Discover Paris' own unique wine-inspired festival

For close to 100 years, the 18th Arrondissement of Paris has celebrated its grape harvest festival. 

Centered on the historic district of Montmartre, overlooking the city and blessed with its own micro vineyard, the Fête des Vendanges will this year run from October 7-11. 

The 93rd edition has the theme "The 18th Arrondissement Leads the Beat".

Drawing nearly 1.5 million visitors annually, the festival is the third-largest event organized by the City of Paris. 

For five days, the entire 18th arrondissement is transformed into a huge open-air stage where music, 

gastronomy, heritage, and community celebration come together.

Concerts, choirs, dances, performances, musical parades, participatory events, and neighborhood
festivities will fill the arrondissement's streets, squares, and iconic venues.

The festival's Taste Trail will bring together producers, winemakers from Chablis,and Auxerre, and artisans sharing their products, craftsmanship, and stories at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur.

The Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre is promoted as being committed to the values that define it: solidarity, openness, inclusion, and the sharing of knowledge and traditions.

The 2026 edition will also continue its commitment to environmental sustainability through initiatives promoting responsible food practices, waste reduction, sustainable mobility, short supply chains, and the promotion of local expertise.

See Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre : du 7 au 11 octobre 2026

Images: Erwan-Floch & Mathilde Gardel

How about a winter wellness package by the sea?

There is a new winter wellness package on offer at one of Sydney's hippest hotels. 

The packages are available exclusively at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach from July 10-September 30, subject to availability. 

These deals combine luxury suite accommodation, Club InterContinental access and a  thermal experience at Èliva Spa, just steps from Coogee Beach.

Guests are promised "sweeping ocean views and the chance to spot migrating whales along the coastline before retreating to Èliva Spa to enjoy the facilities".

They can immerse themselves in magnesium mineral pools, infrared and salt saunas, cold plunge baths and a crystal steam room. 

From $700 per night, the package includes: overnight suite accommodation, Club InterContinental access for up to two guests, one 60-minute thermal facilities experience at Èliva Spa per guest, per stay, along with complimentary valet parking. 

For more info click HERE. 

Dark Lark is a seasonal Tasmanian treat

Winter in Tasmania is long, cold and dark.

It's the perfect time, then, for the sixth seasonal release of No. 166 Dark Lark 2026.

The limited-release whisky is housed in a matte black 700mL bottle - a dark, moody exterior that houses a Tasmanian single malt.

It's a bit late, to be honest, in that it is promoted as signalling "the arrival of winter and the ritual that comes with it". It's also a bit behind the Dark Mofo festival.

Crafted by master sistiller Chris Thomson and the Lark team, this year’s expression is promoted as "leaning into deep indulgence: sticky figs, dark chocolate-covered cherries and espresso gelato, lifted by lemon shortbread and soft honey."

It sounds delicious. I'll report back once I've tried it.

No.166 Dark Lank 2026 is available from today via larkdistillery.com and Hobart venues. The RRP is $150.

Michelin ranks wine estates

Michelin ranks restaurants around the world - and charges regions handsomely for the privilege. 

It has also started rating hotels - posing questions about the qualifications and the experience of its un-named judges. 

And now the Michelin guides are going further into the rankings business with the launch of Michel Grape, a "new distinction spotlighting wine estates and producers across different regions of the world".

Michelin says: With this new distinction, we provide wine lovers with a trusted benchmark."

The ratings system, launched in Burgundy before rolling out worldwide, covers three classifications.

Three Michelin grapes will be awarded to exceptional producers. Whatever the vintage, wine lovers can turn to the estate’s creations with complete confidence.

Two Michelin grapes will signify excellent producers who stand out as exceptional within their peer group and region for both quality and consistency.

One Michelin grapes will recognise very good producers who craft wines of character and style, especially in the best vintages.

There were no real surprises when the top names were revealed.

Those earning Three Michelin Grapes were Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, Domaine d’Auvenay, Cécile Tremblay, Dugat-Py, Roumier, Coche-Dury, Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley and Hubert Lamy.

When human interaction trounces AI

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the tourism landscape but one major travel company is still banking on human interaction.

AI is influencing everything from how guests discover destinations and build itineraries to how hospitality brands anticipate needs and create seamless experiences.

andBeyond chief marketing officer Nicole Robinson says that as technology becomes more embedded in the travel journey, the value of genuine human interaction will only increase.

While AI will efficiency, personalisation and convenience, Robinson says the true measure of luxury will move beyond what technology can deliver and towards how deeply a guest feels understood.

She says that for andBeyond, AI presents an opportunity to support hospitality teams behind the scenes, helping with everything from more intelligent itinerary planning and operational precision to creating greater continuity across a guest’s journey. 

But technology should enhance the human experience rather than replace it. 

“The guest should not feel the technology; they should feel the care it makes possible,” says Robinson.

“There is a difference between being targeted and being understood. 

"One feels automated. The other feels generous. Technology can help us gather information, but our people are what turn that information into meaning.”

* andBeyond is a luxury experiential travel company that specialises in high-end, sustainable safaris and tours in Africa, South America, and Asia.

Image: Benguerra Island's andBeyond staff with lanterns

Festival to celebrate Agatha Christie milestones

Fifty years after he death, thriller writer Agatha Christie remains a towering literary figure. 

The late author will again be celebrated at the 2026 Agatha Christie Festival, which will attract fans from all over the world to her home territory in Devon, England. 

The nine-day celebration in Torquay will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and the 50th anniversary of the final Miss Marple novel Sleeping Murder. 

The festival will run from September 12-20 and will include a four-day Fringe Festival, featuring events at hidden locations linked to Christie. 

Highlights will include a journey on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, a riverboat cruise on the River Dart, and underground screenings at Kents Cavern. 

In collaboration with the British Red Cross, the festival will host "What Agatha Did in the Great War" at Torquay Town Hall, celebrating Christie's voluntary work during the war. 

“We have worked hard to create one of the biggest and most enjoyable festivals yet," says 

Matt Newbury, creative director of the festival. 

There were over 8,000 attendees from 30 countries for the 2025 event. 

See https://www.iacf-uk.org/