{"id":44016,"date":"2026-01-21T10:55:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T23:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=44016"},"modified":"2026-02-05T12:16:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T01:16:22","slug":"travel-news-january-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/travel-news-january-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Arrival Hall: The Latest Travel News From January & February"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recent travel news including a new initiative to help communities in Victoria’s High Country affected by the bushfires, a new Thai resort from Minor Hotels and a renovated Queenstown luxury alpine retreat in New Zealand.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping the High Country: support fire-affected Victorian businesses with a new consumer portal <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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“Victoria’s High Country at Home<\/a>” allows people to help our fire-affected towns by purchasing products from a new online marketplace that brings the best of the alpine region to your home. Victorian bushfires have once again seen some of our most beloved High Country towns battle nature instead of welcoming tourists, but just because you might not be heading off on a regional trip doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of the best this region has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a challenging start to 2026 for the local communities, High Country at Home serves as a virtual front door to the region. The platform allows fans of the High Country to lend their support directly to small businesses by purchasing locally made products, farm-fresh produce, boutique wines, beers and spirits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our community has always been defined by its spirit and resilience,” says Tourism North East CEO, Bess Nolan-Cook. “High Country at Home isn’t just a shop; it\u2019s a way for people who love this region to help our businesses get back on their feet from the comfort of their own living rooms. Every purchase makes a genuine difference.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art of Dining: Sofitel Brisbane Central launches new art-based immersive dining experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What does a Jackson Pollock painting taste like? Sofitel Brisbane Central is seeking to answer this question and others in 7 Paintings<\/a> an immersive dining experience that offers a seven-course interactive dinner designed to mirror the emotion, energy and story of seven of the world\u2019s most famous artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a Pollock-inspired edible painting, to a surreal Dal\u00ed dessert and a bold Banksy dish, this is dining as theatre. Created by Executive Chef Alex Goyard, the experience launches on 20th<\/sup> February and runs until June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/strong>7 Paintings is a celebration of creativity, where art and gastronomy come together in a way that engages all the senses,” says Goyard. “Each course has been thoughtfully crafted to reflect the story and emotion of the artwork it accompanies. It is dining as theatre and cuisine as culture. We invite guests to not just taste, but to experience the art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other artists to get the tasty treatment include Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh and Michelangelo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Price is White: new Australian Epic Pass delivers skiers savings on skiing Whistler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The 2026 Epic Australia Pass is on sale now from AU$1135pp, with a low AU$49 up front payment option, if purchased before 4 March 2026. This Southern Hemisphere season pass provides unlimited skiing to Perisher, Mt. Hotham and Falls Creek, plus 10 days of combined lift access at Whistler Blackcomb in Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

North America\u2019s largest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb remains the bucket-list destination in Canada for Australians planning ski holidays. Offering more than 8,100 acres of skiable terrain, and a vibrant alpine pedestrian only village, with ample ski-in – ski-out accommodation, this mountain resort continues to draw Australian skiers and boarders as the ultimate winter destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Epic Australia Pass also unlocks Epic Mountain Rewards providing further discounts in Whistler including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n