Now Eurostar will have a rival on cross-Channel rail routes

Virgin Trains, part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is set to begin operating passenger trains to mainland Europe through the Channel Tunnel following an announcement by the UK rail regulator. 

Virgin Trains has also announced the acquisition of a fleet of high-speed trains as it gears up to challenge Eurostar, which has held a monopoly on routes to Europe since 1994.

Virgin Trains said this week that there are “no more major hurdles to overcome” before it can begin operating. 

It has acquired a fleet of 13 high-speed trains for future services from London through the Channel Tunnel to Paris, Brussels and onwards to Frankfurt, starting in late 2027.

Thanks to a financial package negotiated with BlackRock, Virgin has purchased the 330 kmh trains from Germany’s Deutsche Bahn. 

The Siemens-built 406 series trains were most recently in service between Frankfurt, Brussels and Amsterdam. Each train is composed of eight carriages and seats 425 passengers, news portal Travel Mole reports.

“The opportunity to purchase these trains now was an offer too good to turn down," Branson told British media. 

"With no need to wait for new trains to be built, we can bring forward our plans for new services through the Channel Tunnel that customers have been demanding. 

"Anyone who has taken one of these trains has been enchanted by their reliability and comfort.”

Virgin Trains will start its services in December 2027, with seven return trips planned each day from 
London to Paris, and six a day to Brussels. Two of the Brussels services will continue to Germany. 

That will make Virgin the first company to offer direct UK-Germany services.

Virgin Trains head of European Operations Jean-Eric Suiscon said “We are happy to have 
found a way to adapt services in Germany for Channel Tunnel services."

Dark Mofo promises a car crash - and lots more

From car crashes to artworks, performances to food and wine, Tasmania's favourite winter festival Dark Mofo returns from June 5-15 and 21.

Organisers today announced an ambitious program designed to entertain locals and bring tourists to the island state during its coldest month.

The mid-winter festival will showcase large-scale public artworks in the Dark Park art hub and across Nipaluna/Hobart, along with annual rites such as the sprawling Night Mass parties, the Winter Feast gourmet festival, the traditional Ogoh-Ogoh burning, and the Nude Solstice Swim.

Dark Mofo Films also make a comeback under new artistic director Chris Twite.

"Once again we will bathe the city in red, filling it with art and taking over disused and hidden spaces all across Nipaluna/Hobart," Twite says.

"Night Mass - the late-night labyrinth of revelry - will carve new paths through the city and a host of Australian-exclusive artists from around the world will storm our stages."

The festival will utilise deconsecrated churches, rooftops, basements, bars, bank vaults and the shores of River Derwent. Dark Mofo will also stretch its tentacles to a theatre in Launceston and the planetarium in Ulverstone.

"It feels incredible to bring so many boundary pushing artists to Tasmania in 2025 for the full-scale return of Dark Mofo," says Twite.

The festival features new artwork commissions from Paula Garcia and Carlos Martiel, the Australian premiere of a massive light installation from Nonotak and performances from the likes of The Horrors, Tierra Whack, Beth Gibbons and Crime and the City Solution.

In Crash Body (above), two cars will engage in an exchange of near misses, building to a visceral head-on collision between Brazilian artist Paula Garcia and a stunt driver. This event will unfolding at the Regatta Grounds over two hours and festival-goers will encounter the aftermath at Dark Park.

SORA by Nonotak will create a dancing, hypnotic firmament inside a cavernous warehouse. Lights on kinetic armatures will spin and pulse at the whim of an invisible wind at times and raging like the apotheosis of an electrical storm at others.

In a brand new Mona exhibition, in the end, the beginning, Italian sculptor Arcangelo Sassolino (ITA) plays with fire.

The Winter Feast will take over Princes Wharf and Salamanca Lawns throughout the festival. This year the Feast welcomes guest chef Niyati Rao from Mumbai restaurant Ekaa.

She will be teaming up with Chef Craig Will and fellow co-owners of Launceston’s Stillwater, Bianca and James Welsh.

This year’s Ogoh-Ogoh ritual solicits fears to feed a giant Maugean skate - an endangered species found only in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour and threatened by polluting fish farms.

Tickets go on sale to subscribers 10am Wednesday 9 April AEST and to everyone else from noon on Wednesday, April 9. Subscribe for updates at www.darkmofo.net.au.

Airline warns of slowing demand for UK-US flights

It's not just the Canadians who are showing a reluctance to travel to the US.

Virgin Atlantic Airways has signalled that demand for flights from the UK to Crazyland has been slowing.

The airline this week reported its first annual profit since the pandemic, but also some caution regarding weakening demand, news portal Travel Mole reported.

CFO Oli Byers said: “We think that is quite a natural reaction to general consumer uncertainty.”

The news comes as trans border travel demand from Canada to the US has seen a huge drop of more than 70% for this summer.

That is specifically down to the trade war and like-for-like tariffs, which could soon impact transatlantic traffic due to political and economic factors, and, perhaps, fear of US entry security goons.

Mainland Europe’s top airlines have cited concerns, but that has yet to translate into a fall in bookings.

“It is concerning for us but as of today, we don’t see any material change in forward bookings,” Air France-KLM’s CEO Ben Smith said.

Virgin Atlantic is highly reliant on US-UK transatlantic bookings.

Discover $199 fares between Australia and Vietnam - but you'll need to be quick

My friends at Vietjet, now the biggest Vietnamese airline flying between Australia and Vietnam, have launched four new non-stop services connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Beijing and Guangzhou in China.

These routes mark a milestone in Vietjet’s expansion in 2025, which includes new routes to India, Japan, and Singapore.

Australian travellers now have more opportunities to explore China with a cost-effective transit network through Vietnam.

With many Chinese students studying in Australia, this also offers a convenient travel option for those returning home during holidays or visiting family.

To celebrate thew destinations, Vietjet is offering a limited-time promotion from now until April 5 (so you'll need to be quick) \with all-inclusive one-way Eco-class fares starting as low as $!99 for all routes between Australia and Vietnam.

Australians wanting to explore Vietnam can also find deals when booking domestic flights within the country. The travel period is between April 15 and March 28, 2026, for bookings made via www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile app.

The routes between Ho Chi Minh City and Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as between Hanoi and Guangzhou, have already commenced daily services. 

The Hanoi-Beijing route will initially operate three times a week before transitioning to a daily service on April 27 while a new Hanoi-Shanghai service will commence on April 29, offering daily flights.

Since its first flight from Vietnam to China in 2014, Vietjet has strengthened its flight network between the two neighbouring countries, which now covers more than 50 destinations across China. 

“Vietjet is excited to launch four new routes from Vietnam to Beijing and Guangzhou, major economic, cultural, and tourist hubs in China, as part of our ongoing strategy to expand our flight network," said Vietjet vice chairwoman Nguyen Thanh Ha. 

"With this expansion, we will continue to provide affordable and convenient travel options for both locals and tourists, further enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and China, and beyond.”

Vietjet is also set to launch its inaugural route between Ho Chi Minh City and Auckland in New Zealand in September.

Darwin theory: the best time for gourmets to visit

Foodies planning a trip to Darwin should pencil in a potential visit in August.

This year’s Darwin Festival, to run from August 7-24) will feature its biggest Taste of Darwin program ever with the return of chef Jimmy Shu’s Hanuman restaurant after four years, and the festival debut of the city’s hottest new eatery: Flora’s Temper Mexicantina.

The Festival’s Taste of Darwin program will double in size to feature six events, with two announced today: a City Cocktail Experience, where guests can choose between a glitzy 1920s-style bar hop or a wild Tropical bar adventure; and a Gloom and Gourmet Dinner, a dark feast that transforms Parap Fine Foods into a red-lit, moody banquet hall complete with roving performers belting out eerie murder ballads.

“Last year’s Taste of Darwin events were a huge hit and sold out fast, so we’re excited to not only bring them back but double the offering with truly unique experiences that showcase the spirit of Darwin,” said Darwin Festival artistic director Kate Fell.

Each Taste of Darwin event will offer something unexpected and exclusive, Taste of Darwin curator Neville Pantazis promises.

“Darwin’s food and bar scene is vibrant, diverse and truly multicultural," he says. "We’re serving up fresh, fun, and unforgettable experiences that celebrate the essence of Australia’s northernmost capital.”

The return of Hanuman, arguably the Territory’s most celebrated restaurant, to the line-up of exceptional food offerings at Festival Park, is great news for foodies, added Fell.

“Hanuman’s long-anticipated return brings an iconic flavour back to the Festival, while Flora’s Temper Mexicantina adds an exciting new layer to our culinary landscape. With more reasons than ever for food lovers to head to Festival Park during Darwin Festival, it’s set to be a true celebration of Territory flavours.”



The festival has also announced that its key beverage suppliers this year are local to the Northern Territory, with new partner Alice Springs Brewing Co. joining Darwin’s Willing Distillery.

Darwin Festival, 2024 Gold Winner at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, will release its full program of cabaret, theatre, comedy, dance, visual arts, outdoor concerts under the stars, and fun family events next month.  

Yelland & Papps celebrates 20 years bigly with a tribute to family

Barossa winemakers Susan and Michael Papps are celebrating 20 years of Yelland & Papps in style.

The pair is releasing a wine in two large formats in tribute to the local family growers that have been a part of their journey. David and Angela Materne, Pete and Sarah Sonntag, Kevin and Helen Schild and Bob and Sandy Modra, and themselves.

"What has become apparent in the last few years are the business relationships that can enable you to successfully grow," says Susan Papps (Yelland).

"Our Twenty Years Five Growers Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024 Limited Edition (Vale LKY & KLY) is a contribution of all five growers that at the time of vintage 2024 had been either from the start or have joined the train as we have travelled along on our journey.

"A blend of shiraz from sub-regions Marananga, Stonewell, Vine Vale, Dorrien and Greenock reflects the soils and grape growers that make up the beautiful Barossa Valley terroir."

She says Yelland & Papps wanted to "acknowledge this milestone for some time to try and reflect, capture and celebrate 20 years of our business and making wine in a turbulent, slightly fractured and vulnerable industry".

The release is tinged with sadness as Susan's brother Leith and father Kelwyn died within a fortnight of each other in 2024.

"When designing a label for this wine, at the forefront was honouring my father and his unwavering support of our business, over the past 20 years," Susan said.

"Although my father was not part of Yelland & Papps business when this was started in 2005 by Michael and myself, he was an intrinsic monetary part of helping us along the way to start and keep progressing forward.

"The most important part of the relationship was the interest and support and his listening ear to the woes and hardships, and although he never had a magic wand to erase these issues he had the advice and was able to relate to his prior farming business."

The label features the colour of her father's prized procession: a "sky mist blue" 1960 Ford Zephyr Ute.

The special release wine has been bottled under large format only: 239 1.5-litre magnums and 28 5-litre jeroboams at $129 and $399.

See yellandandpapps.com.

Where have all the vineyards gone?

The global wine grape harvest in 2024 is estimated to be even lower than the historic low 2023 vintage, reflecting negative weather events combined with active strategies to reduce production, Wine Australia reports. 

In the southern hemisphere, Australia and Argentina both saw substantial increases compared with their 2023 vintages, but remained below their 5-year averages. 

Chile and South Africa both declined to their lowest totals for more than 10 years, and well below their 5-year averages. 

Argentina regained its position as largest southern hemisphere producer, while Chile slipped to third.

Chile is believed to have removed up to 20% of its vineyard area in 2023-24, while New Zealand had a smaller vintage than the past two near-record crops. 

In the northern hemisphere, France saw the greatest reduction: down 23% compared with 2023 and 16%  below its 5-year average. 

Unfavourable weather conditions related to climate change were the main driver, although distillation and removal programs also contributed. 

Italy increased by 7% after its very low 2023 harvest, to reclaim the title of world's largest wine 

producer while Spain saw the largest increase globally - up 18% - to be close to its 5-year average.

International Organisation of Vine and Wine figures indicate that global wine production in 2024 was even lower than 2023, making it two in a row that are the lowest in 60 years.

The 2024 vintage total of 23 billion litres was 10 per cent below the 5- year average. 

Chelsea Social aiming to kick goals in Perth

Perth has a new all day and night dining and drinking spot as of April 1 - and that's no joke.

Housed inside the refurbed ibis Hotel in the centre of the West Australian capital, Chelsea Social "is set to be the city’s premier destination for work and play".

Well, that's what the media release says.

Expect "punchy colours, playful finishes and a London-meets-Perth attitude: this vibrant venue brings something completely new to the city’s dining and social scene".

Open from 6:30am until late, seven days a week, Chelsea Social will be serving up UK-inspired classics with a modern twist.

There will be hearty breakfasts, an all-day dining menu and share platters.



There will also be cocktails, wines and pub favourites, allegedly all with some Chelsea style - the suburb not the football team.

With room for up to 150 guests, Chelsea Social has three distinct spaces: Chelsea Dining Hall, Chelsea Bar, and Chelsea Events.

Open to hotel guests and the public, Chelsea Social will offer a Friday morning breakfast "rave" every week. That means they'll have a DJ. 

"Chelsea Social is designed to be more than just a venue - it's an experience," says hotel manager Sandy Lombardi.

“We’ve created a space that captures the essence of Chelsea London’s refined elegance - where the world’s most coveted brands like Gucci, Chanel, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co are just steps away -beautifully fused with the relaxed charm of Perth to deliver an unparalleled atmosphere in the heart of the CBD."

To mark the official opening, Chelsea Social invites the public to celebrate on Friday morning, April 11, when guests will be treated to free Chelsea Buns throughout the morning while a live DJ spins feel-good tunes.

Let's hope it's not a bunfight.

Ibis Perth, 334 Murray Street, Perth https://all.accor.com/hotel/1773/index.en.shtml

High expectations in Hawke's Bay

Vintage is in full swing across Australia and New Zealand, but there is particular optimism in Hawke's Bay on the north island of Kiwiland. 

It may be tempting fate, but the wine producers of  Hawke's Bay are proclaiming that this year is looming as a great one. 

"Every so often, a vintage emerges that could define a wine region’s legacy," Hawke's Bay Wine proclaims in its latest newsletter. 

"In Hawke’s Bay, murmurs are growing that 2025 may be one of those years - potentially rivalling even the renowned 2013 vintage."

Hawke’s Bay Wine CEO Brent Linn visited wineries across the region to hear first-hand how the harvest is progressing. 

Winemakers from Te Mata Estate, Brookfields Winery, and Craggy Range all reported outstanding fruit quality, with ideal growing conditions delivering pristine grapes at optimal ripeness.

Te Mata Estate senior winemaker Phil Brodie described the season as "unique and potentially legendary," while Brookfields’ Peter Robertson, now in his 51st harvest, noted exceptional quality in both white and red varieties. 

With warm, dry conditions, vintage 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most promising in recent history.

Senior winemaker Ben Tombs highlighted an early harvest with vibrant acidity and excellent structure at Craggy Range.

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst joined the visit at Te Mata Estate, emphasising the wine industry’s crucial role in the region’s economy, tourism, and global reputation. 

Sally Duncan, chair of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers, reinforced the industry's impact, noting that over 32 million bottles of Hawke’s Bay wine will reach consumers worldwide this vintage.

As winemakers complete their work in the vineyard and turn their focus to the winery, the question remains: Could this be "the one"? 

Europe to formalise NoLo wine terminology

"Alcohol-free", "0.0%"’ and "alcohol light" are the new standardised denominations proposed by the European Commission for no- and low-alcohol wines.

The legislation for NoLo wine products is a bid to enhance their appeal.

As part of its newly presented wine package, the EU executive has proposed the three new classifications seeking to harmonise terminology across member states and support the growing market for non-alcoholic wines.

The overall package introduces targeted measures to help the sector manage its production potential, adapt to changing consumer preferences, and exploit new market opportunities, EuroNews reports.

The overall package introduces targeted measures to help the sector manage its production potential, adapt to changing consumer preferences, and exploit new market opportunities.

The proposed designations define ‘alcohol-free’ as wines with an alcohol content not exceeding 0.5% by volume, while ‘0.0%’ is reserved for wines with an alcohol content not exceeding 0.05% by volume.

The term ‘alcohol-light’ will apply to wines with an alcohol content above 0.5% but at least 30% lower than the minimum strength of the category before dealcoholisation.

Previously, EU legislation used the technical terms “fully and partially de-alcoholised” wines, which were seen as less consumer-friendly.

“The idea is to replace them with names that are more attractive and also more familiar to consumers,” the Commission said.

The three new terms, while already widely used, are currently regulated differently across member states, and the new rules aim to ensure uniform wine labelling throughout the EU.

Image: Carmen Ramon Cami, Scop.io