Demand from Australians is opening the door for more sophisticated options when it comes to cruise holidays.

The world is getting hotter and we’re not talking about global warming. From food to faraway destinations, artistic accomplishment to technological triumph, our trend-hunters have combed the planet for what to eat, see, do and watch – right now. Here are the travel trends to watch for this year.

Once the exclusive domain of women, the Martha Washington is now open for everyone.

Rules are made to be broken at the Plaza.

Our handpicked band of hotel aficionados has checked out beds across the land for our annual GT Australian Hotel Guide supported by Nespresso. Here, Kendall Hill reveals the award winners.

It’s a whole new kind of renovator’s delight.

Our intrepid team of travellers has checked in to check out the finest hotels in the country...

Private island luxury comes to Venice.

Take a tour of some of the nation's most picturesque regional areas, or stay closer to home and sample the hidden delights on your doorstep.

A private mansion in the 8th, a seductive maison of boudoirs and a neighbourhood hangout in South Pigalle - three boutique lodgings are redefining Paris hotel chic.

Fine dining, contemporary art and an atmospheric souq make the capital of Qatar a compelling travel destination.

Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios reflects on a transformative visit to Gallipoli, as we mark the centenary of the landing.

With its rich colonial past, Mauritius is an island nation where distinct traditions have formed a culture and cuisine all its own, writes Michael Sheather.

A new property in Adelaide combines character with contemporary flair.

Move over Liberty Bell; there’s more to Philly than its history, starting with its thriving art scene, writes Lindsey Tramuta.

Il Palagio, the 16th-century Tuscan estate restored by Sting and Trudie Styler, is now taking reservations, writes Josephine McKenna.

Long one of the world’s great dining capitals, Hong Kong has shifted into overdrive, with more – and better – restaurants opening faster than ever before. Pat Nourse test-drives the best of the latest.

Two LA hotels, both with shady pasts, are taking a glamorous, new turn.

Art, artefacts, archeological digs and fine artisanal produce meet in the captivating capital of Campania, writes Katie Parla.

We check out the new crop of luxe residences to rent that give you a taste of the high life, Italian-style.

A buzzy new micro-bar scene has popped up in the Cambodian capital.

The art exhibitions in Italy you won't want to miss this year.

From one end of the boot to the other, Italy’s favourite fast food is the surprising subject of a new wave.

The Japanese concept of ichi-go ichi-e translates loosely as "one chance in a lifetime"...

David Pynt introduced Singaporeans to the joys of modern Australian barbecue in 2013, this is what he did next...

A sense of faded grandeur once cast a pall over Turin, but after a facelift and an infusion of creativity the former Italian capital exudes dynamism and could just be the country’s best-kept secret.

A luxe boutique hotel with a location and view to die for certainly puts the romance in Rome.

Fivelements has quickly gathered a reputation for being one of Bali’s premier spa experiences...

Sydney’s Langham reopens after a lavish makeover to match its five-star harbour location, writes Eliza O’Hare.

At the tip of Long Island is Montauk, a fishing village that balances its rustic charms with splashes of urban glamour, so near yet so far from its manicured neighbours, writes George Epaminondas.

Celebrated London restaurateurs Corbin & King open The Beaumont.

A small luxury riverboat expedition follows this most famous of waterways from the Mekong Delta to extraordinary Angkor Wat. Rob Ingram tests the waters, flavours and sights along the way.

Deep in the wilds of Tasmania, Kendall Hill discovers a magical transformation at the Pumphouse Point hotel, a converted hydro station surrounded by beauty and steeped in history.

With landmarks and laneways rich in history, a sassy drinking and dining scene and unique shopping, Lisbon’s got the goods, writes Kendall Hill.

The opening of the Edition Miami marks the start of something big...

With Bangkok’s newest speakeasy it’s a matter of who you know.

Dive into the bustling, exhilarating streets of Mumbai and hop from street vendors to canteens to cafés in search of exotic flavours as Christine Manfield reveals her all-time favourite hotspots.

The pristine reefs of the Maldives teem with showy, shimmering clouds of fish, while above water all is serene and sybaritic. Helen Anderson enjoys the best of both worlds.

The spiritual heart of Australia is undergoing a transformation for travellers and local communities...

As we celebrate Australia Day, we ask leading expats about their most-missed hometown flavours and haunts.

You haven’t eaten on Indonesia’s most popular island until you’ve explored the rich, bold flavours found in the traditional warungs. Bali insider Maya Kerthyasa takes us on a tour of the best.

The eco-friendly resort has been built to the actor’s specifications...

Billy Joel might mourn the loss of the grand piano, but it's hard to find fault with the remodelled Premier Suite...

With new chefs and new venues bolstering the already impressive eating and drinking on offer, the Mornington Peninsula has never been better – just ripe for the summer holidays, writes Michael Harden.

Skye Gyngell is back in her first outing as chef-patron.

Bangkok’s central Sathorn and Silom districts are vibrant, fast-paced and teeming with art, bars and restaurants, writes Lara Dunston.

There’s much more than wine to savour in Bordeaux, writes Lindsey Tramuta, although while you’re there that’s always an option.

Don’t expect a spring roll class at this Thai celebrity’s cooking school.

Wondering what to pack in your beauty kit for the summer holidays? Here’s our pick of the latest and greatest products to keep you looking your beachside best. Oh, and they’ll make great stocking stuffers, too.

To be on the set of Russell Crowe’s directorial début is to journey back a century to bustling Constantinople.

The transformation of the much-loved Observatory Hotel is complete and it reopens today as The Langham Sydney.

Simplicity with style is the design brief at Amilla.

Is Sumba the new Bali? Not if the locals can help it; for now, its offbeat ancient culture, sole resort and perfect wave are the preserve of a privileged few, writes Richard Cooke.

The new Fondation Louis Vuitton reflects its Parisian surrounds...

Miami has outgrown its kitsch beach-town short pants to become a showcase for art and architecture, with high-end hotels and a rich dining scene, writes George Epaminondas.

There's no question Air New Zealand is winning the branding wars in true Kiwi style...

When it comes to booking travel, aren’t we flying solo now? Not necessarily...

As the source of New Zealand’s entire hop harvest, it’s only natural that sunny Nelson has become a mecca for lovers of craft beer. Rob Ingram follows the amber highway.

The airline promises bigger portions and greater choice in their new economy-class dining program.

Celebrate Tasmania’s new-found whisky brilliance in style at Saffire.

More than a decade after Sydney's Ritz-Carlton closed its doors, the landmark harbour property has reopened...

Things move slowly in the Galapágos, which makes the arrival of a lodge a notable occasion...

The latest crop of hotels in the UK capital takes London lodgings to new levels. We check out the best places to check in, from restored classics to arty trendsetters.

Brazil is the world heavyweight when it comes to coffee...

Qantas reveals its brand-new business class amenity kits...

Copenhagen’s Bæst offers diners a truly hands-on experience.

The sunshine capital offers chic new stays.

From street stalls to beach resorts, the exacting taste of emperors has left a remarkable legacy in central Vietnam. Kendall Hill eats like a king.

Qantas has unveiled new business-class seating and the big winners will be flyers who like to sleep en route.

Indulgence comes easily with our list of some of the best hotel spas in the country.

A wrap-up of some of our favourite beach hotels around the country.

Here are some of our favourite addresses for extended spells away, whether for work or play.

Long Chim: it means "come and taste" in Thai. It's also the name of David Thompson's new casual eatery...

Lounge design needs to satisfy loners and more sociable creatures.

Lured by the promise of plain sailing and Sancerre, Kendall Hill takes the wheel of a canal boat on a luxe cruise through the bucolic Loire Valley.

Once run out of the capital, gin is coming home.

A wrap-up of some of the most unique properties Australia has to offer.

The frescoes are repainted, the stonework repaired, the chandeliers sparkling – Karen Kissane checks into a landmark Paris hotel restored with the same care lavished on the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre.

Two new hotels join The Art Series stable.

From Nice’s finest pan bagnat to original salade Niçoise, homegrown ratatouille to perfect pistou, Rosa Jackson shares the culinary highlights of her adopted city.

A clutch of new hotels has opened in Paris and beyond.

The newest Pig hotel in England is really a restaurant with rooms...

Europe’s gateway embraces contemporary cool and Turkish tradition. Katie Parla crisscrosses the city for a taste of East and West, old and new.

The Ludlow promises to become a Lower East Side hub.

Freycinet Experience Walk, a true escape from day-to-day life

After a six-month closure and an $80 million makeover, the Whitsundays island resort has emerged with a glamorous new look. From the swim-up suites to the five-star buffet breakfast, Catherine Keenan tests the waters.

Thanks to a new generation of chefs, London’s dining scene is now more diverse, inclusive and vibrant than ever. Pat Nourse surveys some of the capital’s best new hotspots.

The latest addition to Sri Lanka’s boutique lodgings is a clifftop resort on the south coast.

On a thrilling circuit of white-sand beaches, ancient cities and mountains of tea, Helen Anderson witnesses everyday miracles in Sri Lanka.

If there’s one restaurant that reflects the elegance of Turin, it’s Del Cambio...

Kendall Hill island-hops aboard the Silver Galapagos and gets up close and personal with the denizens of the deep.

To some, it’s a stylish new hotel. To Robert Marchetti, it’s an “entertainment precinct with rooms”.

Learning and luxury go hand in hand during a weekend of discovery at Qualia.

He brought berets and board shorts to boutique hotels – and that’s just the staff...

In the restaurants of Istanbul, chefs are serving Turkish cuisine from imperial recipes devised by the real forefathers of modern-day gastronomy, writes Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios.

On a stay in Bellapais, actress Julia Morris basked in the happy haze of lemony Brandy Sours and grilled haloumi.

Want to know how to spend $30 million in four months? Watch The Langham Sydney.

Max Anderson faces his fear in the Colorado Rockies, carving – sometimes ploughing – through the world’s biggest acreage of groomed snow. At a trifecta of Vail resorts, he finds the powder is fresh, the tires are fat and the tracks are fast.

The quirky chic characterising hotel group QT hits new heights on the Victorian slopes.

Historic lakeside Geneva is a city made for walking, in summer sunshine or wrapped up against the chill, writes Brian Johnston.