WHERE I’D RATHER BE ...
SHORT HAUL
Heading to Sydney’s western suburbs for the Parramatta Lanes Festival, four days of music from a variety of bands, producers and DJs; global cuisine and drinks at more than 50 food stalls and bars; and art installations around the city streets. Well worth a look. October 15-18. parramattalanes.com.au
EATING: Vegan delights at Soul Burger, where everything on the menu is meatfree, but you’d never know from the taste. soulburger.com.au
DRINKING: At Uncle Kurt’s, a New Yorkstyle dive bar hidden in a Parramatta city centre carpark. As well as expertly-crafted cocktails, you’ll also find American delistyle food, and regular live music. facebook.com/unclekurts
STAYING: In a five-star serviced apartment at the Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta. Right now, if you book a stay direct through their website, you’ll receive a complimentary minibar. skyehotels.com.au/parramatta
MID HAUL
Catching the last days of this year’s Austin City Limits Festival, where headline acts include Lizzo, Kacey Musgraves, Robyn and Mumford and Sons. As well as music, the festival has food, markets, a beer hall, wine lounge, silent disco, and designated kids area. Ends tomorrow. aclfestival.com
EATING: From the $60 prix fixe weeklychanging menu at Lenoir, a cosy restaurant with backyard wine garden. lenoirrestaurant.com
DRINKING: Unbelievably over-the-top milkshakes at The Yard. Choose from 33 flavours of icecream for your shake, then add on a variety of toppings, including cherries, animal cookies, melted peanut butter and whipped cream. theyardmilkshakebar.com/austin
STAYING: In a private king suite at Native, a super-stylish hostel that redefines what you expect from budget accommodation. nativehostels.com
LONG HAUL
At the Amsterdam Dance Event, the world’s biggest electronic music festival and conference, which sees more than 2500 artists performing in 140 of the city’s live music and nightlife venues, culminating with the We Own The Night AMF Festival. October 16-20. amsterdamdance-event.nl/en
EATING: At the Avocado Show Downtown, a restaurant where millennials will ruin their house deposits, thanks to a menu full of avocado-themed delights. theavocadoshow.com
DRINKING: At Wynana Fockink, a distillery that dates back to 1679. The drink of choice here is jenever — a juniper-flavoured traditional liquor known as Dutch gin. wynand-fockink.nl
STAYING: At The Hoxton Amsterdam, a well-priced, trendy new hotel. It has its own on-site restaurant and cafe, and thoughtful design touches to retain a sense of history. thehoxton.com