Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 29 July 2025

SWEET TREAT

What motivates us to travel. Education? Adventure? Last weekend it was the doughnut pictured far right... the memory of a predecessor having haunted our house deliciously since it was “inhaled” some weeks ago. And so, off we set to Bakers Hill Pie Shop, on Great Eastern Highway after the Lakes turnoff to York, and before Northam.

The doughnut, with coffee, was perfect ... but just being on the move, in the landscape, in nature, always leads to an adventure, it seems to me.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better ,” said theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.

And so it was on this little trip, as I focused on macro photography, offering the tips on pages 22 and 24.

“The richness I achieve comes from nature; the source of my inspiration ,” said French painter Claude Monet.

KNOT A STRAP

The photographs on pages 22 and 24 were all taken with my phone camera. (I feel so liberated by phone photography!). Readers are increasingly aware of the positives in having a lanyard or strap on their phone when they travel. Regular readers will know I have a Carrie Case cover and strap ... and this little Aussie company now have a new “Knot Paracord”. The straight paracord is one of their bestsellers, and it has just had a major upgrade. A Carrie Case team spokesperson says customers asked for more colours and a paracord that was an easier way to wear: “So here it is — the new Knot Paracord, with adjustable knot, making it simple to customise the length for your perfect fit.” It’s $42. Mine’s blue. (Of course mine’s blue .) carrie-case.com

WINNING eSIM

I always travel with two phones. When I upgrade my phone, I keep “the last one” as a spare, and trade in what was my previous spare phone. In my second phone, I have an Airalo eSIM. I find it convenient to buy their 365-day plan, then an extra data plan for wherever I am, if I need it. The team at Airalo says the company is “the world’s first and largest eSIM provider” — and this week it was awarded the prestigious 2025 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers Award for Travel Phone Plans. In a big and competitive playing field, that’s a significant recognition. airalo.com

INSPIRE, REGENERATE

I notice that the team at small-group tour company UTracks is using the term “regenerative travel”. A spokesperson says: “We believe that travel should actively give back to the people and places we explore. Our commitment to regenerative travel means going beyond sustainability, we aim to leave destinations better than we found them. Through partnerships with local communities, the promotion of low-impact travel styles like walking and cycling, and a focus on preserving cultural and natural heritage, we help ensure that Europe’s trails continue to inspire for generations to come.”

LESS TRAVELLED

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled ,” wrote poet Robert Frost.

BALI’S FUTURE

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the regional government of Bali are working together to develop sustainable and high-quality tourism. It is a reaction to the number of tourists who now visit. In a statement released on July 20, Indonesian Government tourism minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana says Bali is a focal point of the nation’s tourism, and several issues need to be addressed immediately. Among these are “unlicensed accommodation providers”, traffic congestion, waste management and the need to promote less popular places on the island.

The minister says: “We also acknowledge the challenges related to the behaviour of certain tourists in Bali. We will continue working to educate visitors through cooperation with Indonesian embassies and partners.”

FAMILY TENTS

Capella Ubud, in Bali, has two-bedroom tented accommodation which the team there says will appeal to “discerning families embarking on an extraordinary journey where nature, heritage and indulgence intertwine”. In the rainforest of Keliki Valley, each 217sqm luxury tent has an indoor-outdoor living area, private heated pool, handpicked antiques, rich textiles and whimsical explorer-era touches. capellahotels.com

SHORT-TERM DEADLINE

More than a million tourist beds in Spain could become unavailable from August 2025. To be able to still offer their accommodation, owners have to complete mandatory registrations in the Spanish National Registry for Tourist and Seasonal Rentals. This is being introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda. If they don’t, they won’t have a Rental Registration Number, and websites must remove their listings. This represents 87 per cent of total national short-term rentals in Spain this month, July 2025.

TAXING TIMES

Spain also continues to expand its tourist tax scheme, with Santiago de Compostela and Toledo joining the regions charging this fee, and Basque Country preparing to introduce its own tax. Mogan, in Gran Canaria, has already started charging travellers, and Catalonia and the Balearic Islands have greatly increased their tourist tax.

NEW HORIZONS

On Monday, the government of Greece revealed the boundaries of two planned marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says this will be the biggest marine park in the Mediterranean region. The plan is to protect sea mammals and turtles in the Ionian Sea and seabirds and seals in the Aegean. PM Mitsotakis says the plan will help to meet the country’s commitment to expand its marine protected areas to 30 per cent of its waters by 2030: “They will be vast sanctuaries for life beneath the waves.”

NATURAL ATTRACTION

In Canada, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise plans to open its much- anticipated thermal bathing destination, Basin Glacial Waters, on September 15, 2025. Within the boundaries of Banff National Park’s high alpine, the concept of this indoor-outdoor facility has been in the making for two decades. The plan and design of Basin Glacial Waters is inspired by the healing benefits of natural springs, thermal waters and the wellness practices of Nordic sauna culture. But it’s all given a twist of luxury. Basin Glacial Waters is at an elevation of 1600m, with views over Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier, and it has a mineral-rich, natural water source.

FINDING TRUTH

“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake ,” wrote American poet Wallace Stevens.

BEHIND the SCENES

Holland America Line is once again offering behind-the-scenes ship tours. For $US179 ($273) per person, guests can visit areas usually reserved for officers and crew, including the bridge, galley, engine control room, recycling centre and main laundry. “We hear so often from guests who’d love to see the bridge or where our chefs prepare their meals,” says Carole Biencourt, HAL’s vice-president of onboard revenue. “Guests love meeting the crew members.” Tours can be booked when on board HAL ships.

MAWSON PASSES

Sea trials have been completed for Aurora Expeditions’ new ship Douglas Mawson. The trials, from June 26 to July 2, 2025, tested key systems including those for propulsion, navigation and safety. The ship, named for Australian geologist and explorer Douglas Mawson, is now ready for delivery in September 2025. Its inaugural voyage is in December and we plan to be on board. The ship will first sail Tasmania’s coast on a shakedown voyage, before its inaugural Antarctic season. aurora-expeditions.com/au