Monkey business: Why you need to be wary of simians when travelling

Monkeys can be a menace. Cute but dangerous. 

I've seen an unsuspecting shopper robbed of their groceries by an agile simian in South Africa, and an idiot bitten by a monkey in Bali. 

The closer humans come to their natural habitat the bolder monkeys become. 

Now a leading travel insurance company has issued a waning for holidaymakers; use caution or you may end up with a massive medical bill. 

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has just completed its 2025 round-up of travel insurance claims and reported that the number of travel insurance claims resulting from monkey-related incidents has surged by 350% in the past two years. 

While 78% of these claims were medical claims relating to bites or scratches from monkeys there were also several cases of theft-by-monkey.

In one case a traveller reported a gang of monkeys breaking into their villa in Bali and stealing a mobile phone - that one sounds dubious to me as monkeys prefer food to digital devices.

Others have had sunglasses and prescription lenses snatched straight off their faces - monkeys love shiny things. In another case, a child visiting Ubud Monkey Forest was hit in the eye by a monkey and required two rabies shots and a course of antiviral medications to combat potential rabies exposure.

Jess Strange, Chief Customer Officer at SCTI says: “Many people don't realise how quickly costs can add up when you fall ill or get injured overseas. Insurance isn't just about covering bills - it's about making sure you get the right care and support when you need it most.

“In some situations, getting home safely isn't as simple as booking a standard flight. 

“Customers may need to travel with a medical team, which often means an air ambulance or chartered flight - costs that can quickly climb into six figures. Even something as simple as upgrading a stricken traveller to premium economy or business class can add thousands of dollars to the bill."

It is pretty simple really. If you can't afford to take out travel insurance don't travel. Or be prepared to launch one of those annoying Go Fund Me pages to cover your stupidity. 

SCTI provides International Comprehensive and International Medical Only travel insurance policies for those travelling overseas. A Working Overseas policy is also available. Visit the website for more information: www.scti.com.au

AirAsia X pondering re-starting London flights?

It may soon be possible to fly from Australia to London using just one low-cost carrier. 

Malaysia's long-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X will officially announce its return to the UK this week, trade website simpleflying.com is reporting.

While the airline's previous flights were nonstop from Kuala Lumpur to London Stansted using an  Airbus A340-300, the new route is predicated to use Airbus A330-operated flights from Kuala Lumpur to London Gatwick via Bahrain.

The new route is due to be officially announced on Thursday, the website says. 

It will mark the airline's latest attempt to make UK flights turn a profit. It operated non-stop flights from the Malaysian capital to London Stansted between 2009 and 2011, when it switched to Gatwick. Flights halted in 2012. 

In late 2025, Capital A, which operates the AirAsia Group, identified Bahrain as the location of its Middle East hub. 

If this happens then Aussies could fly to KL before switching to a flight to London. Cheap and cheerful. 

Adina to expand into Hobart

Go-ahead hotel group TFE will debut its first Adina hotel in Tasmania later this year with the opening of Adina Hobart. 

The new 48-key Adina Hobart will be located within the same mixed-use development as the 142-key Vibe Hobart and will feature a collection of studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments with the ability to interconnect into three-bedroom spaces.

Known for contemporary design, spacious living, and flexible apartment accommodation, Adina’s continued growth across Australia and beyond reflects the strength of a brand that understands modern travellers, says TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer Chris Sedgwick.

“As we expand our global footprint, we’re seeing increasing demand for apartment style hotels that offer the space, flexibility, and contemporary design that Adina does so well," Seddwick says.

"With every new opening, whether here at home or in key international cities, Adina anchors our premium offering and showcases the best of Australian hospitality on the world stage.”

The new Hobart property will provide extra rooms in a Tasmanian market that desperately needs extra room space. Tasmania’s capital is experiencing the highest visitor numbers on record, with 1.36 million visitors welcomed in 2025.

Adina Hobart is expected to welcome guests in the second half of this year.

Adina guests will have full access to the Vibe on-site amenities including Belvedere restaurant and bar, conferencing facilities, pool and gym.

“With Adina Hobart, we wanted to craft a hotel that feels intrinsically connected to Tasmania," said developer Richard Doedens.

"As such, the palette, the textures, and the organic forms all draw from the quiet beauty of the eucalypt forests that define so much of the state’s landscape.

“Our design approach also focuses on warmth and comfort, while still delivering the sophistication expected of an Adina. And, by anchoring the interiors in natural materials and rounded, calming shapes, we’ve created a place that feels both grounded and elevated.”

Qantas unleashes domestic sale fares

Qantas has today launched its biggest domestic fares sale in more that five years with economy fares from $99 and business fares from $299.

There are more than 60 destinations on sale with sale fares on offer until Monday, February 16, unless sold out prior. Sale fares are for travel on select dates in 2026.

All Qantas fares include checked baggage and complimentary food and beverages.

“This is the largest domestic sale we’ve had in five years," says Qantas domestic CEO Markus Svensson.

"We’ve got some of the best holiday destinations right on our doorstep, and this sale puts them within reach for more people. From hidden regional gems to capital city favourites, we're making it easier to discover our own backyard.

"With almost two million seats and great value fares in both business and economy, it’s a fantastic time to lock in that next holiday to explore Australia or reconnect with friends and family.”

Penfolds starts marking 75 years of Grange with a roar

The link between sport and the marketing of premium alcohol brands has never been closer - as evidenced by the recent Australian Open tennis tournament.

Now Penfolds has partnered with the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, joining the spectacle as an Event Supporter.

Across the four days at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne in March, a selection of Penfolds wines will be served in premium hospitality venues, including in the American Express Lounge.

Guests will also enjoy a curated Penfolds restaurant pairing and an elevated VIP Grange experience designed to celebrate Penfolds' most renowned wine.

The partnership arrives at a milestone moment for the brand, as Penfolds celebrates 75 years of Grange in 2026.

“The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix offers an extraordinary platform to share our wines, celebrate 75 years of Grange, and mark moments with wine lovers and F1 fans in Australia and those visiting from around the globe,” says Penfolds Chief Marketing Office Kristy Keyte.

As part of the partnership, the “Penfolds Grange Experience” will be offered to American Express Lounge ticket holders. Hosted by a Penfolds ambassador, the guided tasting will showcase the heritage, craftsmanship, and lasting impression of Penfolds' most iconic wine.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Commercial Officer Emma Pinwill said: “Penfolds will help us deliver a world‑class hospitality experience by showcasing their exceptional wines at the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026.

"Sharing our vision to create unforgettable moments, Penfolds presence will contribute to an elevated and memorable experience for guests.”

For more info see Australian Grand Prix 2026 - F1 Race. 

Image: Alex Coppel

Women travellers opting for Arctic adventures

There is growing interest in women only holiday options and tours. 

And adventure is high on the agendas of many women keen on travelling in in small groups to exciting destinations. 

A new version of Iceland’s most iconic trekking route is launching for summer 2026 with Arctic Adventures announcing a four-day women-only guided trek along the Laugavegur Trail, one of the country’s best-known long-distance hikes through the central Highlands.

Stretching 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, the Laugavegur Trail crosses some of Iceland’s most dramatic terrain: from geothermal valleys and rhyolite mountains to black sand plains and birch forests. 

While the route has long attracted international hikers, the new departures are designed specifically for women seeking a smaller, more supportive group experience.

Running through July and August, the treks are led by an experienced female guide and limited to a small group size. Arctic Adventures says the focus is less on speed or performance and more on shared experience, connection, and spending time in Iceland’s remote interior.

“There’s a comfort that comes from exploring in a group of women," says Rebecca McCall, product manager at Arctic Adventures. 

"This trek is about enjoying the landscape, supporting one another in small ways, and letting those connections grow naturally along the trail.”

The launch reflects broader travel trends seen across Iceland in recent years, including a shift toward longer stays, guided trekking, and experiences that move beyond the country’s most visited routes. 

For many travellers, the Highlands - accessible only in summer and largely untouched by infrastructure - offer a slower, more immersive way to experience the island’s interior.

The trek designed for hikers with a basic level of fitness who are comfortable walking for four to nine  hours a day across varied terrain and changing weather conditions. 

So I'm out, due to both gender and fitness. 

Participants carry only their day packs, with logistics handled in advance, allowing the focus to remain on the trail and the shared experience. The tour is open to travellers aged 15 and up and includes transportation to and from the trail, with amenities such as onboard wifi available during transfers.

See https://adventures.is/