New & Cool Architecture / Marques De Riscal, Spain

November 13, 2009 | New & Cool Architecture | by Katrina Whitehead |

I didn’t think there were many cooler buildings in the world than the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain -until I stumbled on another of Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpieces in the unassuming village of Elciego. Deep in the heart of the Rioja wine region, the Marques de Riscal is a luxury hotel, and its contemporary style is certainly at odds with the historic, green surrounds. However, if you’re not prepared to fork out for a meal at the restaurant, or upwards of 600 euro a night to stay there, you can forget getting any closer. Unpaying guests aren’t allowed through the gates, and you’ll feel like a nosey neighbour trying to peer over the towering fence for a glimpse. Even still, it’s definitely worth a try. Read more

Cool Travel / Hanging with the witches in Zuggaramurdi

November 11, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

Okay, so these days we have global warming, rising sea levels and terrorism to deal with. But you’ve really got to feel sorry for the hapless souls who lived in the seventeenth century, especially if they happened to live in the Basque village of Zuggaramurdi. In this picturesque and seemingly tranquil village, the infamous witch hunts of the Spanish Inquisition reached fever pitch — and it was in the town’s caves that hundreds of alleged “witches” were burnt in front of cheering crowds. Today, you can take a tour of the creepy caves, and in June every year, the locals hold a night-long party in the caves to celebrate the summer solstice. If you dare, you can even stay in a witch-themed auberge for the evening. Spooky stuff! Read more

Cool Travel / Barcelona’s Cuines Santa-Caterina

October 22, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

When Barcelona’s ‘it crowd’ are hankering for some good tucker, I’m pretty sure they head straight to Cuines Santa-Caterina. And why wouldn’t they? Located inside the actual Mercat de Santa Catarina (a fresh produce market) this hip restaurant/bar serves up tasty cuisine from breaky right through to dinner. Ranked as one of Barcelona’s top places to eat and be seen, it’s got several open grills — and you can either sit at the bar, peering into the kitchen, or at large communal tables. Head there early for a tapas-style breakfast, or choose from three oddly grouped cuisines for lunch or dinner: Vegetarian/Sushi, Mediterranean and Asiatic. Thanks to the Scandinavian-inspired decor, you feel like you’re inside a giant warehouse, surrounded by giant shelves topped with boxes, wine, olive oil and vinegar. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, the staff are welcoming, and if you’re there for breakfast, you can hit the market with a full tummy afterwards. Read more

New Events / It’s Armageddon in Sydney

September 23, 2009 | New Events | by Katrina Whitehead |

Wow, is this what the end of the world looks like? Over the last few weeks, Sydney has been witnessing some seriously bizarre weather — and now this! Today, Sydneysiders woke to an apparently unprecedented phenomenon, as red-tinged clouds enveloped the entire city in a giant dust storm. Apparently the huge volume of dust was blown in by gale-force winds from the west overnight — leaving the Sydney CBD and most of the suburbs covered in a thick blanket of eerie red and orange smog. So if you’re in Sydney, pop your hayfever tablets and get the tissues ready people. it’s going to be a long, hazy, sneezy day! [photos by Kat Whitehead] Read more

Cool Travel / Sydney’s Ruby Diner

June 11, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

When you wake up on a Sunday morning with a slightly hazy head and a rumbling tummy, what do you need? A damn good brunch! And where can you find one? Well, if you happen to live around Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, I suggest you head straight to Ruby’s Diner, on Bronte Road in Waverley. Ruby’s is owned by a cool dude named Ed, who gained local notoriety at Jed’s Cafe in Bondi.

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Cool Travel / Grose Valley in Australia’s Blue Mountains

May 21, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

Last weekend in Sydney, thousands of buffed individuals ran a half marathon around the Sydney central business district. Feeling a little guilty about my lack of participation — or inclination to do so — I started reminiscing about the last time I had blisters worth talking about. Sadly, it was over a year ago, after a two-day hike through the Grose Valley in the Blue Mountains National Park. Read more

Cool Travel / Port Douglas, a different type of chilled

May 8, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

When the weather starts getting a little frosty around the edges in Sydney, I always start dreaming about steamy European summers and lazy Thai beaches. However, I recently discovered some pleasing autumn relief much closer to home. Port Douglas, in north Queensland, is a gorgeous little town with a tropical climate and a permanently tranquil vibe. It’s an hour’s drive from Cairns, and a stone’s throw to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. So there’s plenty to do if, like me, you’re the type of traveller who doesn’t like sitting still for long. There are some sensational restaurants, and you can’t leave without enjoying a tipple at the famed Courthouse Hotel. Read more

Cool Travel / Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park

April 20, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

I’ve done a bit of bushwalking in my time, but when I set off on a four day hike into the Chilean wilderness with nothing but my backpack, tent and some dried food, I felt about as intrepid as Edmund Hillary. The Torres Del Paine National Park, at the southern tip of Chile, has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. It’s like something out of a picture book: picturesque aquamarine lakes, snow-tipped mountains, raging rivers, and impossibly romantic fields of wild flowers. Read more

Cool Travel / Los Peches in Flores, Guatemala

April 17, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

Bird-flu epidemic aside, I’ve found that no matter where you are in the world — from Peru to Paris — there’ll always be chicken on the menu. And while I’ve eaten plenty of chook over the years, I think I recently found my favourite — in a small, family-run restaurant called Los Peches on the island of Flores, Guatemala. From lunchtime through to late evening, this rustic little eatery is packed with locals and travellers, and the antiquated barbeque on the edge of the street pumps out constant plumes of enticing smoke. I’m not sure whether it was the taste of the chicken, or the fact that it was so ridiculously economico (approximately US$3 for an entire meal), but Los Peches definitely hit the spot.

Cool Travel / Honeymoon Bay, New South Wales

March 23, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

There’s something slightly unnerving about camping in a firing range, but last weekend, some friends and I thought we’d give it a try. Located approximately three and a half hours south of Sydney, Honeymoon Bay is a peaceful little oasis which just happens to be inside the Department of Defence’s Beecroft Weapons Range. Owned by the Australian Navy, the area has regularly been used for Defence weapons and other training activities since the 1800s. However, on weekends and during school holidays, the remarkably intact and incredibly beautiful peninsula is also open for camping, bushwalking, fishing and mountain biking. And if you’re not disturbed by the ever-present ‘live firing range’ signs, it’s definitely the spot for a relaxing and surprisingly tranquil getaway. [photos by Andrew Whitehead] Read more

Cool Travel / Buenos Aires

March 13, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

Since the bottom fell out of the Argentine peso in 2001, Buenos Aires has gone from being one of the most unaffordable destinations in the world, to one of the most accessible. With stunning European style, an addictive Latino vibe, and steaks that will tempt even the most committed of vegetarians, it’s easy to see why the city is on every traveller’s hot list at the moment. However, if you’re planning a trip to Argentina’s über cool capital, it’s important to consider your accommodation options. While the city is flush with four and five star hotels, one of the best ways to get a true Porteño experience is to rent an apartment in one of the best barrios — Palermo or Recoleta. To cater for international visitors, a few enterprising agencies now offer short-term leases in some very slick and surprisingly inexpensive apartments. Check out Buenos Aires Habitat or BYT Argentina.

Cool Travel / Belize’s Rasta Zoo

March 12, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

While the Belizean Islands are some of the most beautiful and tranquil in the world, Belize City is one of those uninspiring places that most people travel in and out of very quickly. However, if you do find yourself stranded there, as I did, the city does have one redeeming attraction. Approximately twenty kilometres west of the centre, you’ll find the Belize Zoo — which the founders call the ‘best little zoo in the world’. It relies on charitable donations and has gained huge respect for housing native Belizean wildlife, such as jaguars, howler monkeys, tapirs, ocelots and toucans, in natural, tropical surroundings. If you’re there on the first Friday in April, you can even join hundreds of visitors in celebrating the birthday of the zoo’s resident tapir, April. The zoo has an awesome rasta-vibe, and the hand-written information posts are guaranteed to make you giggle.

Cool Travel / Nin’s Bin, Kaikoura, New Zealand

February 12, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

Eating fresh crayfish is an institution in New Zealand, and it doesn’t get much better or fresher than from Nin’s Bin, roughly 20km north of Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island. Since 1977, local fishermen have been delivering their daily catch to the back of this humble roadside caravan, where it’s boiled to perfection in spring water. Nin’s also has a few rustic tables, so you can enjoy your lunch while breathing in the chilly sea air and spotting fur seals. They serve up fresh mussels, and you can request your crayfish hot or cold. One hot one, please!

Cool Travel / Parque El Desafio, Gaiman, Argentina

February 10, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

In the south of Argentina, there’s a small town with an intriguing name and a proud history. Like most of Patagonia, Gaiman was settled by the Welsh and today, most of the locals still have cottage gardens and serve high-tea at 3pm. However, the best bit about Gaiman is unquestionably the eccentric outdoor art gallery, Parque El Desafio. The elderly owner originally built the garden to inspire his grandchildren, and everything is made from recycled or reincarnated rubbish — mostly tin cans and plastic bottles. Highlights include a mini Taj Mahal, a rainbow canopy made from flower-shaped plastic, and the wonderfully satirical and biting commentary. Read more

Cool Travel / Sleeping in a Hobbit House, Cappadocia, Turkey

February 7, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katrina Whitehead |

While I’m definitely not into the whole Lord of the Rings thing, I’m convinced Tolkien stole his inspiration from Göreme, in Turkey’s central Cappadocia region. After a mammoth volcanic eruption around 2,000 years ago, the landscape eroded to form a series of valleys, filled with peculiar, phallic-shaped tufts that the locals call ‘fairy chimneys’. Early Christians hollowed out the tufts and turned them into houses, churches and monasteries. These days, most of them are still in use and a few have been converted into cute hotels and hostels. If you’re not too claustrophobic, I’d highly recommend doing the hobbit thing and spending a night in one.