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The ultimate in travel experiences

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.

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.

Kayak the Philippines on a multi-day tour

If your idea of a holiday involves sipping cocktails on a sunlounger, look away now. But if you’ve ever thought, “What if I could paddle my way through tropical islands, snack constantly, sleep in hidden beach camps, and possibly befriend a sea turtle?” then Kayakasia Philippines has your name written all over it (probably on a dry bag).

This adventure company offers multi-day, muscle-powered odysseys through some of the most untouched corners of the Philippines; think limestone cliffs, secret lagoons, beach bonfires, and zero crowds (unless you count the occasional curious fish). You’ll paddle between islands, feast like a castaway with a personal chef, and fall asleep under a trillion stars.

Worried you’re not Bear Grylls? Don’t stress. You don’t need abs of steel or Olympic stamina, just a sense of adventure and a healthy obsession with snacks. The Kayakasia crew sorts the logistics, hauls the gear, and keeps the vibe equal parts safe and silly.

Tours range from chill two-night trips to full-on five-day expeditions, with routes around El Nido, the Linapacan Islands, and Coron. Translation: postcard views, every damn day.

That means ditch the resort wristband and grab a paddle. These tours are for anyone who wants to explore paradise the slow, splashy, unforgettable way. And yes, your arms will get a little sore. But your soul? Very, very happy.

Become a ‘Sunset Supervisor’

Tired of your job not involving enough golden hour, white sand, and semi-aquatic chill? Same. That’s why Employment Hero, the Aussie tech unicorn shaking up the job market, has teamed up with Fitzroy Island Resort to launch what may be the most envy-inducing gig of all time: Sunset Supervisor.

Uh, translation please? Sit on the beach and make sure the sun goes down properly. Maybe snap a pic. Repeat for three days.

This dreamy job listing has officially dropped via EH Jobs – the shiny new app that matches you with over 1.5 million roles without requiring you to awkwardly loiter in a café clutching your resumé.

But there’s brains behind the beauty. Gen Z is clocking in more hours than ever (2.3% more, in fact), and Employment Hero is here to prove that work doesn’t have to be a soul-sapping grind (we feel that).

With hiring and wages on the rise, especially in sunny QLD, the Sunset Supervisor role is both a cheeky PR stunt and a serious reminder that the future of work should include more… well, paradise.

Flights? Covered. Accom? Luxe. Value? Over AU$4,000. All you need to do is show up, look at the sky, and let Fitzroy Island do the rest.

It’s time to embrace island time, powered by Employment Hero. Now, excuse us while we try to apply for this role using one hand while a piña coladas in the other.

Explore Worldwide’s new tours chase the solar eclipse

Ready for a holiday that’s literally out of this world? In August 2026, the cosmos is serving up a total solar eclipse, and Explore Worldwide is throwing an epic viewing party across Northern Spain and Iceland. Because what pairs better with complete solar obliteration than tapas or a glacier?

These are total eclipse-themed adventures with a side of wow and a dash of science. Whether you’re sipping Rioja in the Basque Country or road-tripping through Iceland’s volcanic wonderland, you’ll get front-row seats to one of nature’s rarest light shows. And yes, there will be a dedicated solar expert on hand to explain what’s happening in the sky (because let’s be honest, you haven’t googled “umbra” since Year 9 science, and maybe not even then).

Each tour comes with eclipse glasses – so you don’t accidentally blind yourself – and carefully chosen viewing spots. Think al fresco dining in Spain as the sun disappears, or standing in Icelandic wilderness with your jaw on the floor.

Three trips means three unforgettable experiences:

• Spain for the foodies (and romantics who like their eclipses with wine).

• Iceland for the wild souls who think molten lava and total darkness sound like fun.

• Picos de Europa for the hikers who prefer their astronomy at altitude.

Book now and be the kind of person who casually drops, “Oh, I watched the 2026 eclipse from a mountain in Spain” into small talk. You cosmic show-off, you.

Embrace the Polaroid Flip

Ah, the Polaroid Flip. It’s not just a camera. It’s a nostalgia-infused, red-shutter-buttoned, flash-wielding time machine disguised as a point-and-shoot. Designed for the creatively chaotic and the “let’s just see what happens” crowd, the Flip takes the pain out of photography and replaces it with instant joy, printed in your hand before you can say “hashtag no filter.”

Using it is so easy, even your technophobic uncle could nail a portrait on his first try. Thanks to its hyperfocal 4-lens system, the Flip automatically chooses the best lens for your subject, whether it’s a moody street scene or your mate mid-sip of a questionably named cocktail. Add in sonar autofocus (yes, it uses sound like a tiny Bat-camera) and the most powerful flash Polaroid has ever packed into a lid, and you’ve got yourself a pocket-sized photo beast.

Unlike other instant cameras that make you work harder than a barista at brunch, the Flip actually wants to help. It alerts you if your shot’s over- or underexposed and links via Bluetooth to the Polaroid app on your phone for double exposures, self-timers, and manual control because sometimes you want to feel like an artist and look good doing it.

At $399, it’s not cheap, but you can’t put a price on capturing life’s messiest, most magical moments in all their perfectly imperfect glory.

In short: Flip it. Shoot it. Frame it. And try not to fall hopelessly in love (oops, too late).

Join Much Better Adventures on a cycling tour in Kyrgyzstan

Tired of the same old bike rides past suburban hedges and nosy neighbours? Upgrade your handlebars to something worthy of legend with Much Better Adventures’ cycling tour through Kyrgyzstan: the land of nomads, sky-scraping peaks, and zero Starbucks (hell yeah).

We’re talking mountain passes, alpine lakes, yurt stays, and more sweeping landscapes than a David Attenborough voiceover. You’ll pedal across the Tian Shan mountains, cruise beside the glittering Issyk-Kul Lake (which is basically the sea, but cooler and inland), and pass through villages where time forgot smartphones and found hospitality instead.

Nights are spent under the stars or in cozy yurts with local families, possibly rethinking your life choices in the best way. Days are spent conquering terrain that makes your thighs scream and your soul sing. There are also horses, hot springs, and so many photogenic vistas your phone might overheat out of sheer gorgeousness overload.

Why go to Kyrgyzstan, you ask? Because it’s underrated, unspoiled, and unburdened by crowds. It’s like cycling through a Tolkien novel, but with more fermented mare’s milk and less orc activity.

If you’re on the fence, hop off, grab your bike (or borrow theirs), and saddle up. This is the kind of adventure that turns “where’s Kyrgyzstan again?” into “you HAVE to go.”

Join Wild Frontiers on a group adventure in Iraq

If your idea of adventure is sipping lattes in Paris or snapping selfies at the Colosseum, it’s time to level up. Wild Frontiers’ new 15-day “Iraq: Babylon & Beyond” tour is here to shatter your travel expectations and possibly (probably) your comfort zone.

Temper your expectations, this isn’t your average holiday. You’ll kick things off with a boat ride through the Mesopotamian Marshes, home to flamingos, pelicans, and the Marsh Arabs: people who live in reed houses and herd water buffalo like it’s no big deal. From there, you’ll explore the ancient ruins of Uruk and Ur, cities so old they make Rome look like a teenager. You’ll stand in Babylon, where Saddam Hussein once tried to outdo Nebuchadnezzar by building a palace atop the ruins.

In Baghdad, you’ll visit the National Museum, sip tea in atmospheric cafés, and discover a surprisingly vibrant dining scene. Then it’s off to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, followed by the rugged mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. You’ll even visit Al-Qurnah, believed by some to be the site of the fabled Garden of Eden.

Yes, Iraq has had its share of challenges, and a lot of Foreign Offices around the world still advise against travel there. But for the intrepid traveller, this is a chance to experience a land rich in history, culture, and resilience. Plus, Wild Frontiers plants ten trees for every traveller and supports local community projects, so you can feel good about your impact.

So, if you’re ready to trade tourist traps for ancient wonders and unforgettable experiences, pack your bags. Iraq is waiting.

Party at Mt Buller this winter

This winter, Mt Buller is trading thermals for thrills as renowned hospitality group, Tommy Collins, rolls into town with a culinary snow-storm of Melbourne’s finest. Forget soggy chips at the ski lodge, this is gourmet on the gondola.

Starting on the 5th of June, four weekends of frosty fabulousness will see Melbourne foodie royalty – including Marmont, Entrecôte, and MoVida – turn Villager and Little Villager into snow-dusted stages of decadence. Think five-course feasts with an alpine twist, cocktails with altitude (get it?), and tunes to keep your snow boots tappin’.

But wait, there’s more: après-ski has gone from hot choccy to hot mess (in the best way). Bourke Street (Mt Buller’s own icy catwalk, not the street in Melbourne’s CBD) will host raucous street parties with DJs, snow-side cocktails, and a dance floor that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.

And to kick it all off, there’s a King’s Birthday Weekend bash with Grant Smillie & Friends that promises pyro performances, surprise eats, and enough canned cocktails to make you forget you’ve still got to ski down (yikes).

Whether you’re a snow bunny, après enthusiast, or just here for the drinks (no judgement here), this is one winter takeover where calories don’t count, style is mandatory, and the weather’s not the only thing that’s cool.

So, dust off your best faux fur, practise your wine-swirl, and prepare to party like you did at your 21st birthday. Because there’s a big bash happening at Buller, and you’re invited.