WHERE I’D RATHER BE . . .
SHORT HAUL
Putting on my stretchy pants for a visit to Visa Wellington on a Plate, the annual festival of all things foodie, this year celebrating its 10th anniversary. August 10-26. visawoap.com
Eating: Everything! From bread to barbecue, burgers to brunch, vegan menus to winter game, this festival won’t leave anyone hungry.
Drinking: Responsibly at Beervana, a twoday festival giving punters the opportunity to sample craft beers and special one-off brews from around NZ and the globe. August 10-12. beervana.co.nz
Staying: At the QT Museum Wellington, an art-filled central city hotel with onsite French-inspired restaurant, Hippopotamus.qthotelsandresorts.com/wellington
MID HAUL
At Melbourne’s Central Beer District, a winter pop-up at Queen Victoria Market with weekly rotating guest breweries, food trucks and live music. Until September 9. qvm.com.au/ whatson/central-beer-district
Eating: At Attica, which Kiwi executive chef Ben Shewry helped take to glory at the recent World’s 50 Best Restaurant awards, named the best restaurant in Australasia and the 20th best in the world. attica.com.au
Drinking: At Jungle Boy, a cocktail bar hidden behind a walk-in freezer door at the back of a sandwich shop. jboy.com.au
Staying: At the Ovolo Laneways, a stylish hotel designed and inspired by Melbourne’s hidden laneways and street art. ovolohotels.com.au
LONG HAUL
In London for the Great British Beer Festival, where there will be 30 bars serving countless craft brews and ciders, as well as wine, gin and specialty coffees. Food and entertainment are also on offer. August 7-11. Gbbf.org.uk.
Eating: At Yotam Ottolenghi’s new restaurant, Rovi, where the focus is on fermented foods and cooking over fire. ottolenghi.co.uk/rovi
Drinking: At Wolfie’s, a private hairdressers by day, speakeasy cocktail bar by night. wolfies.london
Staying: At the Hand & Flower, a Victorian pub and hotel in walking distance to Olympia, where GBBF is being held. handandflower.co.uk