Dishing up everything from dan dan noodles to grapefruit Danishes, and boasting a wave of Michelin stars, Hong Kong dining has never been hotter. Pat Nourse headed to China’s most vibrant territory in search of gustatory awesomeness.

Cue the spa gently perfumed with local herbs. Alain Ducasse’s outpost of understated luxury, L’Andana, offers guests an experience that is as rooted in the terroir as the tenacious vines in this quiet corner of Italy.

Expect fun, sun and, yes, occasional excess when you stay at the hot new clifftop resort of Sri Panwa on Thailand’s island playground. Kendall Hill kicks up his heels and experiences the life fantastic.

Kendall Hill, a firm believer in the “more is more” school of packing, learns how to travel with minimum clothing and maximum style from – who else? – a Louis Vuitton employee.

Cosy bars, world-class wine, historic towns and farm-trail foraging are all part of the landscape in Mudgee. Rob Ingram takes a break in the picturesque NSW region where boundaries blur between heritage and hot new experiences.

Staycation, holiday at home, mini-break – call it what you will, there’s never been a better time to explore our own shores, and all that lies between them. Pack an overnight bag and take your pick from a dozen of our favourite Australian getaways.

Looking to escape busy city life? On Western Australia’s northern coast, a magical landscape woven by waterways and wildlife, the Kimberley – and the luxurious cruise ship True North – awaits. Bon voyage.

Renowned for stylish digs, sublime local fare and the kind of scenery that made the country a movie star, New Zealand’s South Island also boasts a cast of highly affordable luxury lodge experiences. Rob Ingram stays at five of the best that – best of all – won’t break the bank.

Sharp, smart and just a little kooky, Hilton’s new Melbourne venture is a sleek accommodation option in the city’s burgeoning hotel landscape, writes Emily Ross.

It’s no secret that recent times have been tough for Australia’s favourite holiday island. But with a raft of gorgeous new resorts, glam bars and clubs and, above all, the love of a good party, there’s no keeping Bali down. Dive in – the water’s fine. PHOTOGRAPHY JULIAN KINGMA

It’s no secret that recent times have been tough for Australia’s favourite holiday island. But with a raft of gorgeous new resorts, glam bars and clubs and, above all, the love of a good party, there’s no keeping Bali down. Dive in – the water’s fine.

“Water can rust iron. Imagine what it does to your insides. It’s much better to drink wine.” Such is the catchcry in Burgundy, where locals worship at the altar of the grape. Richard Cooke ventures to the region filled with rich traditions (and lots of wine). PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN LAURIE

“Water can rust iron. Imagine what it does to your insides. It’s much better to drink wine.” Such is the catchcry in Burgundy, where locals worship at the altar of the grape. Richard Cooke ventures to the region filled with rich traditions (and lots of wine).

After diligently taste-testing her way through the macarons, crêpes and soufflés of her home city, Paris correspondent Rosa Jackson has come up with 10 of the best cheap eats in town.

A slick and well-priced designer hotel in one of Paris’s trendier neighbourhoods? It’s an idea that just might take off, writes Pat Nourse.

Quick weekend escape? Head over the Tasman to Matakana, Auckland’s version of the Hamptons and a cornucopia of produce from both orchard and ocean.

Looking for a recession-proof international holiday that delivers easy access, affordable luxury, cultural experiences and downright fab food? Welcome to Vietnam.

You’ve voted, we’ve counted, and here they are, the results of the 2009 Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards. Winners, take a bow.

Searching for Piedmont’s prized white truffles with a trifolau is secretive stuff, writes Kendall Hill.

Great skiing, spectacular hiking and stellar eating – San Cassiano, in the heart of the Dolomites, is where stylish Milanese go to play. Throw in small-town charm and an elegant family-run boutique hotel, and you won’t want to leave this chic mountain bolthole.

When in Rome, do as the locals do: head to Pigneto. This dynamic suburb off the tourist track is abuzz with bars, cafés and restaurants. Discover one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

Part whimsy, part glamour, loads of cool: innovative new hotel Leon’s Place is a unique accommodation option in Rome. Josephine McKenna checks in to the former palazzo.

Rome, Florence, Naples, the Amalfi... the list of our favourite Italian destinations goes on and on and on.

The world’s cities can be divided into two categories: the early-to-bed types and the party animals. You know the former – places that are steeped in history and tradition but are no fun at night. The party towns, however, brim with youth and creativity and come alive after dark. Here are our top five picks.

It seems every aspect of our lives is over-shadowed by economic gloom, and the travel industry is no exception. But it does have some clever ideas to beat – or at least ease – the so-called credit crunch.

New York, London and Paris might be off the itinerary this year, thanks to a world recession and the dire Aussie dollar, but don’t despair. There are still places where our currency can buy lasting memories on a budget.

We’ve got the keys to the most fabulous new hotels in the world. From an elegant palazzo in Florence to a handsome lodge in Tasmania, it’s about unique experiences. The best news? They don’t all cost a bomb. Check in. WORDS KENDALL HILL

Some of the best food to be had in Darwin is at its many markets, where cross-cultural influences and abundant tropical produce are everywhere. Bonus: the sunsets are free.

Nestled in Victoria’s gorgeous Ovens, Kiewa and King valleys is an exciting crop of producers and providores. Luxe restaurants and accommodation abound – and The Kilns, a modern homestead built around historic tobacco kilns, just adds to the package. Check in.

Follow in the footsteps of a great explorer and lose yourself in the lunar landscape and teeming waters of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

The Harbour City is passing on the pie, stepping away from the schooner and heading to a wine bar instead. We’ll drink to that.

Mangroves and exotic islands. Dolphins, whales, turtles and sea lions. Fine cuisine and luxury digs. It’s all part of the feast of experiences that is cruising along the Mexican coast on the Prince Albert II. All aboard.

If you fancy a Parisian ‘petite initiation gastronomique’, let the Victoria Palace Hotel guide you through the neighbourhood’s very best food and wine.

This former royal residence, off the coast of Abu Dhabi, has been transformed into a luxury island resort – complete with its own wildlife sanctuary and ‘green mountain’.

Ever wish you had a hotline to top hoteliers, airline reps and frequent flyers to receive that elusive upgrade or get a table in the best restaurant in town at short notice? Michelle Rowe canvassed frequent flyers for their best-ever travel tips. We guarantee they’ll make you a better traveller. Bon voyage.

It’s known for its spectacular scenery, but the outstanding wineries and fine food outlets are an even better reason to visit Victoria’s Surf Coast, says Max Allen.

The luxurious Chedi Muscat hotel fuses Omani traditions with a tranquil, minimalist sensibility, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the soul of Arabia.

For the real romance of the high seas, step aboard a working cargo-passenger ship for a journey through the far-removed and fabled Marquesas Islands.

Richard Cooke searches for the road less travelled in Hawaii, island-hopping from Oahu to the Big Island, Lana’i and Maui, and finds there’s more to this Pacific oasis than grass-skirt clichés and Barack Obama. Just don’t take the rocks.

The $45-million renovation of the Grand Hyatt Melbourne has transformed the landmark property into a sleek space with a strong focus on food.

Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain’s champion tennis pro, heart-throb and all-round nice guy, is making his mark off the court with a new retreat off the beaten tourist path in Valencia.

Each year, thousands of pilgrims make the long trek to Santiago de Compostela in Spain’s north-west to celebrate their faith. Leo Schofield discovers the riches, secular and otherwise, of this holy city.

Like Alice tumbling into Wonderland, ex-Sydney girl Carla Coulson reveals a portrait of Paris and its prized gardens that is both familiar and fantastic.

Two new vibrant boutique hotels, each with a sharp design aesthetic, bring a dash of style to Brisbane and Canberra.

Pat Nourse has seen the future of luxury hotels, and it’s in Beijing. Opposite by name, contrary by nature, The Opposite House swims against the stream to deliver a fresh take on upmarket lodgings.

Marseille may be the oldest city in France, but it’s one of the country’s most vibrant. Diverse ethnic influences have given this port hub a richness and complexity not unlike its most famous dish, bouillabaisse.

From utterly decadent hotels and awe-inspiring art collections to a thriving pub scene and great food, welcome to the Scottish capital.

No longer the poor Spanish cousin, innovative new landmarks and international sporting events are transforming this once-sleepy seaside city into a veritable tourist destination.

The culinary scene in Madrid has never been better, writes Lisa Abend. From modern tapas bars to the best fine diners, here are 10 great eating experiences.

Green Spain, the remote span of sparkling coastline encompassing Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque country, is as lush and beautiful as it is fiercely independent.

In today’s world of experimental gastronomy, where just about anything goes, Spain’s latest crop of culinary stars are carving names for themselves and redrawing the Michelin map.

Medieval and modern merge at Murmuri Barcelona, the new design-driven boutique hotel that’s in sync with Spain’s coolest city. And it’s got more than just a murmur of style.

Pat Nourse answers all your questions about El Bulli, the world's most famous restaurant.

Being green is as easy as ABC with our guide to the places, faces and phrases of eco-travel. And soon, the only footprints we'll leave behind are on the beach.

Get the five-star treatment at Emerald Valley Villa, an Ubud-style eco-retreat in the Byron Bay hinterland, replete with waterfall and concierge.

As we finally get wise to eco-tourism, one beautiful stretch of Queensland has been quietly going about the business of sustainable tourism for years.

Hiking the 500-year-old Inca Trail is, quite literally, breathtaking, says Sarah Wilson, who takes up the challenge with an eco-friendly tour operator treading lightly through this magnificent part of the world.

Antarctica. The very word sends shivers down the spine, yet so many dream of making the pilgrimage. What does the future hold for this frozen outpost at the very end of the world?

From hypersonic planes to SMS check-ins, Emily Ross reports on where the travel industry is heading.

Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro enters the hotel game. George Epaminondas investigates.

As the spotlight falls on the Olympic city, the renowned Sydney chef shares her favourite haunts in China’s vibrant capital – including where to find the world’s best Peking duck.

Matthews Evans goes in search of the city’s famed dumplings – with their fragant sticky pork, sweet fatty juices and silken skin – and discovers a whole new world in the flavours of Shanghai.

Club Med has opened its first ‘five-trident’ property on the west coast of Mauritius, with a world-class spa and Zen-style retreat. Group activities optional.

It may be the powder capital of Australia but there’s more to Mt Hotham than snow. With a boutique resort, first-class restaurants and glam spa experiences, you needn’t even hit the slopes.

Surrounded by national parkland, vineyards and unspoilt beaches, the new Injidup Spa Retreat offers a chic pampering experience in tranquil surrounds.

On the northern-most tip of the Maldives, The Beach House offers modern luxury in impossibly beautiful – and remote – surrounds.

Hôtel Costes. Le Café Marly. Georges. These are but a handful of boldface names in the hospitality empire of Paris stylemakers the Costes brothers. From a pretty park to a cosy bar, Gilbert Costes takes us on a local’s tour of the city he loves.

Exhausted after a few days in Paris? How about a trip to a quaint town? Or a plush chateau? Savour these quick escapes less than an hour from the French capital.

Louis Vuitton, Celine, Chanel… save your euros for the trés chic shopping in Paris with our pick of the city’s best boutique hotels for less than $200 a night.

Snow Queen
Val d’Isère is the new jewel in France’s ski-resort crown. Courted by regal Mont Blanc and glitzy Courchevel, this valley favourite reigns supreme après-heures, too.

From boom town to ghost town and back again, Telluride is riding high as one of Colorado’s most exciting ski resorts. Pat Nourse discovers this steep and deep alternative Aspen.

Introducing Australia’s first ‘super-lodge’, a luxury eco-retreat on Kangaroo Island where utter isolation is its biggest drawcard. Step into another world at the exquisite Southern Ocean Lodge.

Author Di Morrissey channels her inner Italian and falls head over heels for the Amalfi coast. Join her for the cruise of a lifetime (and a spot of shopping).

Giglio may not have the glamour of neighbouring Elba and Montecristo, but this secluded island off the coast of Tuscany has its own charms, namely a disarming innocence. Oh, and great wine.

Rome’s once-sleepy bar scene is enjoying a renaissance and breathing new life into the Italian capital. Our favourite cocktail king, Marco Faraone, uncorks his top picks.

Land of vineyards and olives, shepherds’ huts and monasteries, Abruzzo is a region of rustic charms and age-old traditions – not to mention the best lasagne Kendall Hill has ever tasted. Is this Italy’s best-kept secret?

Breaking up a long-haul journey with a stopover isn’t just a good way to avoid jetlag, it’s also a great way to fit in another top destination in the same journey. So kick off your trip with a day or two in one of the world’s most exciting stopover cities – you won’t regret it.

Looking to get off the beaten track on your next holiday, but want to go somewhere with excellent brag value? Here are the hottest spots on the planet to visit in 2008.

Searching for the perfect place for a bit of fun in the sun? Here are our 10 favourite beaches in the world. Don’t forget to pack the sunblock.

Hang out in a kitchen, tour a food market or meet the world’s big names in cooking.

Margaret River has never looked so good, with hot new five-star properties, relaxing day spas and some of WA’s best food adding to the region’s intoxicating wine, sun and sand allure.

Byron Bay just keeps getting better, but it’s the satellite communities of Bangalow and Brunswick Heads that have turned up the heat with their own brand of cosmopolitan cool. Dive in.

First, we take Manhattan… Aussie-themed restaurants are bringing some Down Under flavour to New York.

Need a plan for your next long weekend? Here’s our round-up of the best places to visit within an hour’s drive from the capital cities. Load up the car.

Sydney has a great tradition of chic boutique accommodation and a flurry of recent openings is providing an even wider range of glam options.

Design queen Ilse Crawford reveals her favourite London haunts, from quirky shops and markets to a brasserie with seats ‘stolen’ from a Sydney train.

The magic of the Scottish Highlands meets the mystique of the Orient Express. All aboard The Royal Scotsman for the journey of a lifetime.

In the centre of Kowloon, Mongkok is an exotic blend of rich culture and time-honoured traditions including, of course, good ol’ fashioned haggling.

Ever wondered what a hotel room costing $35,000 a night looks like? Check out New York’s most expensive suite. Butler, meditation room and bronze unicorns included.

Faraway Bay, a tiny, secluded bush camp overlooking the Timor Sea on Western Australia’s northernmost tip, is an exquisite and exclusive wilderness escape. Fly in and experience the real Australia.

White talcum-like beaches, friendly locals and an energetic nightlife are just some of the charms of Boracay, a tiny island in the Philippines which is a magnet for funseekers.

New Zealand’s lush countryside and dramatic, craggy coastline meet at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay. Now with a new luxury lodge, it’s the makings of an unforgettable retreat.

Carved out of the desert, Dubai is a man-made urban oasis. But just as the sands are ever-shifting, so too is the city. Hop on as we follow its rise.

Welcome to Hong Kong – where retail therapy is a national pastime. So you have 24 hours in this great city? Here’s our shop-by-shop city guide. Credit cards at the ready…

The Kingdom of Bhutan will make your spirits soar – from the gentle people to the dramatic landscape that’s literally breath-taking.

Introducing the glam new kids on the block in Port Douglas, the beautiful, Asian-inspired Balé and sleek, sophisticated Pool – two distinctly different resorts in one of Tropical North Queensland’s most popular coastal getaways.

It may have a Maori moniker, but Akaroa is a little slice of France nestled on New Zealand’s South Island.

This Greek island's beauty is mesmerising, especially when you're bewitched by the charm of 1864 The Sea Captain's House in the historic town of Oia.

Boasting extraordinary natural beauty, the sleepy Town of 1770 is one of Queensland's best-kept secrets. Drop in at Sea Breeze - a glamorous getaway where modern design meets eco-friendly sensibilities - and you have, quite simply, heaven on earth.

Just a short flight away, New Caledonia offers a taste of France as well as pristine waters, white beaches and luxe sailing. Bienvenue.