Don’t worry, I’m not here to talk about travel restrictions. We’ve had quite enough of rules, and not enough travel, and 2022 is about roaming free, my friends. But I have been your travel columnist for two years, during a global pandemic and international travel ban, and I simply wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t stage some sort of gentle intervention at this crucial point. Because if a single Gourmet Traveller reader goes out into the world this year and has a holiday that is anything short of delightful, I shall be furious. So please, read on, because holidaying in 2022 is serious business.
Get an agent
I’ve always been an avowed independent traveller, researching hotels and experiences online, reading Tripadvisor reviews, even the bonkers ones, and scouring Skyscanner for cheap flights. I sneered at the idea of a holiday arranged by a tour operator, or booked through a travel agent. But this year, with travel proving a little bit more of an extreme sport, I’m grudgingly grateful for professional tour companies such as Abercrombie & Kent, who help travellers navigate the inevitable complexities of travel in 2022. I’m not giving up on independent travel, but if you’re in two minds whether to book a trip yourself or call in the experts, this is a mighty good year to opt for a tour operator.
And prioritise yourself
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The art of...eating entertainment
The combination of culture and cooking is a pleasure worth pursuing on your travels
THE ART OF PLATESCAPE
Still life has always been one of the art world's most enduring forms. Now a group of Australian artists are transforming the genre with their visions of food, wine and good times
LISA HAVILAH
Kylie Kwong celebrates the individuals helping to grow a stronger community. This month, we meet arts administrator and Powerhouse Museum chief executive Lisa Havilah.
Khao soi
The magic of this dish lies in the contrast between fresh noodles bathed in spiced soup and the crunch of crisp fried noodles.
Kettle sours
Soured using fruits and lactobacillus, these beers offer refreshingly tart, easy drinking.
ARTFULLY AMBITIOUS
Freewheeling creativity and sharp kitchen skills ensure this gallery restaurant succeeds as a drawcard in its own right
A CHEF'S GUIDE TO... Bangkok, Thailand
Celebrated chef GAGGAN ANAND takes us to the heart of Bangkok. And unlike his own acclaimed restaurants, you won't find these places in any guide book.
A QUICK WORD WITH THEA ANAMARA PERKINS
She is the granddaughter of trailblazing Indigenous activist Charles Perkins, the daughter of art curator Hetti Perkins and a creative force in her own right. The Arrernte and Kalkadoon artist reminisces about childhood trips to the Central Desert region and celebrates those working to preserve cultural stories.
Culture of kindness
In mayhem and mourning, food is a universal tool for expressions of care, discovers
DINNER THEATRE
Food and art collide in Mona's new "revolving restaurant" concept for Faro
JESSICA KENT
Jessica Kent’s life was on the brink of falling apart completely. The 23-year-old was sitting in a jail cell hundreds of miles from home, awaiting a two-year prison sentence on drug-and gun-related charges.
Colorful Creations in Louisville, Kentucky
How one woman pours her artistic talents into her business and home
JAPANESE E-VEHICLE BATTERY COMPANY TO BUILD KENTUCKY PLANT
A Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company will build a factory in Kentucky, creating 2,000 jobs in a $2 billion investment that reinforces the state’s leadership in battery production, Gov. Andy Beshear said this week.
OFF TO THE RACES
You can bet on a good time at this Kentucky Derby blowout. Pastel embellishments, homemade mint juleps, and a themed game make for thoroughbred fun.
PARADISE found
Vomo Island, Kokomo Private Island and other Fijian retreats beckon well-heeled escape artists
VANDERPUMP CHEATS DEATH IN HORSE HORROR
Emergency op after leg snaps in two places
THE LOCKDOWN SHOWDOWN
ALARMED BY UNILATERAL COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, STATES ARE IMPOSING NEW LIMITS ON EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY. ERIC BOEHM
The Golden Age of Bourbon
"A new bourbon bible heralds the ascendance of America’s signature spirit"
GLOBAL GLITCH: SWATHS OF INTERNET GO DOWN AFTER CLOUD OUTAGE
Dozens of websites went down briefly around the globe Tuesday, including CNN, The New York Times and Britain’s government home page, after an outage at the cloud computing service Fastly, illustrating how vital a small number of behind-the-scenes companies have become to running the internet.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE: I HAD TO DISAPPEAR
IN A CHATTY NEW INTERVIEW, THE STAR ADMITS, ‘I’D GOTTEN SICK OF ME.’