gwinganna is giving the classic mother-daughter bonding session a full-blown glow-up.
This spring, the luxe lifestyle retreat in Queensland is launching its first-ever Mother Daughter Retreat, and let’s just say, it’s not your average spa weekend with Mum.

Running from 28 September to 2 October, the four-night escape is like therapy, yoga, a nature walk and a group hug all rolled into one leafy, luxe hinterland experience. Open to daughters aged 14 and up, it’s the perfect excuse to disconnect from screens, ditch the drama, and actually talk to each other (without emojis).

Expect expert-led chats on hormones, nutrients and other magical biological things you both pretend to understand, hosted by superstar health humans like Dr Libby and Dr Karen Coates. There’s also sound healing, mountain bathing (yep, that’s a thing), dance, cooking demos, and a Circle of Light fire ceremony that’s deeply Instagrammable.

Oh, and did we mention the massages, organic food, and wellness credits? Gwinganna knows how to lure us in…with snacks, serenity, and soul work.
So, whether your mother-daughter dynamic is more Gilmore Girls or Game of Thrones, this is your chance to hit pause, breathe deeply, and maybe even hug it out in a place with no Wi-Fi and zero judgement.

But there are limited spots available, so book now before someone else nabs the last massage and your mum finds out you still haven’t returned her tupperware.

A new Hijinx Hotel opens

Melbourne, get ready to check in, freak out, and forget everything you thought a hotel should be. Hijinx Hotel is crash-landing into QV on August 1 and spoiler alert: there are zero beds, but approximately one million reasons to absolutely lose your mind.

This place is immersive game park, a recurring fever dream and a cheeky escape from reality all rolled into one; packing 10 “rooms” of chaos, cocktails and colour-drenched mayhem. Think ball pits, brain teasers, light-up floors, and a rogue art heist challenge that’ll turn you into Danny Ocean with a disco twist.

And because one dose of ridiculousness is never enough, they’ve also thrown in Archie Brothers right next door. It’s a circus-themed arcade and cocktail bar where you can blast through VR adventures, smash claw machines, and sip cocktails out of unicorn bowls and disco balls. Because of course you can.

The whole shebang spans a whopping 1,600sqm of pure unfiltered fun and can fit up to 400 revellers. Whether you’re planning a wild date night, boozy birthday bash or just need an excuse to unleash your inner maniac, this two-in-one fun palace has your chaos cravings covered.

Word of warning: don’t bring a toothbrush. Or pyjamas. This is one hotel where the only thing getting tucked in is your dignity, right behind a shot of rum and a watermelon-scented bubble.

Bookings are open now, Melbourne. Go forth and play like no one’s watching, even though everyone definitely is.

Take surf lessons with Luke Stedman

Surf, sun and one hell of a surf coach; this July, Soneva Fushi is dialling things all the way up with a wave-chasing residency hosted by none other than Luke Stedman. Yep, that Luke Stedman – former World Championship Tour shredder, Rookie of the Year, and proud possessor of a surname that’s basically surf royalty. (Fun fact: his dad claims to have invented the UGG boot, but we digress).

From July 15 to 28, Luke will be swapping comps for coaching, running a series of surf experiences on Soneva Fushi’s pristine shores. We’re talking modular sessions for grommets and grownups alike, communal surf trips to Maldivian breaks so clear they look photoshopped, and – for those who take their board riding as seriously as their beachside smoothies – a five-day performance surf camp complete with breathwork, video analysis, drills, and daily surf safaris.

And the setting is no biggie, it’s just a UNESCO-protected slice of paradise where the villas are so fancy they have their own waterslides, and the desserts live in a dedicated chocolate room. Between sessions, you can snorkel with manta rays, catch a flick under the stars, or simply marvel at how salty your hair can really get.

Whether you’re a total beginner or a closet pro in need of a tune-up, this is your chance to ride the best waves of your life with a legit surf legend showing you the ropes.

Travel in shoulder season to get 20% off Eurail

Craving Europe but allergic to queues, sweaty crowds and paying €12 for a sad gelato? Eurail’s whispering sweet savings in your ear with 20% off all Global and One Country Passes – if you’re smart enough to travel after the summer madness.

From 1 September, you can gallivant across 33 countries, blissfully free of selfie-stick mobs and sunburnt tourists yelling in caps lock.

But why now? Because Eurail wants to curb overtourism and gently nudge Aussies into shoulder season travel. Turns out 37% of us descend on Europe during its busiest months – July especially – causing gridlock in Venice and major heartbreak for introverts everywhere.

So, let’s lay it out: book your pass before 3 July 2025, and travel from 1 September onwards. You’ll get perks like uncrowded piazzas, autumn wine harvests, cherry blossom-lined canals, and actual breathing room in museums (but they still can’t guarantee you’ll be able to get close enough to the Mona Lisa to get a half-decent pic).

A top-tier three-month 1st class pass drops from AU$2,149 to AU$1,719.20 – that’s enough savings for 17 Aperol Spritzes (just) and a guilt-free pistachio binge in Sicily.

Plus, seniors and youth score extra discounts, and you have 11 months to activate your pass – perfect for commitment-phobes or the ‘I’m just gonna wait ‘til the flights drop a bit’-ers.

In other words, ditch the summer scramble. Take the train. Save some coin. And remember that sunshine in Europe doesn’t magically vanish after August. You can thank us later.

Turkmenistan opens its tourism doors

For years, gaining entry to Turkmenistan was as easy as joining an exclusive cult: secretive, bureaucratic, and requiring a special invitation. But that’s changing fast. The notoriously closed Central Asian nation just hit the big ol’ refresh button on its tourism strategy, launching a brand-new e-visa system for travellers from over 50 countries.

No more government-vetted invitations, just a few clicks, and you’re on your way to the land of marble cities and flaming craters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is rolling out the welcome mat (firmly supervised, of course), eager to show off jewels like the ancient Silk Road city of Merv and the infamous Door to Hell, a blazing gas crater that’s completely mind-blowing.

In a country known for golden statues and tightly controlled narratives, this digital visa shift signals something deeper: a tentative embrace of the outside world. Turkmenistan’s partnering with regional allies and development banks to upgrade roads, hotels, and *gasp* English-speaking tour guides.

Still, don’t expect a backpacker free-for-all just yet. The government insists it will balance openness with “cultural and security safeguards”, which sounds like code for “we’re watching, but nicely.”

According to tourism analysts, this could be the start of a broader economic reboot if Turkmenistan can manage the balancing act of inviting tourists in without losing control of the storyline. For now, the gates are ajar, the fire pit’s burning, and Turkmenistan is finally ready for its global close-up. Sort of.

Alchemy Bar opens at the Six Senses Fiji

Nestled deep in the lush jungle heart of Six Senses Fiji’s spa village on Malolo Island, the new Alchemy Bar is like your quirky, plant-obsessed best friend who also happens to be a skincare genius.

Forget grabbing off-the-shelf lotions; here, you get to channel your inner mad scientist by handcrafting your own body scrubs, face masks, or aloe vera gels with fresh, local ingredients harvested straight from the resort’s garden.

Think aloe, neem, papaya, hibiscus, and even Fijian medicinal herbs that sound like a spell from a fantasy novel (hello, vevedu and vau). Guided by expert therapists, you’ll embark on a sensorial adventure through TeiTei Gardens, blending nature’s finest goodies tailored to your skin’s every whim.

But the Alchemy Bar is less about vanity and more about hitting pause, bonding with nature, and embracing a deliciously messy kind of self-care.

Surrounded by tropical vibes and shelves lined with quirky jars of essential oils, upcycled coffee grounds, and honey from the resident bees, it’s the ultimate island wellness playground.

Whether you’re flying solo or scheming with your travel crew, expect to leave feeling refreshed, radiant, and just a little bit magical. Cheers to skincare with a side of island soul.

A little slice of Miami on the coast

If Palm Springs and a dreamy Pinterest board had a baby, it would be The Shores Miami. Smack bang on the Gold Coast, just a thong’s throw from the beach, this boutique bolthole is the kind of place your inner maximalist and outer minimalist will both approve of.

Designed by interiors wizard Jason Grant, the vibe is coastal cool with a twist of nostalgic fabulous. Think pastel tones, playful patterns, and all the modern conveniences your influencer heart desires (yes, the lighting is that good). Want to blast your poolside playlist while sipping a Hard Fizz? Sorted. Prefer to let AI Sheila handle your check-in? She’s on it; Australia’s first-ever AI concierge and your new favourite virtual mate.

Inside, it’s mindful, minimal and very millennial right down to the makeup-friendly mirrors and sneaky charging stations. Outside, it’s an Instagram dream, complete with curated collabs, surround sound vibes and the same motel that once starred in a Sneaky Sound System music video. (Yep, that “UFO” clip. We just saved you a ton of Googling.)

Whether you’re escaping for a girls’ weekend, a solo scroll detox, or a midweek retreat with your situationship, The Shores Miami is the place where tan lines fade, but the stories (and selfies) stick. This place is simply aesthetic to the max.

Regent Bali opens Beach House

Do you like your sunsets shaken, not stirred, and preferably with a view of the Indian Ocean? If your answer was yes, then Beach House in Canggu is your new spiritual home. Freshly flung open within Regent Bali’s ritzy beachfront resort, this bar/beachfront love affair is wrapped in coastal cuisine, craft cocktails, and a serious tan line.

Quick, get out your iPhone because the vibe is totally worth a couple of Insta stories or two; think Bondi meets barefoot luxury with an infinity pool that practically dares you to jump into it. The menu’s no slouch either; lobster rolls that flirt back, spicy shrimp with attitude, and a Wagyu striploin that might be your new soulmate. Vegetarians don’t worry: the zero-waste roasted cauliflower is here to flex.

And chances are you’ll be thirsty. The cocktail game is strong; “The Waves” tastes like Bali in a glass, and “Surf Garden” is what happens when gin takes a tropical holiday. Bonus points for the Cocktail Cabana experience, which is basically adult daycare, but with champagne.

And for those who prefer their leisure activities to involve balancing on water while being yelled at by a cheerful surf coach, Beach House has teamed up with Rip Curl for private lessons and curated multi-day packages that make wiping out look fun as all hell.

Whether you’re here for the grilled snapper, the surf break, or just to stare dramatically into the sea with a cocktail in hand, Beach House Bali is serving main character energy. Psst, no shoes required.