The Insider: Lainie Anderson
The author of A Long Flight Home says Chania, on Crete, is her favourite destination.
MEMORABLE DESTINATION
Chania, on the Greek island of Crete, is one of the most magical places. The Venetian port dates back to the 13th century, and the old city’s tiny cobblestone walkways are alive with seafood restaurants (try Tamam) and art galleries. On the harbour, the domed Mosque of the Janissaries has been converted into an art space and is so serene. At Suda Bay War Cemetery, the headstones of 1500 World War II graves line the coast in a moving reminder of service and sacrifice.
TRAVEL TIP
Buy a coloured suitcase. I took a bright green Mother Lode wheeled duffel for travel on a Churchill Fellowship. It has ample storage and is identifiable on the airport carousel.
COMING UP
I’ve been promoting my novel Long Flight Home. My twin boys start Year 11 next year and I’m turning 50, so we’re off on a family adventure over summer: relatives in Tucson, US, and Derbyshire, UK; skiing in Italy with friends; and an African safari on the way home.
Lainie Anderson is the author of Long Flight Home, a novel based on the story of the Great Air Race 1919, the first flight from England to Australia. She has written a weekly column for the Sunday Mail in Adelaide since 2007; wakefieldpress.com.au.
-
HOME + AWAY
Things just got more eye-poppingly luxurious in The Maldives. The new LUX North Male Atoll resort, recently included on Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List 2019, has opened its next two phases of accommodation inventory. The three-bedroom LUX Overwater Retreat is a whopping 997sq m, including 389sq m of open-plan indoor living and three bedrooms, ideal for house parties and family groups. There are massive rooftops, 24-hour butler service, in-villa spa treatments, unlimited laundry service and a fitness area and sauna. Oh, and how about the private infinity pool and dedicated yacht moorings. The three-bedroom, tri-level LUX Beach Retreat option is similarly expansive, with a pool, steam, sauna and fitness area, and 12m-high rooftop sky deck. On the 6ha island of Olhahali, fringed by a house reef just a stride off the white sand beach, the resort — described as a James Bond play-pad — is a short speedboat transfer from Male airport or 15 minutes by seaplane. LUX Resorts also operates LUX South Ari Atoll, which is larger and has more facilities for families, eight restaurants and five bars. Holiday deals are available to combine the two properties or look for offers of 20 per cent off rates, valid for stays of four to six nights, valid to October 31.
SUSAN KUROSAWA
-
TASTE
The world’s largest lobster cooker is about to be fired up for the annual festival in Rockland, in the eastern US state of Maine. This mighty piece of equipment ploughs through 725kg of the crustaceans every 15 minutes to keep up with demand at an event that sees about 9000kg of lobster consumed over five days. The festival was launched in 1947 as a way to revive the Maine coastal communities after World War II and now attracts thousands of people. Proceedings kick off on July 31 with a ceremony involving King Neptune and a crowned Sea Goddess. What follows is a seafood feast. Maine’s favourite delicacy is served up in mac ’n’ cheese, bisque, the famous local rolls served with mayo and crisps, and indulgent messy dinners — bibs recommended. In addition, there are beer and wine tastings, a cooking competition and a host of music acts covering all genres — plus a series of fun runs to work off all that eating. July 31 to August 4.
PENNY HUNTER
-
ON THE ROAD
JURLIQUE MOISTURE PLUS RARE ROSE GEL CREAM, 50ML $59
A member of Jurlique’s so-called Glow Squad of four Moisture Plus Rare Rose products, this deeply hydrating face cream is silky in feel, ideal for air travel, and designed to reduce oiliness. The trademark rose extract is deliciously fragrant and Jurlique claims 88 per cent of a consumer study of 55 participants reported less shiny complexions after two weeks of use. Also in the range is a skin cream plus pump-pack lotion and serum ($59-$75); on sale July 29.
SUSAN KUROSAWA
EVERYDAY CASHMERE CARDIGAN, $324
Made from 30 per cent super-soft cashmere and 70 per cent wool, this flexible garment is light, loose-fitting and easy to wear over trousers or skirts. Ideal to carry aboard a flight for extra layers of warmth and comfort and available in black or garnet, sizes small to extra-large. Everyday Cashmere also has a full range of shawls, shrugs, sweaters, wraps and travel garments.
SK
-
WHAT IN THE WORLD
■ Abercrombie & Kent and Sanctuary Retreats have a new offer on a 12-day private Great East Africa Migration tour in Kenya and Tanzania; book by August 31 for savings of more than $3000 a person, with travel between October 1 this year and December 20, 2020.
■ Book by September 27 for savings of $500 on flight-inclusive Europe small-group departures from March to November next year with Bunnik Tours; the culturally immersive holidays are led by local experts.
■ Bagan in Myanmar, site of thousands of temples and stupas from the 11th to 13th centuries, has attained UNESCO World Heritage Site status following a 25-year application process.
■ Relais & Chateaux has announced 13 new hotel and restaurant members, including Mpala Jena Camp, in Zambezi Park near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, featuring four tents and a two-bedroom villa.
■ To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Devon, Foot Trails has a new Creek to Coast walk from Totnes to Chillington; offered as four or seven nights, March to November, with luggage transfers and B&B stays.