Luxury digs, an open fire, a glass of organic pinot noir, lamb rack with artichoke purée… the après-ski action in New Zealand’s Wanaka is just as exciting as the skiing.

Pleasingly lush, thrillingly bleak, Dingle is a jewel on the wind-carved western Irish coast, where the only thing outdoing the authentic pubs and good food is the warmth of the local characters.

Standing knee-deep in a river between Thailand and Myanmar, surrounded by bathing elephants, is the definition of joy, writes Kendall Hill.

From Paloma Picasso and Kate Winslet to Elizabeth Gilbert and Carla Zampatti, friends of Gourmet Traveller share with us what they like to do “when in Rome”.

Once the seaside destination of Italy’s jet set, the Riviera di Ponente today moves at a quieter pace that’s ideal, writes John Irving, for exploring Liguria’s history, culture and, of course, food.

Leaning towards a group trip? With the whistlestop grand tour back in fashion, Rob Ingram boards a bus for an itinerary taking in Italy’s best-loved attractions.

A colossal undertaking is set to transform Italy’s most popular monument, writes Josephine McKenna.

Food that levitates? Check. Arabian luxury digs in the Abu Dhabi desert? Check. Planking and cold-smoking? Check. It must be the Gourmet Traveller Hot 100. Restaurants of the moment, exciting new talent, emerging trends, savvy travel tips… consider this your new global hit list.

Food that levitates? Check. Arabian luxury digs in the Abu Dhabi desert? Check. Planking and cold-smoking? Check. It must be the Gourmet Traveller Hot 100. Restaurants of the moment, exciting new talent, emerging trends, savvy travel tips… consider this your new global hit list.

Food that levitates? Check. Arabian luxury digs in the Abu Dhabi desert? Check. Planking and cold-smoking? Check. It must be the Gourmet Traveller Hot 100. Restaurants of the moment, exciting new talent, emerging trends, savvy travel tips… consider this your new global hit list.

Food that levitates? Check. Arabian luxury digs in the Abu Dhabi desert? Check. Planking and cold-smoking? Check. It must be the Gourmet Traveller Hot 100. Restaurants of the moment, exciting new talent, emerging trends, savvy travel tips… consider this your new global hit list.

Food that levitates? Check. Arabian luxury digs in the Abu Dhabi desert? Check. Planking and cold-smoking? Check. It must be the Gourmet Traveller Hot 100. Restaurants of the moment, exciting new talent, emerging trends, savvy travel tips… consider this your new global hit list.

Personal butlers, virgin jungle, mansion-like villas: welcome to the other world that is Soneva Kiri by Six Senses, where every indulgence is covered, writes Anthea Loucas.

Wildman Wilderness Lodge is the perfect new launching point for exploring the natural beauty and open zoo of wildlife that is the Top End. Rob Ingram heads north to the Mary River wetlands.

Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan, is renowned for its beauty and unique food culture, writes John Ashburne.

Assessing the impact of the summer’s disasters on food and Queensland's tourism industry.

Museums such as MoMA and the Met hold the limelight in the city that never sleeps, but less heralded cultural gems await discovery. From ancient artefacts in Brooklyn to African-American art in Harlem, David Vincent turns up a host of hidden treasures.

Camping needn’t be down and dirty. Kerryn Burgess pops the cork on Victoria’s flash wilderness retreats.

From hot restaurants and cute cafés to chic boutique hotels and provocative private museum MONA, Hobart is suddenly hip. Kendall Hill ventures south.

In the world of luxury cruising, few do it with the class of Silversea. Leo Schofield soaks up five-star life on the ocean aboard the sublime Silver Shadow.

Wondering what’s on the menu in Australia’s best-loved international beach destination? Kendall Hill reports on the coolest places to eat, drink and make merry in Bali.

Oprah may have only just discovered it, but we’ve always revered the unique treasure that is the Sydney Opera House. With major changes now afoot, there’s no better time to get up close and personal with our very own cultural icon.

Emirates has brought its thoughtful brand of luxury to New South Wales with Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. Rob Ingram reflects on the valley’s colonial mining past and its ecologically sustainable future.

Its dramatic landscape – red-rock forms that overwhelm a deep blue sky – is the staggeringly beautiful attraction of the Flinders Ranges. But a luxury homestead stay is now also part of this unique outback experience, discovers Tony Maniaty.

With its punting on the river Avon and its gothic revival architecture, Christchurch is too often written off as a quaint outpost of empire. But there’s more to New Zealand’s second-largest city than you might think. Kendall Hill is charmed.

With more than 200 inhabited islands, the Greek archipelago offers everything from glam beach clubs and chic boutiques to medieval ruins and rocky mountain ranges. Here are 10 of the best islands – and 10 reasons to add them to your next Mediterranean itinerary.

The classic Sydney beachside neighbourhood of Manly has come of age, with new restaurants, cafés and boutiques bringing sophistication to the seaside vibe. Jump a ferry and catch the new wave.

Fringed by cobalt waters and dazzling beaches, Fiji’s Laucala takes luxury to a whole new level, thanks to mega investment from Red Bull baron Dietrich Mateschitz. Kendall Hill wings his way to the ultra-exclusive eco-chic destination to discover the private paradise setting a new benchmark in the South Pacific.

They’re following the sun and chasing the snow, staying close to home and heading farther afield: we asked some of our favourite people from the worlds of art, sport, food, fashion and entertainment where they’re headed this summer. Pack your bags, good times await. Compiled by Emma Ventura & Monique Lane For more great holiday ideas, check out ninemsn Travel's Top 10 summer holiday spots.

Where better to pub crawl than in the streets of Dublin? Paul Daley tours the city’s more famous drinking houses, retracing the steps (and reading from the works) of Beckett, Joyce and Wilde. Make ours a pint.

He’s headed to New Zealand’s Central Otago and settled into the luxurious Matakauri Lodge but Rob Ingram has a problem: he never wants to leave.

If your stress levels are peaking but there’s no time for an overseas jaunt, check out our pick of Australian short breaks, long on luxury yet short on travel time. You’ll be unwound before your BlackBerry knows you’re gone.

George Epaminondas sets his GPS for the sweeping boulevards of Los Angeles and uncovers, beyond the Tinseltown hype, a city of first-rate eateries, sensational vintage shopping and cool galleries.

Fashion identity Fleur Wood travels regularly to India to source fabrics and craftwork for her gorgeous garments. On the eve of the Commonwealth Games, she shares her favourite places to shop, eat and chill out in the host city.

In the history-soaked Spanish cities of Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca, all an easy drive from Madrid, Kendall Hill finds storybook perfection in towering fortresses, gothic cathedrals and awe-inspiring castles.

There’s something big happening on the small island. In a pocket of pristine Tasmanian wilderness, Leo Schofield discovers Saffire Freycinet, a new luxury lodge that offers five-star polish in an untamed setting.

Rob Ingram explores the spare beauty and mystery of Easter Island, known to locals as Rapa Nui, a windblown outcrop perched in the middle of the South Pacific.

Richard Cooke hops a train through Switzerland and, beyond the chocolate and cuckoo clock clichés, discovers contemporary architecture, quirky museums and remote alpine spas.

History can be difficult to come by in China’s most cosmopolitan metropolis. In a bid to reimagine the city’s golden age, Kendall Hill goes in search of its last art deco treasures.

The Queensland capital’s dining scene has shifted up a gear, it’s popped the top and it’s revving its engine anew. Pat Nourse shares his picks of the new Brisbane eats and drinks.

Rum, rumba and revolution. What’s not to like about the hottest city in the Caribbean? Leo Schofield is seduced by the faded glamour and glory of Havana, a time-warped city with one foot in the past and a tentative toehold on the future.

The legendary El Bulli chef has given the world far more than just foams and spheres, writes Colman Andrews.

On vacation in the Blue Mountains, Frank Moorhouse risks ordering a martini – and is amply rewarded.

Erase the images of that volcano with the unpronounceable name from your mind with the much more stunning images from our story on Iceland including web exclusives you’ll only find in our online gallery. PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FISHER

Shane Mitchell ventures beyond the hard-to-pronounce volcano to the westernmost region of Iceland, a land of stark tundra, quirky country hotels and startled elves.

Touring through Turkey, Leo Schofield loses himself amid an abundance of historical riches, from Istanbul’s opulent Topkapi Palace to the caves of Cappadocia and the memorials of Gallipoli.

Golden Age style meets unspoiled snowfields at Sun Valley, Idaho – the ski resort of choice for the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Clark Gable. Pat Nourse soaks up its attractions both on-piste and off.

Paris’s hottest dining trend is “cave à manger” – wine shops doing double duty as restaurants. Intimate, casual and affordable, these gems are hiding some of the city’s best eating and drinking. Here’s a taste.

From the food and the venue to the outstanding winners, the focus was on the country’s finest at this year’s Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards.

Rob Ingram journeys to the heart of Cognac and discovers, among the medieval architecture and postcard-perfect countryside, that there’s more to this bucolic corner of the world than just brandy.

Take a walk on the wild side. Follow Brittany’s windswept coastline west to , a remote region suffused with maritime folklore, sustained by a Celtic heritage and renowned for bountiful produce. Oysters, butter, cider, strawberries and super-sized savoury crêpes – this is one grand land. Launch the gallery below to take a closer look at the region and read Amy Egan's guide to Finistère here. PHOTOGRAPHY FERGUS STOTHART

Take a walk on the wild side. Follow Brittany’s windswept coastline west to a remote region suffused with maritime folklore, sustained by a Celtic heritage and renowned for bountiful produce. Oysters, butter, cider, strawberries and super-sized savoury crêpes – this is one grand land.

The winners’ circle in the 2010 Travel Awards is a rollcall of outstanding local holiday experiences. Put your hands together for the cream of the crop.

Travelling from the Great Karoo to the Kruger, Emma Ventura discovers South Africa’s sumptuous lodges, spectacular animals and the stirring beauty of wide, brown plains. Zebra roll in dust baths, wildebeest charge across the horizon and hippos huff bubbles in murky ponds. Welcome to the safari. PHOTOGRAPHY JULIAN KINGMA

Travelling from the Great Karoo to the Kruger, Emma Ventura discovers South Africa’s sumptuous lodges, spectacular animals and the stirring beauty of wide, brown plains. Zebra roll in dust baths, wildebeest charge across the horizon and hippos huff bubbles in murky ponds. Welcome to the safari.

London is newly affordable since the Aussie dollar hit the pound for six. Stretch your budget even further with Guy Dimond’s pick of cool, good-value places to eat and sleep.

Copenhagen’s Noma, crowned Best Restaurant in the World, celebrates Nordic produce, much of it hand-picked from the wilds. Aussie Luke Burgess joins the cooks and foragers.

The sleek aesthetic of Crown Metropol – the latest addition to Melbourne’s sprawling Crown development – will appeal to hip younger things, writes Kendall Hill.

A cocktail at Harry’s Bar, breakfast at Caffè Florian, masterpieces at the Gallerie dell’Accademia... if you’re only in Venice for a short stay (or you’re a first-timer), it’s all about hitting the city’s famed landmarks, writes Colman Andrews. Here’s the perfect plan.

Read our story on what to do if you only have 24 hours in Venice and click below for a pictorial tour of the famed City of Canals.

Ilaria Venturini Fendi, a refreshingly down-to-earth member of Italian fashion royalty, takes time out from running her farm and eco-conscious accessories label to give GT a personal tour of her favourite experiences in The Eternal City.

Artists and artisans alike have long found sustenance in the food, wine and beauty of Chianti. Pat Nourse travels through Italy’s most famous, and picturesque, region to meet its legendary producers and pay his respects to the mighty bistecca Fiorentina.

Pat Nourse talks to Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, about her new book, Committed, plus pizza, the power of travel and Australian driving conditions.

Tetsuya Wakuda reveals his favourite Tokyo restaurants and bars.

Whether you can eat it, cook it, drink it, smoke it, fly it, drive it, sail it, shake, rattle, rock and roll it or just simply luxuriate in it, we’ve got 2010’s most compelling food and travel trends nailed. The GT team have combed the globe, polishing plates, swirling glasses and leaving no hot-stone treatment unturned to bring you this sizzling list.

Whether you can eat it, cook it, drink it, smoke it, fly it, drive it, sail it, shake, rattle, rock and roll it or just simply luxuriate in it, we’ve got 2010’s most compelling food and travel trends nailed. The GT team have combed the globe, polishing plates, swirling glasses and leaving no hot-stone treatment unturned to bring you this sizzling list.

Whether you can eat it, cook it, drink it, smoke it, fly it, drive it, sail it, shake, rattle, rock and roll it or just simply luxuriate in it, we’ve got 2010’s most compelling food and travel trends nailed. The GT team have combed the globe, polishing plates, swirling glasses and leaving no hot-stone treatment unturned to bring you this sizzling list.

Whether you can eat it, cook it, drink it, smoke it, fly it, drive it, sail it, shake, rattle, rock and roll it or just simply luxuriate in it, we’ve got 2010’s most compelling food and travel trends nailed. The GT team have combed the globe, polishing plates, swirling glasses and leaving no hot-stone treatment unturned to bring you this sizzling list.

Whether you can eat it, cook it, drink it, smoke it, fly it, drive it, sail it, shake, rattle, rock and roll it or just simply luxuriate in it, we’ve got 2010’s most compelling food and travel trends nailed. The GT team have combed the globe, polishing plates, swirling glasses and leaving no hot-stone treatment unturned to bring you this sizzling list.

Who better to guide you through the seemingly impenetrable array of restaurants and bars in the Japanese capital than the world’s top Japanese chef? Here Tetsuya Wakuda offers an exclusive glimpse into the culinary highlights of his favourite city.

From Albania to Afghanistan, some of the world’s most unlikely travel destinations offer unique and unforgettable experiences, writes Andrew Mueller.

It’s already Greece’s most legendary island, and the filming of the new Wog Boy movie will shine the spotlight even more brightly on Mykonos.But there’s more to this famous pleasure-seeking playground than G-strings and beach clubs.

Entertainer Mary Coustas, aka Effie Stephanidis, is beguiled by Greece. She shares her tips on how to embrace its quirks and become a true Hellene.

Greece’s rugged and bloody Mani peninsula was once a no-go zone for strangers. Tony Maniaty returns to the land of his forefathers and finds that while they may be seducing more travellers these days, the Maniots have lost none of their famed pride and passion. Click here to read the story.

Greece’s rugged and bloody Mani peninsula was once a no-go zone for strangers. Tony Maniaty returns to the land of his forefathers and finds that while they may be seducing more travellers these days, the Maniots have lost none of their famed pride and passion.

We asked a diverse mix of Greek-Australians to share their favourite experiences in the motherland. Told with heartfelt pride, these are travel tales with kefi.

John Mangos reveals his top 10 dining hot spots in Athens, from an upscale restaurant in a five-star hotel to a local souvlaki joint where they fan the coals with hair dryers.

There’s more to the Greek capital than the Acropolis. Join us for this insider’s guide to Athens with hotel heiress Tina Daskalantonakis, the city’s self-proclaimed unofficial ambassador.

High-profile Sydneysiders reveal their favourite hang-outs in the Harbour City.

At an 1850s homestead on a sheep station in the Flinders Ranges, Kendall Hill discovers a level of outback luxury that the early settlers could only have dreamed of.

Beautiful, breezy and blessed with a stunning coastline, Sydney is Australia’s most spectacular city. We’ve pulled together a hit list of our personal faves, from designer boutiques and stellar restaurants to scenic coastal walks and eclectic art galleries. Yes, this is how the GT team hangs out in our home town (and shows it off to jealous visitors).

Pearling may have put Broome on the map, but it’s the region’s unspoilt beauty that has kept it there. Now this West Australian tourist town has two new – and impressively green – beach resorts that will ensure its place in the sun.

Discover two luxury lodges which are microcosms of all that’s great about New Zealand: effortlessly warm hospitality, cinematic landscapes and adventure on tap. Action-man Kendall Hill checks in and gets in touch with his masculine side.

Kaikoura, the tiny coastal town on New Zealand’s South Island, draws a million visitors a year thanks to its spectacular views and marine life. This is eco-tourism at its best.

It’s always been a popular summer playground for Melburnians, but with striking new properties and an explosion in the region’s food and wine scene, Victoria’s glorious Mornington Peninsula is hotter than ever, writes Michael Harden.

Away from the tourist throngs, Kendall Hill follows in the footsteps of Salvador Dalí and discovers a world where art, culture and Hollywood glamour meet the rugged natural beauty of Spain’s Costa Brava.

Unsung hero
Flashier holiday spots may steal the limelight, but with pristine beaches, old-school Aussie charm and a new restaurant from seafood supremo Rick Stein, the New South Wales South Coast is having its time in the sun. Check out our sunsoaked slideshow below and click here for Pat Nourse's take on the best of the coast. PHOTOGRAPHY ANSON SMART

Flashier holiday spots may steal the limelight, but with pristine beaches, old-school Aussie charm and a new restaurant from seafood supremo Rick Stein, the New South Wales South Coast is having its time in the sun.

Get a bird’s-eye view of South Australia’s foodie hot spots, including Kangaroo Island, the Eyre Peninsula and the Barossa Valley, from aboard a private plane. Fasten your seatbelt and stow your tray table for a delicious ride.

On the run from the law, Kendall Hill seeks refuge in cocktails, canapés and the effortlessly stylish interiors of Lord Howe Island’s newly revamped Capella Lodge.

You won’t find these eating spots in any glossy guide. Most don’t offer menus, and some serve only one (superb) dish. Sue Dyson and Roger McShane follow the locals for an authentic taste of Thailand.

Kendall Hill arrived in Mexico City expecting chaos but left marvelling at the charisma and sophistication of this modern-day metropolis.

A stone’s throw from town, two new guesthouses are luring Sydneysiders with waterside settings and five-star hospitality. Pat Nourse sets seaplane for Berowra Waters while Emma Knowles checks into Pretty Beach House.

After a serious nip and tuck, the chic Villa Magna hotel in Madrid is doing famously, writes Kendall Hill.

From the city's best sandwich bar to its favourite charcuteria, our gourmet guide to Barcelona has it all. WORDS KENDALL HILL PHOTOGRAPHY SHARYN CAIRNS

Madrid is a city of – wait for it – 350,000 bars. Undaunted by the scale of the task, Kendall Hill explores the scene and nominates 10 of the Spanish capital’s most distinctive drinking holes.

Kendall Hill signs up for “jamónturismo”, the ultimate experience for devotees of the famed Iberian ham. Think of it as wine tourism for carnivores.

From the dry, rocky soils of Priorat, in remote Catalonia, has sprung an ancient winemaking tradition, awe-inspiring monastic architecture and a proud cuisine both frugal and flavoursome.

Fortuitously wedged between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the ancient, sun-drenched province of Cádiz entices visitors with its ramshackle charm and a cuisine shaped by the bounty of the sea.

Pat Nourse ate his way through trolleyloads of chicken feet and tripe to pick Hong Kong’s top yum cha spots.