New Zealand wine industry optimistic for 2026 vintage

There is optimism across the New Zealand wine industry with the 2026 harvest is underway or about to begin, New Zealand Winegrowers reports.

"As always, this is an exciting and highly anticipated time of year, with indicators pointing to grapes that offer regional diversity, distinctive flavours and ripeness" the industry's umbrella organisation reported.

"Ongoing changes in weather patterns have seen harvest dates move forward by several weeks in recent years, and 2026 is shaping up to be the earliest yet.

"Northland kicked off on January 23, followed by Hawke’s Bay, and in more recent weeks, Marlborough and North Canterbury. Central Otago is looking slightly later this year."

Philip Gregan, CEO New Zealand Winegrowers, reported: “January to March are critical months for growing and ripening grapes.

"We are looking forward to a nice, warm March, with cooler autumn nights that are important for flavour development.

"Winemakers are feeling optimistic as they look forward to crafting wines for both domestic and international consumers, continuing New Zealand’s reputation for wines that are distinctive, refreshing, sustainable and premium.”

Image: Sauvignon blanc grapes, NZ Winegrowers   

The former Palazzo Versace gets a new branding

All change at what used to be Palazzo Versace. 

The Hilton group has signed the iconic Gold Coast property - now The Imperial Hotel - marking the debut of LXR Hotels & Resorts in Australia in early 2027.

The hotel will undergo an extensive renovation before the re-branding, reports Paul Hutton, area vice president APAC and head of Australasia & South Pacific at Hilton, on LinkedIn.

The 200‑room five-star hotel, opened in 2000, combines grand architecture, Italian‑inspired interiors and a prime waterfront location with direct Broadwater access.

The signing "strengthens Hilton’s expanding luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Australasia", as LXR joins Curio Collection and Tapestry Collection in the region.

LXR Hotels & Resorts is a growing collection of currently 18 award-winning luxury hotels.

"Found in the world's most alluring destinations (the Gold Coast?) each hand-selected property boasts its own storied past and is infused with the essence of its distinctive locale, providing a luxurious hub for the discerning adventurer." 

Well that's what the website says.

What you should do if you are booked to fly internationally

Cancelling a flight because of the volatile situation in the Middle East could be a big mistake, Australians have been warned.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is urging travellers not to cancel travel arrangements due to the Middle East situation without first seeking professional advice.

They are also being urged not to contact their travel agent unless they are travelling in the next 48 hours - to allow passengers who are immediately impacted to be supported.

ATIA says it is closely monitoring the airspace situation across the Middle East, which is having a direct impact on international flight operations and passenger itineraries.

Several countries in the Gulf region have closed or significantly restricted their airspace following an escalation in regional hostilities. Major hubs - including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha - are affected, with cancellations, delays and rerouting already underway across multiple carriers.

“The situation across the Middle East is evolving rapidly and is already disrupting international flight operations for Australians travelling via major hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha,” says ATIA CEO Dean Long.

“Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are the most directly impacted at this stage, but European and other international carriers routing through Gulf airspace are also experiencing delays and rerouting. The impact is broader than many travellers may expect.

“Smartraveller has updated its advice for the UAE and Qatar at www.smarttraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/middle-east-conflict and travellers should be aware this may affect travel insurance provisions. We strongly encourage Australians to check DFAT’s Middle East conflict page and speak with their insurer if they have concerns.

"Our members are actively supporting impacted clients, managing re-bookings, securing alternative routes and providing up-to-date advice in what is a highly fluid environment.

“Our message to travellers is simple 1) do not cancel arrangements without first seeking professional advice; 2) please unless you are travelling in the next 48 hours and have not been contacted, hold off contacting your travel agent right not to allow them to support those currently caught up in, and who are stranded, delayed and dealing with cancellations. The situation is evolving rapidly, and experienced travel professionals are best placed to provide up-to-date guidance tailored to each traveller’s circumstances.”

Image: Jan Niepel, Scop.io

Australians turning their backs on US travel

Australians are becoming less likely to visit the United States, a new report shows. 

New research from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) reveals that more than half of Aussies (51%) are now less inclined to visit the US as they become increasingly selective about where they holiday overseas. 

Political stability, cost, and safety are playing important roles in destination decision-making, the Australian Traveller Trends And Insights 2026 report shows.

The data shows more than three in 10 Australians (35%) say there are destinations they are less likely to visit in the next few years. 

Leading the list is the US, followed by the Middle East (36%, although that might rise following weekend events) and China (28%). 

Even traditionally popular holiday destinations, like Indonesia are not immune, with two in 10 Australians saying they are less likely to visit, instead turning to other destinations.

When asked what the biggest deterrents were for avoiding certain destinations, nearly two thirds (63%) cited politics as their main reason. Crime (42%), high costs and health risks (both 32%) and negative word-of-mouth from other travellers (30%) were other common reasons.

When choosing where to travel next, cost (66%) remains the most prominent factor influencing their decision, followed by the political situation of a destination (48%) and reliable, stable weather (44%).

Despite the increase in concerns around overseas travel, culture continues to inspire Aussie wanderlust.

Music is the most common way Australians become interested in another country's culture (58%), followed by TV shows (51%), art (49%) and movies (43%). 

The cost-of-living crisis is another factor that continues to influence how Australians travel. 

Two in three Australians (62%) planning an overseas trip say rising living costs have impacted their plans. To save money, half are avoiding peak travel seasons, while others are opting for low-cost airlines or cheaper airfares (31%) and cutting back on dining and entertainment spend while on holiday (28%).

An amazing 14% of Aussies admitted to travelling overseas without travel insurance in 2025 - a trend more prevalent among younger travellers, with 19% of 18-29 year olds travelling internationally without any insurance cover.

“We're seeing Australians make smart trade-offs to manage rising living costs, while still making the most of their holidays," says Jess Strange, Chief Customer Officer at SCTI. 

"But skipping travel insurance shouldn't be one of them. Medical care, travel cancellations and disruptions can be incredibly costly, and travel insurance remains an useful safeguard for travellers no matter how big or small your trip is.

”Medical issues and simple trips or falls are some of the most common and costly claims we see overseas. 

"What might be a minor incident at home can quickly turn into thousands of dollars in medical bills abroad, particularly in countries like Japan."

Topping the list of destinations that Aussies most want to visit in the next 12 months is Japan (31%),

Europe (27%), New Zealand (22%) and the US (19%) (even though there is a drop off in enthusiasm). 

For more info www.scti.com.au or Download the full report.

Artworks enliven the streets of South Africa's wine capital

Fancy combining tasting some fine wines with some al fresco art?

Stellenbosch in the heart of South Africa's Cape wine region might be worth a look.

The streets of the historic university town are alive with creativity and a diverse cultural spirit.

Stellenbosch’s streets and public spaces have just come alive with Dreamscapes, an outdoor art exhibition featuring over 250 works.

Visitors can stroll through the town to explore sculptures that transform sidewalks and building walls into playful encounters.

 Through everything from larger-than-life forms to functional artworks, Dreamscapes celebrates imagination and community.

The artworks focus on diverse themes through storytelling in concrete, bronze, wire and other materials.

  
You can check out the full route at www.sost.co.za.

Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST) is a non-profit organisation supported by patrons, foundations, and corporations. It brings contemporary art to a broad audience in Stellenbosch by mounting free, annual exhibitions that offer the public powerful experiences with art and the urban environment.

* Stellenbosch is 50km from Cape Town and dates back to 1679. It sits on on the banks of the Eerste River at the foot of the Stellenbosch Mountain. It is home to many historic buildings that are typical of Cape Dutch architecture.

It is the primary location for viticulture and viticulture research in South Africa and the surrounding region is known for its many wine farms and tasting rooms.

Entitled traveller complains about Middle East flight delays

Entitlement is alive and well on social media.

Take this post on a Facebook travel site today:

“Stuck in Sydney. Due to fly to Manchester via Dubai. Not getting any help from Emirates. Tried ‘chat’ but they cut the connection before it even starts. Anyone getting assistance from Emirates?”

No one bothered to tell this self-absorbed person that Trump and Netanyahu's coalition of the crazy has turned the Middle East upside down with its attacks on Tehran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top security officials were killed as part of the US and Israel’s ongoing regime change attacks.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, meanwhile has pledged revenge and says it has launched attacks on 27 bases hosting US troops in the Middle East, as well as Israeli military facilities in Tel Aviv.

Explosions continue to be heard in Iran, Qatar and the UAE, Al Jazeera reports.

What Israel call “preventative” or "pre-emptive" attacks are what most civilised people call warmongering. But the timing could not be better for Trump, as he desperately tries to divert attention away from the Epstein Files.

The logic behind the attacks appears to be: "Those nasty foreign people want to have the same weapons we chosen people have. We have to attack them."

The end result is deaths across Iran, airports closed across the region and thousands of flights cancelled.

As one response to our self-absorbed flyer put it: "In the nicest possible way.... pull your head in .... War has broken out..... places are being bombed....Maybe think about how everyone is being impacted and scared.... worst places to be stuck than Sydney.... Emirates will be in touch as soon as they can and with a solution.....Goodness me".

Couldn't have said it better myself.

* Image: Tehran before the bombings