There is something quietly luxurious about arriving early enough to sit in an airport lounge and simply pause.
This morning, before my flight, I spent time in the Qantas Business Lounge in Sydney, with access included in my redeemed business class ticket. And I have to say, it set the tone for the day in the best possible way.
The atmosphere is what stands out first.
A low hum of conversation. People largely keeping to themselves. A few on phones, others reading or working. No chaos, no urgency. Just a sense of calm before movement. Bright and airy, it is a nice relaxed space.
Then there is the food.
A noticeable step up from what you would expect outside the lounge or even Qantas’s normal lounge. Fresh salads, scrambled eggs, gluten free sausages, baked beans, and a well stocked juicing station. Good coffee, hot drinks, and enough variety to feel like you have options without it being overwhelming.
It is not extravagant, but it is thoughtful.
One detail I always find slightly amusing is the absence of alcohol before midday. A consistent rule in Qantas lounges. And yet, when you consider how many travellers are crossing time zones, for some people it is midday. Or later.
Still, there is something refreshing about starting the day without it.
There are three showers for those in transit or wanting to refresh.
What the lounge really offers is space. Space to gather yourself, reset, and ease into the journey ahead. And in today’s world, that might be the most valuable luxury of all.
San Sebastian in the Basque Region of Spain is a safe, beautiful part of the world. Renown for its gastronomic experiences, scalloped around a beautiful bay, there is something to find all year round.
Playa de La Concha
Whilst there are many options travellers often become overwhelmed and may miss the beauty and random joyful moments substituting it for stress.
This guide is to remove that stress so you can focus on the day and making this day, this destination on of the best in your lifetime.
This is a suggestion and any order can apply but understand, exercise is often better in the morning (then it is done). Food and wine feels less like a guilty pleasure when exercise has been done.
It is fun to wander around with no commitments and explore.
This is not to steal the serendipitous moments but to give you a fall back plan and one that will make you look in control not lost.
Walk to the Castle
You can see the castle here on top of the hill.
On the hill behind the old town is the Castle. Also known asCastillo of La Mota.
It is on top of the hill surrounded by a big park (Parque de Urgull).
The walk up can be dramatic and step (there are stairs leaving from behind the old town near the boat harbour, or gradual if you follow the boat harbour round past the aquarium and head up.
Just follow your nose – heading up is the main goal and you will find many little tracks.
There is a secret bar that is open in Summer.
Once up the top you will have amazing views of San Sebastian and the surrounding hills.
The view from the top
Alternative options to climbing the hill
These are some other walking options that are more flat terrain for those with injuries or unable to climb a hill.
If climbing is too tricky there are many walks around San Sebastian.
You can head to the left of the bay towards the south and find the amazing art sculptures of Spanish Artist Eduardo Chillida called Peine del Viento. Also a romantic beautiful spot.
Or you can walk around the Parque to Urgull and head over to Zurriola beach and head back along the river with the trees and shade.
2. Pinxos in the Old Part of Town
This gastronomic delight should be on every foodies global tour.
pinxos
Apparently San Sebastian has more michelin awarded restaurants than anywhere else in the world – but I think their pinxos are the stand out.
There are two famous cheese cake shops here.
Saint Telmos is my favourite has the best foie gras, blood pudding and iberian pork cheeks and grilled octapus.
Grilled octapus
Tintos (red wines) are awesome everywhere.
3. La Perla
This day spa (thermalogica) water treatment retreat is fantastic.
Right on the beach at Playa De La Concha, this magnificent building has great views from the far infared chairs. If you go between 130 – 4pm you can get a reduced rate for the two hours.
You can hire a towel and everyone has to wear the sexy blue cap.
La Perla
Hot steam room, hot sauna, multiple spa pools, relaxation zones and a cold plunge pool. Definitely worth it if you like water and day spas. No need for bookings unless during busy season. Click here for more information.
4. Santa Maria Cathedral
Have a pinxos in front of the cathedral
This iconic landmark is found in the old city.
It is 3 euros to pass through but worth it if this is the only church you are going to. There is another up near Saint Telmo which is equally breathtaking and of a different era.
5. Ferry trip
For a small fee (7 euros when we went) you can jump on the ferry and go to La Concha. Here you can disembark for exploring, or in summer swimming and a drink at the bar.
Otherwise you can stay on the ferry and do the round trip.
It’s a great way to get a different aspect from the water.
Other activities
There are so many sporting activities to do. Stand Up Paddling, swimming, sailing, bush walking, bike riding and more.
Simply walking along the promenade later in the day is wonderful as buskers line the wide pavement entertaining children and tourists. Grab an icecream and slowly meander long.
There is an art gallery, library with an exhibition hall beneath it, museum, aquarium and more.
It is the perfect place for a weekend or a week. Relax, drift and enjoy.
This family run winery Luis Canas Bodega is in the La Rioja region in north Spain. La Rioja is about 80km from Bilboa and has many little villages with boutique hotels.
Front wine tasting bar
Some people (especially groups) will often take a cab from Zaragoza or hiring a car will give you independence.
We found this fantastic vineyard in the village of Villabuena de Álava and stayed at Hotel Viura.
You can go for a wine tasting at Luis Canas but I highly recommend a tour.
Wine tasting flight
The vivacious knowledgable Carmen will take you on an exceptional tour, explaining all the grapes grown in the region, some history and finishing on the cusp of the vineyards valley of grape vines.
The cellar was impressive!
With a large production and representing many local wine growers, they are committed to sustainability, integrity and looking after the little farmers.
Carmen and excellent guide!
It is hard to put into perspective the gentle sound that the vines make, the smells that the wine emits and the tastes of the region on your palate. It’s a personal experience that has to be taken by you.
The beautiful vines of the bodega
I highly recommend a tour and visit of this vineyard. Book a tour here and find out more.
Situated right in town but feeling like an oasis set under the rainforest canopy is Watergate.
My friend had recommended it as one of her favourite restaurants in Port Douglas and it didn’t disappoint. The staff are awesome – David met us and was very amiable and informative then handed over to Jill.
The Watergate menu is great – not too much but enough to have a wide selection without boggling you down and making you go around in circles.
Offering an interesting selection of Australian fare with Asian influences we settle on the Crocodile Karaage, Lamb Ribs in Korean sauce, Tuna Tataki and Watergate salad.
For years I have been traveling to Richmond just outside of Hobart and have passed by the Pooleys Wine Sign. I was pleasantly surprised to find a world class facility offering world class wines when I ventured in the other day.
The vineyard has been around for years and the grapes are sourced from 2 of their vineyards.
On the wall by the tasting bar is a cool cross section of the
terraine of the different properties which are vastly different even though
they are only 20 minutes away.
The wines themselves are great – pricey but worth it.
I particularly like the subtle flavours of the reisling and
chardonnay.
Tastings are $5 pp but if you purchase a wine this is waivered. I
highly recommend popping in on the way into or out of Richmond and if you go on
the weekends they can be very busy with their woodfire cafe outside.
My friend asked today ” Why don’t you have your own villa in Bali?” seeing as I travel there all the time and lately have been heading over monthly.
I have looked into it, but while the ease of staying at a place such as Exotica Bali (Bed and Breakfast) is available I can’t justify the debate in my head.
Last night is the first time I have stayed there and I shall be booking ahead of time for my next visit. It books out quick!
The villa is about a ten minute walk to the beach – something that always deterred me but this is becoming the more ” hip part” of town anyway. Funky cafes, organic eats, warungs and great shops line the upper part of Jl Batu Bolong.
The entrance to the villa is lovely, the pool perfect and the staff great.
The rooms are luxurious, very well priced and have everything you need while staying away from home.
There is even a drying area for laundry and a “relaxation” space on the first floor over looking the rice fields.
I can highly recommend this place and the tariff includes breakfast!
There are so many awesome eateries in Canggu, Bali so that eating burgers hasn’t really been high on my agenda.
However … this time round I decide to check out two burger places; Warung Cucu and Burgerz across the road. Both are located not far up the road (Jalan Batu Bolong) from Old Man’s pub.
The charcoal buns look a bit weird and at first I thought it was a marketing ploy… make the buns dark and say they are charcoal. However the buns are really infused with bamboo charcoal.
Apparently an idea from Japan.
They cook them on the spot on a BBQ and you can eat beside the pop-up looking bar area.
Unfortunately I didn’t realise the buns also had gluten (something I try to avoid) and the meat was sausage meet with plastic cheese.
I am sure burger eaters would love the buns. A little crunchy but apparently the charcoal is a great anti-oxidant and good to detox your bowel! I think I will give them 4/10 but that is mainly because I don’t eat burgers and there are plenty of healthier options available in Canggu.
Across the road is a top notch burger joint called Burgerz.
It has the best burger I have eaten in a long time…and definitely worth me breaking my gluten free stance. The meat was great, the bun fresh and grilled and the inner bits just melted in my mouth. It had been so long since I had eaten a burger so I was pretty wrapped it was worth it.
There is a plethora of sides, and of course you can grab a bintang to wash it all down with.
The hours are pretty good too and perfect for after a session dancing to live music down at Old Mans!
Ubud is an eclectic arty town about an hours drive from Denpasar airport.
It is well known for the art-yoga-vegetarian scene and definitely worth a stop over for a few nights to explore the local area.
Sprinkled in and around Ubud are free flowing waterfalls, lush rain forests and sacred sights.
Accommodation ranges from home stays – very keep and usually suitable, through to elaborate, six star world class resorts.
This time around I opted to stay at the Villa Sonja as it was close to the side of town where I was doing my reiki course (at Ubud Yoga Centre).
I was really impressed. For the price, the rooms were large and clean.
The villas are an assortment of rooms, (hotel style) and larger rooms. All with private bathrooms.
Two large pools ensures plenty of swimming options and there is a warung for meals on site. I usually eat next door at the Swasti Eco Village as it offers incredible food.
I would rate this place as 7/10 over all. 9/10 value for money.
