Reviews & advice
Opinion
Air travel
The battle for carry-on bag space on planes has become a joke
I’m guilty of taking a bit more than is strictly allowed in my carry-on but some people – there’s no polite way to say this – are absolute piss-takers.
- by Ben Groundwater
★★★★
Airline reviews
Airline review: Bravo to this Virgin crew. Boo to the same old food
- by Julietta Jameson
Opinion
Air travel
When you shouldn’t (and definitely should) use headphones when travelling
When should air travellers wear headphones or take them out? Etiquette and travel experts weigh in.
- by Natalie B. Compton
Ten surprising airlines you can use your Qantas points with
You don’t have to use your points flying with Qantas. Sometimes the better deal comes from hopping aboard a partner airline.
- by David Whitley
★★★★
Train journeys
Eurostar’s version of premium economy is almost as good as business
Standard Premier offers the same seat and most of the trappings of Business Premier at a lower price.
- by Sheriden Rhodes
The Heineken beer family owns a historic hotel. It can never be sold
The billionaire brewers filled the hotel, built in 1896 on the site of Amsterdam’s first inn, with their priceless Dutch art collection.
- by Sheriden Rhodes
Opinion
Russia
The world’s biggest country is off-limits. Here’s where to go instead
You want vast and unknowable? Try the ninth-largest country in the world or one of its neighbours.
- by Ben Groundwater
★★★★
Hotel reviews
New Melbourne hotel feels like New York meets ... Collingwood
The convenience of a serviced apartment meets the fun and facilities of a hotel at this stylish new Collingwood property.
- by Guy Wilkinson
★★★
Airport reviews
This mediocre airport could do with a personality transplant
The good news is that, for most Australians who pass through, an hour is the longest you’ll have to spend here.
- by Jenny Hewett
The food that tastes best (and worst) on board planes
We could improve our enjoyment of airline meals by making wiser choices about what to eat when the trolley comes around.
- by Brian Johnston
★★★★★
Hotel reviews
This perfect Asian resort is heaven, if you can afford it
We’ve arrived at Heaven. No, I’m not being hyperbolic. The dreamy Intercontinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort is broken up into Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea.
- by Katherine Scott
★★½
Airline reviews
Airline review: Excess baggage causes dramas on this flight
Upon arrival we are informed that 100 bags were offloaded prior to departure, including mine.
- by Christine Retschlag