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Ecovacs’ Deebot X8 Pro does a stellar job cleaning, until it doesn’t

Dirt isn’t the only thing robovacs need to handle nowadays – they must have the capacity to cope with complexity, too.

One of Australia’s newest vineyards has been 150 years in the making

An epic comeback story has taken root in Geelong, where a collective of winemakers are finally savouring the fruits of their labours.

The spa and indoor-outdoor pool.

The mission: instant relaxation. Can this Greek island resort deliver?

At this peaceful retreat, just an hour by car and boat from Athens airport, stress is banished in double-quick time.

Surfing has made this wellness entrepreneur a student of the sea

Understanding currents – and when to be wary of sharks – is central to the skills David Altamura has learnt riding waves for three decades.

Mercedes-Benz’s new coupe is a big improvement on its predecessor

With more seats, more boot space and more power than previous models, the AMG GT 63 is worthy of its new flagship status.

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March

We visit the home of the most famous Greek poet you’ve never heard of

Travellers to Alexandria in Egypt can visit the restored apartment of Constantine Cavafy, the favourite bard of Jackie Onassis.

An immersive dining experience awaits at this remote Norwegian escape

Fine dining no longer ends when dessert is cleared – it continues into the night and the next morning, ideally somewhere beautiful, thanks to a new breed of chefs turned hoteliers.

Kirsten Carriol, CEO Lanolips

How to pack for a work trip – fashionably

Is there a secret to packing light? We seek the advice of a few stylish businesswomen.

A Dua Lipa-approved handbag and talismanic earrings to buy this week

Europe’s well-honed design aesthetics – from Sweden to Italy – inspire our edit of luxury buys.

Saranda’s city port at ionian sea. Albania.

So happy to see you: The European countries that want you to visit

In these under-the-radar destinations, travellers are most welcome.

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“I knew there was a whole world out there and I went to join it,” says Martin Grant in his Paris studio.

Martin Grant is one of our most unusual designers. And maybe our best

The subject of a new exhibition at the NGV, this fashion designer is Australia’s quietest achiever.

Monument  boutique hotel.

Why Athens is topping European wish lists in 2025

As a new hotel opens in the ancient city’s Bohemian heart, the Greek capital is back to being a tourist drawcard.

Tom Ford Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 05, 2025

Who’s in and who’s out in fashion?

Keeping up with changes in fashion used to mean watching hemlines go up and down. These days, it’s a little trickier.

The other white burgundy is stepping out of chardonnay’s shadow

After years of neglect, both at home and abroad, it’s the little-known aligoté’s time to shine, owing to a warming climate and some determined winemakers.

Chateau La Coste.

How to make the most of the south of France’s best art

From land art in the mountains to pop art on sun-soaked islands, here’s your guide to following the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur art route.

Pharoah Wine Bar, Athens.

Forget tavernas – discover authentic Greek cuisine with the cool crowd

Duck away from Athens’ tourist strip to find an edgy wine bar and restaurant with a charmingly old soul.

The tiny Balkan town at the heart of the action for centuries

If Europe’s oldest olive tree could talk, it would reveal a fascinating tale of the rise and fall of empires.

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The designer reinventing bourgeois-chic interiors in Europe

In his latest hospitality foray, Paris-based, Milan-born Fabrizio Casiraghi has lent his restrained but opulent aesthetic to a new members’ club in Milan.

There are travel chargers, and then there’s the PlugBug Travel

Twelve South’s new lightweight charger is not without its flaws, but it does have one feature that could save your next holiday from disaster.

Lisa Stedman, chief operating officer at Cash Converters

Cycling helps this COO to leave her work stress out on the footpath

From off-road mountain biking to indoor pedal sessions, Cash Converters’ Lisa Stedman has never tried a mode of cycling she didn’t love.

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After more than a decade, BMW has perfected the art of EV variants

Savvy, ambidextrous design tactics mean you can enjoy the look and feel of a several BMW models retooled to be electric, including the iX2 xDrive30.

Manoir Normand, Bayeux, Normandy

How to mark a milestone birthday in style at a French manor

With croissants and historical sites just a stone’s throw away, Manoir Normand is the perfect base for a week of celebrations.

A backyard beehive and an on-trend merino sweater to wear this winter

From a natural deodorant that actual works to a stylish bucket hat, this week’s luxury buys prioritise form and function.

Will BMW’s Neue Klasse range be the game-changing EVs they promise?

The German manufacturer has made multiple claims of wide-ranging improvements on its currently available electric models, but they won’t roll out on Australian streets until at least 2026.

Gallerists Joanna Strumpf (left) and Ursula Sullivan with a shimmering pink ceramic piece by sculptor Linda Draper.

The Australian gallery that made art fun turns 20

Sullivan+Strumpf co-founders Ursula Sulllivan and Joanna Strumpf have been turning the gallery scene on its head since their share-house days of wild parties.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-leisure