Celebrity Life

There are about a hundred different reasons to visit London: the Queen, the culture, the copious amounts of biscuits and tea, and the 2,000-year-old history, just to name a few. So whatever you prefer — a little culture, sights or to shop until you drop — there’s something for everyone. It wasn’t easy to whittle down our list, from West End musicals to Anglican cathedrals and one of the best food markets there are. But here it is, the London city guide of our favourite things to do, places to see, as well as where to eat, drink and stay in the British capital.

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Not that we need another excuse to visit Japan's capital, but with the 2020 Olympics commencing in Tokyo this year, we do. From the traditional, cultural and historic, to the fun, contemporary, and bustling sides of Tokyo, there is so much to explore in this eclectic city.

It wasn't easy to whittle down the list of what to do and see, or where to eat, drink and stay, But here it is: our guide to one of Asia's, if not the world's, most fascinating travel destinations.

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Everything you’ve heard about Rotorua’s lush landscape, rich indigenous Māori culture, somewhat distinctive aroma, and bubbling geothermal activity is all true -- and it’s absolutely stunning. No wonder the North Island of New Zealand is considered one of the country’s most beautiful city and lakes districts. Plus, there’s also some great wine to drink, so if you have yet to consider it for your travel bucket list, read on for our top picks in this unique destination and discover what to see and do in this breathtaking natural wonderland.

See: Waimangu Volcanic Valley

A hotbed of volcanic activity, Rotorua is home to several geothermal attractions, one of which is Waimangu ('black water' in Māori), Volcanic Valley. Created by the devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, Waimangu is now the world's youngest geothermal site and the ecology adventure you’ve been looking for. Whether you prefer to walk, hike or cruise through the valley, the mysterious views of steaming craters, the world’s largest hot spring at a scorching 55 degrees (we recommend not to swim), and turbulent geysers are sure to keep you immersed. Make sure you download the Waimangu App on your phone to uncover hidden info about the valley as you tour through.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley, 587 Waimangu Road, Off State Highway 5, Rotorua 3043, New Zealand; +64 7 366 6137

Do: Tamaki Māori Village

It begins with hongi -- a traditional and meaningful Māori greeting where two people touch their noses and foreheads together -- before you really get to grips with New Zealand and its indigenous people. If you really want to immerse yourself in its deep-rooted heritage, then head to Tamaki Maori Village, an award-winning cultural site situated in the thick of an ancient Tawa forest. They offer travellers a peek into the world of the Māori with some incredible performances depicting its ancient warriors, ceremonial rituals such as the haka war dance, storytelling and hāngī, or cooking in an underground pit oven.

Tamaki Maori Village, 1220 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua City, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand; +64 7-349 2999

Stay: Treetops Lodge & Estate

Exuding a rustic elegance in the centre of 2,500 private acres of native forest and rolling hills, Treetops Lodge & Estate is the ultimate wildness retreat in Rotorua. The villas themselves are undeniably charming and surrounded by a private game reserve as well as seven trout streams and four lakes to explore. There are also numerous outdoor activities to choose to partake in, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, or even hunting -- it’s all doable at Treetops. But if watching wildlife is more your bag, it’s recommended to trek through the estate on horseback and catch a glimpse of wild deer, buffalo, alpacas, pheasants and more as they freely roam the estate.

Treetops Lodge & Estate, 351 Kearoa Road, RD1, Horohoro, Rotorua, New Zealand; +64 7 333 2066

Eat: Local Produce (and Urbano Bistro)

In all honesty, the restaurant scene in Rotorua isn’t exactly thriving, but there is some fantastic local produce to try -- even at the lodges or estates you stay at. Don’t forget to sample fresh venison, lamb, lake trout and honey, just to name a few of them. If you're in need of an off-property dining destination, then we recommend Urbano. With a casual café set-up by day, and bistro-style vibe by night, the restaurant is a welcome spot with some alfresco seating serving up coffee, burgers, hearty mains and generous breakfasts.

Urbano, 89 Fenton St, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand; +64 7-349 3770

Drink: Volcanic Hills Winery

There are many reasons to love this New World wine country, and some of these reasons include sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris, and merlot. If you are a lover of fermented grapes, we suggest you drink at the Volcanic Hills Winery in Rotorua. The wine at Volcanic Hills is made at the base of the hill from grapes sourced across New Zealand’s main wine regions. You need to take the skyline gondola to reach the tasting room, but when you get there it’s worth it. You’ll not only be able to sample a selection of its best vintages, but you’ll also be able to take in incredible lake views from above, too.

Volcanic Hills Winery, 176 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand; +64 7-282 2018

Travel Tip:

There seems to be an endless list of natural attractions to visit in Rotorua, but another that is an absolute must is Huka Falls. Here, you’ll not only see the powerful phenomenon of this waterfall, but you’ll also hear its thundering roar from afar. And for the thrill-seekers, there are even jet boats that can take you up close, too.

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Mellow five o’clock sunlight streams through huge glass doors that face the vast blue Pacific, flooding Icebergs’ crisp, modern interior. The balmy Bondi Beach air outside is dense enough to taste on the tongue -- salt-sprayed, windswept and a gentle reminder of the mighty forces of the waters below. Waves swell and crash, occasionally spilling into the saltwater pool where locals, the shade of dark honey, do laps.

It’s quite the view to behold from the bar balcony. Maurice Terzini, owner of Icebergs, Bondi’s most iconic restaurant and bar, is telling me about the history of the famous winter swimming club. His restaurant and bar has looked out over it since opening, serving a great selection of wines and innovative, modern Italian fare with an Australian edge and “flavours my parents would recognise”. A must-visit on a Sydney trip, Icebergs also does international projects such as a pop-up during the architectural biennale in Venice, and is the site of a legendary New Year’s Day party.

Terzini started in restaurants in his teens as a waiter, and then moved to Milan in the mid-1980s (his sister was then designing for Missoni). There he worked in restaurants at a time when, he says, “Italian pop culture was big, the disco movement was big and when Milan Fashion Week was the fashion week”. When Terzini finally returned to Australia, he was hooked on the F&B industry and started opening his own venues. “I was good at it,” he says, smiling.

This is a perfect place for sunset drinks and dinner at the end of my Sydney stay. The first time I travelled to Australia, a friend and I (backpacking and both then in our early 20s) had to be rescued by helicopter from a deserted beach at the northern tip of Queensland. There was a double kayak involved and the threat of lurking giant salt-water crocodiles, but that’s a story for another time. Fortunately, this trip down south was much less stressful, lapped in luxury with smooth sailing on all sorts of land, air and sea vehicles.

[caption id="attachment_147523" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Bird's-eye view of the pool at Bondi Icebergs[/caption]

FLY

[caption id="attachment_149817" align="alignnone" width="1500"] Qantas 787[/caption]

We started off at the impressive Qantas business-class lounge in Hong Kong, a classy state of affairs with warm lighting, delicious food and equally delicious wine. The Australian airline started its first Hong Kong-Sydney flights 70 years ago, so 2019 marks an important anniversary in the link between the two cities. Once on board and in business class, I slipped into the complimentary grey PJs, sipped a glass of the airline’s finest bubbly and fully reclined my seat for the ensuing 10 hours – warm, friendly Ozzie hospitality all the way.

SEE

Once in Sydney, we made our way to the city’s most famous view: the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was admittedly a bit of no-brainer. But another way to enjoy those sights is the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb (though not if you’re acrophobic), which gives you unbeatable bird’s-eye views from atop the famous arch. You’ll be strapped to a safety line and have to wear a dorky blue jumpsuit, but it’s worth the effort – Eva Longoria, Hugh Jackman and Ben Stiller have all had a go.

SIP

To enjoy that famous cityscape at a slightly lower altitude and over a chilled glass of wine and fresh local seafood, head to Café Sydney, housed in the historic Customs House building. Try a glass of young, crisp Hunter Valley semillon from the expertly chosen wine selection, paired with fresh, wonderful oysters.

The impressive list is hand-picked by sommelier Simon Curkovic. “Really, the concept here is to try to serve the best of Australia an iconic Australian location,” he says. “When I first inherited the wine programme, my brief was to produce the best listing of Australian wines in the country, albeit in a small condensed list of around 200 wines.”

“Having run collections that range into thousands of wines with multiple verticals of Burgundies, Bordeaux and so on, a lot of that is superfluous,” Curkovic explains. “It’s actually harder to curate a smaller selection of the best compared to amassing a huge cellar stretching to thousands and thousands.”

After a long, leisurely lunch, it was time to indulge in a bit of shopping. I love the boutique feel of the Strand Arcade in the city centre, which houses cool local designers like Aje, Dion Lee and Bassike.

SHOP

[caption id="attachment_147531" align="alignnone" width="2147"] A look by Akira Isogawa[/caption]

Sydney’s fashion scene made a name for itself with athleisure -- beach and resort wear -- for obvious reasons. Last month’s fashion week showed off great brands such as Double Rainbouu, Tigerlily and PE Nation – perfect for outfitting hipster babes, sunny city girls and beautiful BoBo (bohemian bourgeoisie, in case you’re not familiar with the term) types. However, one of the city’s most loved and respected fashion names is Kyoto-born designer Akira Isogawa, who has a Strand Arcade store and is often considered the Dries Van Noten of Australia.

“I tend to have women tell me that they’ve had garments of mine for over 20 years,” Isogawa says when we meet at his atelier on the outskirts of the city. “Many pass on my clothes to their daughters and the next generation.”

The trans-generational appeal, West-East mix and beautiful refinement of his pieces have set him apart in Sydney’s style scene for decades. He’s inspired by Australian ease as well as his own heritage, that “Japanese philosophy which is a bit Zen and wabi-sabi – an appreciation of the raw and unpolished”.

“Sydney is definitely relaxed,” the designer says, laughing, over a pot of tea served in delicate porcelain cups. The young Isogawa learned how to pattern-make and construct garments in the late ’80s after immigrating to the city from Japan. After his early collections made waves in Australia, two women in the 1990s became crucial to Isogawa’s debut in London, Milan and Hong Kong: Joan Burstein of Browns in London and Hong Kong’s Joyce Ma, who were both great clients, he says.

Sydney has been the designer’s home for more than half his lifetime. “I’ve been here for 33 years,” quips the 55-year-old. “I love Japan, but it’s more a place for me to go back and visit now, rather than to live.”

EXPLORE

[caption id="attachment_147529" align="alignnone" width="800"] Powerhouse Museum. Photo credit: James Horan; Destination NSW[/caption]

Visit Isogawa’s retrospective exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo (showing until June 30). Also interesting is the White Rabbit Gallery – famous for its impressive collection of Chinese contemporary arts. And just bordering Hyde Park in the centre of town is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a classic museum worth checking out; in addition to native Aboriginal and Australian as well as European art, there are some noteworthy Francis Bacons and Picassos here.

DINE

It’s no surprise that coastal Sydney relies so much on its waterfronts to charm, but it’s not just the bays at Bondi, Bronte or Manly. Having gone through an impressive revitalisation, the Barangaroo neighbourhood along Sydney’s sprawling waterfront is now dotted with an array of smart, sexy new restaurants, shops and bars. Barangaroo was formerly a bustling port where shipyards once stood, but is today host to shiny new venues, tower blocks and soon a Crowne casino. Here, we ate lunch at the slick and spacious Cirrus, and had dinner at the young, buzzy Japanese restaurant Zushi amid the lively after-work office crowd.

Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo is prime real estate and home to trendy restaurants, hotels and Australian billionaires. One of my favourite evenings included dinner with friends in the open air at the chic Manta restaurant, sampling small but potent and creamy Sydney rock oysters from the Merimbula estuary – all washed down with a bottle or two of crisp rosé.

[caption id="attachment_147524" align="alignnone" width="2126"] Fresh fare at Manta[/caption]

“There’s an amazing amount of food styles and experiences on offerin Sydney,” says Manta’s proprietor, Rob Rubis. “I’ve been in restaurants for more than 35 years, owning more than 30, and I’ve never seen a bigger change in the industry than in the last decade.

“This wharf is an iconic site with all its history sitting on the harbour. In the early 1800s it was originally a centre for storing wool and loadinglocal and overseas ships with bales and bales of the golden fleece,” he explains. Today, gentrification has obviously transformed the area,but the skyline views and “the warmth of the setting western sunshine” still make it ideal.

Sunny climes and city aesthetics are obviously conducive to outdoors wining and dining here, but it’s the fabulous, high-quality Australian produce from both land and sea that really hammers home the appeal of Sydney’s dining scene. The upscale Hotel Centennial (not an actual hotel – confusing, I know) in Paddington is a fabulously elegant spot at which to hide away from tourists. And the pretty, residential area ofPotts Point is filled with great neighbourhood restaurants, such as FratelliParadiso and the Apollo.

DRINK

As it settles into late evening, a welcome breeze enlivens the torpid air. Locals tell me that Sydney’s once vibrant nightlife scene was significantly muted by new government laws a few years ago. But there’s still fun to be had. Great cultural spots, such as the Golden Age Cinema & Bar in the popular Surry Hills area, draw a fun crowd in the evenings. Screenings here range from art house and vintage to documentary, and live music that packs out the bar and stage on Thursdays and Saturdays. My kind of place exactly.

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There are vintage elements from 1960s Saigon in the design,” says Peter Cuong Franklin, as we walk through his intimate, glossy, beautiful little bar with a balcony overlooking a Vietnamese wet market. “We’re trying to build a bit of the old and the new combined together, but everything is custom-made in Vietnam.” Cuong Franklin is a chef, and former investment banker and Hong Kong resident, who made his name at Viet Kitchen and Chom Chom. Today he owns the five-storey Anan restaurant, bar and rooftop in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City (the official name of Vietnam’s former capital).
“I’m doing something called ‘New Vietnamese’,” the chef explains. “We want it to be real, coming from this place, from Saigon -- real ingredients and real people.”

Cuong Franklin is constantly delving into the beautiful ingredients and recipes of Vietnamese food, but as a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in France, his cuisine at Anan is definitely inventive -- at every point there are new twists and ideas on traditional dishes. But he tries to avoid overused terms like “fusion” or “authentic”.

“I think most people don’t know what [authentic] means,” he scoffs. “It’s easy to use this word to hold back a lot of what’s called minority or subculture food in the US or the West.”

Cuong Franklin points out that people don’t often complain that “it’s not authentic” when chefs innovate with French, Italian or Swiss cooking (or much of Western cuisine) -- but it often gets thrown around with Asian food.

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“When they use it on Vietnamese food, it can tie it down. When they say, ‘That’s not authentic Vietnamese food,’ it has a negative connotation; it has a cultural negativity assigned to it. That’s why I prefer to avoid that word. The reality is that food is changing, even the people in the markets and streets -- their food is changing too. Some people wouldn’t even know what the fuck authenticity is, even if it hit them in the face.”

Clearly, the proprietor is not one to hold back. But the approach has worked a treat for his restaurant and bar. Anan has turned into something of a chic hotspot for the city, a must-go, -see and -taste for local movers and shakers, as well as for out-of-towners who care about gastronomy. A busy open kitchen operates below the glowing gold of the Anan neon signs on the ground floor and guests satiate themselves, starting with phở rolls or crunching Vietnamese tacos while sipping on something delicious, such as a Cotton Candy Old Fashioned or a Dragontini.

Anan is just one sign of how much the leisure lifestyle scene has moved forward in the city. Standout Saigon restaurants to visit range from Vietnamese (Anan and the Temple Club), to Japanese (Hajime for Kansai-style okonomiyaki, Torisho for yakitori and Kiyota for omakase sushi) and even incredible pizza (4P’s).

The last time I visited was about eight years ago, when the truly trendy hotspots of Ho Chi Minh City were few and far between. The city today, armed with a confident economy and a population with an average age of around 32, is taking a more international lifestyle in its stride. Hip designer-led restaurants and speakeasy-type bars with inventive cocktails have popped up all over the city, luring savvy visitors looking for more than just museums and motorbike tours.

To stay, there are, of course, the classic hotels such as the Majestic, the Caravelle and the Continental, all close to the waterfront in District One and possessing their own heritage and charm. But for those who prefer modern luxury spaces with truly international levels of service, we suggest heading towards the grandeur of the Park Hyatt Saigon; otherwise it’s the boutique Bach Suites Saigon or the Hôtel des Arts Saigon MGallery, a block away from one another in District 3.

[caption id="attachment_143764" align="alignnone" width="1181"] Opera Verandah at The Park Hyatt Saigon.[/caption]

It’s difficult not to be impressed when entering the Park Hyatt. Sunlight streams through the enormous lobby-lounge windows, setting a scene with a grand piano, immaculate staff and a well-dressed clientele gathered at tables. The hotel is built on the site of a former US officers’ quarters, but today is a gathering spot for the city’s newly moneyed. Rooms combine elegant French-style décor with a touch of Indochina, all very genteel with cool muted palettes. The pool is a lovely place to relax and get away from the hectic traffic and streams of motorbikes.

Old-world charm meets modern Saigon neatly here at the 245-room property. Do some people watching while dining outside on Italian food at Opera restaurant, designed by the famous Japanese interior-design firm Super Potato. You’re right next to Saigon Opera House (a major landmark) and Dong Khoi -- the charming old boulevard that’s now home to Saigon’s Chanel and Louis Vuitton stores.

For a hotel that’s a lot smaller and more intimate, there’s Bach Suites -- just a stone’s throw from the old Notre Dame Basilica. This gorgeous little boutique gem also recalls Vietnam’s colonial past -- tall French windows, elegant architecture, marbled floors and white panelled walls accented by striking black. I’ve spent many a breakfast and lunch with local friends in the pristine ground-floor restaurant eating its modern take on healthy, flavoursome Vietnamese cuisine.

This 30-plus-room hotel is a bit of an aristo-chic haven in District 3, a great luxury spot in which to escape the noise and bustle of the main city, and small enough for some truly personal service from the staff. Our suite came furnished with kitchenette, dining and living area, and a sumptuous king bed in the bedroom. Lush velvets, marble tabletops and heavy drapes all come with the European art deco-inspired interiors and colonial aesthetic -- it’s no surprise that the property is part of the Design Hotels collection.

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A three-minute walk around the corner is the Hotel des Arts Saigon MGallery. A bit of a mouthful, this boutique has nonetheless become an impressive addition to the city’s hospitality scene. Elegantly designed and buzzing with the local well-heeled, MGallery’s rooftop Social Club is a must-visit, even if you aren’t staying at the hotel. With fabulous cocktails served by groomed, hipster barmen, the venue seems to be aiming for an upscale Bali-esque vibe, albeit one that’s high in the sky in the middle of a city of almost nine million people. If it’s laid-back luxury with a fashionable edge you’re looking for, this is the right spot for sundowners going well into the evening.

The Social Club rooftop bar is a poignant place from which to consider how this Southeast Asian country has emerged from the more rough-and-tumble times. Vietnam is now the fastest-growing economy in the region. A former capital of French Indochina, Saigon has emerged the easy winner of most cosmopolitan city in the country, with an incoming tide of young, international, well-travelled immigrants and savvy Vietnamese returnees.

It’s all propelled the luxury, lifestyle, leisure and dining scenes into new territories, with more luxe and sophisticated spots being allowed to flourish. While spending time with some recent international émigrés to the city, who’ve been part of this movement, it’s clear that the boom is still strong. Cuong Franklin, who’s Vietnamese but grew up in the US, has seen “Saigon change a lot in the last few years ... Hong Kong is a very commercial place, but here it’s a little less commercial -- you can take a bit more of a risk and that’s why I can rent a whole building here.”

It’s a time when a place like Anan can do a special, off-menu take on the humble phở that costs US$100.

“We’re trying to create a new experience,” explains Cuong Franklin. “We’re giving something that I think is worth it, and using wagyu and seven different cuts of beef, things like that ... and people are very interested and buying!”

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Where and why we want to visit these top destinations over the next twelve months.

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New Zealand’s North Island, with its picturesque wilds, lavish hospitality and authentic cuisine, leaves us charmed.

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