Nicola Billens, Author at Alquemie

Fishing in Australia

Posted on September 14, 2017October 3, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Australia’s fish population has had tens of millions of years to evolve and adapt to the unique aquatic environments of this massive, isolated island continent, so it’s hardly surprising that many species are found nowhere else on earth. However even those species you might be familiar with, such as black marlin and some types of tuna, tend to be more abundant and grow larger here than almost anywhere else. Below is a short list of some of Australia’s most exciting sport fishing target species or groups of fish.

For more information about fishing in Australia, visit the Australia website.

Pre-book for the silly season – Christmas & New Years

Posted on August 16, 2017August 20, 2017 by Nicola Billens

It’s that time of year again already. The silly season is fast approaching and accommodation, experiences and restaurants WILL BOOK OUT. We can’t stress that enough. Please get in touch with us to lock in an amazing experience for your client. We can recommend some fabulous ideas to suit your client’s desires.

In Australia, it’s hot at Christmas and we celebrate on the day of the 25th, not Christmas Eve. You’ll often find families heading to the beach for a dip and a game of cricket after they’ve stuffed themselves with festive goodness and we recommend your clients join in the fun. It’s definitely a contrary experience to a Christmas in Europe or North America and a real part of the Australian culture. Our Christmas feast often consists of fresh seafood such as prawns and crayfish, ham off the bone and a roast turkey with all the trimmings. Around this time of year, a large portion of the local population head out of town to holiday destinations within a few hours drive of the capitals so often it’s mostly tourists that remain in the cities but the buzz of holiday season never wanes.

Please take note of the following:

Accommodation

Accommodation is already scare at the top end of the market. If you have clients thinking of travelling to Australia at this time of year, please get in touch immediately.

Dining

Most hotels have finalised their dinner and party menus and prices.
Other restaurants also have their festive season menus ready.
Ask us to book a dining experience for your client.

New Years Eve in Sydney – ideas

Spend the last evening of 2017 at the Sydney Opera House. Be entertained at the Opera Gala, featuring favourites by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini and more. Then, with a heart full of song, watch the fireworks the whole world watches. Interval is timed for the 9pm fireworks and the Sydney Opera House stays open well past the midnight fireworks
Charter a luxury vessel for your own private soiree to welcome in the New Year. While you sleep, the vessel can relocate so you’ll wake up to the soothing sounds of the Australian bush where you can swim, sunbathe and ease your way into the new year.
Grab the penthouse suite (be quick!) at any of Sydney’s harbour front hotels where your sky-high views of the fireworks will be the envy of all

River drift snorkelling in the Daintree

Posted on August 16, 2017August 16, 2017 by Nicola Billens

“It’s too cold for crocodiles”, our knowledgable guide Glen assures us as we pull on thick wetsuits. We are about to go River Drift Snorkelling – a unique way to explore the tropics. It hadn’t even crossed my mind to be worried about crocodiles but it was a valid point – they inhabit rivers in the north of Australia. We walk the short 50 metres from the van to the river and any worries of crocodiles quickly fade away. The river is definitely on the chilly side, but more than that – we are in one of the most beautiful settings I’d ever found myself in.

We are at the Mossman River near the edge of World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, the oldest living rainforest in the world, a region which contains an almost complete record of the major stages in the evolution of plant life on earth. This part of the river is a clear and shallow, gently flowing stream draped on either side by tropical rainforest that reminds me of some movie scene. Tall palms sprout from the banks while larger more ancient looking trees lean over the river, attempting to catch the sunlight that gently makes its way down. Simply stunning.

Just a few kilometres upstream lies Silky Oaks Lodge – a luxury lodge of Australia and my favourite choice of accommodation in the area. As we wade into the cool water, Glen gives us some safety instructions before we don our snorkels and mask and pop our heads underwater.

It’s a completely different experience to snorkelling in locations like the Great Barrier Reef – for starters there’s a current which makes things really quite fun as you drift along. Depending on the season the river may be shallow or deep and fast flowing or slow, and because it’s a pristine natural environment there are some hazards such as hidden underwater logs although these come in handy to hold onto in the current. As we head downstream there is a huge tree that had fallen across the river and we snorkel through it’s branches. There are plenty of fish to be seen – mostly small and brown – but plentiful none the less. We also see a turtle which was a delight. The illusive platypus remained as such despite my efforts to find one along the river banks.

The second half of our trip is simply lazing on inflatable rafts, drifting with the current and watching the treetops of the peaceful rainforest as the river meanders down to our finishing point. It is the perfect way to end an incredible experience – first from below the water, and then from above.

River Drift Snorkelling is the perfect activity for all ages and fitness levels – from groups of friends to families as it’s suitable for children who are confident swimmers. It’s a great way to spend time in the rainforest and would work fabulously with any itinerary to Far North Queensland. A highly recommended year-round experience.

Click here to find out more about Australian travel with Alquemie

A 3 day wilderness glamping event in the Southern Highlands – 27 to 29 October 2017

Posted on August 1, 2017August 10, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Be part of an unforgettable and uniquely Australian three day wilderness celebration.

It’s a festival connecting you to nature through soul-stirring and authentic wild activities. And as nature is unpredictable, exciting and untamed, we mix in the whimsical to craft those truly exceptional moments.

This definitely isn’t your average weekend in the country.

This creatively programmed three day wilderness event is a rich mixture of remote glamping with concierge, mouth-watering food experiences, up-close nature exploration through hiking, abseiling, canoeing and mountain biking, awe-inspiring performance art and enough stolen moments to just be. It’s a carnival for the senses designed to let you do as little or as much as you want.

As a special offer to all Alquemie customers we are also including the Canoes, Canapés and Champagne experience as part of this 3 day itinerary at no extra cost.

Add in a wild Native Feast, night photography and an open-air wellness spa and you are starting to understand what it is all about. And then of course there are the surprises that can’t be shared just yet.

All nature-connect activities are optional but included as part of the package price alongside your food, drink and accommodation. Everything is included, you will want for nothing.

Your day is scheduled based on the questionnaire you complete after booking and matched to either your fitness level or your desire for a more leisure-based or physically challenging activity choice.

We provide exceptional chef-designed catering and we do all the heavy lifting along the way. When you reach that magic spot, your deck chair, canapés and special glass of something will await. All you have to do is sit back and savour the beauty that is mother nature. It’s a step out of the everyday into the wild.

The location – Joadja Old Town & Distillery

Joadja Old Town is a very unique and special place and never before has an event like this been held in this location. Its wilderness is unmatched in the area and the historical backdrop of colonial mining ruins are mesmerising.

Only 25 kms west of Mittagong, Joadja town was founded on a shale seam in 1850 and Scottish workers were brought out to Australia to mine it. The mine closed early in the 20th century, and the town was abandoned. The buildings were left to the elements, and nature has slowly regained its hold on much of the valley. The ruins that remain, entangled with the wild, tell the story of those that lived and worked here.

The mining technology that made the valley so prosperous in its time stands as the last of its kind in the world. Joadja truly is a gem of world heritage significance and an intriguing part of Australia’s history.

Canoes, Champagne and Canapés Experience

Before check in on 27^th Oct or after check out on 29^th Oct from Joadja Old Town we are also including this unique experience in Kangaroo Valley.

Canoes, Champagne and Canapés is the perfect combination food, wine and wilderness. Its gastronomy heaven for lovers of great food as well as a wine tasting exploration of award winning cool climate varietals and boutique craft beers from the Southern Highlands, all set in a wilderness sanctuary where nature over delivers.

Gliding downstream on the Kangaroo River from Beehive Point to the mouth of Yarrunga Creek with the backdrop of the Morton National Park in Kangaroo Valley is one such place. Take a seat in one of our custom-built double-canoe rigs and immerse your senses in its sheer beauty. This area is home to the majestic azure kingfisher, wedge-tail eagle, diamond python, rock wallaby, white-breasted sea eagle, water dragon and more.

Package price does not include transfers to and from Joadja Old Town or Beehive Point for the Canoes, Champagne and Canapés Experience. For those unable to self drive and need transportation and for full terms and conditions please contact your Alquemie Specialist.

The 3 Day WILDfest Southern Highlands Premium Package is all inclusive.

3 Days and 2 Nights Glamping on the Remote Joadja Old Town private site from check in on Friday 27th Oct to check out on Sunday 29th Oct
Glamping guests enjoy concierge service and tent inclusions are:
- Real beds – Mattress on bed bases, floor rugs and welcome mat
- Quality bed linen package – sheets, pillow cases, warm doona, warm throw and cushion
- Towels, face washer and environmentally friendly toiletries
- Luggage rack and low shelving unit• Bed side tables with solar lights and chairs
- Communal lounge are in our Sperry Tent
- Toilets and hot showers serviced regularly on site
Our central communal lounge Sperry tent will be stocked with local snacks to keep the hunger pains at bay as well as cool climate wines, local boutique beers and soft herbal non-alcoholic tonics and fresh gravity feed mountain water for you to access anytime.
Tea and coffee will be available on request through our concierge team.
Gourmet meals prepared by Brigid Kennedy of the Loch in Berrima & Simmer Catering. These include:
- Welcome Lunch Friday 27th Oct – Our food is fresh paddock-to-plate all the way with gastronomic delights carefully crafted by our award-winning chefs for which the region is renowned.
- Sundowners followed by Gourmet Fire Feast on Friday 27th Oct. Sit back and relax as we serve you a char-grilled extravaganza of the finest locally cultivated produce. Platters to satisfy the most ardent meat lover or vegetarian gastronome will be served accompanied by the best of the best Highlands wines: crisp Pinot Grigio, delicate Chardonnay, elegant Riesling or gold-medal winning Pinot Noir depending on your preference.
- Breakfast on Sat 28th and Sun 29th Oct – After a steaming hot shower greet the day with fresh baked sourdough smothered in smoky butter, just-roasted coffee or hand-blended tea. Expect a sumptuous feast of freshly baked pastries, organic juices, super food porridge and classic farm-style hearty breakfast options such as free range eggs, locally reared bacon or pancake stacks with fruit and maple syrup.
- Picnic lunch on Saturday 28th Oct at the Joadja Old Town Property – location depending on your chosen activities that day. Enjoy crusty bread with hand made artisan delicacies such as pate, ploughman’s or thick crusted open sandwiches served with fresh salads, fruits of the season and something sweet to fuel you until dinner.
- Farewell Lunch on Sunday 29th Oct – Our last supper together will celebrate all that is amazing about the richness and diversity of food and wine produce from the Highlands region.
- After lunch on Sunday 29th Oct we will take you on a tour of the Joadja Distillery where they make Single Malt Whisky, Moonshine, Dr Gin, Anise and their Wee Scottish Ale as well as set up a shop in the WIldfest Café – Why not pack your bag with a taste of the Highlands to enjoy while you look back on your unforgettable images of WILDfest™ Southern Highlands
Wild Native Feast event from 5.30pm on Sat 28th OctoberOur signature foodie event – A combination of award-wining local produce partnered with fresh foraged delights that have been crafted into a 7 course feast by resident chef Damien Monley. We will serve this under the stars in one of the paddock at Joadja Old Town and mix in some whimsical elements to really make your night complete – live entertainment with acoustic music, seven incredible courses and we provide you with Top Hat & Tails for the guys and Tiaras & Gloves for the ladies to really immerse=se yourself in the wonderland setting we have created for this special dinner.
Participate in 5 of the available Nature Connect Activities with our fully qualified guides over your 3 day festival period:
- Hike & Harvest Bush Walk
- Mountain Biking with bikes provided
- Canoe experience with canoes provided
- Abseiling with all equipment provided and guides to teach you
- 4WD Drive tour of the Joadja Old Town Ruins
- Wildlife Encounter with the South Coast Rescue Team and Australia Raptor Centre
- Rejuvenate and Meditate- our bush spa treatment
- Art Classes in the bush

The festival organisers schedule your day based on the questionnaire you complete after booking. These are matched to either your fitness level or desire for more leisure-based or physically challenging activity choices.

Start the day with either Yoga or Tai Chi before breakfast.
Additional activities such as night photography and glow in the dark boules will be offered and you can choose to participate or not during your weekend adventure.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

FRIDAY 27TH OCT 2017 Sunrise 6.00am

11am – Arrive and Check In

Guests arrive at our remote location – Joadja Old Town in Southern Highlands about 1.5 hours south of Sydney. We have arranged car parking nearby for those arriving in their own vehicles or local pick ups for other arrival options. We then transfer you on to the WILDfest site by 4WD where you’ll enjoy a welcome drink, meet the festival staff and settle in to your perfectly provisioned bell tent. We’ll brief you on your itinerary before you embark on your long weekend.

Noon -1.30pm- Welcome Lunch

Our festival foodie mecca has been set up adjacent to the Whiskey Distillery where you will, over the next three days, sample the best of locally grown produce from more than 100 regional growers and producers. Brigid Kennedy and her team at The Loch, Berrima are well known for their Foodie Field Day Feasts and are providing our day-to-day catering. Brigid is an expert chef and the driving force behind the Southern Highlands Food & Wine Clusters, a development which has put the national spotlight on the rich and diverse wine and food culture in the Highlands. She is also a celebrated author having published Small Food and All Fired Up and is currently working on her next book Slave to Flavour

Expect delights such as line-caught local perch, fresh hand-reared Angus beef, free range chicken, luscious organic vegetables and fruit, artisan cheeses, the freshest of hand-kneaded breads, smoky churned butters, award-winning cold climate wines, and boutique beers and ciders that rival the best in the country. Our food is fresh paddock-to-plate all the way with gastronomic delights carefully crafted by our award-winning chefs for which the region is renowned.

2.00-4.00pm – Hike and Harvest

Time to set off and explore the surrounding native bush with our expert guides. We have a number of trails to choose from that weave through pristine wilderness teaming with wildlife – meet some local kangaroos and wallabies, wombats, birds in abundance, lyre birds, monitors and our elusive platypus. See our colonial past as you pass by mining ruins and take in the abundance of native bush foods on which our forefathers and indigenous populations survived. Then quench your thirst with fresh mountain stream water as you unwind and get accustomed to the extraordinary landscape. Hike to the top of the mountain to gaze over the escarpment from the comfort of your deck chair, raise your glass and take that unforgettable photo. Just sit back and take the time to enjoy the uniqueness of nature’s beauty – you have earned it.

6pm – Sun-downers by the waterhole

With the sun setting over the water we have the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink and watch nature light up the sky. And as nature is unpredictable, exciting and untamed, we mix in the whimsical to make our first night a truly exceptional moment. Expect some entertaining surprises.

Sunset 7.18pm

7.30pm Under the Milky Way Gourmet Fire Feast

Sit back and relax as we serve you a char-grilled extravaganza of the finest locally cultivated produce. Platters to satisfy the most ardent meat lover or vegetarian gastronome will be served accompanied by the best of the best Highlands wines: crisp Pinot Grigio, delicate Chardonnay, elegant Riesling or gold-medal winning Pinot Noir depending on your preference.

Add in an optional glow-in-the-dark boules tournament or perhaps night photography under the splendour of the Milky Way guided by one of our award-wining photographers. There are also a few more surprises we don’t want to share just yet!

Make your way back to your inviting 900 thread count sheets by foot or vehicle and expect to see a few nocturnal friends along the way.

SAT 28TH OCT 2017 – Sunrise 5.59am

7.00am Start the day with morning yoga in the bush

Yoga is a group of spiritual, mental and physical disciplines which originated in ancient India and what better way to greet the coming day than in the quiet seclusion of the Australian bush. Deep breathe, stretch your body and leave your troubles behind you as you ready yourself for another day connecting with the wild parts of the world.

7am – 9am – Breakfast

After a steaming hot shower greet the day with fresh baked sourdough smothered in smoky butter, just-roasted coffee or hand-blended tea. Expect a sumptuous feast of freshly baked pastries, organic juices, super food porridge and classic farm-style hearty breakfast options such as free range eggs, locally reared bacon or pancake stacks with fruit and maple syrup.

9.00 – 11.00am – WILD Cycle

Explore the wilderness with our expert guides on mountain bikes and a choice of tracks: a challenging upward track or an exhilarating cycle down into the valley with the wind in your face. Mountain bikes are tailor made to handle our terrain from hard-packed, muddy, rocky, gravel, tree roots to soft form vegetation. They are the prefect vehicle for an adventure along the tracks and trails that make up the Joadja Old Town estate.

All bikes are provided for you and our guides will be on hand to show you the best places to ride. And of course we weave in some unexpected surprises to take your long weekend from ordinary to extraordinary.

12.30 – 2.00pm – Lunch

What better way to enjoy the water than in our custom-built canoes while you sip on award-winning Highlands wines and savour native food canapés? We have designed a central rig that links two canoes together offering not only greater stability to paddle but also a perfect picnic table.

2.30-4.00pm – WILDlife – Meet some of the locals

At WILDfest™ we are for wild and wildlife so we have arranged an out of the ordinary encounter with some of our adorable Australian animal citizens in conjunction with Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc, HigherGround Raptor and Southern Highlands Koala Sanctuary. Their teams and a licensed exhibitor will be on hand to give you an insight into being a native animal carer and you can get up close with some of our more adorable mammals and birds.

5.30pm WILDfest Native Feast

No festival would be complete without its signature event and WILD Native Feast is ours! Under the stars guests will enjoy a 7 course food adventure carefully curated by Damien Monley of Grand Bistro, Bowral, from the natural bounty of our land. Enjoy a gastronomic treat using hand reared, hand grown and foraged local produce as the heavens put on a show for us.

Damien Monley is Head Chef and owner-operator of Bowral’s stylish Grand Bistro, has run the kitchen in Matt Moran’s eponymous 2-hatted restaurant, London’s internationally renowned Gastropub The White Horse on Parsons Green, the Brooklyn Hotel and has been owner-operator of two successful Sydney eateries, Madame Char Char at Surry Hills and Flat White Cafe, Woollahra.
He’s a man passionate about nature, the provenance of the ingredients and produce he uses, his relationship with local suppliers, and a belief in the joy of eating honest, rustic food.

No remote formal dinner is complete without an acoustic live performance under the milky way, so get ready for it. There is of course a twist. We’ve arranged to provide gentlemen with top hat and tails whilst the ladies are offered gloves and tiaras to add some magic to this signature event. It’s still outdoors though so gumboots all the way!

Sunset 7.19pm

SUNDAY 29TH OCT 2017- Sunrise 5.58am

7am Start the day with Tai Chi in the bush

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. What better way to greet the coming day than in the quiet seclusion of the Australian bush. Deep breathe, stretch your body and leave your troubles behind you as you ready yourself for another day connecting with the wild parts of the world.

7am – 9am Breakfast

Another foodie feast selection to start the day from Brigid Kennedy and her team at The Loch, Berrima.

9.00 – 11.00am WILD Escarpment OR Joadja Ruins 4WD Exploration

Abseiling is not for everyone but if you like a really wild adventure then our team of expert guides will make sure they get your heart pounding as you see nature from a completely new perspective – off the top of the rocky escarpment overlooking Joadja Old Town. It’s the view any social media addict will covet.You may of course prefer a guided tour in a 4WD exploring the tracks and trails of the 1000 acre Old Town historical site and get a glimpse into our rugged mining past.

12.00 – 1.30pm Lunch

Our last supper together will celebrate all that is amazing about the richness and diversity of food and wine produce from the Highlands region. Why not pack your bag with a taste of the Highlands to enjoy while you look back on your unforgettable images of WILDfest™

2.00-3.00pm Rejuvenate & Meditate in our Bush Spa

Nothing says relaxation like an open-air bush spa. Opt for a luxurious foot massage to get the circulation going while taking in the peaceful bush views or perhaps a remedial treatment to smooth the knots in your shoulders, back and neck. It’s about shutting the door on the day-to-day, quietening your mind, relaxing your body and remembering what it’s like to feel wild and free.

Checkout from 4pm

Your bags will be collected from your tents and be on hand for your departure. We will transfer you back to your cars or arrange to drop you at your departure point. And for those staying in the Highlands to enjoy Anzac day we will coordinate transfer to your next accommodation choice.

Sunset 7.20pm

When you are not participating in an activity there is as much or as little to do as you desire. Perhaps you want to read a book in our relaxation shade tent at the glamping centre and enjoy a glass of award-wining cold climate wine or walk the 500m to the natural springs for a swim.

Joadja Old Town is teaming with wildlife from kangaroos, koalas and wombat populations to platypus, lyre birds and monitors. Nature offers a great show to just observe or perhaps engaging in conversation with another festival guest is the way to spend a lazy hour.

This is your long weekend so you can opt in and out of activities as you choose and set your own pace. And after check out, the more adventurous are invited to take their own transport to another location for our Twilight Strip N Dip to baptise ourselves in the WILD, just the way nature intended.

For more information or to book this please contact your Alquemie Australian Specialist.

Australian Airport security update

Posted on August 1, 2017August 1, 2017 by Nicola Billens

The Australian Government has introduced additional aviation security measures for both international and domestic terminals at Australia’s major airports. These are precautionary measures.

The travelling public can expect to experience an increased level of security scrutiny at the airport but they should not be concerned about these precautionary measures. As the measures place an additional burden on the screening system, it may take a little longer than usual to get through the process.

· Passengers should arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flight and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for security screening.
· Passengers should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage they travel with as this will help to ensure security screening is efficient

There are no changes to what can and cannot be carried on-board the aircraft.

Gourmet Nights – a Private Sydney dining tour

Posted on July 10, 2017August 16, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Discover Sydney with your tastebuds on a private Sydney dining tour. Not only will you sample some of the best food Sydney has to offer, but your hosts have great relationships with the chefs, so you’ll have access to behind the scenes inclusions you can’t get anywhere else!

Gourmet Nights is an utterly compelling dining and walking your that takes you through Sydney’s streets. This experience
seamlessly combines Sydney’s colourful history, its modern and historic architecture as well as it’s eclectic food and beverage scene.

This fabulous tour includes:

A spunky specialised Host – 5:30pm – 9:30pm
A 4 hour private tour done on foot
The opportunity to tailor your itinerary any way you like
A tailored tasting menu + glass of wine at Bennelong at their Cured & Culture counter
Main course with matching glass of wine at Bistro Rex
Endless scoops of Gelato Messina
A night cap cocktail in Darlinghurst

Bennelong Restaurant

Your host for the evening will meet you at your Sydney hotel or a central spot close to Circular Quay. First you’ll visit the architectural masterpiece that is Bennelong Restaurant which occupies the first sail of the Sydney Opera House. You will sit at their Cured & Cultured counter with a view of the chefs at work and indulge in a tailored tasting menu. You’ll experience the finest Sydney rock oysters, Mooloolabah Yellowfin tuna and Red claw yabbies – all ethically, delicately and locally sourced by Head Chef Peter Gilmore. A glass of locally produced semillon, a Hunter Valley white wine will be served to match.

Bistro Rex

Next, take a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and up into Potts Point where you’ll find Bistro Rex – Sydney’s hottest new eatery situated right in the heart of the ultra-trendy Potts Point. With a delicate french twist and the use of the finest Australian produce, this eatery will blow your mind in a million different ways. Meet Head Chefs and co-owners, Michelle and Jo as they serve you your main dish for the evening as part of your gourmet journey. Just try to choose between their Poached chicken breast confit leg with harissa broth and black olives or their classic, yet mind-blowing Steak frites. No doubt the chefs will help you make your decision and recommend a wine that will compliment their dish perfectly.

Gelato Messina

After your main dish at Bistro Rex, your host will guide you on a walk through Potts Point, Kings Cross and into Darlinghurst to Gelato Messina for dessert. Here you’ll experience possibly the best gelato ever to cross your lips in a fun, upbeat parlour space on the main street of Darlinghurst. Choose a flavour – or 3 and dive in to see what all the locals are lining up for.

Nightcap

And to ensure your night ends on an absolute high, let’s go for a final nightcap cocktail in Darlinghurst… on us! Your Gourmet Nights journey will end in Darlinghurst so you can stay in the area to explore further or easily make your way back to your original meeting spot.

Note – all of this tour can be done on foot. If you prefer, an UBER Black can be used to get from one destination to the next.

La Bohème – Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2018

Posted on July 8, 2017August 21, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Taste the best of Sydney in a single night out: food, fireworks, singing and spectacle under the stars as you experience the romance of the original Bohemian love story on the magnificent floating stage at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.

From 23 March to 22 April 2018 you can join the cultural event of the year as La Bohème is performed with a backdrop of one of the world’s most stunning skylines.

Opera on Sydney Harbour — Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour “Carmen” opening night 2017 (photo by Jamie Williams/Operas Australia)

La Bohème opens your soul to emotions too big for words. As six friends bare their hearts and souls in a Parisian winter, you’ll fall in love, flare with passion and ache with loss, right alongside them.

In 2018 the venue opens at 5pm, so arrive as the sun is setting over the city skyline and take in the view with a glass of bubbles as dusk falls. Meet for dinner at one of the pop-up bars and restaurants, then sit back in a grandstand at the water’s edge and immerse yourself in Puccini’s passionate music.

From 23 March–22 April 2018 on Tuesdays to Sundays at 7:30pm (no performance on Good Friday 30 March)

Ask your Alquemie Australian specialist to book you tickets now. This incredible event is a highlight to any trip to Australia and will book out.

Discover Sydney differently on a Sydney Street Art Tour

Posted on July 5, 2017August 1, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Explore something new and a little bit different about the city of Sydney with a Sydney Street Art tour. Top notch guides will take you around some of Sydney’s best-hidden treasures in local food, coffee, street art, small bars and gallery hotspots.

Explore lively laneways of contemporary street art and discover works by Sydney’s most prolific street artists. On a private Sydney Street Art tour you can expect vividly patterned pieces by Beastman, Lister’s grand ballerinas, and works by over 50 other Sydney-based artists such as JUMBOist, Bafcat, Skulk, Phibs, Numskull, Nico and David Cragg. Explore gallery and independent fashion and design spaces through curated routes around Sydney’s most creative suburbs, with a coffee in hand of course! And afterwards, settle down and unwind with local brews, cocktails, wine, cheese and nibbles loved by the locals.

The Marree man

Posted on June 28, 2017July 31, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Did you know that Australia has it’s own mysterious geoglyph, on par with the Nazcar lines of Peru? The Marree man (so named due to its proximity to the town of Marree), is an engraving in the Australian desert of an indigenous figure of a man with a spear or boomerang. It’s 4.2km-long with a circumference of 28km. It’s so big, that it can only truely be seen from the air.

The Marree man mysteriously appeared suddenly in outback South Australia near Lake Eyre almost two decades ago. One day it wasn’t there, the next it was. Nobody knows who did it or how, although it hasn’t come from outer space – that is for sure. Conjecture is that it was created by people from the United States or an Australian artist named Bardius Goldberg, but nobody has stepped forward to confirm.

Over the years it started to fade but has recently been restored to its former glory, making a scenic flight to see it, a valuable addition to any trip to outback South Australia. We’d recommend tacking it on as a day trip with a 3 or 4 night stay at Arkaba in the Flinders Ranges. Your pilot will also show you Lake Eyre and Wilpena Pound from above to give you a real sense of how spectacular Australia’s desert landscape can be.

Click here to begin your tailor-made journey to Australia

New restaurant – Mode Kitchen & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Posted on June 22, 2017August 16, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney announced the launch of Mode Kitchen & Bar in July 2017 with Francesco Mannelli, ex Balla, est. and Uccello, as Head Chef.

Mode Kitchen & Bar, the latest addition to Sydney’s burgeoning CBD dining scene, will strike the perfect balance between casual bistro and fine dining and is a reflection of what guests and Sydneysiders are looking for in a contemporary dining experience today (Mode: of the moment).

Renowned Sydney design team, Luchetti Krelle has overhauled the former Pei Modern space to create a restaurant drawing from the glamour of the 1920s – velvet, polished brass, marble and leather finishes all hark back to the grand days of art deco hotels. The restaurant has also been enclosed by fluted glass to create an intimate dining room setting.

Mode Kitchen & Bar seats up to 200 guests across a mix of seating options including stools at the new central bar, a chef’s table, banquettes, lounge seating and two private dining spaces.

Mannelli has been entrusted to create a menu which delivers simple dishes executed exceptionally well, drawing from his rich experience in Australia. The best seasonal produce is a given with a roster of Mannelli’s favourite produce already on board, including calamari from South Australia, New Zealand scampi and fresh truffles from Tasmania.

Mode Kitchen & Bar is located on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, near Sydney’s beautiful Circular Quay and will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. More details can be found on their website.