What better way to spend the love month than indulging in your love for travel? Photo / 123rf
What better way to spend the love month than indulging in your love for travel? Photo / 123rf
Each week in Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure.
Love for quality time – The Fullerton Hotel
There is nothing more romantic than quality time. This February, let love take centre stage at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, where heritage charm and heartfelt hospitality create the perfect romantic escape. Dine under the glow of city lights with a six-course Valentine’s Day set menu at The Place, where each dish tells a story of passion — from delicate yellowfin tuna to the indulgent Love Bomb dessert. Extend the magic with the Celebrate Love package, a stay designed for pure romance, featuring breakfast in bed, an elegant afternoon tea and a decadent chocolate delight crafted just for two. With late checkout and moments made to last, this is love at its most luxurious. fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney/offers/celebrate-love-at-the-fullerton
Romance is blooming this February at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. Photo / 123rf
Savour the ultimate ocean-to-table experience at the world’s only ocean-grown abalone ranch in Fremantle, Western Australia. Join a Rare Foods Australia tour and begin at the Ocean Pantry, where the story of the company unfolds, revealing a passion for sustainable seafood. Witness live tanks, expert divers at work and the innovative, ocean-cellared wine aged beneath the waves. Then, indulge in a freshly cooked abalone tasting, paired with this unique deep-sea wine, all while enjoying stunning harbour views. A feast for the senses, this tour is a celebration of the ocean’s finest flavours. rarefoodsaustralia.com.au/tours
Join the Rare Foods Tour on an insightful tour of the world’s only ocean-grown abalone ranch.
Merrie Monarch Festival 2025
With the 62nd Merrie Monarch Festival to be held from April 20-26 this year, let your heart be filled with pride and adoration for Hawaiian culture and the art of hula. More than a dance, hula is a sacred expression of storytelling, preserving the history, values and spirit of Hawaiʻi. Held at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo on the Island of Hawaii, the week-long, world-renowned event features a prestigious hula competition alongside music, art, and cultural festivities – drawing participants and audiences from around the globe. merriemonarch.com
Celebrate Hawaiian culture in the Merrie Monarch Festival 2025.
Lonely Planet’s The LGBTQ+ Guide
Just like adventure, love knows no boundaries. Let Lonely Planet’s new LGBTQ+ Travel Guide be your passport to the world’s most inclusive, vibrant and exciting destinations. With over 50 queer-friendly hotspots, this guide is more than a resource: it’s a love letter to adventure, crafted by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it’s exploring dynamic cities, hidden gems or cosy retreats, each destination is handpicked for its welcoming spirit. From Pride festivals to year-round queer culture, this guide unlocks the world with insider tips, curated experiences and stories from locals, helping travellers embrace the thrill of discovery with confidence and pride. RRP $44.99. Available at Whitcoulls or shop.lonelyplanet.com.
Get the Lonely Planet's LGBTQ+ Travel Guide for your travel plans this year.
Celebrating love for all
Let a kaleidoscope of love, pride and self-expression fill the air when the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras returns from February 14 to March 2 this year with the theme Free to Be. More than just a festival, this two-week celebration is a joyful tribute to LGBTQIA+ identity, culture and activism, featuring electrifying dance parties, community events and world-class performances. The grand finale? Oxford St transforms into a glittering spectacle on March 1 for the iconic Mardi Gras Parade, a dazzling display of unity and resilience, followed by the legendary Mardi Gras Party – a night of music, dancing, and unforgettable moments. mardigras.org.au
Participants in a Mardi Gras Parade. Photo / Getty Images
